Panels
Community
​​Gem State Comic Con is a community, and we are thrilled to host Community Panels at the con. Come support your fellow fans and learn new things!​​​​
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Saturday, May 17
Center Expo
10:30 AM
Percy Jackson to Lore Olympus: Greek Mythology in the 21st Century
Hosted by Muses of Mythology Podcast
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Gods. Monsters. Demigods. They're some of the oldest stories in the world, yet myths continue to thrive across modern pop culture. Gamers race to escape Tartarus, audiences sob as they witness two lovers separated to musical accompaniment, and comic readers wait (im)patiently for each installment of an epic romance. But how have these ancient myths remained relevant? Local podcasters from Muses of Mythology and Gaming Theater Presents join forces to celebrate everything we love (and hate) about Greek Mythology in the 21st century.
11:30 AM
Going Viral: Pathogens in Pop Culture
Hosted by Central District Health
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Join us for an engaging panel exploring the fascinating intersection of infectious diseases and pop culture. From comic books to blockbuster films, infectious diseases have played pivotal roles in shaping narratives and character arcs. Our expert panel of epidemiologists will delve into how these "viral villains" are portrayed, the science behind the fiction, and the cultural impact of these stories. Whether you're a fan of superheroes, sci-fi, or horror, this discussion will offer unique insights into the contagious world of pop culture pathogens. Don't miss this chance to catch the fever of infectious ideas!
12:30 PM
My Hero Academia Teachers
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Hosted by oriononii.cos
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Join us for an interactive and fun-filled session where teachers and the audience can connect through trivia, games, and an engaging Q&A. Participants will enjoy a lively competition, with prizes for winners and a PG-13 Q&A for insightful teacher-student interactions. Elimination Uno is a fun, fast-paced twist on the classic card game. Participants will be divided into three groups of six, competing until only one or two remain in each group. In each round, players face off, and the loser of the second round is eliminated and returns to the audience. To add excitement, random Uno cards will feature special star stickers, and players must track their stars to gain an advantage. Get ready for a game full of surprises and prizes!
1:30 PM
King of the Monsters
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Hosted by JR and Juan Carlos Auces aka Carrzilla
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Join local Godzilla aficionados JR and Juan Carlos Auces (aka Carrzilla) for a discussion of 70 years of the King of the Monsters. Dive deep into Godzilla's legacy, from its iconic beginnings to its continued impact on pop culture.
2:30 PM
Writing and Publishing Fantasy and Science Fiction in the Modern World
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Hosted by Lucinda Moebius
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Local authors discuss their journey in to writing. They will talk about what audience members need to do to write quality work and seek publication.
3:30 PM
An (abridged) Staged Reading of Sonic the Hedgehog 3
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Hosted by the (Unofficial) Sonic Cast
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An appreciation for the incredible script of Sonic 3 performed with a “gotta go fast!” mentality.
4:30 PM
Indie Comics and Magazines
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Hosted by Kirin Comics
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Join McKay Wadsworth and Kristin Tingey as they discuss publishing scifi/fantasy pulp magazines along with writing and illustrating comics books.
Sunday, May 18
Center Expo
10:30 AM
Droid Building
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Hosted by Idaho Droid Builders
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Are you interested in learning how to build and operate a droid? Would you like to be a part of the droid building community and participate in events? We will discuss various droid building techniques and systems for operating them and where to start. We will also share the reason we build droids and how we use them to educate people from kids to adults.
11:30 AM
Cosplay at all costs: Cosplay on a tight budget
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Hosted by Universal Cosplays
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This panel focuses on how to cosplay your favorite characters without breaking the bank! From thrifting to reusing common household materials or cosplays, this panel covers everything to make a cosplay when you're on a tight budget.
12:30 PM
From Frankenstein to Bradbury
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Hosted by Insights 2 Reality 100
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A brief survey of Science Fiction genre and how the old time radio shows (specifically Dimension X) culled Sci-fi down to how we know it today.
1:30 PM
Worldbuilding: Making Your Fictional World More Natural
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Hosted by Idaho Museum of Natural History - Idaho State University
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When you look at a fantasy or game map, does something seem "off" to you? Does it ever seem strange that there are sci-fi planets with the same environment all over the world? Why does literal world-building matter when you're putting together a map, game, or story that isn't set on Earth? The Idaho Museum of Natural History is proud to bring you some skills to bring the natural into your fictional world. In this workshop you'll learn some basics of how natural systems work in a way that impacts your plotlines or map designs. Make more realistic rivers, environments, and weather for your fictional setting in this workshop. After some basics, you will build a basic map of your world that you can then use going forward. Participants will need to bring an open mind; artistic skill and mapmaking experience is not required!
3:30 PM
Original Character Writing & Backstory Tips
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Hosted by JR's GAM and Victoria Pettit
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This panel is for original character creators, cosplayers, writers, artists and everyone who wants to create original characters and learn how to write details for said characters.