PRISM COMICS HOSTS TWO PANELS FOR COMIC-CON@HOME 2021

Prism Comics – the nonprofit organization championing LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion – is pleased to host two exciting online panels for Comic-Con@Home:
 
“Queer Horror” – Friday, July 23, 2021 from 6 – 7 pm PDT*
 
“Out In Comics Year 34: Mainstreaming” – Saturday, July 24, 2021 from 4 – 5 pm PDT*

Prism is also offering the Prism Comics LGBTQ+ Guide to Comic-Con@Home 2021, a free digital program book highlighting panels and people of queer interest at Comic-Con@Home. Compiled by one of Prism Comics’ co-founders, Andy Mangels, and edited by Ted Abenheim, the Guide can be downloaded HERE on prismcomics.org starting late Thursday afternoon, July 22, 2021.

About the panels: Prism’s annual “Queer Horror” panel returns, hosted by writer, director Michael Varrati, looking at horror comics, films and television through a queer BIPOC and mostly female lens. Horror films, TV shows, books and comics have always attempted to bring us to the threshold of our fears and force us to come face to face with the “otherness” that exists outside of the mainstream. For those in the LGBTQ+ community, this sense of otherness is not only terrifying and titillating, it’s quite often also relatable. From James Whales’ Frankenstein to the oft-cited “gayest movie of all time,” A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, we’re posing the question: Does a queer horror genre exist, and if so what makes it different from mainstream horror? How does the current social movement for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC diversity inform the creation of the horror comics, films and television shows we see today? Join Prism Comics, moderator/filmmaker Michael Varrati (The Boulet Brothers Dragula, Unusual Attachment) and panelists Drusilla Adeline (Dead for Filth, Sister Hyde Design), Darcie Little Badger (Elatsoe, Strangelands), Terry Blas (Reptil, Dead Weight), Trinidad Escobar (Crushed, Bruhas), Joamette Gil (Power & Magic: The Queer Witch Comics Anthology) and Steenz (Archival Quality, Heart of the City) as they explore the horror genre from a queer perspective.

“Out in Comics”, the comic world’s longest-running panel, is back for its 34th year, delivering an online Zoom panel of epic proportions! The Comic Book world has become a celebrated part of the Pop Culture world, and being “Out In Comics” is more relevant than ever before. With more LGBTQ or LGBTQ-friendly writers, artists, directors, producers, actors, entertainers, and journalists working in the industry – how do they present diverse representation, characters, and storylines in comics, film, and television? In our politicized and sometimes polarized world, what kind of heroes do we need… behind-the-scenes, and on the page and screen? In a year when DC and Marvel both release PRIDE anthologies and queer representation is significantly noticeable, have we finally gone mainstream! Join our diverse all-star panel to celebrate and spotlight creators, comics, and fans as they discuss the past, present, and future, Out In Comics! Founding moderator and bestselling author Andy Mangels (Wonder Woman ‘77 Meets The Bionic Woman, Star Trek and Star Wars books and comics) again chairs the panel and welcomes panelists Sarah Brunstad (editor, Marvel Voices Pride #1), The Kao (Magical Boy), Nina Taylor Kester (program coordinator, Cartoon Art Museum, co-founder, Queer Comics Expo), Danny Lore (Queen of Bad Dreams, Champions), Josh Trujillo (Be Gay, Do Comics, United States of Captain America), Luciano Vecchio (Champions, Marvel Voices Pride #1), and a Special Surprise Closing Guest with a major announcement about queer comics!  

* Both panels will remain online for viewing after the premiere date. If the links don’t work please see the Comic-Con@Home Program Schedule at https://www.comic-con.org/cci/programming-schedule

Prism Comics is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization championing LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion in comic books and graphic novels. Founded in 2003, Prism supports comics professionals, readers, educators and librarians and presents the Annual Prism Awards for excellence in LGBTQ+ comics in collaboration with The Cartoon Art Museum and the Queer Comics Expo. Visit prismcomics.org

Comic-Con@Home: Comic-Con is returning to your living room with panels, exhibits, contests, and more Friday, July 23 through Sunday, July 25, 2021. Presented by Comic-Con International: San Diego. Check out https://www.comic-con.org/cci/2021/athomeand subscribe to Comic-Con’sYouTube channel to join us @Home!