It is a veritable fact that television shows are kicking the crap out of movies. That's where viewers are finding the most interesting stories, that's where the most daring visual work is being done, and it's also become a haven for ex-screenplay writers who realized the first two things mentioned.
Quite simply, TV rules.
This isn't lost on the San Diego Comic-Con. What started as a one day event for comics back in the 1970s, has grown quite mighty indeed. Movies may get the most press when it comes to the outrageous, but anybody who knows anything knows that television is where the true gold can be mined.
Considering that every moment you are at the event there is going to be something vying for your attention we decided to make your life easier and put a spotlight on 10 TV Shows You Must Check Out at Comic-Con 2013. Missing even one of these panels could alter your entire Comic-Con experience forever.
[1]Breaking Bad
Sunday @ 11:15am
With the best show of the last ten years having its swan song this summer, this is a must see event at the Con. This tale of a well intentioned chemistry teacher (Bryan Cranston), his lab partner (Aaron Paul) and the drug underworld they inhabit, has been nothing short of scintillating television. Every episode. This panel will give a sneak preview of the final eight episodes that fans have been jonesing to see. In addition to that, series creator Vince Gilligan and cast members Cranston, Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte, and Bob Odenkirk will on be on hand for a one-on-one Q&A session. Make no mistake about it, history is being made in San Diego and anybody who knows anything about anything will make this panel the highest of priorities. It all goes down Sunday, July 21 at 11:15am in Hall H.
[2]Workaholics
Thursday @ 2:00pm
Join the boys from TelAmeriCorp for what promises to be a panel filled with laughs, inside jokes, and insights that only the crazies behind quite possibly the funniest show on television can bring us. Heading up this laugh-larious panel are stars, co-creators, writers, and executive producers Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine, Anders Holm, and Kyle Newacheck. In a show that sends up corporate America and everything else about life in this wonderful land, this show about characters playing together and living together has truly struck a chord with its rabid legions of viewers. How in the world can you pass up a look at the next season of this multilayered show? How can you even think about turning away from even a moment with Karl "the human genius"? You can't. This is why you need to commit to Thursday, July 18 at 2pm in the Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront.
Friday @ 2:50pm
After the tumultuous "Red Wedding" episode where could the battle for Westeros go next? If any of the above means ANYTHING to you, then you will want to be in Hall H to witness this fantastic event. With the highly anticipated fourth season lensing this summer, you can be sure that this panel (moderated by none other than Elvis Mitchell) will be filled with cast insights, breaking news, and a lot of answers regarding the fate of the seven noble families. On hand for this epic panel will be executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, series creator George R.R. Martin and cast members John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) among others. Get your whetstones out to Hall H Friday, July 19 at 2:50 p.m.!
Friday @ 1:35pm
Zombies are still on everybody's minds and Comic-Con is the perfect to place to find out how officer Rick Grimes, and the other survivors plan to stay alive as they search for safety following a zombie apocalypse. This show is tailor made for the Con and that explains why it is on this list. The panel will feature series stars Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, David Morrissey among others. In addition to that, fans will get to hear from special effects makeup guru Greg Nicotero. This panel will also be moderated by Chris Hardwick. If that isn't enough to get your heart beating again, those in attendance will get highly privileged information about season 4 as well as a sneak preview. Be on hand for one of AMC's best in Hall H on Friday, July 19 at 1:35!
[5]Dexter
Thursday @ 6:30pm
It's time to take one last ride with the dark passenger! When you think about it... Aside from Breaking Bad, is there another show on television that carries the gravitas of Dexter? This groundbreaking tale of a serial killer/forensics expert who hunts other killers, broke every rule, created its own taboos, and essentially kicked TV's ass ever since it debuted in 2006. In what will be Dexter's final San Diego Comic-Con appearance, fans can hear from series star and executive producer Michael C. Hall, stars Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas, James Remar among others. With the current season airing Sundays at 9:00 ET/PT on Showtime, it stands to reason that this historic event will be talked about for Comic-Cons to come. Moderated by none other than KROQ'S entertainment reporter Ralph Garman, this must see event starts the bloodletting at 6:30pm, Thursday, July 18 in the hallowed Hall H.
[6]Supernatural
Sunday @ 10:00am
It is pretty darn awesome that the tales of the Winchester Bros. battling evil have been on the air since 2005! It is also awesome that at a time in its life when shows are usually looking for the golden syndication handshake, Supernatural seems to just be getting going. If for no other reason, that should compel you to hunker down in Hall H for what promises to be a truly revealing and insightful panel. Taking part in this phantasmagorical free-for-all will be stars Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, and Mark Sheppard, along with executive producer Jeremy Carver. Fans will get to ingest exclusive series highlights, as well as a sneak peek at some of the special features from the upcoming Supernatural: The Complete Eighth Season DVD and Blu-ray release! Promising to give fans a look into the future of the Bros. Winchester, on Sunday, July 21 at 10am, Hall H is going to leave you spooky all over.
[7]Sherlock Thursday
@ 2:15pm
With Benedict Cumberbatch playing the famed sleuth Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Doctor John Watson, it makes sense that this update of Arthur Conan Doyle's detective has caught fire the way it has. By bringing the talents of Holmes to the 21st Century, fans get to see why this beloved character has managed to hang on throughout the years. With a panel that will feature co-creators/writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, as well as producer Sue Vertue, fans are not going to want to miss all the juicy tidbits being unearthed about this show's direction. In what could define the term fever pitch, you can revel in this world of mystery on Thurday, July 18 at 2:15pm in Ballroom 20.
[8]Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Friday @ 1:45pm
It stands to reason that Comic-Con might not even exist without the Marvel Universe. Those who might debate this need to look no further than the importance of this show. With Jeph Loeb (Marvel's head of television no less!) and Joss Whedon (he directed a little movie called The Avengers) on hand to discuss this project, that would've been enough to pack the panel in Ballroom 20. However, there is talk that there will be some major surprise guests revealing never-before-heard information about this highly anticipated show. Set within the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, this show will be like having a comic-book delivered to your TV set every week! Taking the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division on new missions to never before seen places, with never before seen characters...We are witnessing what looks to be the creation of a new cinematic/television/comic world. How many times in Comic-Con history can people say that? You cannot afford to miss this panel on Friday, July 19 at 1:45pm in Ballroom 20.
[9]Arrow
Saturday @ 5:15pm
By day Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) is a wealthy, womanizer who is protected by his bodyguard John Diggle (David Ramsey). At night he is a vigilante who battles the ills of society. On Saturday at 5:15pm, Ballroom 20 is going to be abuzz as the panel for this important show gets underway. In what is arguably the coolest show that The CW has to offer, stoked fans will not only get a great panel discussion, but they will also get to see a special video presentation for the upcoming second season. Top lining this panel will be stars Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, and David Ramsey among others. They will take all in attendance into the Arrow world, revealing much about this man who seeks to return Starling City to its rightful glory. In this day and age where everybody knows everything, few shows can claim this much mystique. On Saturday, July 20 in Ballroom 20...Your Con will never be the same!
[10]Adventure Time
Friday @ 11
It is about time that somebody with a last name that isn't MacFarlane got their propers for creating a relevant animated show. With a panel that showcases Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward (Lumpy Space Princess), Jeremy Shada (Finn), John Di Maggio (Jake) among others, this wildly ambitious show, about a boy, his dog, and the adventures they embark on in the land of Ooo, promises to be as righteous as they come. Also adding to the epicness of this event, Adventure Time is co-paneling with the Regular Show (that panel begins at 10am) in the Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront. When one thinks about how long its been since we've had some new blood injected into the cartoon world, the Adventure Time panel represents a Comic-Con cultural shift that will no doubt be felt for decades to come. Be there Friday, July 19 at 11am in the Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront.
Okay... this our list, what are you most looking forward to seeing? Did we get it right? Do you think we missed something? Should the list be longer? Let us know!