First of all, click here to check it out. Obviously. Then once you obsessively scroll thorough it, read on for my thoughts and picks for best surprises.

So even with trying to balance TV and movies in Hall H this year, it looks like the con still hasn’t nailed it all down. For Thursday at least, there are some pretty cool panels like Disney stuck between terrible ones like a new Jackie Chan movie and some C-List horror flicks. Also, not starting the first panel (Twilight) until almost 1pm is just torture for fans that will still have to get in line really early to secure a good seat. I’m interested to see how the Hall looks in coming days (more exciting I’m sure) but for now I’m a bit disappointed.

As for everything else though, it looks good. Thursday’s never been a huge day for the con, but there are certainly enough solid panels to keep people occupied. Here’s my picks for the Top 5 best surprises. These are panels we didn’t hear much about (or know the full details of) before, but have now skyrocketed to the top of my must-see list.

1. Image: The Walking Dead— 3:45-4:45 - The bestselling, award-winning comic The Walking Dead has been a critical and commercial success-and its TV adaptation on AMC holds its own weight as a record-setting juggernaut. Join creator/writer Robert Kirkman and series artistCharlie Adlard for a rare sit-down, where they will discuss the past, present, and future of the decade’s most talked about zombie phenomenon. A Q&A will follow the conversation between the visionary collaborators. Moderated by Sina Grace. Room 6A
2. I Can’t Write, I Can’t Draw, But I Love Comics!— 3:00-4:00 - Just because you missed out on the writing and drawing genes doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for you in the comics, animation, and gaming industries. Companies still need managers, publishers, producers, directors, mo-cap and voice-over actors, game masters, and programmers. Panelists Scott Agostoni (manager of comic creators and comics expert), animation/motion capture supervisor Derron Ross (Blur Studio), gaming CEO Mike Fischer (Square Enix), composerJeremy Zuckerman (Legend of Korra), sound designer Benjamin Wynn (Avatar the Last Airbender), and film/mo-cap actor Joe Gatt (J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek 2), will alert you to some of these careers and tell you how to find your niche. Moderated by Susan Karlin (Fast Company). Room 32AB
3. Battlestar: So Say We All— 10:30-11:30 - Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek, Capt Apollo) hosts a 35th anniversary preview panel and fan discussion of the Battlestar universe, politics, philosophy, and 35 year history. Joining Hatch for this exciting BG celebration, roundtable, and Q&A session are Jane Espenson (producer/writer, Battlestar and Caprica), Lili Bordan(actress, Blood and Chrome), Michael Taylor (Battlestar, Caprica, Blood and Chrome), Toni Graphia (Battlestar producer/writer), and Dr Kevin Grazier (science consultant for BSG andDefiance), plus surprise guests. Room 6BCF
4. The Science of Science Fiction: Canon Fodder— Aliens, robots, wormholes, superheroes…there’s more than a little science in all of these, but how can that science be kept straight and consistent across multiple movies and seasons of TV shows? Panelists Jon Spaihts (writer, Prometheus), Jane Espenson (producer/writer, Battlestar Galactica, Caprica),Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller (writers, Thor, X-Men: First Class), Jaime Paglia(producer/writer, Eureka), and Dr. Kevin Grazier (science advisor, Battlestar Galactica, Defiance),  talk about the ups and downs of respecting the science in ongoing science fiction TV and movie series. Moderated by Dr. Phil Plait (writer/host, Phil Plait’s Bad Universe, Discover magazine’s Bad Astronomy blog), and courtesy of The Science and Entertainment Exchange, a program of the National Academy of Sciences. Room 25ABC
5. 6:30-7:30 Comedy Central: Workaholics— Comedy Central’s hit series Workaholics features three friends, Adam, Blake, and Ders, who work together from 9 to 5, live together from 5 to 9, and party together 24/7. Whether they’re getting ready to rage at a Renaissance Faire or take the stage as their gangster rap alter egos “The Wizards,” the guys find trouble wherever they go. Stars, co-creators, writers, and executive producers Blake Anderson, Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Kyle Newacheck take fans behind the scenes and give a sneak peek into upcoming new episodes, including a few special guests that are guaranteed to be “Tight Butthole.” Fans will also be able to compete for a chance to have their name written into a future episode. S’Go! Room 24ABC

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Shannon O’Toole, a life long fan of The Lord of the Rings. In it, she details why any Tolkein head should be super excited for this year’s con (yes, it’s more than just the big Hobbit panel).

After subjecting my family to years of longing sighs and sad, drawn out groans every July as I scrolled through news and photographs, I can finally say that I am going to be in on the madness and magic that is Comic-Con. My love of geek culture is all over the map. I grew up reading Harry Potter, devoured The Hunger Games series, and love super heroes (with a special fondness for Iron Man). I read and watch “Game of Thrones,” avidly view “The Legend of Korra,” have seen the hilarious TV series “Community” through multiple times, and I’ve even dressed up for several midnight premieres.

The stories that have most defined my life, however, have been those about Middle-earth, namely “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” I’ve traveled up and down the East coast to meet several of the actors, seen an exhibition of props from the films, and witnessed a live orchestra play the score of “The Two Towers” while the film played at Radio City Music Hall, bumping into Howard Shore himself during intermission. I’ve met wonderful, lifelong friends as a direct result of this fandom. My room has been described by many as a shrine to the trilogy, and on more than one occasion, my passion for these stories has preceded me. Nothing confirms your adoration of a fandom quite like hearing, “Oh! Shannon O’Toole! You’re that girl who loves ‘Lord of the Rings’!”

The LOTR movie panel in 2002.

With all that in mind, one thing is clear: I chose a fantastic year to come to Comic Con.

As the release of “The Hobbit” approaches and Middle-earth once again lights up movie screens across the globe, “The Lord of the Rings,” the film trilogy that introduced many to Tolkien’s world for the first time, has received a revitalization of sorts. Some companies, such as Sideshow Collectibles and Weta Workshop, have been producing breathtaking pieces (and thereby emptying my bank account and dominating my holidays and birthdays) inspired by Middle-earth steadily since the original film trilogy was released. Sideshow Collectibles recently teased their Witch-king statue as well as their one of the Dark Lord Sauron, and Weta Workshop not only announced new products to come based on “The Hobbit” in late 2012, but announced Barad-dûr as their next environment and have the first set of 3 of Fellowship statues available for pre-order as well.

A multitude of new products from other companies have been released, with plenty more on the horizon. “The Lord of the Rings” Lego sets have recently begun to appear in stores; just when you think hobbits can’t get any cuter, they become Legos. The WB has begun to put new Middle-earth related clothing on their website in anticipation of “The Hobbit,” and the new MOBA/RP game “Guardians of Middle-earth” is set for release for Fall 2012. Seeing Gandalf duking it out with Gollum in the teaser was enough to make this fangirl shriek in a manner that rivaled one of the Nazgûl in pitch. With “The Hobbit” less than six months away (I mean, it’s not like I’m counting down the days…), Middle-earth is expected to have a strong presence in San Diego this July. Both Sideshow Collectibles and Weta Workshop are returning this year. I, like many fans out there I am sure, cannot wait to throw my money at them and hopefully get a sneak peek at some products to come.

TheOneRing.net, a fansite “forged by and for fans” of Tolkien, recently announced that they will once again be appearing at the convention. Their panel is set for 10:15 on Thursday in room 6DE. Several staffers will be on hand, including some who have been lucky enough to visit the set of “The Hobbit” in New Zealand. Special guests have also been invited, and, as Billy Connolly, who plays Dain in the upcoming “Hobbit” films said in an interview, the wrap party for the two films is July 7. Interesting…

In addition to the panel, TheOneRing.net is hoping to get Tolkien Cosplay fans together following the panel at roughly 11:45 in the Salis Terrace area for a group photo of Minas Tirith proportions.

Multiple sources have also reported that the WB is expected to present “The Hobbit” at Comic Con this year during their three-hour block of time in Hall H on Saturday. Regardless of what exactly the convention brings, I look forward to seeing the presentations and products that Tolkien’s world created and being surrounded by like-minded people whose love for Middle-earth matches my own. While specifics remain somewhat unclear and unconfirmed, one thing is sure: 2012 is the year to go There and Back Again to Comic Con for Tolkien fans.

Sad news for American Horror Story or Always Sunny fans, but FX announced their full con schedule today and both shows are missing from it. Don’t be too sad though, as FX is still bringing the goods with panels for Wilfred, Archer, and Sons of Anarchy.

Archer will show its fourth season premiere, Wilfred has a never before seen episode, and SOA will have some first look footage from season five. In addition, all the talent will have signings before their respective panels (though good luck to any fan trying to go to both). So, while FX certainly disappointed in some respects, they still deserve credit for a pretty solid line-up.

Check out the full details below:

Thursday, July 12
WILFRED
FOX Booth Signing – 1:30-2:30pm
Panel – 4:00-5:00pm: Screening and Q &A: Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings) stars as “Ryan,” a young man struggling unsuccessfully to make his way in the world until he forms a unique friendship with “Wilfred,” his neighbor’s canine pet, played by Jason Gann (The Wedge), who co-created and starred in the Australian version of Wilfred in 2007. While everyone else sees Wilfred as just a dog, Ryan sees a crude and surly man in cheap dog suit. Join Elijah and Jason with Wilfred co-stars Fiona Gubelmann (Don’t Trust the B** in Apt 23) and Dorian Brown (Roommates) as well as showrunner/executive producer David Zuckerman (Family Guy) and executive producer/director Randall Einhorn (The Office) as they discuss bringing this unique, live-action comedy to life. Room: Indigo (Hilton Bayfront). Moderator: Alan Sepinwall (HitFix)

ARCHER
FOX Booth Signing – 2:45-3:45pm
Panel – 5:00-6:00pm: Screening and Q&A. This animated, half-hour comedy revolves around the spy agency known as the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS) and the lives of its self-involved employees. Join series creator Adam Reed (Sealab 2021) and the show’s voice-over actors as they discuss their daunting and enigmatic work of espionage, reconnaissance missions, wiretapping and undercover surveillances – which are all actually unmitigated occasions for the ISIS staff to undermine, sabotage and betray each other for personal gain. Panelists include H. Jon Benjamin (Bob’s Burgers) as the highly skilled yet incredibly vain master spy “Sterling Archer”; Aisha Tyler (The Talk) as Archer’s fellow agent and ex-girlfriend “Lana Kane”; Chris Parnell (Saturday Night Live) as the easily intimidated comptroller-turned-ISIS-agent, “Cyril Figgis”; Judy Greer (Arrested Development) as the loquacious secretary, “Cheryl Tunt”; and Amber Nash (Frisky Dingo) as the discordant director of human resources for ISIS, “Pam Poovey.” Room: Indigo (Hilton Bayfront). Moderator: TBD

Sunday, July 15
SONS OF ANARCHY
FOX Booth Signing – 1:30pm-2:30pm
2:45-3:45pm Sons of Anarchy: Get an inside look into the world of FX’s highest-rated series ever, with creator Kurt Sutter (The Shield) and the entire cast: Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman, Katey Sagal, Maggie Siff, Kim Coates, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan, Theo Rossi, Ryan Hurst and Dayton Callie. Room: Hall H. Moderator: Lynette Rice (Entertainment Weekly)

UPDATE: Thanks to Kerry for pointing out that Seat42f has times/rooms for all the panels along with specific signing schedules. Head over there for those details.

Nickelodeon just announced a full slate of SDCC programming with panels for ”Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “The Legend of Korra,” ”T.U.F.F. Puppy,” “The Fairly OddParents,” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.”

The TMNT panel is for their upcoming TV show reboot debuting this fall and will have Jason Biggs (Leonardo), Sean Astin (Raphael), Rob Paulsen (Donatello), and Greg Cipes (Michelangelo) as well as exec producer Ciro Nieli in attendance. For Korra, Nick is bringing in voice actors David Faustino, Janet Varney, P.J. Byrne, Seychelle Gabriel and Andrea Romano as well as the co-creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Both panels are on Friday (times/rooms TBA).

As for their other panels, T.U.F.F. and OddParents are on Thursday while SpongeBob takes Sunday with a sneak peek of the stop-motion holiday special “It’s a SpongeBob Christmas.”

Nick also mentioned their booth will be filled with autographs (including the current group of Power Rangers), giveaways, and costumes so be sure to check that out when you’re on the exhibit floor.

Showtime just announced their slate of con programming and as expected, Dexter is back again. The less adored but still well liked Shameless is also returning, though Weeds is skipping the con entirely this year as it heads into its final season. I never heard a great deal of love for Weeds at con’s past, but I’m sure at least a few people will miss it.

For Dexter fans, it sounds like they have a great panel in store with Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, Yvonne Strahovski and executive producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton & Scott Buck. Strahovski is sure to bring in some Chuck love and they’ll even be showing the first two minutes of the premiere. It all goes down Thursday, July 12th in Ballroom 20.

Meanwhile for Shameless, Showtime is bringing William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, Justin Chatwin, Jeremy Allen White, and executive producer John Wells with more surprise guests promised. That’s happening Saturday, July 14th in the Indigo Ballroom.

Here’s a bit more detail for Dexter, which Showtime is really focusing on this year:

Prior to the DEXTER panel, SHOWTIME will also debut the first chapter of the new season of the animated webisode series “Early Cuts: All In The Family,” narrated by Michael C. Hall, written by Dexter producer Scott Reynolds and illustrated by celebrated comic book artist David Mack. “Early Cuts: All In The Family” continues to tell important stories from Dexter Morgan’s past – this season written thematically to tie-in to the season six cliffhanger, as Dexter reflects back on other instances where his sister, Deb, has sensed his darkness. Satisfy your obsession with America’s favorite serial killer all weekend. Head to the Showtime booth (#4129) for Dexter giveaways and signings, and stop by the Entertainment Earth/Biff Bang Pow (#2343) for exclusive merchandise.