The list of TV networks, studios and comic book companies attending San Diego Comic-Con keeps on growing. This time around it’s premiere cable network Showtime and their announcement of all they will be bringing to the show this year. The networks panels this year will include Dexter by itself as well as a special Anti-Hero panel featuring series star Michael C. Hall, Californication’s David Duchovny and Weeds’ Mary-Louise Parker.
Both panels will be on the first day of the con, Thursday, July 22. In addition to the cast mentioned previously, the panels will feature producers and writers from Dexter, Weeds, Californication and Nurse Jackie. Okay, I like most of these shows and also are fans of their stars. However, I’m not really sure what these particular shows have to do with Comic-Con.
Granted, the con has become way more about movies, TV and such and less about comics, but I think the panels should have at least something to do with comics or the geek community in order to be included in the con. I can see what a show like The Big Bang Theory or Fringe, for example, are doing coming to San Diego but Weeds and Nurse Jackie? Not sure. At least Californiacation’s David Duchovny used to be in The X-Files so that, at least, makes a little sense.
Oh well, if you like these shows (and I do like most of them) and are going to Comic-Con, I guess you’re probably pretty happy now so I’ll just be quiet. Click through for a full description of all the panels and be sure to check back right here for more info than you can handle on this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.
THE ANTI-HEROES OF SHOWTIME – Thursday, July, 22 from 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM in Ballroom 20
The 21st century anti-hero has become one of the driving forces in recent pop culture and when it comes to the television anti-heroes, SHOWTIME has the winning formula, with subversive characters that connect with the viewing audience. Hear first hand from some of the showrunners, creators and actors who have helped define this phenomenon. Los Angeles Times Pop Culture writer Geoff Boucher will moderate this panel you won’t want to miss. Featured panelists will include Michael C. Hall and new showrunner Chip Johannessen of DEXTER, David Duchovny and Executive Producer and creator Tom Kapinos of Californication, Mary-Louise Parker and Executive Producer and creator Jenji Kohan of Weeds, along with Linda Wallem, Executive Producer, writer and one of the creators of NURSE JACKIE.
DEXTER – SEASON 5- Thursday, July 22 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM in Ballroom 20
What’s next for America’s favorite serial killer? Moderator Ralph Garman from KROQ’s The Kevin & Bean Morning Show presides over a revealing interview and Q&A session with the stars and executive producers of Dexter that will include an exclusive first-look trailer of the highly anticipated season five premiere. Featured panelists include series star/Executive Producer Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jennifer Carpenter (Deb), Desmond Harrington (Quinn) and Executive Producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Chip Johannessen (24) and Manny Coto (Star Trek: Enterprise). The fifth season of DEXTER premieres September 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT only on SHOWTIME.
The SHOWTIME anti-hero messaging will be prominently featured throughout Comic-Con with high-impact advertising both outdoor and within the convention center. The official lanyards for the over 130,000 attendees at Comic-Con will be branded by SHOWTIME, and in a media company first, every shuttle bus at Comic-Con will be branded with the SHOWTIME anti-hero creative.
All weekend long, fans can satisfy their obsession with America’s favorite serial killer by heading over to the SHOWTIME booth (#4129) for Dexter giveaways and signings. In addition, licensed merchandise for the series can be found at the Entertainment Earth and Biff Bang Pow booth (#2343).
The network will also launch an interactive game exclusively for Comic-Con titled “Dexter Game On,” where players will step into Dexter’s mind and unlock content from season five. Additional details for the interactive promotion will be released in the upcoming weeks. Devoted fans of the series know that all of Dexter’s victims are marked with a small incision on their right cheek, and at Comic-Con, those fans can show their love for the series by sporting a DEXTER “cheek slash” tattoo. SHOWTIME will distribute over 100,000 lick-‘n-stick tattoos throughout all four days of Comic-Con. Fans are encouraged to take pictures of themselves at various locations around the convention and upload them to the “Dexter Game On” site. As they play throughout the weekend, gamers have the chance to unlock exclusive content and pick up DEXTER- themed merchandise including season four DVDs. SHO.com will launch a dedicated Comic-Con microsite that will bring the convention experience to the fans who are not able to attend. The site will host the highly anticipated season five Dexter trailer and content from the Anti-Hero panel, to be showcased immediately after the Comic-Con panels.
