Soon tens of thousands nerds from all across the country will descend on San Diego like a pack of Funko-hungry hyenas with one purpose in mind: to wear their nerdy passions on their sleeve and see their favorite actors, artists, writers, and creators in person. While the massive convention, which will feature awesome panels and special events from your pals at Nerdist and Geek & Sundry, is decidedly sold out, Los Angeles-based nerds can see some of their favorite writers in person two whole days before the con even starts. On Monday, July 17, kickstart your Comic-Con experience with a giant-sized, extra special live edition of The Writer’s Panel podcast with more special guests than there will be Avengers in Infinity War! Our intrepid host Ben Blacker (Thrilling Adventure Hour, Deadpool v Gambit) will be joined by a murderer’s row of talent from Black Mask Studios, including Grant Morrison (Happy!, Sinatoro), Matthew Rosenberg (We Can Never Go Home, 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank), Magdalene Visaggio (Kim & Kim), and Matt Pizzolo (Young Terrorists, Calexit). The event starts at 7PM at Hollywood’s Hotel Cafe, and advance tickets are available for $10.
To quote the late, great Billy Mays, “But wait, there’s more!” Following the wide-ranging discussions with the Black Mask brigade is a book signing that will launch the Calexit comic tour, as well as a pre-Comic-Con party that will let you get your groove on with some of your favorite Black Mask comics creators. In addition to Rosenberg and Visaggio, you can party with Kwanza Osajyefo (Black), Tim Smith 3 (Black), Holly Interlandi (Last Song), Tyler Boss (4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, Calexit), Eric Palicki (No Angel), Adrianne Palicki (No Angel, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.),  Adam Egypt Mortimer (Ballistic), Tony Patrick (X’ed), Black Mask founders Brett Gurewitz and Matt Pizzolo, and many more surprise guests.
What’s your favorite Black Mask title? Will you be going to Comic-Con? Let us know in the comments below.
Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of books about Star Wars and the Avengers. Follow him on Twitter (@DanCasey).
