As this year’s San Diego Comic-Con creeps closer, its full schedule has begun rearing its head. Check out the horror you can look forward to on preview night and Thursday, July 21!

There’s plenty of highlights to be excited about here including a discussion with Rick Baker, two Guillermo del Toro talks, Dark Horse Comics’ presentation and the premiere of Garth Ennis’ STITCHED. 

Wednesday, July 20 (Preview Night) 

• 6:00-9:00 Special Sneak Peek Pilot Screenings: ALCATRAZ, PERSON OF INTEREST, THE SECRET CIRCLE, and SUPERNATURAL: THE ANIME SERIES — Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue their annual Preview Night tradition with exclusive world premiere screenings of the pilot episodes of three of the most highly anticipated TV series pilots of the 2011-12 television season -- ALCATRAZ, Person of Interest, and The Secret Circle -- as well as Supernatural: The Anime Series, the first-ever anime adaptation of a U.S. television series. 

ALCATRAZ --From executive producer J. J. Abrams (SUPER 8, FRINGE) and showrunner Elizabeth Sarnoff (LOST) comes ALCATRAZ, a chilling new drama revolving around America's most infamous prison and onetime home to the nation's worst criminals. The series stars Sarah Jones (SONS OF ANARCHY), Jorge Garcia (LOST), Jonny Coyne (LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE), Parminder Nagra (ER), Santiago Cabrera (HEROES), and Jason Butler Harner (FRINGE), with Robert Forster (JACKIE BROWN) and Sam Neill (JURASSIC PARK). Abrams, Bryan Burk (SUPER 8, FRINGE), and Sarnoff are executive producers; Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt (both KYLE XY) are co-executive producers. ALCATRAZ will premiere in midseason and air Mondays 9/8c on FOX.

THE SECRET CIRCLE -- The ordinary becomes the extraordinary in The Secret Circle, a romantic drama full of mystery, intrigue, and danger from executive producer Kevin Williamson (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES) and based on the book series by L. J. Smith (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES). The series chronicles the story of a young girl who discovers not only that she is a witch and part of a secret coven but that she is the key that will unlock a centuries-old battle of good versus evil. Britt Robertson (SCREAM 4), Thomas Dekker (TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICALES), Gale Harold. Shelley Hennig, Phoebe Tonkin, Louis Hunter, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Ashley Crow (HEROES), and Natasha Henstridge (SPECIES) star in the series, from executive producers Williamson, Leslie Morgenstein (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), Gina Girolamo (Alloy Entertainment), Andrew Miller, and Richard Hatem (SUPERNATURAL) The series will air Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW this fall.

SUPERNATURAL: THE ANIME SERIES -- Warner Bros. Television's hit series SUPERNATURAL (Fridays 9/8c, The CW) makes history this summer as Supernatural: The Anime Series is released in the United States, the first-ever live-action series to be reimagined in Japanese anime style. Inspired by the U.S. series' sensational following oversees, Warner Home Video Japan and renowned animation studio Madhouse -- working with the full approval of series creator Eric Kripke -- produced the anime series, which mirrors the story arc of Supernatural's first two seasons, providing supplemental stories ranging from prequels and spinoffs to untold tales that fit within the Supernatural mythology. The all-new, 22-episode animated series will be distributed July 26 by Warner Home Video on Blu-ray, DVD, On Demand, and for Download.

Thursday, July 20 

• 10:00-11:00 DEADLIEST WARRIOR: Vampires vs. Zombies — Vampires and zombies have terrorized and tantalized their way through pop culture for decades, from Dracula to the Twilight Saga to Walking Dead. SPIKE TV and its DEADLIEST WARRIOR franchise are going to finally answer the question: Which of these mythical creatures would come out on top in a fight to the finish? DEADLIEST WARRIOR steps outside the confines of history for this groundbreaking fantasy episode destined to rouse heated debates amongst fans in the blogosphere for months. The special episode features an array of icons of film and fiction who are authorities on the topic. Through these expert interviews, scientific tests, and careful analysis, They will determine who would win in a battle to the death between these two iconic groups, zombies and vampires. The DEADLIEST WARRIOR team of Richard "Mack" Machowicz, Dr. Armand Dorian, and Robert Daly, guests Steve Niles, Max Brooks, and horror legend Wes Craven, and executive producer of DEADLIEST WARRIOR and president of 44 Blue Productions Rasha Drachkovitch make their case for who is, indeed, the fiercest. Los Angeles Times writer and HeroComplex.com founder Geoff Boucher will serve as moderator. Room 25ABC 

• 12:00-1:00 Dark Horse: Fall Publishing Highlights — Three super secret surprise megastars from the entertainment and publishing worlds (revealed on Preview Night at the Dark Horse booth) discuss their thrilling new comics at this special panel. Discover their spine-tingling new projects coming in fall 2011 and get an exclusive San Diego Comic-Con print, which you'll be able to see larger than life at the Dark Horse booth! Room 32AB 

• 12:15-1:00 Focus on Rick Baker — The multi-Oscar winning master of makeup effects will take us on an overview of his remarkable career with a special emphasis on his work with director Barry Sonnenfeld on MEN IN BLACK 1 & 2, as well as a first look at some of his creatures and makeup for the upcoming MEN IN BLACK 3. Appearing on stage: Rick Baker in conversation with Geoff Boucher of the Los Angeles Times' Hero Complex. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront 

• 1:00-2:00 SKYBOUND Panel — It's been an amazing year for SKYBOUND, Image COO Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics. The premiere original WITCH DOCTOR has sold out nationwide, the all-ages hit SUPER DINOSAUR continues to soar, and Kirkman's team-up with Rob Liefeld, The Infinite, is about to rock fans to their core. So what's next? Robert Kirkman discusses the future of the imprint with his stable of creators, including Thief of Thieves writer Nick Spencer, Witch Doctor creators Brandon Seifert and Lukas Ketner, and others. Expect loads of surprises, announcements, and most important: AWESOMENESS. Room 25ABC 

• 1:30-2:30 AICN Comics: Horror on the Paneled Page — Mark L. Miller (Ain't It Cool News) hosts a panel focusing on horror with some of comic books' darkest writers and artists. The discussion will breach such topics as how to create successful horror comics, what causes chills, and what doesn't. Steve Niles (30 DAYS OF NIGHT) Joshua Hale Fialkov (DC's upcoming I, VAMPIRE), David Quinn (FAUST), Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH) Brandon Seifert (WITCH DOCTOR), Matt Pizzolo (GODKILELR), Brea and Zane Grant (WE WILL BURY YOU), and a few surprise guests will show you what makes them the best of the best in comic book horror. Room 24ABC 

• 2:00-3:00 FilmDistrict Studio Panel — FilmDistrict, the new studio that brought you INSIDIOUS, celebrates two upcoming features: DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, a Guillermo Del Toro production starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce, and DRIVE, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, and Christina Hendricks. Exclusive footage will be presented and a Q&A will be held for both films. Hall H 

• 4:45-5:45 Robert Rodriguez's Quick Draw Productions — Be the first to get a sneak peek at Robert Rodriguez's upcoming films. Robert presents Quick Draw's new slate featuring special guest collaborators. He will also show exclusive material from his latest top-secret project. Hall H 

• 5:30-7:30 Showtime : Tired of Ordinary Television? — This year at Comic-Con, Showtime saves! The casts and creative forces behind DEXTER and SHAMELESS give sneak peeks into the new seasons. And be the first to see an exclusive look at the new Showtime original series Homeland. 

DEXTER - See the exclusive world premiere of the new season's trailer, then moderator Ralph Garman (KROQ entertainment reporter) will preside over a revealing interview and Q&A session with the stars and executive producers, including Michael C. Hall (star/executive producer), C. S. Lee (Masuka), David Zayas (Batista) , guest star Colin Hanks (Peter Jackson's King Kong, Roswell), and more. Also appearing are executive producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Scott Buck, and Manny Coto. 

• 5:30-6:30 CREEPY and EERIE Comics That Can Still Scare You! — Discuss the new Dark Horse CREEPY series, the classic age of the Warren CREEPY and EERIE magazines, and all the exciting things coming up in the CREEPY universe with a bone-chilling panel including Jason Shawn Alexander (Abe Sapien), Overstreet's J. C. Vaughn (Doctor Solar), artist Nathan Fox (Haunt), and classic CREEPY and EERIE cover artist Ken Kelly and writer Bruce Jones (Checkmate). Moderated by New Comic Company's twin engines Dan Braun (CREEPY) and Josh Braun (A History of Violence). Plus, there will be CREEPY trivia questions with extraordinary swag and prizes! Room 24AB

• 6:00-7:00 Entertainment Weekly: The Visionaries: A discussion with Jon Favreau and Guillermo del Toro on the Future of Pop Culture — EW moderates an in-depth conversation with Jon Favreau (COWBOYS & ALIENS) and Guillermo del Toro (PAN’S LABYRINTH), two filmmakers at the forefront of bringing geek culture to the masses and making blockbuster art out of pulp fiction. They will discuss their inspirations, their current work, and how they strive to put a personal stamp on blockbuster entertainment. Plus: How is new technology changing the way stories are produced and viewed? And what do they think the pop cult 

• 7:00-8:00 History of the Modern Zombie — Experts discuss the history and evolution of the modern zombie, from its first appearance in George Romero's 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead to the most recent work being done in zombie science, survival, and pop culture today. Panelists include Max Brooks, bestselling author of WORLD WAR Z; Matt Mogk, head of the Zombie Research Society and author of EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ZOMBIES; Steven Schlozman, M.D., Harvard Medical School psychiatrist and author of THE ZOMBIE AUTOPSIES; Scott Kenemore, bestselling author of Zen of Zombie, Z.E.O., and Zombie, Ohio; and Bradley Voytek, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley neuroscientist and author of Scanning the Zombie Brain. Room 7AB 

• 8:00-9:00 H. P. Lovecraft in Comics and Film — "That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons, even death may die." Famous words penned by H. P. Lovecraft, regarded by critics and fans alike as "Master of the Weird Tale." A horror writer from the early days of pulp magazines, his work inspired thousands of writers, artists, musicians, game designers, and filmmakers. Explore a few of the works influenced by the Great Old Ones and get a sanity-smashing peek into the latest Lovecraftian comics and movies. With Adam Byrne (The Strange Adventures of H. P. Lovecraft), Andrew Leman (co-founder of the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society), Michael Alan Nelson (Fall of Cthulhu), and Frank H. Woodward (Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown). Moderated by Aaron Vanek (The H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival). Room 9 

• 8:15-9:15 Garth Ennis's STITCHED Movie World Premiere — Legendary comic book writer Garth Ennis (PREACHER, CROSSED) has written and directed his first-ever short film, STITCHED, a visceral tale of terror. Meet the film's cast, monsters, producers, and Mr. Ennis himself. Learn behind-the-scenes secrets during the Q&A. See a sneak peak at the Ennis-penned ongoing STITCHED comic book series. And thrill to the horror of STITCHED in its one-night only Comic-Con viewing! Room 6DE

For the full schedule, head to Comic-Con's official site.

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