2024 Programing Guide
The Power of Color: Representation
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Rooms 1 & 2
Ralph Miley, Baldwin Chiu, Jacques Bordeaux, Larissa Lam, Jerrell Connor, and Carlos Casco.
As representation in comics and pop culture continues to be at the forefront of the pop culture industry with race swapping still being used as a method of inclusion, what does the future look like? The question is simple, why is representation important? Does the industry continue race swapping or does the industry explore other methods with looking at new material from independent creators? Join a group of artists, writers, and historians as they discuss the diversity trends in pop culture.
How to Hold a Successful Family Friendly Game Night
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Room 3
Stephen Fromm, Christina Todd, Skipper Todd, and Jason Wilkerson.
The Geeky Guys/Gal 4 God will go through the steps that are required to set up and maintain board game nights, discussing security, what board games are allowed and not allowed. They will discuss what is required of staff to make sure that your game night goes off without a hitch and show how to put Christ as the center point of the event.
How Do We Reach “THOSE” Kids???
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Rooms 6 & 7
Alexander James, Karyn Keene, Josh Burns, Karianne Rotz, Christopher Stewart
The influence of pop culture on today’s youth is undeniable. Everything from Superheroes to One Piece has been woven into the culture and their identity. The challenge of today’s church is, how do you reach youth whose identity may come into direct conflict with traditional church ideas of contemporary culture? How can the church adhere to Biblical truths and at the same time have open arms to today’s youth? Panelists will discuss concrete strategies to reach youth who are immersed in pop culture.
Christian Horror: Is There Such a Thing?
12:00 PM-12:50 PM
Rooms 1 & 2
Josh Burns, Kevin Grevioux, Casey Robin, Jessica Tseang, Pastor Frederick Price, Jonathan Khan, and Buzz Dixon.
Halloween, The Exorcist, Night of the Living Dead, movies that evoke nightmares and cause enough fear to keep us awake at night. Are these movies that Christians should watch, or explore as a form of creative expression? The panelists will discuss their perspectives on the horror genre and whether or not it is a viable form of creative expression for Christians. Josh Burns, Kevin Grevioux, Casey Robin, Jessica Tseang, Pastor Frederick Price, Jonathan Khan, and Buzz Dixon.
Geeky Guys/Gals for God (GG4G)
12:00 PM – 12:50 PM
Room 3
Members, Geeky Guys/Gals for God (GG4G)
GG4G is a ministry based out of San Diego and Anaheim, California. Members will be discussing their 8+ year history; how to start a ministry in the pop culture community; and discuss the importance of connecting with other Christians at comic book conventions to build a network for Jesus. Join us as we will also talk about the exciting future of GG4G.
AI and the Church
12:00 PM – 12:50PM
Rooms 6 & 7
Karyn Keene, Elizabeth Waschak, Rachel Beck
Artificial Intelligence is the buzzword in every company’s newsletter right now, but what does this new technological frontier mean for creators and the church? Karyn Keene leads a discussion with panelists Elizabeth Waschak and Rachel Beck on some different ways we can think about AI, both as a tool and a potential for harm.
Watch TV While It Watches You
1:00 PM – 1:50 PM
Rooms 1 & 2
Greg Ehrbar
Join author Greg Ehrbar as he presents an overview of the concept of Media Literacy as it applies to TV, films, online, books, and especially advertising is intended to explain how media researches, categorizes, segments, and attempts to “sell” the entertainment and issue choices of modern audiences. This is not intended to point fingers or take sides. It is more important for everyone to realize the processes at work and recognize them in order to further discussion and thought.
Cosplay Repair: You Can Fix It!!!
1:00 PM – 1:50 PM
Room 3
Bryan Mero
Are you interested in basic cosplay repair, have questions or would like to take a cosplay repair kit with you to conventions? Then this panel is for you. Bryan Mero (Fix-It-Felix) from Cosplay Rescue will explain the ins and outs of basic cosplay repair and how you can be a hero just by bringing a few simple items when you go to any convention. Not all heroes wear capes!
‘Here a Demon, There a Demon’
1:00 PM – 1:50 PM
Rooms 6 & 7
Kyle Keene, Matthew Agosto, Janae Stark, and Alexander James.
Cosplay, Pokemon, the House of Hogwart, and Dungeons and Dragons are just a few of the things in which certain segments of Christianity have demonized. There are segments of the Christian faith that proclaim that cosplay will lead people straight to hell. Are there legitimate concerns or has the church missed it? Panelists will discuss their experiences with church perceptions and how the church may have to change its stance on these aspects of pop culture.
Spiritual Themes in Comics
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM
Rooms 1 & 2
Kyle Keene, Jessica Tseang, Pastor Fredrick Price, Javier Hernandez, Alesha Escobar, and Buzz Dixon.
The Christian Comic Arts Society has hosted this panel at Comic Con International at San Diego for over 27 years. As spiritual themes continue to be an essential component in comics, television, and movies such as Echo, What if?, Loki, and Ms. Marvel, this panel will examine how these themes continue to have an influence in the entertainment industry and the culture at large. They will discuss the evolution and possible future of these themes as they’re interwoven into characters, stories, and society.
Voice Acting Workshop
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM
Room 3
Katie Leigh, Justin Cowder
This is voice acting with professional voice actors from radio, film, and television. This will be a free lesson on voice over from a very gifted group of performers and it will include some audience participation.
How to Fund Your Project and Published
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM
Rooms 6 & 7
Travis Hanson, Mike Kunkel, Eric Ninaltowski, and Scott Shuford
This panel will provide valuable information by panelists who have successfully had their projects funded and published. Panelists will give their expertise on how to advertise and develop a campaign to get projects funded.
Finding Biblical Truths in Anime
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM
Rooms 1 & 2
Nathan Knevelbaard Hall, Holly Knevelbaard Hall, Rebecca Norman, Jason Wilkerson and Tim Sanchez
Anime is having an impact on many cultures around the world from Latin America to Africa to the United States. Anime-focused conventions regularly draw thousands of attendees. It has even found its way into churches, with churches having watch parties for Anime series. This panel will discuss the questions surrounding whether Christians can find Biblical truths in Anime and how these truths might be used to gain a greater understanding of God.
The Funtastic World Of Hanna-Barbera
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM
Room 3
Greg Ehrbar
Join writer and author Greg Ehrbar as he chronicles the careers and creations of Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera. This presentation covers almost a century of great entertainment from Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and The Jetsons, to Scooby-Doo, Smurfs, and Yogi Bear.
From Junk to Jedi: Quality Cosplay and Prop Building on a Budget
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM
Rooms 6 & 7
Members, Geeky Guys 4 God
Join the Creator Geeky Guys 4 God as they share cost saving strategies and techniques to create your next great costume or prop. They will also provide insight into how they turned a handful of thrift store items, swim noodles, foam and scrap wood, into an epic 7 foot Guardians of the Galaxy Groot costume. They will also discuss serving their local church and the community with cosplay.
After the panel, there will be a costume/cosplay contest with prizes for most creative and best hero/villain.
Cosplay Contest
4:00 PM – 4:50 PM
Rooms 6 & 7
Members, Geeky Guys 4 God (GG4G)
Come to the sixth annual Alpha Omega Con Cosplay Contest hosted by the Geeky Guys for God. There will be prizes for the most creative and best hero/villain cosplay.