Comic-Con 2011: ‘True Blood’s’ Michael McMillian (Q&A)

With hundreds of thousands of people attending San Diego Comic-Con every year and the July 20-24 event quickly approaching, The Hollywood Reporter chatted with the big names in television to discuss their favorite memories and tips for attending the annual event. THR’s Live Feed will talk Comic-Con with actors, writers and producers in the days leading up to the event so check back soon for interviews and the latest news on panels and screenings.

Michael McMillian
Geek Cred: True Blood; co-writer of the True Blood: Tainted comic books
Upcoming: The Indian and the Bandit comic
Comic-Con panel: True Blood, Friday, July 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Ballroom 20

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THR: What do you remember about your first Comic-Con?
McMillian: I remember the first job I ever had was working on Firefly and I was talking to Joss Whedon and he was asking if I was going to Comic-Con. He called me a loser for not going that first year. For the following five years I tried to get down there and I never made it. The first year I went, I was driving down on a Saturday and got stuck in a traffic jam near Camp Pendleton. I sat there for seven hours and by the time I got there, I had two hours left and it was over.

THR: What panel would you stand in line all day to see?
McMillian: I’m hooked on Game of Thrones. I’m a fan of the books and the show. I’d probably put in a few hours at least to get in on that panel.

Comic-Con 2011: Full THR Coverage

THR: If you were going to dress up, what would your costume me?
McMillian: In the old Spider-Man comics whenever his Spidey Sense would tingle when he was half Spider-Man half Peter Parker? I always thought that would be a great and really bizarre costume.

THR: Who throws the best parties?
McMillian: The Entertainment Weekly party is always fun because everybody ends up there. I got to meet Damon Lindelof at that party. I embarrassed myself and said, “If you need someone from the Dharma Initiative just to be shot in the face, I’ll do it.” It was right before the final season.

THR: What makes a good panel presentation?
McMillian: Give people who are the core supporters and your viewership a great time; give them some spoilers — but don’t give them too many. Let them ask questions and meet the cast.

THR: What do you have coming up?
McMillian: I’ve got an original graphic novel called The Indian and the Bandit that I’m writing with a childhood friend. It’s different from Lucid or True Blood, and has more of an indie comics vibe to it. It’s about that last year of innocence and childhood before you go off to middle school.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit