LLNN Coverage of Comic-Con International 2004


From Concept to Publication: Fiora Avery presented a workshop on the visual design and layout of comics for the eager comics enthusiasts hoping to learn the right steps towards making a successful comic. Topics included dialogue and caption layout, echo transitions, establishing shots, story cliffhangers, good story pacing, proper word balloon placements, and much more.	Under the Knife: Action Figure Sculpting: Popular sculptists for collectors models gathered together to talk about their tips and tricks on this unique trade. Topics included breaking down the assembly process for efficiency and design, parting lines, undersculpting, reproduction processes, working with various tooling machines, and mass-production painting methods.

Developing Animated Series: Directors and producers discussed the process of creation to development of an animated series with topic including character design, storyboards, making non-human characters, comedies vs. drama, action scenes, getting the right voices, and much more. A special screening of Catscratch was also provided to attending animation fans.	Is Newspaper Syndication Dead?: Panelists discussed the future of the American comic strip with topics including newspaper profits, webcomics medium, newspapers focusing more on open media, a constant goal on 20% reduction of paper space that comics artists say limit their freedom of expressing quality artwork and comic dialogue to the everyman, and much more.
	Anime Programming Rooms were also available for the anime enthusiasts. Screenings included: Legend of Mystical Ninja, Initial D, You're Under Arrest, Sakura Wars TV, .hack/Legend of the Twilight, Rune Soldier, His and Her Circumstances, Witch Hunter Robin, Last Exile, Marmalade Boy, Wedding Peach, Azumanga Daioh, Samurai Deeper Kyo, Ronin Warriors, Patlabor, Full Metal Panic, Big O, s-Cry-ed, Tenchi Muyou, Infinite Ryvius, Gad Guard, Kiddy Grade, Gravion, RahXephon, Risky Safety, Fruits Basket, Nukunuku, Urusei Yatsura, Comic Party, Slayers, Chobits, Galaxy Angel, Little Snow Fairy, Angelic Layer, Super Gals, Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha, Card Captor Sakura, Wolf's Rain, Pretear, Gungrave, K.O. Beast Century, Steel Angel Kurumi, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, GTO, Cosplay Complex, Animation Runner Kuromi, Excel Saga, Love Hina, DNA2, Yukikaze, Ghost in the Shell TV, Dirty Pair Project Eden, Heat Guy J, and much more.
Caricatures and Face Drawing: This helpful workshop provided directions for comics newbies or seasoned artists to practice facial expressions, body contours, exaggerated expressions for comic relief and much more.