Each year at the Comic-Con, included in the many varied discussion panels are several panels relating to toys and collectibles. The list below reflects the toy and related panels for 2006, it is by no means a complete listing of all of the panels you might like to attend.

These descriptions are from the official daily schedules) posted on the Comic-Con web site - please double-check the times against the printed program you receive when you check in at the convention!

Thursday, July 20:

• 10:30-11:30 DC Comics Legacy: U.S. Postal Service First Day Stamp Issue - DC Comics president and publisher Paul Levitz and some of the greatest comic book artists of all time will participate in a ceremony dedicated to the official unveiling of the DC Comics Superheroes commemorative postage stamps, followed by a panel on the historical and cultural legacy of DC Comics superheroes. Room 5AB

• 1:00-2:30 Mattel Action Figures - What's the latest with Mattel's action figure lines? Mattel toy makers sit down to give fans the inside scoop on Naruto and Avatar as well as its DC Heroes, The Batman, Justice League Unlimited, and Superman Returns toy lines. This program will include a sneak peak at upcoming toys as well as a Q & A with Mattel designers. Room 2

• 1:30-2:30 Bandai - Bandai continues to be one of the leading suppliers of anime and manga for the North American market with such hits as Eureka SeveN, Gundam Seed Destiny, and Ghost in the Shell: SAC. Join Ken Iyadomi and Robert Place Napton for a Q&A that will include previews of Bandai's titles for 2007, trailers, and special giveaway prizes! Room 1A

• 2:00-3:30 Resin Casting and RTV Mold-making - Matrix Enterprises's Jeff Broz has presented seminars about plastics and casting for the last four years at Comic-Con. Whether you want to produce a garage kit model or reproduce a missing part for your vintage toy collection, Jeff will offer invaluable information to help you. This year's seminar will cover material choices and advances into more complex silicone mold design, and casting techniques that should offer secrets to the novice or the more experienced, including short-run 3D duplication for garage kits or industrial design. Bring your questions or casting problems! For more info, visit www.jdbgrphx.com. Room 3

• 3:00-4:00 IDW Publishing and the Transformers: More Than Meets the IDW - Next summer the big-budget Transformers movie hits the world! But this summer, you can get an advance look at IDW's plans for their TF comics leading up to the release of that movie, as well as talk about all the other TF titles in the works for 2006 and 2007! Join IDW publisher/ChrisCharger Chris Ryall, along with editor Dan Taylor, artists Don Figueroa (The Transformers: Beast Wars), E. J. Su (The Transformers: Infiltration), and other surprise Autobots and Decepticons who might stop by the panel. Room 4

• 4:00-5:00 Hasbro: Transformers - The Hasbro Transformers design and marketing teams take the stage to discuss their plans surrounding their Transformers Cybertron, and Transformers Classics lines and answer your questions. Also, Sony BMG Music Entertainment will be joining Hasbro to talk about their 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD of Transformers: The Movie! Room 4

• 5:00-6:00 Action Figure Times Toymaker Q&A - Ever wanted to know why your favorite character figure was limited, or just what toy companies are thinking? How about the recent movement of toy licenses from one manufacturer to another? Here's your chance to ask the manufacturers (both big and small) about their favorite figures and statues. What questions have been burning in your mind? Panelists include Jerry Malcaluso, president of SOTA, Randy Falk, head of product development for NECA, and Chuck Terceira, director of Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles. Room 7B

Friday, July 21:

• 11:30-12:30 Star Wars Day: What's New, and What's Coming at Hasbro - Hear first announcements about Hasbro's products that you might not learn about anywhere else, plus get a special sneak preview of the 2007 product line. Meet members of Hasbro's Star Wars marketing and design teams, the talented people who work on the company's Attacktix, Titanium, and Star Wars action figure line, including the designer of the Comic-Con International exclusive 501st Stormtrooper figure. Q&A time, too! Room 2

• 11:30-12:30 DC Direct Sculptor Search: A Cut Above - Georg Brewer, DC's VP of DC Direct Creative, and his team discuss the unique challenges of transforming the world's greatest characters from comic art into amazing 3D products. Portfolios will be collected and reviewed by the DC Direct staff during the presentation. Artists making the cut will be selected for an individual portfolio critique, and one talented sculptor will go home with an actual commission. Last year two young sculptors were awarded assignments from DC Direct . . . do you have what it takes to be a cut above? Go to www.dcdirectonline.com for more information and portfolio guidelines. Room 9

• 12:30-1:30 Star Wars Day: Sculpting a Galaxy with Master Modelmaker Lorne Peterson - Lorne Peterson, one of the original members of Industrial Light & Magic, first went to work for George Lucas on the original Star Wars. Since then he has worked on each of the Star Wars movies, plus numerous movies for other directors, including Steven Spielberg. Peterson's new book, Sculpting a Galaxy, is scheduled for release in November. Come hear the master Modelmaker, with moderator Pablo Hidalgo. Room 2

• 2:30-3:30 Action Figures: Under the Knife - Action figure sculpting is pop art that is just recently coming into the spotlight. In years past, nameless, faceless sculptors cranked out figure after figure of beloved characters, but now the sculptors are becoming better known among fans and the industry. In this discussion with some of the industry's top sculptors you will learn the path that led them to many a fanboy's dream job. Find out what tools and materials they use and where laser scanning ends and the sculptor takes over. Panelists will discuss mold making and painting, their favorites, and which characters they would like another crack at. Panelists include sculptors Barsom, DC Direct; Matt Falls, Sideshow Collectibles; Steve Kiwis, Eightball Studios; Mike Locasio, NECA; Ruben Procopio, Masked Avengers Studio; Jean St. Jean, McFarlane Toys; Phil Ramirez, Suspect Toys; and prototype painter Eddie Wires, Toy Biz. Moderated by Daniel "Julius Marx" Pickett from Action Figure Insider. Room 4

• 4:30-6:00 Raving Toy Maniac Group Meeting - The Raving Toy Maniac website (www.toymania.com) covers toys, action figures, and all related collectibles. This group is a meet-and-greet for members of the online forum as well as all collectors interested in chatting about collecting and the convention. Swap tips from the Comic-Con Exhibit Hall about the best deals you've found and share ways to enjoy your hobby. Room 24A

• 6:00-7:30 Simpsons Collectors Group Meeting - Simpsons collectors of the world unite! Take a break from the busy Comic-Con floor and get a chance to meet some of your fellow collectors of Simpsons merchandise. This gathering is sponsored by the staff of the SimpsonsCollectors.com website. Collectors from all over the country will be here. Meet the other Simpsons collectors that you see on the message boards and put faces to the names. This gathering is a great chance to network with other collectors from across the country and share your hobby with others. Room 24A

Saturday, July 22:

• 12:00-1:30 Statue Collectors Group Meeting - Meet with members of Statueforum.com and other collectors of comic- and movie-related statues. Discuss your collection or show pictures. Surprise guest sculptors will be on hand to answer questions on sculpting techniques, materials, and design. Room 24A

• 2:00-3:00 Hasbro/Marvel: Marvel Legends. Spider-Man Origins. Superhero Squad and much more! - Find out what it's all about at the first Hasbro/Marvel panel ever! Jesse Falcon from Toy Biz joins Hasbro team members Billy Lagor, Randy Shoemaker, and Brian Wilk. Don't miss this opportunity to see a sneak peak of what Hasbro has in store for their spring 2007 Marvel line. Room 8

• 2:30-3:30 Todd McFarlane: The Devil's in the Details - Todd McFarlane and associates will talk about the current projects of the McFarlane companies, including McFarlane Toys' current toy lines, upcoming licenses and the future of Todd's cutting-edge toy company. The panel will also preview upcoming new comic titles and review the changes to the core titles in Todd's comics company. The newest project (an animated video for Disturbed's Land of Confusion) from Todd McFarlane Entertainment will be shown. The panel will also discuss the many changes and new features coming to the McFarlane companies' website, spawn.com, and open the floor to questions from the audience. Panel participants include Todd McFarlane (Spawn), TME president Terry Fitzgerald, Brian Haberlin (Spawn), David Hine (Strange Embrace, Spawn), Philip Tan (Uncanny X-Men, Spawn), and Brian Holguin (Spawn). Room 5AB

• 4:00-5:30 Action Figure Customizing: Boiling, Popping, and Painting - Join a group of action figure customizers who create the toys they always wanted but couldn't buy. Share tips and tricks. Bring examples of your figures for all to gaze upon. All scales, skill levels, DC, Marvel, and more are welcome. Room 24A

• 5:00-6:00 Polyfoam Workshop - Dennis Quon, Josh and Rossi Quon have created a unique art style using polyurethane foam. Learn the process of creating foam art in this special workshop. There will be a slide presentation and Q&A session. Room 3

• 6:00-7:00 Behind the Plastic: From Concept to Collectible - What are the steps to making an action figure? This panel of toy professionals discusses the process of how your favorite characters go from an idea on paper to a toy in your hot little hands. Preproduction, design, and manufacturing are part of the process, but what does that entail? How does a character get chosen? Why do they pick a particular version of a character? What materials do they use? Ask any burning question you've ever had about the action figure business and be a fly on the wall as some of the top names in the industry sit down together, as they do only once a year at this event, and talk toys. Panelists include Jesse Falcon, VP of product development, Toy Biz; Kevin Eslinger, creative director, Master Replicas; Brant Bridges, product manager, Sideshow Collectables; Digger, president and founder, Art Asylum; Jerry Macaluso, president, SOTA Toys; Geoff Beckett, president, Shocker Toys; and Jessie DeStasio, product manager, Jazwares. Moderated by Daniel "Julius Marx" Pickett from ActionFigureInsider.com. Room 1A

Sunday, July 23:

• 12:00-1:30 Asian Ball-joint Resin Doll Collectors - Doll owners and nonowner enthusiasts will discuss and display various types of Asian ball-joint resin dolls (Volks, Cerberus Project, CustomHouse, Blue Fairy, Dream of Doll, SoulDoll, AngelRegion, Obitsu, Leeke, etc.). Trade tips on customizing, sewing for, and photographing BJDs. Come Share the beauty of your own unique doll, or come to see one of our dolls in-person for the first time! Make new friends - both live and resin! Room 24A