See GeekDads Live at Wizard World Comic Con Portland

Geekdads Erik Wecks and Jonathan Liu will be participating in events throughout the weekend. Come by and introduce yourself.

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Wizard World is hosting their first Comic Con in Portland, Oregon, this weekend at the Portland Convention Center. The guest list looks fantastic, including Stan Lee, Morena Baccarin, and Brent Spiner. GeekDads Jonathan Liu and myself will be making an appearances, along with Geek Mom Cathé Post.

Science Fiction Authors:

On Saturday, in room C124 from 4:00 to 4:45 pm, I will moderate a panel titled Science Fiction Writers: Imagining Our Future. Local Portland authors Will Hertling, Hugo Award Winner David D. Levine, and New York Times best selling author Daniel Wilson will be joined by famed X-Men writer and novelist Chris Claremont as we discuss the role of speculative fiction, and in particular science fiction, in imagining the future. Here is the description:

What role does speculative fiction, and in particular science fiction, play in creating the future? When faced with so many potential catastrophes, can science fiction provide hope? Or is science fiction at its strongest when it reveals our fears? Can the types of stories we tell influence the future we create?

Serious Comics: Beyond Escapism

When you are done speculating about the future, head on over to room C120 at 5:00 on Saturday to hear Jonathan Liu lead a panel on comics as a form of literature. Serious Comics will continue the conversation which Jonathan started here at Geekdad. His panelists include Kurt Busiek creator of Astro City and Shannon Wheeler who illustrated Oil and Water:

Although many comics are pure escapism, created for entertainment value and nothing else, more and more comics creators are using the medium to send a message. Whether it's a commentary on superhero stereotypes or a condemnation of real-world injustice, a comic book can be as powerful as prose — in the right hands, even more powerful.

Geekdad/Geekmom: Raising Geek Generation 2.0:

On Sunday, Jonathan and Erik are joined by GeekMom Cathe Post and Moderator Daniel Wilson as they discuss parenting and the geek in room C120 at 1:00 PM.

Geek parents, assemble! Join the writers from Wired's GeekDad and GeekMom blogs and fellow parents in the audience for an interactive chat about the challenges of raising a geek family. What are the best board games for a family game night? Why is storytelling such a crucial part of growing-up? Video games are now part of family life. How do you make sure they are appropriate for your kids, and how do you manage their screen time? Share your own stories from the trenches and get advice for forming a geek-friendly home environment. Don't have kids? Show up and find out what may be in store for you if you ever do!

Of course we aren't the only great things to see and hear at Comic Con Portland. It should be a fantastic weekend of celebrities, games, cosplay and of course comics. Come on down and if you spot us on the convention floor don't hesitate to come on up and say hello!