WonderCon 2023

Boss Monster—the dungeon building card game pits players in a competition to build the ultimate side-scrolling dungeon. Players compete to lure and destroy hapless adventurers, racing to build the most enticing, treasure-filled dungeon. The goal is to be the first Boss to amass ten Souls, which are gained when a Hero is lured and defeated

Tiny Towns—you're the mayor in a competitive game about building a well-designed township from a shared pool of resources. It uses an innovative mechanism of resource selection where each player receives the same resources in the same order. This is a fast-playing game of low rules complexity but substantial strategic depth. Whoever builds the most prosperous tiny town wins!

Code Names Disney—The Codenames Disney Family Edition combines the hit social word game with some of Disney’s most beloved characters and properties from the past 90 years. Including both pictures and words, it’s family fun for all ages. 2-8 players

Clank! Catacombs—is a standalone deck-building adventure. The catacombs of the skeletal dragon Umbrok Vessna are mysterious and dangerous. Portals transport you around the dungeon. Wayshrines offer vast riches. Prisoners are counting on you to free them. Ghosts may haunt you to death. Despite all that, it's time to leave the board behind with Clank! Catacombs

Geek Out Disney—is a party game that determines which player is the most knowledgeable about your favorite pop culture subjects! Draw cards under a certain category: comic books, fantasy, games, science fiction, and misc. Other players may try to steal your points (and bragging rights!) The bidding continues until one player is ready to "out-geek" their friends

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion en Español—Es juego de mesa de aventuras en un calabozo. El juego tendrá 4 personajes: Valrath el Guardia Rojo, Inox Hatchet, un Humano Voidwarden y un Quatryl Demoledor. El juego incluye una nueva campaña que invita a los héroes a investigar el caso de una desaparición misteriosa. Un juego de mesa para jugadores de habla Hispana. Aprende a jugar / se enseñarán las reglas. Se proveerán materiales para 4 jugadores de 15+. Los menores deberán ser acompañados de un adulto. HQ se encontrarán en la Sala de Exhibición C.

King of Tokyo—You play mutant monsters, gigantic robots, and strange aliens—all of whom are destroying Tokyo and whacking each other in order to become the one and only King of Tokyo. Choose whether to keep or discard dice to win victory points, gain energy, restore health, or attack.

My Little Pony: Adventures in Equestria—as Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and more, you've been given a challenge! You need to travel throughout Ponyville. Get new cards to improve your deck, complete tasks for resources, and overcome obstacles. The ponies will have to work together using teamwork and friendship to win this deck-building game

Machi Koro—is a fast-paced game for 2-4 players. Each player wants to develop the city on their own terms in order to complete all of the landmarks under construction faster than their rivals.

Tiny Epic Dinosaurs—breakthroughs in modern science have dinosaurs and humans existing side by side. This has allowed for a lucrative industry. Dino Ranching! Independent ranchers have begun farming dinosaurs to sell to the highest bidders for use in their high thrill theme parks. Do you have what it takes to out ranch your opponents?

Yarrow and Carrie Cheney (Superworld: Save Noah), and Julie Buxbaum (The Area 51 Files) signing. ASA

Warlock! Batman! Star Wars! New Mutants! Howard the Duck! Best known for illustrating DC/Vertigo’s Fables from the first issue through the last, five-time Eisner-winning artist/inker Steve Leialoha shares his experiences and lessons learned from a career illustrating for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Claypool Comics, and more. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology; Spider-Man Psychology) moderates.

Panelists discuss creating opportunities for underrepresented communities to pursue careers in STEM and the space industry by merging inspiration drawn from sci-fi shows like The Orville and Star Trek with real-life educational experiences. Penny Johnson Jerald (The Orville, Star Trek: DS9), Mark Jackson (The Orville), Karissa Winters (Innovation Collective), Presley Winters (diversity and inclusion advocate), and Inara Tabir (The Galaxis Gal) discuss what can be done today to build a future that goes beyond inclusion. Moderated by Dan Deevy (GIS founder/president).

WonderCon special guests Annalee Newitz (The Terraformers) and Gary Phillips (One-Shot Harry), along with Jose Pimienta (Twin Cities), and Dan Santat (A First Time for Everything), share their experiences, tips, and tricks for setting the perfect stage to tell their stories, whether set in a nonfictional now or a fictional future. Moderated by Dr. Jeanelle Horcasitas (educator, technical writer, and speculative futurist).

Did you ever dream of writing cartoon shows? Well, here’s your chance to find out how to do it from three guys who have written hundreds and hundreds of them. The secrets of animation writing will be divulged by WonderCon special guests Tom Ruegger (Pinky and the Brain, Disney’s The 7D), Paul Rugg (Animaniacs, Freakazoid!), and moderator Mark Evanier (The Garfield Show, Dungeons & Dragons).

WonderCon special guest Alane Adams (Legends of Orkney, Legends of Olympus) signing. ASA

Series creator Jeff Davis and the cast of Wolf Pack come together to discuss the supernatural series’ first season and shocking season finale.

Creators Nate Sherman and Nick Vokey join cast member Sean Wing for HBO Max’s Fired on Mars panel. Fired on Mars is an existential comedy set on the Martian campus of a modern tech company that stars Luke Wilson and is produced by Carson Mell (Silicon Valley, Tarantula). Nate and Nick will share their creative process and give an exclusive first look.

Get an exclusive preview of the new figures and collectibles releasing in the coming months of Nintendo , The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog, Apex Legends, and more. Jennifer Gracia, Jackie Soto, and Whitney Hatfield from Disguise Costumes take an exciting look at the new costumes coming to retail this year! Following the preview will be a Q&A with members of the development teams and special giveaways!

Daniel Warren Johnson is the multiple Eisner Award–nominated writer/artist of Extremity, Murder Falcon, Wonder Woman: Dead Earth, Beta Ray Bill, and most recently, Do a Powerbomb. He will cover his career from his humble beginnings drawing zombie portraits in Artists’ Alley to his rise as a fan-favorite comics creator. Plus, some special surprises!

Phil Jimenez (Astonishing X-Men) wants to talk to YOU about comics. Join him for some one-on-one time, ask him questions, and then bring your own Rolodex of answers as he tries to get to the heart of some questions he's been thinking about a lot lately: "What do comic readers love about comics, and more importantly, why? What do they hate about reading them? And what would they change?"

Want to make something out of leather but don't know where to start? Amy and Brayton Carpenter (owners, Legendary Costume Works) reveal how to approach your project from start to finish in this lecture and demo. Also tips on where to buy leather, supplies, etc.

Get your popcorn and get ready to see Bugs, Popeye, and other animated superstars on the big screen! Animation historian Jerry Beck will introduce the iconic and most notable theatrical shorts from Hollywood’s legendary Golden Age. Films include Max Fleisher’s Superman cartoon Magnetic Telescope, Tex Avery’s Little Rural Riding Hood, the Popeye classic Goonland, Chuck Jones’ Looney Tunes classic Duck Rabbit Duck, and more.

This year, creators in the tabletop gaming space have made huge leaps in creating media around the games they love. Panelists discuss the ins and outs of becoming successful in the tabletop gaming media sphere, whether it be creating your own IP, making actual plays, avoiding pitfalls in the space, or collaborating with your peers. Panelists include Adam Rady (Tabletop News, G4TV), Katie Wilson (SYFY, Paizo), Aliza Pearl (NCIS: LA, Streampunks), Michelle Nguyen Bradley (VtM: Ny By Night, Critical Role), and Lemar Harris (Dragons & Things, Anime Expo Late Night Comedy Showdown winner).

Most creators have no trouble coming up with great ideas for new comics, but they often struggle to speak clearly and concisely about those ideas to other people. Giving a good pitch is a vital skill in bringing your project to life. Fortunately, it’s also a skill you can learn and improve with practice—and Pitch Review is a great place to do that. If you’re someone who wants to get better at pitching your work (and especially if you’re a writer or artist attending the Comic Creator Connection immediately after this event), this is your chance to practice giving your pitch and get some invaluable help from a professional writer and speaker coach. Pitch reviews will be conducted by Douglas Neff, a professional speechwriter, speaker coach, and host of the Comic Creator Connection. This is not a panel. Instead, these are 3-5 minute individual coaching sessions for as many people as can be accommodated in the scheduled time. Spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and observers are welcome.

Short films for all ages
Eden’s Empire Joshua J.R. Trachtman (L) (Israel)
Return to the Childhood Home before the Last Farewell Andre Almeida Rodrigues (D) (Portugal)
The Legend of Qualicum Bay  Jim Robert Garrison (L) (Canada)
The More We Get Together Daniel Roberts (L) (USA)
Zooming through History Rian Ferragamo (L) (USA)
Two Americas Asher Elias Anathema (L) (USA)
Rustling Tom Furniss (L) (New Zealand)
Paracosm Natalia Coiro (L) (USA)
Blush, An Extraordinary Voyage Iiti Yi-Harja (A) (Finland)
The Penguin’s Flight Stella Serefogiou (L) (Greece)

Together, creators, publishers, comic shop owners, teachers, and library workers have brought greater acceptance to comics and fan culture. Take a break from hectic convention life to experience “speed dating” style networking with diverse comics enthusiasts from all backgrounds. On hand will be creators including Geoff Johns (Junkyard Joe), Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian), Henry Barajas (Creepshow), Mairghread Scott (Sea Serpent's Heir), and Charlie Stickney (The Adept); industry insiders such as Alex Antone (Skybound Entertainment), Mathias Lewis (Knowhere Comics & Games), Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press); comics librarians including host Moni Barrette (2023 Eisner Awards Judge), and Jack Phoenix; and fellow comics enthusiasts.

Battle of Souls Deck Builder—A Legendary Warrior and his fellow fighters have overpowered the immortal that summoned them. Now he seeks to enter the Battle of Souls tournament and take over the realm. The other immortals must band together to stop him. 60+ minute board game demos for up to 6 players, Ages 13 & up

Freelancer: Skies Over Tolindia—is a fantasy RPG set during an industrial revolution. Play as a member of the illustrious Freelancers, brave men and women who fight against espionage and corruption. Freelancers face danger not only from gunfire and monsters, but also from the political repercussions of their actions

Web Spinners—is a botanical blast for up to 6 players. Take on the role of strategic spiders looking to capture the warms of juicy insects invading your garden home

For a decade and counting, The Queen of Horror Sandy King Carpenter has taken the world of comics by storm with her publishing imprint Storm King Comics, co-founded with the legendary John Carpenter. This panel of horror and sci-fi writers will discuss what it takes to craft a compelling tale of horror and suspense for the comic book medium. Panelists include Sandy King (writer/editor, Tales for a HalloweeNight; CEO of Storm King Productions & Comics), WonderCon Special Guest Marv Wolfman (Tomb of Dracula, Teen Titans, former editor at DC Comics), Neo Edmund (Tales for a HalloweeNight, Grimms Town Terror Tales, Power Rangers), and Sean Sobczak (writer, Tales for a HalloweeNight; managing editor at Storm King Comics).

Artist and author Emilio Soltero, Ph.D., MA (John Buscema: A Life in Sketches; Gorillas in da Mix) presents a primer on drawing the figure for popular media, including drawing for comics and character design. Emilio will lecture and demonstrate figure drawing, accompanied by model Crystal Aquino. Professionals and beginners are welcome. Bring your drawing supplies to draw during this interactive presentation.

From launching or continuing a series to adapting picture books and old classics for different age ranges, publishing books in the graphic novel space is different for every creator. Yarrow and Carrie Cheney (Superworld: Save Noah) and Julie Buxbaum (Area 51 Files) discuss their journeys to becoming published and how the publishing process for highly illustrated works differs from other mediums. Moderated by Jose Pimienta (Twin Cities).

Craig Miller, Lucasfilm's original director of fan relations and a publicist on Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, gives a slide show on the early association between Star Wars and fandom, including stories about how fans got involved and were kept involved from even before the film came out.

Annalee Newitz (The Terraformers), WonderCon special guest Gary Phillips (One-Shot Harry), and Dan Santat (A First Time for Everything) signing. ASA

Chanti Burnette (Ánimo South Los Angeles High School), Timothy Ojetunde (West Ed), and Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools) share examples of embedding comic books and popular culture into high school curricula and leveraging collectivist learning activities that empower students with more nuanced perceptions of themselves and the world around them. Moderated by Angela Amador (Green Dot Public Schools).

Moderator Chad Evett (costume designer) leads panelists Ve Neil (Academy Award–winning makeup artist, Legends Makeup Academy), Bernie Bregman (event producer, host), Theo Tiedemann (actor, costumer), Connor Breen (character actor, costume designer/fabricator), Jordan Munn Hughes (actress, costume maker), and Veronica Swarens (founding BOD member of B.A.D.A.S.S., CAUSEPlayer) who have heard/experienced it all when it comes to introducing unique and lesser-known characters. They will talk through some of the challenges that artists face when swimming against the mainstream current and help you walk away with newfound excitement and passion for your original and/or lesser-known characters.

HBO Max is peeling back the curtain and offering fans an exclusive, in-room only first look at an extended teaser of the Max Original Clone High. Fans of this classic hit series, produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, will get a glimpse at some of the best moments, new clones, and story arcs to come in this modern refresh. Following the teaser, enjoy a moderated Q&A with executive producers Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Erica Rivinoja, and Erik Durbin and voice actors Nicole Sullivan and Will Forte. In this new iteration of Clone High, after a high school that was secretly being run as an elaborate military experiment to clone the greatest minds in history was put on ice, the clones have been thawed out 20 years later to resume the experiment with new clone classmates—all while navigating a new set of cultural norms and overly dramatic teen relationships.

Wanda! She-Hulk! Shuri! Squirrel Girl! Ms. Marvel! Jessica Jones! Marvel comics and the MCU are simply full of amazing women who also happen to be superheroes. How are their stories different from those of other heroes? Do they bring a different perspective on how to save the world? Do they define heroism differently than Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Black Panther, and Dr. Strange? Or might their differences be more about being superhumans than being superheroes? Dr. J. Scott Jordan (Dark Loops Productions), Dr. Vanessa Hintz (Umm…About That Podcast), Dr. Shelly Clevenger (Sam Houston State University), Justine Mastin, LMFT (Starship Therapise), Brittani Oliver Sillas-Navarro, AMFT, MA (Black Panther Psychology), and Lorran Garrison, School Psych (Little Brainstorm) attempt to answer these questions. Be warned! Killgrave, The Purple Man, will be moderating this panel. We can’t vouch for his safety!

For a special episode of her science podcast Ologies, Alie Ward (podcaster and science correspondent) will discuss the past and future of activist poster art with historian Carol Wells (founder/executive director; Center for the Study of Political Graphics). Alie will also catch up with C. Andrew Hall (creative director; Functional Magic) about his search for iconic poster art inspired by solutions to climate change and the latest screen-prints from the Drawdown Design Project, his climate art project by gig poster and comic book illustrators.

Evan “Doc” Shaner is a DC Comics exclusive cartoonist. His past works include Future Quest, The Terrifics, Man of Steel, Supergirl, Doom Patrol, and Strange Adventures, among others. His most recent project is The New Champion of SHAZAM!.

Get ready to geek out with the X-Men universe's masterminds and the creative and fandom communities who love everything about Marvel's mutants! Phil Jimenez (comic book artist, Astonishing X-Men, New X-Men), Sara Moni (cosplayer), Creepy Toy Guy (toy influencer), and Ron Wasserman (composer, X-Men: The Animated Series) celebrate the never-ending impact of X-Men on comic books, film/TV, collectibles, and more. Attendees receive a special giveaway. Moderated by Chandler Poling and Chris Riley (co-hosts, X-Reads: An X-Men Experience Podcast)

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment returns its fabled tradition of DC animated film world debuts at WonderCon with the World Premiere of Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham. Inspired by the comic book series by Mike Mignola, Richard Pace and Troy Nixey, the 1920s-based Elseworlds tale finds explorer Bruce Wayne accidentally unleashing an ancient evil, expediting his return to Gotham City after a two-decade hiatus. The logic/science-driven Batman must battle Lovecraftian supernatural forces threatening the sheer existence of Gotham, along the way being aided and confronted by reimagined versions of his well-known allies and enemies, including Green Arrow, Ra’s al Ghul, Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc, Two-Face, James Gordon, and Bruce’s beloved wards. Prepare to be among the first to witness this mystical, often terrifying Batman adventure, then stay for an entertaining panel discussion among cast and filmmakers. Reprising his Batman: Soul of the Dragon role as the voice of the Dark Knight, David Giuntoli (Grimm, A Million Little Things) leads a star-studded cast that includes Tati Gabrielle (Kaleidoscope, Uncharted) as Kai Li Cain, Christopher Gorham (The Lincoln Lawyer, Insatiable) as Oliver Queen, David Dastmalchian (Dune, The Suicide Squad, Ant-Man) as Grendon, Patrick Fabian (Better Call Saul) as Harvey Dent, John DiMaggio (Futurama, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire) as James Gordon, Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator, The Frighteners) as Kirk Langstrom, Emily O’Brien (Days of Our Lives) as Talia al Ghul, and many more. Sam Liu (The Death and Return of Superman) fills the dual role of producer and co-director alongside co-director Christopher Berkeley (Young Justice) to bring to animated life the script from screenwriter Jase Ricci (Teen Titans Go! and DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse). Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham, will be available to own on Digital, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and Blu-ray on March 28.

Copyright and Trademark protections are almost as important to comics as a Punchline™. Technology combined with an ever-increasing appetite for content means that it’s easier than ever for creators to get their works in front of an audience; but at the same time, this has also made the copying of content, ideas, and now even artistic styles easier than ever. The economics are always tricky, even with the rise of crowdfunding, digital publishing and print-on-demand services, so more than ever, knowledge is key to navigating the ever-shifting landscape. And although with great power there must also come great responsibility, today’s creators are finding that with great technological power comes great (potential) reward and also greater risk, with thieves gaining an ever-expanding bag of tools to fleece the unwary. End result: it’s vital to know what your rights are in order to best defend your valuable IP. Luckily, Matthew Murdock, Mallory Book, and Wolff and Byrd aren’t the only lawyers available to the superhero set, as WonderCon once again brings back noted IP attorney Michael Lovitz (author of The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book) to discuss the truths (and debunk some urban legends) about protecting your creative capital. Attendees are invited to participate in an interactive discussion led by Lovitz concerning the basic rights provided under the U.S. Copyright and Trademark laws, including the basics on the ownership and protection of ideas, a brief overview of copyright and trademark rights and their application to works of authorship, characters, and names, as well as an overview of the registration process for each, and (time permitting) a brief discussion on how loose lips can sometimes sink ships, why written agreement are good, and why not all lawyers are villains. Along the way, there will be plenty to learn about the protections, and pitfalls, of the U.S. intellectual property systems. Please Note: The Comic Book Law School® seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. However, the seminar is presented for information and entertainment purposes only, and the information presented and opinions expressed at the seminars do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. [This program is approved for one (1) credit of California MCLE.].

Chris Garcia (STEAM professor and middle-school administrator) discussese the power of the engineering design process and how it has been used by superheroes like Tony Stark to create groundbreaking technology that saves lives. He'll explore the steps of the design process and see how they apply to real-world scenarios. By the end of the session, you'll have a new appreciation for the critical role engineering plays in creating our modern world and its potential for solving some of our most significant challenges.

Brock Smith (ZRock Comics co-founder and writer The Ferryman) and his team— Zen Snowden (co-founder and artist), Kathleen Lewis (editor/media), Maile Eusebio (media/shorts),and Christian Pedersen (operations coordinator)—share their experiences in learning to overcome the challenges of balancing their creative lives and everyday lives to help inspire other future creatives.

It's the biggest year ever for Doctor Who, as the show celebrates its 60th anniversary with big-budget specials and a new doctor. It now has a new home on Disney+. The most outspoken and informed Whovians return for their interactive discussion about what's ahead for everyone's favorite time lord. Panelists are Karen Glover, Cody Shoberg Gootz, Julie O'Malley, and Kristi Schoeman with Myriam Lp. Moderated by Patricia Miller.

Miguel Capuchino and Lucy Capuchino (30+ years), Trevor Newton and Wendy Newton (3+ years), and Shawn Richter and Lisa Lower (5+ years) discuss their experiences cosplaying as a couple. From conventions to events to charity work, these three couples are all about doing good in their community and being a positive influence in the world of cosplay.

As mainstream movies continue to disappoint, there are so many worthwhile indie films coming out and we're going to feature them for you! Enjoy an exclusive preview of independent genre films coming in 2023 and beyond with Alan Ng (Film Threat), Chris Gore (Attack of the Doc!), Robert Meyer Burnett (The Post-Geek Singularity), Paulie (Latino Slant), Dante James (Verbal Riot Show) and more. Through trailer premieres and clips, get a glimpse into movies that can only be seen in a limited release including the best indie sci-fi, fantasy, and horror.

Eric Lopez (actor, Young Justice, The Simpsons), Diana Toshiko (actor, Starborn, The 12 Days of Christmas Eve), Ana Mendoza (podcaster, Most Extreme Ranking Challenge), Lemar Harris (comedian/podcaster, Most Extreme Ranking Challenge), and Matthew Johnson (comedian/podcaster, Most Extreme Ranking Challenge) come together to challenge/argue/bargain to make the perfect list of the worst sidekicks of all time. The ranking has never been this chaotic! Moderated by Tyler McPhail.

Some have called the spectacle of pro wrestling “a comic book come to life.” That is not far from the truth. From the heroics of Hulk Hogan to the anti-heroics of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and the villainy of Ric Flair, this panel explores the parallels in character development and storyline advancement between these outrageous forms. Featuring architects from the worlds of comics and professional wrestling. Moderated by Joshua Waldrop (Ultima Comics).

Race swapping continues to be a hot topic of debate in the pop culture community. When the MCU changed Namor the Sub-Mariner’s origin from his original Atlantean upbringing to Mayan/Aztec roots, was this a true effort to represent the Latin American culture or just an attempt at racial inclusion for financial profits? A group of comic artists, writers, and historians discuss the diversity trends in pop culture. Panelists include Scott Mercano (Diablo Publishing), Carlos Casco (YnC Comics), Kevin Grevioux (Underworld), Larissa Lam (director, composer), B Dave Walters (actor, writer), and Ralph Miley (moderator).

Robotech burst onto the scene in 1985 and helped usher in the age of modern anime fandom in North America. Since then a lot has changed and fans have questions. Join Harmony Gold for this presentation addressing the series in HD, the impacts of Sony's acquisition of Crunchyroll, and the Macross sequels.

DJ Icon—Spin your way to victory in DJ Icon! Featuring highly interactive simultaneous play and a spinning record, the board game accommodates 2-8 players and plays in 30-60 minutes. Variable setups with different scoring possibilities and simple mechanical tweaks allows players to adjust strategic depth and interaction potential. Launching soon on Kickstarter!