Four Panels Not on the Main Stage to Check out at NYCC

New York Comic Con is upon us, and WWAC is there! If you are also going to be there, here are four panels not taking place on the main stages that I think sound pretty damn cool, featuring some awesome people.

#BlackComicsMonth: Diversity in Comics

Thu. October 8| 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Room 1A18

Official Blurb:

#BlackComicsMonth was birthed during Black History Month and spotlighted 28 days of black comic creators. After realizing that 28 days wasn’t enough, BlackComicsMonth.com has continued featuring black creators in the mainstream as well as independent comics community, along with black comic characters. When #BlackComicsMonth was featured on several sites, we realized the community was craving Diversity in Comics as a whole. This Panel will feature several creators of color & discuss Diversity in Comics.

Why You Should Go:

The panel is being moderated by Swapna Krishna from Panels. Panelists include Chad Coleman (The Walking Dead, The Wire), Shawn Pryor (Cash and Carrie), Steve Orlando (Midnighter, Virgil), Mildred Louis (Agents of the Realm), Christine Dinh of Boom!Studios, and two of our favorite people: Jeremy Whitley (Princeless, “Misty & Danny Forever”), and Mikki Kendall (Swords of Sorrow: Miss Fury/Lady Rawhide)

Crip Culture and the Media – Perceptions of Disability in Film and Television

Fri. October 9| 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM | Room 1B03

Official Blurb:

As the world’s largest minority, there are over 1 billion people in the world with disabilities, but only a fraction of these individuals are represented in the media. Bereft with inaccuracies that include stereotyping and caricatures, portrayals of disability are often limited to narratives about pity or inspiration, with use of disability as a plot device. From inaccurate portrayals to lack of representation, we explore the issues pertinent to inclusion of disability in film and television.

Why You Should Go:

The panel embodies the philosophy “Nothing about us without us.” Panelists includes actress and comedian Maysoon Zayid, actress, comedian, and singer Shannon Devido, Dominick Evans (#FilmDis), Lawrence Carter-Long (Disabilities Network), and Howard Sherman (Alliance for Arts in Inclusion in New York).

Push Boundaries Forward: Gender, Diversity and Representation in Comic Books

Fri. October 9| 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM | Room 1A24

Official Blurb:

The face of comics is changing. Join a diverse Panel examining what indie/web publishing have been doing right, how mainstream comics can catch up and what Creators and Fans can do to be heard. Join Moderator David Brothers and Panelists Marjorie Liu, Shannon Watters, Jeremy Whitley, Amber Garza, Joey Stern and Darryl Ayo in a sincere, thoughtful discussion on the topic of gender, diversity and representation in mainstream comics.

Why You Should Go:

The panel is moderated by David Brothers (another one of our favorites here at WWAC) and features Marjorie Liu, Shannon Watters, Jeremy Whitley, Amber Garza, Joey Stern and Darryl Ayo, who are all awesome.

A Force for Good: The Powerful Partnership Between Mental Health and Pop Culture

Sun. October 11| 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM | Room 1A24

Official Blurb:

Awareness of pop culture’s power to help people with mental illnesses is reaching new heights, from celebrated depictions of superhero struggles to the personal stories of creators themselves. Join Eisner-nominated writer Alex de Campi, actress/writer Mara Wilson, Project UROK’s Jenny Jaffe, Drs. Bender, Kambam, and Pozios of Broadcast Thought, Superhero Therapy’s Janina Scarlet, and moderator Jeff Trexler as they discuss how comics can be a force for good in mental health. Speakers: Alex de Campi, Mara Wilson, Jenny Jaffe, H. Eric Bender, M.D., Praveen R. Kambam, M.D., Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D., Janina Scarlet, Ph.D.

Why You Should Go:

I predict there will be both laughter and tears. I got to meet Jenny Jaffe, the founder of Project UROK at San Diego Comic Con, and can vouch for her amazingness. Speaking up and having conversations about mental health, depression, and the representations of people with mental health illnesses in popular culture is so important.

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Kate Tanski

Kate Tanski

Recovering academic. Fangirl. Geek knitter.

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