Your Complete Guide to San Diego Comic Con 2014

What panels should you see? What is going on outside the convention? There’s a Suicide Girl Burlesque show? We have all the answers right here in our official San Diego Comic Con 2014 guide…

San Diego Comic Con 2014 officially kicks off in less than 24 hours and to make sure that you don’t miss a second of the action, we are giving you this handy guide for everything you need to see, watch, tune in for, go to, or just keep an eye out on during the biggest pop culture gathering of the year.

The biggest panels, predictions for what may be announced this year, actors and actresses expected to appear, off site events, nightly parties and much, much more. This is your one stop shop for all things San Diego Comic Con 2014.

Let’s kick things off on Wednesday with Preview Night:

First things first — badge pick up. You can actually get your badge at the San Diego Convention Center starting at 3pm PT on Wednesday all the way up to 8:30pm PT but this is only for folks with the consolidated four day badges plus preview night, exhibitors, professionals and press. The other days have other start times and you can only pick up individual day badges on the day you have it purchased — so if you only got a Saturday badge, you can only get it on Saturday. Those days the badge pick up starts at 8:30am PT.

Now Preview Night is exactly what it sounds like — a chance to peruse the show floor, pick up exclusives, toys, t-shirts and other goodies before the actual convention kicks off on Thursday morning. Now the only people that can get into this thing are the attendees with four day badges with preview night so it’s also the least crowded of all the days on the convention floor. This is the day where I have typically purchased any show exclusives that I want because there’s less hustle and bustle going on the floor, plus every vendor has the products because it’s the first day of the convention.

SPECIAL SNEAK PEEK SCREENING – 6pm in Ballroom 20

The only major convention activity going on Wednesday night is a special preview screening of some hot pilots debuting this fall. The preview screening will including the pilot episodes of ‘The Flash’, ‘Constantine’, ‘iZombie’ and ‘Teen Titans Go!’.

THURSDAY PANELS AND PREVIEWS

Thursday is when the real action at the convention picks up. Now these are just the highlights — for a full schedule visit the Comic Con site and plan your schedule from there.

24 PANEL — 10am in Ballroom 20

Kiefer Sutherland is set to appear and speak about this past season of ’24: Live Another Day’ while also giving a sneak preview of the upcoming DVD and blu-ray release. It’s also possible Sutherland could be joined by other special guests including Yvonne Strahovski, who appeared in the latest season and is set to be at Comic Con this week. Also be on the lookout for a possible announcement about another season of ’24’. It’s been teased for the past couple of weeks, but this could be the perfect place to make it official.

The Legacy and Return of Battlestar Galactica — 10:30am in Room 6BCF

Scheduled to appear — Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek, Captain Apollo), Jamie Bamber (Lee Adama), and Dr. Kevin Grazier (science consultant for Falling Skies, Battlestar Galactica, Eureka). This same panel last year featured a bigger list of guests, but mostly turned into a fan Q&A. Great fun if you’re a Battlestar Galactica fan, but don’t expect a huge amount of news to come from this one unless the producers behind the new movie decide to make a big reveal during this time.

Under the Dome: Panel and Exclusive Sneak Preview — 11:15am in Ballroom 20

Sneak preview of what’s to come in season 2 (already underway) with cast members appearing including: Mike Vogel (Bates Motel), Dean Norris (Breaking Bad), Rachelle Lefevre (Twilight), Alexander Koch, Colin Ford, and Mackenzie Lintz, along with executive producer Neal Baer.

Dig: A USA Network Event Series — 11:30am in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront

New series airing on USA with executive producers Tim Kring and Gideon Raff along with series stars, Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter), David Costabile (Breaking Bad) and Alison Sudol (A Fine Frenzy) appearing and a look into the series with an exclusive clip from the show
Scorpion: World Premiere Screening and Panel — 12:05 in Ballroom 20

Entire pilot will screen – Based on the true story of Walter O’Brien, an eccentric genius with the world’s fourth highest IQ who has created a company of brilliant misfits who use their mental muscle to defend the planet against complex high-tech threats of the modern age. Scheduled to appear are Walter O’Brien, along with series stars Elyes Gabel (World War Z), Robert Patrick (Terminator 2), and Katharine McPhee (Smash),and executive producers Nick Santora, Nicholas Wootton, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, and Justin Lin.

Sony Pictures Entertainment — 12:30pm in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront

Sony will present clips, trailers and discussion with some of their upcoming films and stars including the debut for the new film ‘Goosebumps’ starring Jack Black. Christopher Columbus will also make a presentation for the film ‘Pixels’ starring Adam Sandler and Peter Dinklage.

Legends Screening and Panel — 12:30pm in Room 6A

Starring Sean Bean, airing on TNT, new series from executive producer Howard Gordon (Homeland) will debut pilot episode at Comic Con.

Reign Panel and Sneak Peak — 1:15pm in Ballroom 20

The Giver — 1:30pm in Hall H

Cast and crew appear from the new film including Jeff Bridges, Brenton Thwaites, Odeya Rush, director Phillip Noyce, and bestselling author Lois Lowry.

NASA’s Next Giant Leap — 3pm in Room 6A

In honor of the 45th anniversary of the moon landing, Seth Green will lead a panel of experts to discuss NASA’s plans for the future. Pretty cool panel especially on the heels of the success of ‘Cosmos’ on FOX this year. Panelists include Dr. Jim Green (NASA’s division director of Planetary Science), Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11 Astronaut), Mike Fincke (NASA Astronaut), and “Mohawk Guy” Bobak Ferdowsi (Curiosity and Europa Missions).

Paramount Pictures — 3pm in Hall H

Expect clips, trailers or panels from a few different Paramount properties but almost certainly something from Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’ as well as ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and possibly the first footage from the new ‘Terminator’ movie starring ‘Game of Thrones’ actress Emilia Clarke.

DC Comics Batman 75: Legends of the Dark Knight — 3:30pm in Room 6BCF

‘Batman’ writers such as Neal Adams, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Denny O’Neil, and Scott Snyder scheduled to appear to discuss the legendary hero known as Batman

George R.R. Martin — 4pm in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront

The author will discuss his upcoming novels (A Song of Ice and Fire) of course and his new comic book series ‘In the House of Worm’. The Q&A should be good for this one.

The Walking Dead (comic book panel) — 4:15pm in Room 6A

Creator Robert Kirkman will discuss the popular, long running comic book series along with artist Charlie Adlard

Hannibal: Embrace the Madness — 4:45pm in Ballroom 20

Sneak preview for season 3 with guests including Bryan Fuller, executive producer/writer Steven Lightfoot, director David Slade, executive producer Martha DeLaurentiis, and stars Caroline Dhavernas (Dr. Alana Bloom), Scott Thompson, and Aaron Abrams (Special Agents Jimmy Price and Brian Zeller),

Batman ’66 — 6pm in Hall H

In anticipation of the release of the classic Batman television series on DVD and blu-ray coming in November, show stars Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar will hit the stage to talk about the iconic show and the new set coming prior to Christmas 2014.

Penny Dreadful — 6pm in Ballroom 20

A look back at season one and a look ahead at season two with Josh Hartnett (Ethan Chandler), Reeve Carney (Dorian Gray), and Harry Treadaway (Victor Frankenstein) set to appear.

The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – A Look Under the Shell — 8:15pm in Room 6DE

TMNT creator Kevin Eastman will discuss the iconic series along with clips from the upcoming documentary titled ‘Turtle Power’.

After hours you can check out the Linkin Park concert playing at Petco Park starting at 7pm.

OUTSIDE THE CONVENTION:

On Thursday-Saturday there is the special ‘Survive the Realm’ set up for ‘Game of Thrones’ at the Omni Hotel Gallery, where fans can take a picture on the Iron Throne (I had to do it last year), props from the show, games and you can even virtually climb the wall (last year you could shoot wild fire into Blackwater Bay). Very cool experience if you are a Game of Thrones fan.

Also HBO will have a ‘pop up shop’ at Market St and 8th Avenue with a full store set up for all of their shows including ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘True Blood’. The shop opens at 10am on July 24 and July 25.

Nerd HQ is also a great part of Comic Con every year. ‘Chuck’ star Zachary Levi hosts the event in Petco Park along with his ‘Conversations for a Cause’ but there’s gear for sell, a lounge to relax in, video games, concessions and at night one of the biggest parties of the entire convention. Highly recommended you stop and check this out. A real highlight of Comic Con.

FRIDAY PANELS AND PREVIEWS:

Inside The Big Bang Theory Writers’ Room — 10am in Ballroom 20

For the last two years, the cast of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ haven’t shown up at Comic Con, but instead the writing staff behind the popular show has done a panel to talk about how they create the storylines and all the pop culture references that make their way into the series.

iZombie Pilot Screening and Q&A — 11:30am in Room 6BCF

Pilot screening for the new CW show along with cast members appearing including Rose McIver (Once Upon a Time), Malcolm Goodwin (Breakout Kings), Rahul Kohli (newcomer from the UK), and Robert Buckley (One Tree Hill), as well as executive producers Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars) and Diane Ruggiero-Wright (Veronica Mars).

The Walking Dead — 12:20pm in Hall H

The cast and crew from the wildly popular show will appear on Friday with the first footage from season four expected to air as well. Cast members making the trip include: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Chad Coleman, and Michael Cudlitz join executive producer and showrunner Scott Gimple, and executive producer/creator Robert Kirkman. Panel is hosted by Chris Hardwick so this will be nothing but hard hitting questions just like on ‘Talking Dead’.

Game of Thrones — 1:40pm in Hall H

Another fan favorite panel returns with a whole bunch of cast members appearing at Comic Con for the first time. Cast members expected for this panel include: Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister, Natalie Dormer as Margaery Baratheon, Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Rose Leslie as Ygritte, Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane (“The Hound”), Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell, Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark, and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark. Because the show just finished airing and the new season won’t pick up production until later this summer, it’s doubtful much will be revealed during this panel, but going last year it was still one of the best parts of the entire convention if you’re a ‘Game of Thrones’ junkie.

Outlander — 2:15pm in Room 6A

A look at the new series on Starz from the hit book of the same name. Scheduled to appear: Ronald D. Moore, author Diana Gabaldon, and cast members from the series, including Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Tobias Menzies, Graham McTavish, and Lotte Verbeek.

Marvel Television Presents — 3:00pm in Ballroom 20

The cast of ‘Agents of SHIELD’ and ‘Agent Carter’ are set to appear on stage, and I expect they will have something from the new series ‘Daredevil’ as well considering how most of the cast has been announced already and filming has started in New York City. Marvel is always good for a few surprises, and I’d bet they will make at least one good announcement here regarding one of these upcoming shows. Definitely a can’t miss panel for 2014.

Horns and Everly — 3pm in Hall H

First appearance by ‘Harry Potter’ star Daniel Radcliffe at the big convention promoting his movie ‘Horns’.  If there’s a Q&A expect at least a few Potter related questions.

Bates Motel — 3:30pm in Room 6A

A video exclusive for Comic Con attendees with the following cast members appearing: Vera Farmiga in her Emmy-nominated role as Norma Bates, Freddie Highmore (Norman Bates), Olivia Cooke (Emma), and Nestor Carbonell (Sheriff Alex Romero). There will also be a preview looking ahead towards season 3.

Arrow — 5:30pm in Ballroom 20

Special presentation and look ahead at season 3 with Stephen Amell (Private Practice), Katie Cassidy (Supernatural), David Ramsey (Dexter), Emily Bett Rickards (Flicka: Country Pride), Colton Haynes (Teen Wolf), Willa Holland (The O.C.), Paul Blackthorne (The River), and John Barrowman (Torchwood) — with executive producers Greg Berlanti (The Flash), Marc Guggenheim (Green Lantern ), and Andrew Kreisberg (Fringe) set to appear.

Sleepy Hollow — 5:45pm in Room 6BCF

First look at season 2 of the show with cast members Tom Mison, Nicole Beharie, John Noble, Orlando Jones, and Lyndie Greenwood appearing. Should be a very good panel especially after a breakout freshman season of the show.

Orphan Black — 6pm in Room 6A

Stars Tatiana Maslany (Sarah, Alison, Cosima, Rachel, Helena, and more) Jordan Gavaris (Felix), Dylan Bruce (Paul), Maria Doyle Kennedy (Mrs. S), Kristian Bruun (Donnie) and Ari Millen (Mark) join co-creators Graeme Manson and John Fawcett scheduled to appear.

An Evening with Kevin Smith — 6:35pm in Hall H

One of the best highlights of Comic Con every year is this special panel with writer/director Kevin Smith. This year he will debut the first trailer for his new film ‘Tusk’ while answering Q&A from the audience. This is definitely an adults only show unless your kids don’t mind a lot of dick and fart jokes.

Banshee — 7:15pm in Room 6A

A look back at season 2 of the show along with a preview of season 3 with cast and crew appearing including: Antony Starr (Rush, Wish You Were Here), Ivana Miličević (Casino Royale, Mind of the Married Man), Ulrich Thomsen (The Celebration), and Geno Segers (Pair of Kings).

OUTSIDE THE CONVENTION:

The Walking Dead Escape is a big hit every year at Comic Con and that kicks off on Friday at Petco Park. It’s $50 for survivors or $95 to be a walker and have makeup applied by a professional artist so you fit right in with the undead from the TV show.

At 11pm at the House of Blues, Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman do a special live edition of their ‘Hollywood Babble-On’ podcast and this is always awesome. Tickets are still available

SATURDAY PANELS AND PREVIEWS

Warner Bros. Pictures — 10am in Hall H

This two hour panel will focus on three Warner Bros. movies in particular — Jupiter Ascending, Mad Max: Fury Road and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Rumors have it that ‘The Hobbit’ will air significant footage from the new movie. With a two-hour slate, expect a few surprises in here as well.

While there’s no official announcement, you can bet money on the fact that there will be some kind of appearance from the cast and crew from ‘Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice’. Whether that means footage being shown or a big reveal (Dwayne Johnson as Shazam perhaps?), there’s no way Comic Con will come and go without this movie making an appearance. This is another one worth standing in line to see.

Legendary Pictures — 12:25pm in Hall H

Another big movie reveal lineup with Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Crimson Peak’ expected to appear along with ‘Godzilla 2’.

Defiance — 1pm in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront

The entire cast and crew from the SyFy series set to appear: Grant Bowler (Nolan), Julie Benz (Amanda Rosewater), Jaime Murray (Stahma Tarr) as well as the rest of the stars from the series. A look ahead at the rest of season 2, currently airing on SyFy.

Skybound Entertainment with Robert Kirkman and Norman Reedus — 3pm in Room 6A

If you missed ‘The Walking Dead’ panel this is a great chance to see both Robert Kirkman and Norman Reedus, while getting a sneak peek at their new film ‘Air’

True Blood — 5pm in Ballroom 20

It’s the final season of ‘True Blood’ so join the cast and crew for one final panel at Comic Con to say goodbye. While the show isn’t quite what it once was, I will say I attended the ‘Dexter’ panel last year before it ended and while the final season wasn’t all that great, the panel was fantastic. Tons of previous cast members appeared and I expect ‘True Blood’ to do the same.

Constantine — 5:15pm in Room 6BCF

Pilot screening and fan Q&A with Matt Ryan (Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior), Harold Perrineau (Lost) and Charles Halford (True Detective) and executive producers Daniel Cerone (Dexter) and David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight trilogy) scheduled to appear.

Marvel Studios — 5:30pm in Hall H

This might be the can’t miss panel of the entire convention. This will be where the cast of ‘The Avengers 2: Age of Ultron’ will appear not to mention possible announcements about ‘Doctor Strange’ and ‘Captain America 3’.  If Warner Bros plans on unleashing ‘Batman V. Superman’ you can guarantee Marvel will be pulling out all the stops on this panel.

American Horror Story: Coven — 7pm in Room 6DE

First time ever that American Horror Story has visited Comic Con. This panel will look back at the past season and give a look ahead at the new season ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ debuting on FX in October. Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Michael Chiklis, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Emma Roberts, and executive producer Tim Minear scheduled to appear. Possibly a trailer and footage to be shown from the new year ahead of the popular FX horror franchise.

Warner Bros. Television Panel — 8pm in Hall H

Gotham debut screening for the pilot episode along with ‘The Flash’, ‘Constantine’ and ‘Arrow’. Cast and crew for each show set to appear

OUTSIDE THE CONVENTION:

At 8pm at the Embarcadero Marina Park South ( 1245 Seventh Avenue), the 2009 ‘Star Trek’ film will air with a live orchestra providing the soundtrack from composer Michael Ciacchino.

At midnight at The House of Blues there will be a special performance by The Suicide Girls in a number they call ‘Blackheart Burlesque’. The show will feature all new numbers with a Comic Con theme and you can also catch ‘Talk Nerdy to Me’ co-host Bob Suicide on stage along with the rest of the Suicide Girls. If you dig tattoos, sexy girls and a number that will make your Batman pin pop off your shirt, this is the show for you.

SUNDAY PANELS AND PREVIEWS:

Supernatural Special Video Presentation and Q&A – 10am in Hall H

The video presentation will be a look back at the series as they approach episode No. 200 as well as a Q&A with the cast and crew. Scheduled to appear: Jared Padalecki (Friday the 13th [2009]), Jensen Ackles (My Bloody Valentine 3D), Misha Collins (Ringer), and Mark A. Sheppard (Battlestar Galactica).

Sons of Anarchy Presentation — 12:30pm in Hall H

The final season of ‘Sons of Anarchy’ debuts on September 9 so this is another huge panel for Comic Con in 2014. The cast and crew will appear and every year for at least the past three seasons creator Kurt Sutter has shown a few minutes from the new season. Cast expected to appear includes: Kurt Sutter (The Shield), executive producer/director Paris Barclay (NYPD Blue), and the full cast: Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal, Kim Coates, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan, Theo Rossi, Dayton Callie, Jimmy Smits, David Labrava, Niko Nicotera, and Drea de Matteo.

The Strain — 1:45pm in Hall H

A sneak peak at the third episode and the rest of the first season airing on FX. Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim) and Chuck Hogan and showrunner Carlton Cuse (Lost) along with the cast members Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Mia Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Miguel Gomez, Ben Hyland, and Jack Kesey set to appear

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More with Feeling Special — 3:30pm in Room 6BCF

Airing of the musical episode from ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Once More with Feeling with a karaoke feel and sing alongs are welcome. Another fun way to say goodbye to Comic Con 2014.

There’s plenty to do at Comic Con this year both in and out of the convention so make sure to stay tuned to Nerdcore Movement for all your coverage if you can’t make it — follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook as well. San Diego Comic Con — here we come!