Ep 1. SDCC 2018: The Venture Bros. Panel

SDCC 2018: The Venture Bros. Panel is the first episode of the twelfth season of Convention Panels. In this episode, host Dave welcomes creator duo Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, along with voice actors Jackson Publick (who also voices Hank and The Monarch) and James Urbaniak (who voices Dr. Venture), to discuss the upcoming season of their hit Adult Swim animated series, The Venture Bros.

The panel begins with a warm welcome from the audience, many of whom are dressed in cosplay as their favorite characters from the show. Jackson and Doc share their excitement for the return of the show, which has been on hiatus since 2016. They explain that the new season will pick up right where the last one left off, with the Venture family as well as their arch-nemeses The Monarch and Dr. Girlfriend dealing with the aftermath of the revelation of Rusty's true parentage.

The panelists then proceed to take fan questions, some of which touch on topics like character development, continuity, and the show's unique blend of humor and action. Doc describes how, despite the show's many fantastical elements, they try to ground the characters in reality and explore real-world issues like mental health, substance abuse, and family dynamics. Jackson emphasizes the importance of consistency, both in terms of character arcs and world-building, and teases some exciting new developments in the upcoming season.

The conversation turns to the voice acting process, with James and Jackson weighing in on their approaches to portraying their characters. James shares how he drew inspiration from real-life psychiatrists and academics while developing Dr. Venture's distinctive voice and personality, while Jackson describes how he uses his own natural cadence and inflection to bring Hank and The Monarch to life. The panelists also discuss the challenges of recording and syncing voiceover work with animation, and share some funny behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

As the panel draws to a close, the audience erupts into applause and cheers. Dave thanks Jackson, Doc, James, and the enthusiastic fans for their time and energy, and encourages everyone to stay tuned for more Convention Panels episodes featuring the biggest names in comics, animation, and pop culture.