Bart Hulley (University of Lorraine) examines the work of Harvey and Eisner Award–nominated comics translators since 1988 and argues that the advent of machine translation services is destroying the art of comics translation. Elke Defever (Indiana University) explains how Moebius directly addresses Native American rights from a European (French) perspective in Wounded Knee and Le Discours du Chef Seattle.
Friday March 24, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 210
Dawn is rising in the DC Universe. Superstar writers and artists Tom King (The Penguin), Mitch Gerads (Batman: The Brave and the Bold), Jeremy Adams (Green Lantern), Tini Howard (Harley Quinn), Dennis Culver (Unstoppable Doom Patrol), and Morgan Hampton (Cyborg) come together for a first look at their upcoming Dawn of DC titles.
Mitch Gerads is a comics artist who has made a career out of bringing humanity and realism to the superhuman and unreal. Best known for his much-lauded work at DC Comics with writer Tom King on Mister Miracle, Batman, Strange Adventures, and The Sheriff of Babylon, he lives and... Read More →
Eisner Award–winning writer Tom King had an extensive run on Batman, giving us a story to truly remember. His other credits include Batman/Catwoman, Grayson, Heroes in Crisis, Mister Miracle, The Omega Men, Rorschach, Strange Adventures, and The Sheriff of Babylon for DC and The... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 207
Challenges to free expression through the comic arts have reached new heights, and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is on the case. Interim director Jeff Trexler and special guests discuss the CBLDF's landmark courtroom victory in Virginia Beach, ongoing efforts to remove graphic novels from schools and libraries, emerging legal risks for selling comics, digital comics codes, and cutting-edge strategies for protecting the artform that brings us together.
Friday March 24, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Small press publishers: What makes the difference between an item that will get news coverage, previews, and interviews and what doesn’t? A lot of publishers have no idea what to submit to the press, how to submit it, and why they are being overlooked for coverage. Comics journalist Rik Offenberger (First Comics News, Archie Comics) moderates this panel on just what it takes to get coverage, with the comic journalists themselves telling you what they are looking for in your submission. Panelists include Tim Chizmar (Fangoria, co-chair of the Horror Writers Association), Glenn Hauman (Comic Mix), Jason LiVecchi (NBC, CW, KUSI News), Grant Offenberger (Grant Me Peace), Alex Raymond (Monstar, Hollywood Gone Geek), Francis Sky (First Comics News), and Josh Waldrop (Ultima Digital Media). Find out what it takes to self-promote your work and make a significant impact on your ability to sell your comics project.
Friday March 24, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
2022 was a referendum on fair terms for comics creators. Everything from work-life balance and compensation to control of creators’ intellectual property and how their work is marketed has come to the forefront of industry conversations. With the explosion of digital comics platforms and crowdfunding, hear from creators who are taking control of their own destinies and learn what creators who have never been published before should be looking for in their contracts and representation. Panelists include Ringo Award nominee Leeanne M. Krecic (Let’s Play,Dragon King Oath), New York Times bestselling author Nick Seluk (Heart & Brain,Lars the Awkward Yeti), and Eisner nominee Ryan Benjamin (Brothers Bond,Stan Lee’s Genesis), along with attorney Matt Sugarman (Weintraub Tobin and Rocketship Entertainment CEO) and creator Tom Akel.
Friday March 24, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Scott Okuna (photographer) discusses cosplayer safety and case studies of incidents, working with photographers, and taking your own photos, followed by a Q&A session.
Friday March 24, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A
With spiritual themes continuing to be an essential component in comics, television, and movies such as Thor: Love and Thunder and Wakanda Forever and series such as House of the Dragon, this panel examines how these themes have influenced the entertainment industry and the culture at large. Panelists include B Dave Walters (actor, writer), Ameen Beydoun (Habibti Pada), Travis Hanson (Beanleaf Press), Christina Todd (Geeky Guys & Gals for God), Alexander James (church speaker), and Kyle Keene (moderator).
Friday March 24, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
The annual Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival continues with its final day of short films from around the world for all ages, featuring animation, live-action, and documentary. Animators and filmmakers will talk to the audience following their films, including offering advice for kids on how to become a professional animator or filmmaker.
Friday March 24, 2023 2:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
The journey of getting into the creative industry is different for everyone. It’s a path fraught with peril, serendipitous moments, and bold steps of faith. Tony B Kim (Hero Within) interviews creative professionals about how they built their careers. This will be a fun, inspirational discussion filled with tips, tricks, and side steps to help you reach your creative goals. This panel is perfect for novice writers, artists, content, or product creators. Panelists to include Joshua Ovenshire (social media Influencer), Megan Ruiz (illustrator), and David Baron (comic book artist and creator).
Friday March 24, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Erik Voss, Tommy Bechtold, Jessica Clemons, and Zach Huddleston (New Rockstars and Deep Dive YouTube channels) discuss big Marvel, DC, and Star Wars news, interact with the audience, and bring the fun of the New Rockstars YouTube channel to WonderCon.
Friday March 24, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
James Rollins (The Cradle of Ice) is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, as well as the new Epic Fantasy Moonfall Saga. His books are always compulsively readable, and he's covered everything from telepathic underground marsupials to a group of human disasters setting out to fight the actual moon, so it's safe to say that there's no shortage of action, adventure, or imagination in his work. Join James for a session about his writing, inspirations, and more.
James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sigma Force series: Sandstorm, Map of Bones, Black Order, The Judas Strain, The Last Oracle, The Doomsday Key, The Devil Colony, Bloodline, The Eye of God, The 6th Extinction, The Seventh Plague, The Demon Crown, Cruciblek... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
An annual event since 1970, the San Diego Comic-Con is a big part of our lives. Presenting and discussing their love of pop culture are Greg Koudoulian (early SDCC film program contributor; manager of the Shel Dorf Archives), Sasha Achrem (George Clayton Johnson’s last apprentice), Anthony Keith (former SDCC committee member and El Cortez alumnus), Terry Stroud (dealer at every Comic-Con and co-founder of American Comic Book Company), and John Morrow (TwoMorrows Publishing and author).
Friday March 24, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Top talent from the upcoming live-action extravaganza Knights of the Zodiac —including Famke Janssen (X-Men), Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer), Nick Stahl (Terminator 3), Diego Tinoco (On My Block), and Mark Dacascos (John Wick: Chapter 3)—discuss the film in a Q&A moderated by Dan Larson.
Friday March 24, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 200A
Are you a freelance artist, writer, or cosplay professional or have your own side hustle? Do you want to learn how to reduce your taxes and keep more money in your pocket? Neil Narvaez (CFP, IRS Enrolled Agent) discusses ways to optimize your financial situation to pay as little tax as possible while setting yourself up for a profitable and successful future doing what you love to do. Learn what you can and can’t deduct for your business, what the best business structure is for your business, whether you need to set up an LLC, and more.
Friday March 24, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
While best known for his eye-catching covers on Black Widow, Wonder Woman, Catwoman, and Fairest,Adam Hughes has done much more to become a fan-favorite artist. His recent interior projects include the Eisner Award–winning Hellboy: Krampusnacht and Hellboy: Seven Wives Club, and stories in The Rocketeer Anthology, Batman: Black and White, and Harley Quinn: Black, White and Red, to name just a few. Now a designer for Disney, Adam still makes time for the occasional comics project.
While best known for his eye-catching covers on Black Widow, Wonder Woman, Catwoman, and Fairest, Adam Hughes has done much more to become a fan-favorite artist. His recent interior projects include the Eisner Award–winning Hellboy: Krampusnacht and Hellboy: Seven Wives Club, and... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 207
What’s it like to be “in the biz”? Hear about the highs, the lows, and everything in between from WonderCon Special Guests Tom King (Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow),Joe Quinones (Batman ’89), Doc Shaner (Future Quest), and Marv Wolfman (Young Justice), with Amanda Deibert and moderator Cecil Castellucci (Shifting Earth).
Eisner Award–winning writer Tom King had an extensive run on Batman, giving us a story to truly remember. His other credits include Batman/Catwoman, Grayson, Heroes in Crisis, Mister Miracle, The Omega Men, Rorschach, Strange Adventures, and The Sheriff of Babylon for DC and The... Read More →
Joe Quinones is an American comic book artist and illustrator. Known for his expressive faces and fluid linework, Joe has worked on several high-profile books over the last 15 years, including Dial H for Hero, Howard the Duck, America, Spider-Man, and more. Most recently, Joe helped... Read More →
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! He lives in Michigan with his wife, two... Read More →
Marv Wolfman is a multi-award-winning writer of comic books, animation, videogames, theme park shows and rides, children’s books, novels, television, internet animation, and much more. He has also created more characters that have gone on to TV, toys, games and film than anyone... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
When creating the expansive dreamworlds of Slumberland, Netflix employed Halon Entertainment, a NEP Virtual Studios Company, to provide previsualization and postvisualization for key sequences. Visualization supervisor Casey Pyke and lead visualization artist Samuel Baese discuss their process of making Slumberland ’s dreams a reality. This panel is moderated by Brandon Zachary, CBR senior writer.
Friday March 24, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Writer Amy Chu (Carmilla: The First Vampire, Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death), publisher Sandy King Carpenter (Storm King Productions),Melody Cooper (Omni, Noir is the New Black), and writer Amy Chase (Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe of Horrors, Fantastic Frights) discuss their inspirations, influences, and challenges as female creators in a traditionally male-dominated genre. Moderated by editor Heidi MacDonald (The Comics Beat, Publishers Weekly).
Friday March 24, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Moisés Hassan Bendahan (Stony Brook University) looks at the Japanese mutant Sunfire to argue that the mutant nation of Krakoa challenges which nationalities are accepted in mainstream American comics. Karma Waltonen (University of California, Davis) explores Margaret Atwood’s graphic novel War Bear and its dually nostalgic and historical/critical look at the shift to postmodernism as reflected in the Golden Age of Canadian comic books. Through an analysis of 1950s comics and contemporary graphic novels, Viola Burlew (University of Colorado) examines how the conservative language and guidelines of the 1954 Comics Code Authority have been repurposed by anti-comics censors ever since. Daniel Jun Kim (PopMythology.com) explores the intersection of esoteric spirituality with the radical politics of Grant Morrison and Alan Moore through The Invisibles, V for Vendetta, and Promethea.
Friday March 24, 2023 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210
Order of Gallifrey members Alex Bagosy (historian/archaeologist), Justin Daube (science teacher), and Mazz Mazzacano (actual pirate) explore some of the real-world science and historical events appearing in Doctor Who, in a panel and Q&A session moderated by Jennifer Bagosy.
Friday March 24, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Alane Adams is the author of the Legends of Orkney and the Legends of Olympus series for middle-grade readers, as well as four historical picture books set in the 1920s. She has also launched a prequel series, The Witches of Orkney, featuring the fifth and final installment, The Sorceress. Alane founded the Rise Up Foundation in 2009, which has supported thousands of teachers with classroom needs and books.
Alane Adams is a Webby-award winning creator of media content designed to get kids excited about reading and is the author of the Legends of Orkney and the Legends of Olympus series for middle-grade readers, as well as four historical picture books set in the 1920s. Alane founded... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
Tabletop games are having a golden age with new releases coming out every month. Learn about the board game design process, including prototyping, playtesting, and more tips and tricks of the trade from industry experts. Bring your questions and participate in an open forum fireside chat. Moderated by Chris Castagnetto.
Friday March 24, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Jeff Shinn (comic shop owner, collector, professional presser), Bill Buchanan (comic dealer, comic expert, collector), Mickey Finnegan (popular YouTube comic content creator, analytics and market expert), and others discuss all aspects of comic book collecting in the current market, such as current trends, speculation, market factors, investing (short and long term), selling, pressing, and grading.
Friday March 24, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Explore the worlds of animation, character creation, and the history of Comic-Con with Troy Carlson (creator of The Animation Academy: From Pencils to Pixels exhibit), Bill Farmer (actor and voice of Goofy, Pluto, and many more), Ron McFee (archivist for Comic-Con and curator of the Cover Story: Five Decades of Comic-Con exhibit), Rita Vandergaw (executive director, Comic-Con Museum), and moderator Eddie Ibrahim (senior programming coordinator, Comic-Con International).
Friday March 24, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
The past decade has seen an explosion in the scope of journalism, from the rise of citizen journalism to blogging to vloggers, podcasters, and online-only news sources. Stacey Yvonne (Stacey Yvonne Creative), Mary Anne Butler (Nerdbot), Alan Ng (FilmThreat), and Danielle Broadway (Reuters) discuss the roles new media play between their readers and the industries and communities they serve. Topics will include varying levels of informality versus classic ideas of professionalism, show-specific outlets versus general news sites, and more. Moderated by Bill Watters (Nerdbot).
Friday March 24, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 207
Learn all about VFX techniques from Fon Davis (25-year veteran of miniature VFX who has worked on over 25 movies including the Star Wars series and Guardians of the Galaxy); about resin and its applications from Brooke Wheeler (district manager for Reynolds Plastics); about 3D printing from Sam Girgis (owner of BiggerBoxModels); about mold making from Don Westos (director of prop fabrications/mold making for Productions/Strategic Operations) and Jeff Broz (in mold production for over 30 years, producing both aerospace and sci-fi projects); and about costume making from Julia Jenkins (cosplayer of many characters, including Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Kim Possible, and Talia).
Friday March 24, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Writer Mark Russell discusses his iconoclastic career, from reshaping The Flintstones as a satire of civilization to using Superman: Space Age, to look at the Cold War. He will also discuss the process of creating his own characters in Second Coming, Not All Robots, and Traveling to Mars.
Mark Russell is an award-winning author and comic book writer best known for his work on The Flintstones, the GLAAD Award winning Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, Second Coming, Superman: Space Age, and the Eisner and Ringo Award winning Not All Robots. He is also the... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
Andres Useche (award-winning writer/director and composer), Maytha Alhassen (Hulu's Ramy), Daniela Munoz-Useche (cinematographer), and Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy) dig into how everyone can use filmmaking, comics, and transmedia to give voice to underrepresented folks, to honor real-life heroes, and to help seek greater justice, empathy, and equality. This presentation includes short screenings, an international premiere, and a guided tour of Useche's local and international collaborations with activists, artists, and world leaders.
Friday March 24, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300E
The secret’s out: True Lies is coming to WonderCon! Inspired by James Cameron’s hit action/comedy film of the same name, the new CBS drama follows Harry Tasker (Steve Howey), a first-class international spy for U.S. intelligence agency Omega Sector, and his wife, Helen (Ginger Gonzaga), a language professor bored with her daily routine who makes the shocking discovery that her seemingly ordinary husband is leading an extraordinary double life. With the secret out, Omega recruits Helen, who impresses everyone with her formidable skills, and she joins Harry and his team of top-notch operatives, embarking on covert missions around the globe and an exhilarating life of danger and adventure—all while keeping their adventures a secret from their children. Join series stars Steve Howey, Ginger Gonzaga, and Omar Miller and showrunner Matt Nix for a Q&A, followed by an exclusive advance screening of an action-packed episode.
Friday March 24, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
North 200A
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.
Steve Leialoha has been working in comics since the 1970s drawing and/or inking primarily for Marvel and DC Comics. Among his favorites he’s worked on are Fables (the original run and the new current edition), Petrefax, Warlock, Howard the Duck, Spider-Woman, The New Mutants, The... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 210
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).
Friday March 24, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 300C
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).
Annalee Newitz is an American journalist, editor, and author of fiction and nonfiction. They are the recipient of a Knight Science Journalism Fellowship from MIT and have written for Popular Science, The New Yorker, and the Washington Post. They founded the science fiction website... Read More →
Gary Phillips has published several novels and short stories and written comics for the likes of DC, BOOM! Dark Horse, and Moonstone, where he penned new adventures of Kolchak, the Night Stalker and pulp favorite The Spider. He’s been a staff writer on Snowfall, a show streaming... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 208
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).
Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animated... Read More →
Tom Ruegger is the 14-time Emmy winning creator/producer/writer/showrunner of many beloved animated TV series, including Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, Tiny Toon Adventures, Road Rover, and Histeria! As the creator of Animaniacs, Tom served as senior producer, showrunner, story... Read More →
Paul Rugg co-developed and was the voice of Freakazoid in Steven Spielberg Presents: Freakazoid. Paul was one of the original writers of Animaniacs and helped develop the characters of Yakko, Wakko and Dot, writing over 40 episodes. Paul also provided the voice of Mr. Director... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
North 200A
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!
Friday March 24, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
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!
Daniel Warren Johnson is a Chicago-based comic book writer, artist, and illustrator with clients including Image, DC, Marvel, Wizards of the Coast, and many others. His creator-owned title Extremity was met with popular and critical acclaim, netting him an Eisner Award nomination... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 209
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?"
Phil Jimenez is an Eisner, Inkpot, Diamond, and Wizard award–winning writer and artist who has worked for DC, Marvel, and a host of other comic book companies for nearly 30 years. He is best known for his work on Tempest, The Invisibles, JLA/Titans, New-X-Men, Wonder Woman, Infinite... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300A
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300E
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).
Friday March 24, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 207
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).
Friday March 24, 2023 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 210
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).
Friday March 24, 2023 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300C
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).
Friday March 24, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300A
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
North 200A
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!
Friday March 24, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300E
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!.
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! He lives in Michigan with his wife, two... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 209
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)
Phil Jimenez is an Eisner, Inkpot, Diamond, and Wizard award–winning writer and artist who has worked for DC, Marvel, and a host of other comic book companies for nearly 30 years. He is best known for his work on Tempest, The Invisibles, JLA/Titans, New-X-Men, Wonder Woman, Infinite... Read More →
Friday March 24, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 207
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.].
Friday March 24, 2023 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 210
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300C
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300E
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300A
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).
Friday March 24, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 209
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).
Friday March 24, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
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.
Friday March 24, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 207
Didn't make it to Comic-Con last year? Well, we have you (partially) covered . . . Comic-Con International/WonderCon programming staff pick two of the most talked about panels from Comic-Con 2022 to reshow at WonderCon 2023! Could it be the Marvel Studios' Hall H presentation? . . . or could it be what Warner Bros. brought to Hall H? WonderCon's very own Tommy Goldbach (programming coordinator for Comic-Con International and WonderCon) will be there when you find out in this hour-and-a-half replay block! (Please note: these playbacks will include only the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.)
Friday March 24, 2023 7:00pm - 8:30pm PDT
North 200A
Are you a writer with a great idea for a comic book series, but you can’t draw? Or maybe you’re an artist looking to illustrate an incredible story, but you can’t write. WonderCon is proud to once again host the Comic Creator Connection, a fast-paced networking event that puts writers and artists together to help them meet new creative partners. Here’s how it works: In a two-hour period, writers and artists will sit down across from each other at a table. (And by artists, we mean pencilers, inkers, colorists, etc.—all are welcome!) Then, in five-minute sessions, you will talk one-on-one with each other about your ideas and skills. At the end of each five-minute period, you will get up and move on to the next person. If you’re interested in furthering the conversation, you’ll exchange contact information. Think of it as speed-dating, but for writers and artists! Sign-ups are taken in advance for this event, but space may still be available on site.
Friday March 24, 2023 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 204C
Like most toy collectors out there, you probably like to customize your figures to make them just right for you. With 3D printing now you can do just that. Learn from the best digital designers, customizers, and printers from around the world. They will cover how to start designing, where to get predesigned files, what printers and paints to buy, and what it takes to make these collectibles your own.
Friday March 24, 2023 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 210
Can dreams truly empower us? Allow us to shape the world? Even reconnect with loved ones? Grab your Helmet of Dreams and join a dream team of psych geeks including Benjamin Taitz, MA (Mental Health Quest Podcast), Justine Mastin, LMFT (Starship Therapise), Shelly Clevenger (Sam Houston State University), Brittani Oliver Sillas-Navarro, MA, AMFT (Alliant International University), Elizabeth 방실 Han, Psy.D. (MiraCare Neurobehavioral Health), Dr. J Scott Jordan (Dark Loops Productions), and Dr. Travis Langley (Stranger Things Psychology: Life Upside Down) discuss the psychology of the Sandman and the true power of dreams in our waking lives. Moderated by Dr. Isaac Taitz (All Mind Health).
Friday March 24, 2023 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Experience the first-ever sneak peek of the world-bending science fantasy adventure Among the Others.Ebrahim A. Ebrahim (Among the Others creator), Matthew Mercer (Legend of Zelda, Attack on Titan), Taliesin Jaffe (Legend of Vox Machina, Horizon Forbidden West), Dawn M. Bennett (My Hero Academia, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes), and members of the Among the Others crew discuss the making of their new franchise release, along with the wild world of animation: how to get an indie film off the ground, ways to grow your team, and how to transition from passion project to an indie company.
Friday March 24, 2023 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Frank Forte (Asylum Press, Heavy Metal, Cry for Dawn) discusses the history of ’90s horror comics, including the late ’80s indie scene that led to the ’90s black-and-white boom. Frank talks about Northstar Publications, Grips, Cry for Dawn, Faust, Lady Death, Verotik, Boneyard Press, From Beyonde, Taboo, Slow Death, Razor, Vamperotica, Tarot Witch of the Black Rose, NightCry, Marvel's Hellraiser, and more. These comics had an effect on the industry as a whole because they were doing huge print runs and there was a rabid fanbase for the genre. Some companies went too far and comics were banned; some stories led to police investigations and charges filed. A slideshow will accompany the talk.
Friday March 24, 2023 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 208
Luciano Vecchio (artist and writer), Dylan Carter (House of X podcast), Ember Vain (drag queen), and London Landicho Villamayor (cosplayer) discuss how to turn your favorite geeky fandom into flourishing careers, the challenges and rewards of growing up LGBTQIA+, seeking diversity and representation, and how being a member of the community influenced their work. Moderated by Julian Jetson (stylist and host).
Friday March 24, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Are you a writer, an illustrator, or an actor or have you ever wanted to be one? Have you been struggling with imposter syndrome? Have you started and abandoned your creative projects? This panel of creative experts will show you how to create psychologically rich characters in your writing, acting, and illustration. Learn how to break free from your imposter syndrome and attend to your creative passions. Panelists include psychologist and creative coach Dr. Janina Scarlet (Dark Agents; It Shouldn’t Be This Way) and writers Deric Hughes (Arrow, Flash), Dennis Crosby (Death’s Legacy), J. Dianne Dotson (The Shadow Galaxy; The Questrison Saga), actor Philip Anthony-Rodriguez (Grimm; Modern Family), and illustrator Vince Alvendia (Dark Agents). Dustin McGinnis (Superhero Therapy Podcast) moderates.
Friday March 24, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 207
The popular entertainment and comedy podcast heads to WonderCon, hosted by Tim Drake (Bundy Manor, Funny or Die, Robot Butt), award-winning filmmaker, writer, author, and Second City alumnus. Tim's jokes/tweets have been featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tim will be joined by Lucasfilm award-winning guest co-host Alex Watson (Bundy Manor, Star Wars Fan Film) and writer, actor, and director Andrew Bowser, aka Onyx the Fortuitous, to talk about his career and his hit Sundance film Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls.
Friday March 24, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 211
Romance is booming, from Outlander and Discovery of Witches on the small screen to K-dramas and webtoons. It dominates the bestseller lists, and Booktok on social media is exploding. Rebekah R. Ganiere (USA Today bestselling author, Emmy nominated producer), Angel Payne (bestselling author), Bex Francis (Sac Geeks co-founder, film and podcast producer), and James Ganiere (Emmy-nominated director/producer) discuss what is happening in the romance genre and why people are actively looking for happily ever afters.
Friday March 24, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 209
GG4G superfan panelists hold a light-hearted discussion (audience participation encouraged) to determine the criteria for a film that defines it as a Christmas movie. Other movies to be discussed include Gremlins and Batman Returns.
Friday March 24, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300A
As the business of video games now surpasses the annual revenues of both film and music combined, public interest in pursuing a career in the game industry has staggeringly increased in recent years. This has spawned a wide variety of educational and vocational options for individuals to pursue game development, but how exactly does one get the knowledge they need and then find a job in this very competitive industry? Learn from veteran game industry professionals about what it takes to launch a game development career and how there are many paths into the industry.
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 213CD
Celebrating the art and inventions of Max Fleischer, animation historian Ray Pointer will be showcasing new restorations of cartoons featuring Betty Boop, Popeye, Koko the Clown, Superman, and more. Join him for a Q&A with Max’s granddaughter, Jane Reid, and to learn about the history of Fleischer studios.
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300E
Lisi Harrison (The Pack), Rachel Ignotofsky (What's Inside a Flower), and Suzanne and Max Lang (Grumpy Monkey Who Threw That) discuss all the ways that nonhumans are more fun to write. Moderated by Christy Hayes (Bookcrushin').
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 209
This year will mark the 30th adventure of the IKV Stranglehold presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, a live-action Star Trek fan-based stage play. While taking some R&R before this next mission, members of the crew will recount some of those adventures with some hints as to what will happen for the 30th mission and possibly more. All alien races are welcome.
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300A
WonderCon Special Guest Tom Cook will take you through his early life and what inspired him to become an artist and then an animator/director on some of the classic cartoons from your childhood. He will also explain the steps it took to make a cartoon back in the good old days when you used a very rare item called . . . a pencil. He will conclude the panel with a Q&A session, so get those questions ready.
Tom Cook began his career as an animator and director in 1978 at Hanna-Barbera Studios, where he worked as an assistant animator on such series as Super Friends, Godzilla, Scooby Doo, Smurfs, and The Flintstones. Moving to Filmation Studios in 1980, he worked on He-Man and the Masters... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 211
Costumer and seamstress Augusta Avallone (Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Trek Picard, Loki) charts the history of costuming in science fiction films and television shows, from Melies' A Trip to the Moon to the MCU, focusing on not just the tropes of science fiction (lamé jumpsuits anyone?), but the influence of military silhouettes, technological advances in fabrics, and the comparison of design elements as they appear in films like Star Wars and Star Trek.
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 207
As the Silver Age of Comics turned Bronze, writer Dennis O’Neil and artist Neal Adams took Green Lantern and Green Arrow on a journey into social issues that previous comics had largely avoided. Anthony Letzia (Geek Frontiers) focuses on how Oliver Queen was transformed into a leftist foil to conservative Hal Jordan. Amy DeSuza-Riehm (California State University, Long Beach) examines Green Lantern/Green Arrow ecocritically to contextualize the political message of the narrative. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology; Spider-Man Psychology) leads a discussion of the O’Neil/Adams storyline’s enduring impact. Travis Adams (Daredevil Psychology) responds.
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Room 210
The annual Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival continues with its final day of short films from around the world for all ages, featuring animation, live-action, and documentary. Animators and filmmakers will talk to the audience following their films, including offering advice for kids on how to become a professional animator or filmmaker.
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:00am - 9:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Creator and co-showrunner Dean Devlin and co-showrunner Jonathan Glassner talk about the making of SYFY's new series The Ark, from the premise to set design, filming on a spaceship set, and more .
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
North 200A
Riding a wave of fan enthusiasm, comics exploded in the 1990s. From X-men selling over 8 million copies in 1991 to the launch of Image Comics to Marvel's bankruptcy to DC buying WildStorm in 1999, the decade was historically pivotal. Malibu Comics' Dave Olbrich, Chris Ulm, and Tom Mason (from Geekview Tavern) plus panelists Kevin VanHook (Visi8, Valiant Comics), Hank Kanalz (Immortal Studios, Clover Press), Mark L. Haynes (writer, Diamond Comic Distributors) and Larry Marder (Image Comics, Beanworld) discuss this pivotal point in comics history.
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 213AB
Women's Color Code is a group of women of color in video games who are excited to talk to you and answer your questions about the game industry. They will share their experiences working on titles big and small, from DreamWorks’ Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia and The Arcslinger, to Marvel's Avengers and My Little Pony: A Maretime Bay Adventure. Senior game designer Alissa Smith (Survios), licensing producer Cheyenne Shotton (Walt Disney Games), and professional intern for production Karina Veikos (Walt Disney Games) hope to inspire game lovers, women, and people of color to pursue their dreams of creating video games.
Saturday March 25, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 208
The cultural production space known as Afrofuturism has become mainstream. A great deal of this interest was generated by the success of the Marvel Entertainment film Black Panther.John Jennings (Abrams/Megascope), Stanford Carpenter (Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival), and Ajani Brown (San Diego State Univiersity) will examine several comics, cartoons, and sequential art narratives that were created before the Black Panther was imagined by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1966. This includes the first Black “space opera” character, Neil Knight (1950), which was published by the popular black newspaper The Pittsburgh Courier. It will also examine a character that pre-figures the Black Panther. That hero, Lion Man, was published by a Black comic book company called All-Negro Comics in 1947. The end goal of this research is to restore, archive, and propagate speculative sequential art that centers on Black protagonists and their use of futuristic technologies. It also seeks to reposition Afro-speculative comic books alongside music, literature, fashion, and film as a pillar of Afrofuturism.
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Actors Don McLeod (Trading Places), Adam Meir (Bad Trip), and Chris F. Bartlett (The Mandalorian) share their movement techniques used inside costumed characters. As seen in commercials, TV and films, Don, Adam, and Chris explain what it takes to move inside these oversized costumes to make them real. Knowing movement techniques will bring your cosplay/costumed characters to life. Learn what it takes to break into the professional performing arena as a costumed character. Moderated by Sandy Scheller (Amargosa Opera House director). Audience participation is optional as movement techniques are demonstrated.
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Music creatives join together to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating the scores and sounds to some of today's most popular TV series and films. Featuring panelists Jeff Russo (Star Trek: Picard), Amanda Krieg Thomas (American Horror Story), Joseph Shirley (The Mandalorian), Joanne Higginbottom (Primal), Will Bates (Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches), and Gavin Brivik (How to Blow Up a Pipeline). Surprise moderator TBA.
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 207
Have you ever wondered how your favorite TV shows and movies go from a spark of an idea to your screens? Entertainment creatives give an inside perspective on what it takes to turn a vision into a reality as they break down their work and important scenes from your favorite projects. Featuring showrunner/ executive producer Anthony Sparks (Queen Sugar, Bel-Air), VFX supervisor at FuseFX Art Codron (Outer Banks), editor S. Robyn Wilson (A Black Lady Sketch Show), production designer Cabot McMullen (Shrinking), executive producer Rachel Watanabe-Batton (Sneakerella), and composer Andrew Morgan Smith (The Old Way, The Owl House). Moderated by actor Chris Villain (Mystery Incorporated). Part 1 of Impact24 PR’s Panel Superblock.
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Retired underground cartoonist and current comics herstorian Trina Robbins has been writing graphic novels, comics, and books for about half a century. Her subjects have ranged from Wonder Woman and the Powerpuff Girls and her own teenage superheroine, GoGirl!, to women cartoonists and women who kill. She’s won several Eisner Awards and was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Industry Hall of Fame in 2013.
Retired underground cartoonist and current comics herstorian Trina Robbins has been writing graphic novels, comics, and books for about half a century. Her subjects have ranged from Wonder Woman and the Powerpuff Girls and her own teenage superheroine, GoGirl!, to women cartoonists... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 211
Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ben Kissel have been filling audience ears with laughs and shrieks for over a decade with The Last Podcast on the Left. Last summer, their hilarious, obsessively researched tales of the morbid and morose transcended mediums for The Last Comic Book on the Left, a chilling anthology filled with Last Podcast icons, including Detective Popcorn, sexy Mothman, and John Wayne Gacy. A second volume just resurrected to fill your panels and nightmares with even more untold horrors. Marcus, Henry, and Ben partake hilarious panel filled with tons of heart—both metaphorical and literal.
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209
Dr. Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy), Dr. J. Scott Jordan (Dark Loops Productions), Marcus H. Roberts (Second Sight Publishing), Dale Deforest (Hero Twins), Sara Roldan (Our Oasis), and moderator Lorran Garrison (Little Brainstorm) discuss how comic books have long been a source of entertainment and inspiration for many, but did you know that they can also play a role in promoting mental health wellness? Explore how comics and graphic novels can help individuals cope with mental health challenges and inspire many to become "superheroes" in their own lives. Panelists will discuss how the themes and messages in comics, such as overcoming adversity and standing up for oneself, can be applied to real-life situations. They will also discuss the importance of representation in comics and how seeing oneself represented in the stories can be empowering for individuals struggling with mental health issues. Learn about the potential benefits of incorporating comics into your self-care routine! There will be giveaways!
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 208
Building a community and managing social media for a solo business or a big company are more similar than you might think. But how do you navigate them and manage your own content and community on top of a day job? Jordan Dené Ellis (the 12+ year owner of Jordandené and The Sartorial Geek and community relationship manager at Adobe) and Mallory Shoemaker (a 14+ year content creator and content strategist at Adobe) hold a candid convo and give actionable tips on balancing it all. With more than two decades of combined experience in their fields, they have quite literally made careers of building, creating, and demystifying the how-tos.
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300C
This panel will detail the process that the 12th grade English team at La Cañada High School took to teach personal narrative writing by having students write their own graphic panel. In using Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel Persepolis, along with sources that employ the language and methods of the comic medium, students explored their own writing as a form of creative nonfiction. Brian Redmond (La Cañada High School) introduces the curriculum and design of the course, while Daryl Bilandzija (La Cañada High School) showcases student graphic panels, and writer and illustrator Chuck Austen (Miracleman,Edgeworld) discusses his visit to the classroom to explore the medium as well as the creative process with students.
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 210
See a world premiere screening of an episode from the second season of FOX’s animated series HouseBroken, followed by a conversation with the cast, including actor Will Forte (The Last Man on Earth), co-creators/showrunners Gabrielle Allan (Veep) and Jennifer Crittenden (Veep), director Eric Koenig (The Simpsons), writer Elliott Kalan (The Daily Show) with Will Forte.HouseBroken takes an irreverent look at human behavior through the lens of animals. The animals’ search for meaning often leads them on wild adventures, far away from the cushy confines of domestic pet life. HouseBroken is produced by Kapital Entertainment and FOX Entertainment. The series is animated by Bento Box Entertainment.
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
North 200A
Breaking out in media and entertainment is a winding road. So how do you chart a course without a map? Actress and content creator Gwen Carole (Welcome to Chippendales) hosts a panel featuring Malynda Hale (#WeNeedToTalk Podcast host and owner of JMV Entertainment), Amy DePaola (2023 Blackmagic Collective Future Women of TV Directing Fellow and founder of Pink Among Men Productions Inc.), Lauren Chavez-Myers (scripted TV development coordinator at Entertainment One and owner of Room of Req Productions), Danielle Beckmann (co-founder, actress, and executive producer at Brooklyn Quarter), and Rachel Walker (film programmer and advisory board member of Vidiots & Overlook Film Festival), who have all blazed their own path in film, television, and entertainment.
Saturday March 25, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Featuring creatives from The Last of Us, Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham, Ms. Marvel, Dahmer–Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, and more. “It’s Alive!” is back at WonderCon with another look behind some of your favorite sci-fi, horror, and comic book–based films and television shows. Production designers, cinematographers, editors, and other entertainment creatives share their insights on bringing these thrilling and often chilling worlds to life. Featuring production designer John Paino (The Last of Us), cinematographer Jules O’Loughlin, ASC ACS (Ms. Marvel Episodes 4 and 5), editor Tayor Joy Mason (Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), executive producer/ co-creator Elle León Nostas (Mark of Death), composer Stefan L. Smith (Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham), and producer Christopher Kaminski (Cobalt Knight). Moderated by voiceover artist and actor Queen Noveen (Redfall). Part 2 of Impact24 PR’s Panel Superblock.
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
About Comics published its first comic in 1998 and in the 25 years since has published a bizarrely wide range of comics-related material, from new hero books to how-to books to reprints of classic strips, Catholic cartoons, Black cartoons, old coloring books, whatever. Along the way this one-man company launched careers and founded 24 Hour Comics Day. About Comics sole honcho Nat Gertler and some cohorts share the more interesting parts of that history, as well as look at what's coming up.
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
This panel goes into what it takes to perfect your cosplay by having great makeup to go with it. It will cover beauty makeup, appliance application, special fx makeup, sculpting, molding, casting, and wig styling. Keaghlan Ashley (SFX MUA, Face Off Season 7, Face Off All Stars) and Chrissy Lynn (MUA, Bat in The Sun's Superpower Beatdown)—who have honed their craft in the makeup, film, television, and cosplay photography worlds—will help you answer your questions about makeup to match your costuming and cosplay and offer tips and tools of the trade. Turn your great cosplay into an amazing one with awesome makeup! Moderated by Jacqueline Goehner (cosplayer, FX makeup manufacturer).
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300A
A panel of professional game developers will offer their advice and insight to those seeking to further their dreams of making their game a reality. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch a game for 3 minutes and then receive constructive criticism on how it went. This session will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, and sign-ups will be taken onsite. To participate, you must be prepared before you sign up. Preparation includes (1) a well-practiced, 3-minute verbal pitch that clearly explains the game concept, how it's unique to the marketplace, why it would be worth funding, etc.; (2) any hardcopy or digital visuals (images, video, etc.) that help illustrate the concept and viability of the idea (you must bring the device on which you will display the visuals); and (3) imagination and passion: imagine you're making a very quick pitch to receive funding for your idea.
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 204C
Like we do at almost every convention, we remember the man some called The King of the Comics—the man who created or co-created many of the most popular characters ever in the medium. Discussing Jack Kirby are Marv Wolfman (writer/editor), John Morrow (publisher of The Jack Kirby Collector), Paul S. Levine (lawyers for the Kirby Trust), Steve Leialoha (New Mutants, Howard the Duck, Fables), and moderator Mark Evanier (former assistant to Jack Kirby).
Steve Leialoha has been working in comics since the 1970s drawing and/or inking primarily for Marvel and DC Comics. Among his favorites he’s worked on are Fables (the original run and the new current edition), Petrefax, Warlock, Howard the Duck, Spider-Woman, The New Mutants, The... Read More →
Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animated... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
In book publishing, middle grade is the age category between chapter books and young adult. Chris Baron (The Mafical Imperfect), Cecil Castellucci (Soupy Leaves Home), Dan Santat (A First Time for Everything), and WonderCon special guest Greg van Eekhout (Fenris & Mott) explore the joys, challenges, opportunities, and peculiarities of writing for 8- to 12-year-old audiences.
Greg van Eekhout is the author of four fantasy novels for adults and six fantasy and science fiction novels for middle-grade readers, as well as dozens of short stories. His novel Weird Kid won the California Independent Booksellers Alliance's Golden Poppy Award. Others of his works... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
For artists and writers who get “stuck," neteran writer/editor Barbara Randall Kesel (Hawk & Dove, Avengers: Marvels Snapshots) slings rapid-fire tips, tricks, and strategies for vanquishing those blocked brain cells and deadline demons! Part information, part motivation, all entertaining!
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300E
The cast and crew of the Legend of the White Dragon film show exclusive behind-the-scenes video and be sure to participate in the Q&A! We will be celebrating the life of Jason David Frank, the star and co-writer of the film!
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
Arena
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic cartoon show Animaniacs with series creator Tom Ruegger, series writer and voice actor Paul Rugg (Freakazoid), series writer and author John P. McCann, series composers and songwriters Steve Bernstein and Julie Bernstein, and others. Relive the creation of a cartoon classic with the Animaniacs crew! Moderated by Joey Letson from The Animanicast.
Tom Ruegger is the 14-time Emmy winning creator/producer/writer/showrunner of many beloved animated TV series, including Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, Tiny Toon Adventures, Road Rover, and Histeria! As the creator of Animaniacs, Tom served as senior producer, showrunner, story... Read More →
Paul Rugg co-developed and was the voice of Freakazoid in Steven Spielberg Presents: Freakazoid. Paul was one of the original writers of Animaniacs and helped develop the characters of Yakko, Wakko and Dot, writing over 40 episodes. Paul also provided the voice of Mr. Director... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
North 200A
Despite the rapid expansion of the Comics Studies field, K-12 educators hoping to use comics in their classrooms are often at odds with the limitations of set curricula, state standardized testing, and old-fashioned prejudices against the comics medium. Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools), Susan Kirtley (Portland State University), and Antero Garcia (Stanford University) believe that teaching and learning with comics can engage and empower all students, enhancing all K-12 classrooms. Citing their collective practice and research, these presenters will outline a comics pedagogy by modeling instructional examples, including lesson and unit plans, while referencing applicable comics studies and critical theory.
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 210
You’d like to adapt your book or comic series into a successful movie or television pilot, but where do you begin and who do you talk to about it? It’s time for a frank, honest discussion about the dos and don't from those industry pros who have done it before. Award-winning and bestselling writer/filmmaker Tim Chizmar (founder, Horror Writers Association Las Vegas; president, SpookyNinjaKitty Comics; VP at FUNI MEDIA) moderates this panel of industry professionals who will tell you the truth about adapting your words, from a piece of literature or comic series into a successful visual medium. Panelists include industry pros Stephen Stern (creator of Zen Intergalactic Ninja), Amber Hassler (VP of writing integrity, SpookyNinjaKitty publishing), Mark Savage (director of films Hells Coming for You, Pain Killer, etc.), Rik Offenberger (Archie Comics, editor at First Comics News), and Melody Munson (cartoon illustrator and actress, The Nudels of Nudeland).
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
The Weekly DLC (Daniel Jang, Kurosh Jozavi, and Daniel Vargas) host an honest and uplifting talk on content creation in the pop culture space, how to find success through failure, and what it takes to reach 300 episodes to create your own opportunities for success. With guests Joanna Leack (artist, Here Comes the Nerd), Alix Catherine (host, The Welcome Party), and JPG (pop culture consultant, InterMyth), this panel will cover content creation, survival tips, and personal anecdotes to help both beginners and veterans in podcasting and content creation.
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300C
TJ Shevlin (2023 Eisner judge, comics enthusiast) and Alonso Nuñez (executive director, Little Fish Comic Book Studio) join scientists Ronald Coleman, Ph.D. (Regenerative Medicine) and Chelsea Ballinger (physicist) to focus on the biology and physics of Spider-Man. Starting with the mutations induced by the radioactive spider that bit him, through the genius of his webslingers, the scientists and Spider-Man lore experts will explore the things that are possible, the things that are impossible, and the things we just can't know. Moderated by Jonathan Bacon-Liu (host of All the Time We Have podcast).
Saturday March 25, 2023 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
Go behind the scenes of popular movies and television shows to see what it takes to bring characters and worlds to life. Costume, makeup, hair, and production designers in entertainment dive into the incredible skill and creativity that goes into making movie and TV magic. Featuring makeup department head Rebecca Wachtel (Daisy Jones & the Six), hair stylist/ wig maker Justi Embree (Missing), costume designer Jennifer May Nickel (Gotham Knights), costume designer Carrie Grace (Doom Patrol, The Boys Episodes 1 and 2), costume designer Dominique Dawson (Swarm), and production designer James Bolenaugh (Kevin Can Go F**k Himself). Moderated by voiceover artist and actor Queen Noveen (Redfall). Part 3 of Impact24 PR’s Panel Superblock.
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Joining Disney in their centennial celebration, Leslie Kay (author of Disney Publishing’s DisneyBound: Dress Disney and Make It Fashion and the viral blog The Disneybound) and a panel of Disneybound pros examine how Disneybound fashion has evolved and grown over the last 13 years and how 100 years of Disney film and fashion history have influenced the community and their creativity. Panelists include Disneybound experts Tiffany Sutton, Erika Kurzawa, Domonique Brown, Pernell Langhorne III, Logan Allison, Lauren, and Kelsey Walmer.
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Jessica Tseang (The History Channel/ pop culture historian) discusses with Daniel Mah (fight choreographer for multi-award-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once), Sam Khushal (award-winning writer Red Navel, 24-hour Film Festival, cultural consultant), Sandro Morales-Santoro (Restaurants At The Edge Of The World on National Geographic/Disney+; Kold x Windy, WeTV/AllBLK; The Secret History of Venom, Marvel Animation), and Boise Esquerra (Native American-Hopi, screenwriter The Black Demon; writer/director, Blackwater; screenwriter Skinwalker) discuss the growth of diverse representation in films and their future at award shows.
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300E
March 2023 marks one hundred years since the renowned creator of Tarzan and John Carter of Mars founded his own historic company. Today, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., continues to oversee authorized adaptations of the acclaimed author’s timeless literary works of adventure and the imagination in the realms of film, television, radio, publishing, theatrical stage productions, licensing, and merchandising. Celebrate this beloved legacy with the ERB, Inc., team— Jim Sullos (president), Cathy Wilbanks (VP of operations), and Christopher Paul Carey (director of publishing)—as they detail highlights of the past century; share behind-the-scenes glimpses from the company’s operations in Tarzana, California; and announce new projects on the way. While supplies last, attendees will receive a special gift commemorating this extraordinary milestone.
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
A fast, loose, and fun technique to ink with, inspired by the ancient art of Sumi inking. Anyone can practice it with a little introduction, and even advanced masters will enjoy the wide range of potential this technique holds. It has no limit, and the more one lets the ink do what it wants, the more wonder it brings. Hays will do a demo and answer any questions - maybe even take requests.
Eisner Award–winning writer Tom King had an extensive run on Batman, giving us a story to truly remember. His other credits include Batman/Catwoman, Grayson, Heroes in Crisis, Mister Miracle, The Omega Men, Rorschach, Strange Adventures, and The Sheriff of Babylon for DC and The... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
Authors Rebecca Phelps (Yesterworld), James Rollins (The Cradle of Ice, The Starless Crown), Kiersten White (Hide, Sinister Summer series), and Gene Luen Yang (Monkey King, American Born Chinese) discuss their start with building their worlds. Moderated by Maryelizabeth Yturralde (Creating Conversations).
Gene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. As the Library of Congress’s fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, he advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. American Born Chinese, his first graphic... Read More →
James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sigma Force series: Sandstorm, Map of Bones, Black Order, The Judas Strain, The Last Oracle, The Doomsday Key, The Devil Colony, Bloodline, The Eye of God, The 6th Extinction, The Seventh Plague, The Demon Crown, Cruciblek... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 209
CGC president Matt Nelson delves into the complexities and nuances of the CGC grading standards, the recently released CGC Grading Guide, and future plans for CGC in the certified market.
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Super teachers Jaime Chavez (intervention counselor, San Diego Unified), Mick Rabin (resource teacher, Youth Advocacy Dept., San Diego Unified), and Ella "Dizzy" Rogosin (teacher, Sweetwater UHSD) describe how incorporating comics into the curriculum increases engagement and access for all students while developing a love for learning (and secretly powering up literacy skills) and how the Comic-Con Educator Book Club brings together teachers from across the region in pursuit of great reads, community, and strategies for the classroom. Moderated by Jewyl Alderson (San Diego County Office of Education). You too can become a super teacher! Panelists will share resources, tips, and tools you can add to your utility belt.
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
Liz and Stephanie Thomovsky (Sisters of Star Trek:TNG). The guest stars of ST:TNG literally made the episode in many instances, creating conflict or highlighting existing crew members. They will use episode excerpts to help illustrate the greatest and most memorable guest stars and why they are so noteworthy.
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
AMC Networks presents the upcoming spinoff in The Walking Dead Universe, The Walking Dead: Dead City. The cast and executive producers discuss the new series, debuting on AMC and AMC+ this June. Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) travel into a postapocalyptic Manhattan long ago cut off from the mainland. The crumbling city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty, and terror. The series also stars Gaius Charles, Zeljko Ivanek, Karina Ortiz, Jonathan Higginbotham, and Mahina Napoleon, with Scott Gimple, Showrunner Eli Jorné, Cohan, Morgan, and Brian Bockrath as executive producers.
This panel focuses on modern 21st-century female comics writers and cartoonists Joëlle Jones, Kelly Sue DeConnick, and Mariko Tamaki and how they “strike back” against patriarchy on the comics page. Nhora Serrano (Hamilton College), Susan Kirtley (Portland State University), and Sam Langsdale (Monstrous Women in Comics) give presentations examining how these writers create feminist characters who step outside of society’s shadows, find their voice, and take unflinching action against injustice and inequity, proving once again that comics continue to shape and be shaped by feminism.
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 210
Celebrate the union of DC’s Justice League and Rooster Teeth Animation’s RWBY as the two heroic factions join forces to battle an evil entity attacking Remnant at the world premiere of Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One. In the all-new animated film, the Justice League faces off against a new horror: adolescence! Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern, and Vixen are surprised to find that not only have they materialized in a strange world called Remnant, but they’ve also been transformed into teenagers. Meanwhile, the heroes of Remnant—Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang—find their world has been mysteriously altered. Can the combined forces of the Justice League and Team RWBY return Remnant to normal before a superpowered Grimm destroys everything they know? Enjoy the film, then settle in for an exciting panel discussion between the cast and filmmakers. The voice cast is headlined by Natalie Alyn Lind (Big Sky, The Goldbergs, Gotham) as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, Chandler Riggs (The Walking Dead, A Million Little Things) as Superman/Clark Kent, and Nat Wolff (The Fault in Our Stars, The Stand) as Batman/Bruce Wayne alongside RWBY’s long-running cast: Lindsay Jones (Camp Camp) as Ruby, Kara Eberle (RWBY: Ice Queendom) as Weiss, Arryn Zech (The Detective Is Already Dead) as Blake, and Barbara Dunkelman (Blood Fest) as Yang. The cast also features Jeannie Tirado (Soul, Saints Row) as Green Lantern, Tru Valentino (The Rookie, The Cuphead Show!) as Cyborg, and David Errigo Jr. (Ridley Jones) as The Flash/Barry Allen and Rolf. The film is produced and directed by Kerry Shawcross (RWBY franchise) and written by Meghan Fitzmartin (Supernatural, Justice Society: World War II). Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One will be available on April 25 to own on Digital, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray.
Saturday March 25, 2023 1:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 200A
From Arthurian legend, Dracula, and Frankenstein to Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, New York Times bestselling YA authors Gina Chen (Violet Mde of Thorns) and Kiersten White (The Camelot Betrayal) are the best when it comes to breathing new life into old stories. They'll have an in-depth dialogue on adapting tales as old as time for a modern audience.
Saturday March 25, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
Moderator Mike Fallin (digital creator;actor La La Land, Rize), Douglas Johnson (managing partner, Johnson & Johnson), Jonah Keel (42 West), Davien Watkins (general manager Superpower Enterprises), Digger Mesch (creator/director of IDW's The Other Dead), Joshua Armah (computer scientist; author of Passionate About: AI) dig into A.I. piracy and what the entertainment and technology industry is doing today to prevent the loss of revenue from piracy in publishing.
Saturday March 25, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Annalee Newitz (The Terraformers), Tara Madison Avery (Prism Comics), Sonya Saturday (A Ninja Dinosaur Christmas!!!), Knave Murdock (Transcat), Liam Coballes (Aggretsuko), Zhen (Hello We Are Rats), and moderator Lorran Garrison (Little Brainstorm) spotlight the talent and creativity of trans creators in comics and pop culture. From comics, film, and television to music and literature, trans individuals have been making a huge impact in shaping our cultural landscape. This panel will feature trans artists, writers, and producers discussing their work and the challenges they have faced in the industry. They will also explore ways in which trans creators can be supported and ensure that their voices are heard and acknowledged. There will be giveaways.
Annalee Newitz is an American journalist, editor, and author of fiction and nonfiction. They are the recipient of a Knight Science Journalism Fellowship from MIT and have written for Popular Science, The New Yorker, and the Washington Post. They founded the science fiction website... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
Want to build your own Halo cosplay and props? Do the options seem Infinite and the techniques feel Endless? The crew of Anvil Station are here to help you reach your goals. They'll review the most common techniques for constructing armor, props, and costumes, including 3d printing, casting and molding, foam construction, laser cutting, and microcontroller programming. Panelists include Cary Gunnar Lee (Legacy Effects), J. P. Pollio (Legacy Effects), Matt Hendricks (Matterhackers), and Jordan Bailey (jabsgreywarden). Moderated by Benedict Choy (Spacemeat The Cosplay).
Saturday March 25, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Anime expert and megafan Dan Larson presents an in-depth look at the history of the blockbuster anime and manga franchise, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and a special appearance by superstar action director Andy Cheng (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings; the Rush Hour series) and his action team.
Saturday March 25, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Comics are a powerful force: Fun fandoms, book sale profits, creative career opportunities, and drivers of popular culture. What if all of this awesome power can be harnessed to do even more good? Find out how some of your favorite industry insiders and creators use their substantial influence to positively impact their communities. Panelists include Alex Antone (editorial director, Skybound Entertainment), Moni Barrette (Creators, Assemble co-founder; 2023 Eisner judge), and comics creators Mairghread Scott (Sea Serpent's Heir), Geoff Johns (Junkyard Joe) and Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian).
Saturday March 25, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 207
This is an opportunity for aspiring and learning game developers to receive valuable advice, insights, and mentoring from seasoned veterans of the game industry with diverse experiences in production, programming, art, business development, and more. The Gaming Creator Connection is organized and run by professional game developers, including the executive director of the Global Game Jam organization. The Gaming Creator Connection is only available to those who have signed up in advance.
Saturday March 25, 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 204C
Syzygy Publishing, the imprint run by Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood, launched in 2022 with Joe Hill’s Rain and an array of other titles. Chris Ryall,David M. Booher (Rain writer) , Ethan Sacks, Jordan Hart, and Arka Ray discuss what was, what is, and what will be for the avant-garde imprint, featuring a wide array of artwork, along with plenty of announcements. Come for the Tales of Syz and stay for, well, an explanation of just what “Tales of Syz” means!
Saturday March 25, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
AMC Networks presents the eighth and final season of Fear the Walking Dead. The cast and executive producers discuss what fans can expect from the new season, premiering Sunday, May 14th on AMC and AMC+. In Fear the Walking Dead, Morgan’s (Lennie James) and Madison's (Kim Dickens) hopes to rescue Mo from PADRE did not go as planned. Now, Morgan, Madison, and the others they brought to the island are living under PADRE's cynical rule. With our characters demoralized and dejected, the task of reigniting belief in a better world rests with the person Morgan and Madison set out to rescue in the first place: Morgan's daughter, Mo. Fear the Walking Dead stars James, Dickens, Colman Domingo, Danay Garcia, Austin Amelio, Christine Evangelista, Karen David, Jenna Elfman, and Rubén Blades. It is executive produced by Scott Gimple, showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero, Michael Satrazemis, and David Alpert, and is produced by AMC Studios.
Ashley Eckstein (Her Universe founder) moderates a discussion with industry professionals from Her Universe and Hot Topic and 2022 Her Universe Fashion Show winners Cindy Guillermo Heselton and Michael Burson. They will discuss the winner's process for designing the Marvel Studios’ The Marvels collection by Her Universe for Hot Topic. They will also discuss the upcoming 2023 Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con.
Saturday March 25, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
If you had to pick just one superpower, what would it be? What determines the best power? Do you need to fight evil-doers, or do you just need more time to get the laundry done? Hear what the professionals have to say on the matter. WonderCon Special Guests Jason Aaron (Thor), Jenny Frison (Something Is Killing the Children), Mitch Gerads (Batman: One Bad Day: Riddler), and Mark Russell (Billionaire Island), along with Jackson Lanzing (Captain America), discuss with moderator Jazzlyn Stone what they would rank as the number one, all-time other-worldly ability.
Jason Aaron is an award-winning comic book writer best known for his work with Marvel Comics, including a landmark seven-year run on Thor. He’s also had celebrated stints writing Wolverine, Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, Conan the Barbarian, and the 2015 relaunch of Star Wars. He... Read More →
Jenny Frison is an illustrator and comic book cover artist known for her evocative and painterly illustrations. Focusing on moody portraits, her body of work is emotionally motivated and character driven. While Jenny made a name for herself in comics creating covers for titles like... Read More →
Mitch Gerads is a comics artist who has made a career out of bringing humanity and realism to the superhuman and unreal. Best known for his much-lauded work at DC Comics with writer Tom King on Mister Miracle, Batman, Strange Adventures, and The Sheriff of Babylon, he lives and... Read More →
Mark Russell is an award-winning author and comic book writer best known for his work on The Flintstones, the GLAAD Award winning Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, Second Coming, Superman: Space Age, and the Eisner and Ringo Award winning Not All Robots. He is also the... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Bestselling authors Stacia Deutsch (Hotel Transylvania), Henry Herz (I Am Smoke), Lissa Price (Starters), and Scott Sigler (Earthcore) discuss writing alternative history in the fantasy, sci-fi, and horror genres. All have stories in the YA anthology The Hitherto Secret Experiments of Marie Curie.
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 207
Effects artist Jeff Barkley (Break of Dawn, Frost: Portrait of a Vampire) will apply makeup and discuss how makeup effects are still viable and relevant in the current age of CG and AI. Jeff will be joined by professional cosplayers Trey Barkley (BloodfeatherCos) and DesiRee Preston (Enasni Vee) for Q&A during the makeup demo.
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Moderator Spiro Skentzos (Arrow) and genre writer-producers Aisha Porter-Christie (Daredevil: Born Again), Jeffrey Lieber (various), Teresa Huang (Tom Swift), Jim Adler (The Good Doctor), as well as Chad Kennedy (EVP development & production, Magic Quill Productions), discuss navigating the TV spec terrain, including beginner’s mistakes, what they look for in a writer, and what it takes for you to write a killer spec that will stand above the crowd. There will be a large Q&A component, so bring your questions.
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Do you want to learn how to create epic comic book characters, tell captivating stories through art, and develop your unique style? Get ready to dive into the exciting world of comic book art from industry experts Ryan Benjamin and Alex Sinclair.
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 210
What’s the state of geek pop culture today? Is the MCU over? Is James Gunn the new Zack Snyder? Is Star Wars overexposed? What’s hot in queer pop culture? Join Prism Comics and a panel of LGBTQ industry experts and insiders for a high-energy, hard-talking, and humorous debate about the present and future of your favorite genre franchises in Hollywood as seen through a queer lens. Moderated by David Reddish (author and entertainment journalist), with panelists Tara Madison Avery (We’re Still Here; publisher, Stacked Deck Press), Sonya Saturday (The Greatest Thing You've Ever Seen in Your Life, A Ninja Dinosaur Christmas!!!), William O. Tyler (Anxious Ax; Yellow Is the Warmest Color; Tannis Comics), Joshua Yehl (senior editor and producer of features, IGN), and Stacey Yvonne (Rotten Tomatoes verified critic; journalist at Pride and Black Girl Nerds).
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
The dream of many comic book creators is to turn it into a franchise. But how does it happen? Historically, comic books have been a powerful source for our modern franchises: Superman and DC Comics, Spider-Man and Marvel Comics, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Walking Dead, among others. But even when a comic book gets into the public mind, it still takes investment and guidance to bring the property to movies, television, video games, toys, and other media across the world. Entertainment industry insiders Britton Payne (VP, Paramount Studios/Nickelodeon business & legal affairs),Veronica Hart (EVP, Paramount global franchise management/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), AC Bradley (showrunner, Marvel’s What If…?; writer/producer, Ms. Marvel), Eddie Gamarra (VP of literary affairs, Nick content creation/live-action current series), and Jeremy Adams (writer for comics, The Flash, Green Lantern; film and TV, Batman & Superman: Battle of the Super Sons) explore the ways a comic book can inspire an entertainment company to put the full forces of their areas of expertise behind a particular comic book property, what they look for, how they do it, and how comic book owners choose their partners. Room 300E
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Explore the city settings—including locations in our reality, those crafted entirely from the creator's imagination, and those somewhere in between—of works by Tananarive Due (The Wishing Pool and Other Stories), Steven Barnes & Marco Finnegan (The Keeper), WonderCon special guest Gary Phillips (One-Shot Harry, South Central Noir), Dan Santat (A First Time for Everything), and WonderCon special guest Greg van Eekhout (Fenris & Mott), guided by Maryelizabeth Yturralde (Creating Conversations).
Gary Phillips has published several novels and short stories and written comics for the likes of DC, BOOM! Dark Horse, and Moonstone, where he penned new adventures of Kolchak, the Night Stalker and pulp favorite The Spider. He’s been a staff writer on Snowfall, a show streaming... Read More →
Greg van Eekhout is the author of four fantasy novels for adults and six fantasy and science fiction novels for middle-grade readers, as well as dozens of short stories. His novel Weird Kid won the California Independent Booksellers Alliance's Golden Poppy Award. Others of his works... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
Special guests Walter Jones (Black Ranger from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Scott Zillner (Official Power Rangers Convention: Power MorphiCon, Pop Culture TV Personality - Netflix's The Toys That Made Us), Dan Southworth (Quantum Ranger from Power Rangers Time Force, Power Rangers: Wild Force), Selwyn Ward (Red Ranger from Power Rangers Turbo, Blue Rangerfrom Power Rangers in Space), Andrew Gray (Red Ranger from Power Rangers Megaforce and Super Megaforce), and Kevin Thompson (Quagmire from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1's "Island of Illusion") will discuss with Jessica Tseang (pop culture historian, The History Channel: The Toys that Built America, AMC/Robert Kirkman’s The Secret History of Comics) the long-lasting legacy of this renowned franchise.
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
North 200A
IDW Publishing and comic book writers and artists take a deep dive into the biggest projects of 2023. Get the stories-behind-the-stories on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,Dark Spaces,Star Trek, and Godzilla projects, plus the latest developments in Earthdivers,Dungeons & Dragons,My Little Pony,Cosmic Cadets, and more from guests Mimi Alves,David M. Booher, Ben Crane, Jackson Lanzing, Nick Marino, Amy Mebberson, and Tom Waltz.
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Thinking of turning your fandom into a business serving your geek community, but don’t know where to start? A panel of media, retail, and streaming entrepreneurs whose businesses serve nerds discuss how their ideas blossomed into a business and how they serve this vibrant nerdy community in an increasingly crowded and competitive marketplace.
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Mingjue Helen Chen discusses balancing working full-time as a visual development artist and production designer in animation with publishing work in the comic book and children’s book fields, comparing the different skill sets required for both.
Mingjue Helen Chen is an LA-based illustrator who works in animation as well as publishing. She's worked for Disney Publishing, BOOM!, DC Comics, and Marvel and contributed to such titles as Jungle Book, Gotham Academy, and Silk, along with doing various comic book cover work... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
Take a leap with the cast and executive producer NBC’s Quantum Leap. This panel will be a moderated conversation with an exclusive sneak peek at the penultimate episode of the sequel to the beloved series. Cast Raymond Lee, Caitlin Bassett, Ernie Hudson, Mason Alexander Park, and Nanrisa Lee join executive producers Dean Georgaris and Deborah Pratt.
It’s another one of Evanier’s popular panels where he gathers a bunch of top animation voice actors to demonstrate their craft, tell how they got into the business, and destroy the script for a beloved fairy tale. Appearing this time are Joe Ochman (current voice of Jiminy Cricket), Kaitlyn Robrock (current voice of Minnie Mouse), Neil Ross (Transformers, G.I. Joe), Cynthia McWilliams (What If?), and Brian Hull (Hotel Transylvania). Mark Evanier (of course) is your host.
Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animated... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 207
Painter's Guild alumni Bryan Merlonghi and Cullen Knappen are joined by Nicole Gose (voice on Fire Emblem Heroes), Earl Baylon (voice on Tomb Raider), Aven Gonzalez (lead designer of Mentha Designs), Spencer Adams (demoer for Steve Jackson Games), and Jessica Adams (demoer for AEG, Slugfest Games) to discuss their own unique way to take your game night to the next level.
Saturday March 25, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
Neville Page will be sharing his experiences and processes of creating iconic characters and creatures from a variety of well-known films and TV, including Avatar, Star Trek, and others.
Saturday March 25, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Hip-Hop and comics share numerous connections, and exist in constant communication with one another: Rappers and graffiti artists utilize superheroic imagery; DJs and producers create universes of sound; comic creators and animators incorporate Hip-Hop's musical and visual vocabularies; and both forms reconfigure and remix elements, blending styles and genres and inspiring passionate fanbases. Moderator Patrick A. Reed brings together an all-star group of artistic innovators to discuss the bonds between these two vital creative cultures, featuring Chalie 2na, Esoteric, Kwamé, Christine Pasalo Norland, Shequeta Smith, James Reitano, Turner Lange, and Xaviera Flores.
Saturday March 25, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300E
TTRPGs have the power to raise funds for important charity causes. Cosplay experts Andrew J. Alandy (actor/streamer), Utahime Cosplay (cosplayer/streamer), Momo (streamer/game designer), Ryan Omega (streamer/game designer), and Sam Sterling (performer/streamer) discuss cosplay tips and tricks to level up your TTRPG character for your next TTRPG live stream (or in person!) charity event and why dressing up as your character increases identification and drives up audience engagement. Moderated by Dan Wood (Creators Assemble, comics librarian).
Saturday March 25, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Brian Crosby (director, Marvel Themed Entertainment and host of Marvel DRAW!) walks aspiring artists of all levels step-by-step through drawing the Invincible Iron Man. So sharpen those pencils and come learn from one of Marvel’s own how you can bring your drawings to life!
Saturday March 25, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 210
Gary Phillips has published several novels and short stories and written comics for the likes of DC, BOOM! Dark Horse, and Moonstone, where he penned new adventures of Kolchak, the Night Stalker and pulp favorite The Spider. He’s been a staff writer on Snowfall, a show streaming on Hulu about crack and the CIA in 1980s South Central, and he has edited several anthologies, including the Anthony-winning The Obama Inheritance: Fifteen Stories of Conspiracy Noir.
Gary Phillips has published several novels and short stories and written comics for the likes of DC, BOOM! Dark Horse, and Moonstone, where he penned new adventures of Kolchak, the Night Stalker and pulp favorite The Spider. He’s been a staff writer on Snowfall, a show streaming... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
What does it take to bring your favorite superheroes to life? How do you create those dynamic images that leap off the page? Some of the best in the business discuss just that with moderator Nick Ghanbarian (host, Thank the Maker podcast). Panelists include Comic-Con Special Guests Mingjue Helen Chen (Gotham Academy, and Silk), Adam Hughes (Invisible Woman), Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons), Daniel Warren Johnson (Wonder Woman: Dead Earth), and Jae Lee (Sacred Six Vol. 1: Numerology Collection), along with Alice “NerfAlice” Matthews (Moon Knight).
Mingjue Helen Chen is an LA-based illustrator who works in animation as well as publishing. She's worked for Disney Publishing, BOOM!, DC Comics, and Marvel and contributed to such titles as Jungle Book, Gotham Academy, and Silk, along with doing various comic book cover work... Read More →
While best known for his eye-catching covers on Black Widow, Wonder Woman, Catwoman, and Fairest, Adam Hughes has done much more to become a fan-favorite artist. His recent interior projects include the Eisner Award–winning Hellboy: Krampusnacht and Hellboy: Seven Wives Club, and... Read More →
Phil Jimenez is an Eisner, Inkpot, Diamond, and Wizard award–winning writer and artist who has worked for DC, Marvel, and a host of other comic book companies for nearly 30 years. He is best known for his work on Tempest, The Invisibles, JLA/Titans, New-X-Men, Wonder Woman, Infinite... Read More →
Daniel Warren Johnson is a Chicago-based comic book writer, artist, and illustrator with clients including Image, DC, Marvel, Wizards of the Coast, and many others. His creator-owned title Extremity was met with popular and critical acclaim, netting him an Eisner Award nomination... Read More →
Jae Lee is a Korean American comic book artist known for his dark style. In 1990, he became one of the youngest artists ever to work for a major publisher. He is an Eisner Award winner for his work on Marvel's The Inhumans. His art can also be seen in Stephen King's Dark Tower, Before... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Gene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. American Born Chinese, his first graphic novel from First Second Books, was a National Book Award finalist, as well as the winner of the Printz Award and an Eisner Award. It’s recently been greenlit as a TV show for Disney+. His two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints won the L.A. Times Book Prize and was a National Book Award Finalist. His most recent books are the Eisner-winning Dragon Hoops from First Second Books and Superman Smashes the Klan from DC Comics.
Gene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. As the Library of Congress’s fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, he advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. American Born Chinese, his first graphic... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 208
For years, storytelling in television, film, and comics has followed a template that’s been laid down by men. As more women get the opportunity to tell their own stories, a new template is being forged: a female lens. What will it look like? How will it change the stories we tell? Trina Robbins (Wonder Woman, Wimmen's Comix), Meaghan Fitzmartin (Justice League vs RWBY), Barbara Kessel (Wonder Woman), Ahbra Perry (Giant Pictures, Drafthouse Films), Dr. Janina Scarlet (Super-Women), Hanah Lee Cook (Muppet Babies), and Natasha Halevi (Give Me an A) discuss how the entertainment industry is changing and what the future holds for female storytellers. Moderated by John Marcotte (Heroic Girls).
Retired underground cartoonist and current comics herstorian Trina Robbins has been writing graphic novels, comics, and books for about half a century. Her subjects have ranged from Wonder Woman and the Powerpuff Girls and her own teenage superheroine, GoGirl!, to women cartoonists... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 300C
After 59 years, there’s a lot more to “local” non-stage Star Trek sites than the Gorn fight! Let "Dr. Trek" Larry Nemecek (The Trek Files, TNG Companion) guide you through SoCal Trek sites IRL both famous and obscure, plus how to check original call sheets and crew maps or just tap into research posted online for your own site scouts—or catch a tour with services like Geek Nation Tours or his own Trekland Treks. Most of all, get some tips ’n' tricks to know when Trek location hunting: everything from rush hour traffic to “check the venue!”
Saturday March 25, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Hone your face and body painting skills with cosplay veterans Enasni Vee,AbraCatrena, and Axceleration Designs. Learn tips and tricks such as which paints to use, how to seal them, and when faking it is the right choice. With the right tools and practice, this skill can become second nature to you. A Q&A session moderated by Trey Barkley will follow the presentation.
Saturday March 25, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Do you want to know what it takes to build your own droid from the Star Wars Galaxy? R2 builders Mike Senna, Michael McMaster, William Miyamoto, Chris Romines, and Victor Franco discuss how they built their droids and how they work. Topics include what materials they are made of, where to find blueprints, building techniques, what tools are needed, and the electronics used to bring the droids to life.
Saturday March 25, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 207
Ralph Lee Miranda (senior union storyboard artist) and Chris Kawagiwa (storyboard artist on Waffles + Mochi) walk you through how to develop and apply storyboarding skills. Ralph will also discuss how storyboarding led to the creation of the cartoon Oh, Bubba Lu!Jen Lu (writer), Kelvin Chung (art director), and David Seung (producer) will discuss how storyboards affect all parts of production and how you can use storyboarding on your projects. The first 80 in attendance will receive an exclusive Oh, Bubba Lu! acrylic keychain. Moderated by Daisy Miranda.
Saturday March 25, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
How did Santa Monica Studio create over five hours of sophisticated and unforgettable cinematics for God of War Ragnarök? The answer: with a lot of help! Animators and technical artists from Santa Monica Studio and PlayStation Studios Visual Arts will deep dive into the partnership that brought the tale of your favorite axe-wielding dad and his “boi” to life. Panelists include Bruno Velazquez (animation director), Umberto Bossi (animator), Tom Bland (animation supervisor), Eddie Contreras (lead motion capture technical animator), Jeff Price (mocap studio tech), and Ryan Beeson (mocap studio tech), with Erica Pinto (lead animator, ASIFA-Hollywood board member) moderating.
Saturday March 25, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Shannon Eric Denton (Monster Forge Productions), Arabian Prince (NWA), Kevin Grevioux (Underworld), Andrew Cosby (co-founder BOOM! Studios), and Andy Suriano (creator, Rise of the TMNT) discuss what it takes to create and navigate creations across the multiple media worlds of publishing, animation, films, toys, games, and more.
Saturday March 25, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 209
Before you start writing your story there are a number of things you should think about. Eisner Hall of Fame writer Marv Wolfman will be conducting a masterclass in story and character creation that, if you want to be a writer, you definitely need to think about.
Marv Wolfman is a multi-award-winning writer of comic books, animation, videogames, theme park shows and rides, children’s books, novels, television, internet animation, and much more. He has also created more characters that have gone on to TV, toys, games and film than anyone... Read More →
Saturday March 25, 2023 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 210
Funko hosts Brian Mariotti and Mike Becker take over The Arena for a live session of Pop! Talk. Via their recurring YouTube shows Pop! Talk and Funko Fun Chat, they'll interview celebrity guests and learn about their pop culture influences. A special giveaway will be available while supplies last.
Have you ever been curious how to create, launch, and sell your own toys and action figures? Sit in on a candid conversation with the very people who are making independent toys happen! Attendees will hear directly from creators who are producing and marketing their own indie toys and making their mark on the collectible community. Panelists include Richard Mayerik (Netflix’s The Toys That Made Us), Mark Morse (Plastic Meatball) Doc Wyatt (Wandering Planet Toys), and Bill Murphy (Fresh Monkey Fiction). Moderated by Jordan Q. Hammer (Instagram and Youtube’s Toyshiz) and Gavin Hignight (Wandering Planet Toys).
Saturday March 25, 2023 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Welcome to a discussion that celebrates Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) Americans working in arts and entertainment today. Kristina Giblin (animator), Yas Modares Ghasiri (actor/writer), Esraa Darwish (assistant director), and Sarah Fatemi (comedian) share the highlights and challenges of working in their respective fields and why MENA representation also matters. Moderated by Paul Zecharia (actor/filmmaker). Q&A to follow.
Saturday March 25, 2023 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
There’s more pirate media than you can shake a sword at, so why are so many fans climbing aboard Our Flag Means Death? The relationships! And not just the romantic ones. Justine Mastin (Starship Therapise) hosts a panel of relationship experts: Dr. Vanessa Hintz (Umm . . . About That Podcast), Dr. J. Scott Jordan (Dark Loops Productions), Dr. Kaela Joseph (Fandom Acts of Kindness), Brittany Oliver Sillas-Navarro, AMFT, MA (Alliant International University), Dr. Yoni Sobin (The Nerd Therapist in NYC), and Benjamin Taitz, MA (Mental Health Quest Podcast).
Saturday March 25, 2023 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300C
The Nacelle Company team takes you on a journey into the NacelleVerse, where they’ll drop some exclusive reveals of their upcoming Robo Force animated series and discuss updates on their booming toy division that’s currently reviving Sectaurs, Robo Force, Power Lords, Biker Mice from Mars, and The Great Garloo toy lines. Panel participants include Brian Volk-Weiss, Gavin Hignight, Leah Morris, and Bryan Adams.
Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 207
The hosts of Fanbase Press' flagship podcast The Fanbase Weekly present a 30th-anniversary retrospective on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.Justin Robinson (writer, The Future Will Be Carpeted: An Analysis of Deep Space Nine), Erik Amaya (editor-in-chief, Comicon.com), Ashley V. Robinson (co-host, Geek History Lesson podcast), and Matt and John Yuan (deputy publishers, 1First Comics) and moderator Bryant Dillon (president, Fanbase Press) will examine the plot, characters, themes, and massive impact of this innovative entry to the Star Trek franchise.
Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Your Movie Guy Juju Green a.k.a. Straw Hat Goofy and Megan Cruz a.k.a. JStoobs kick off a new season of their pop culture podcast Geeks of the Week Live! from WonderCon 2023!.Special guests to be announced.
Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
Writer/executive producer A.C. Bradley (What If?, Ms. Marvel), production coordinator Steven Edwards (Spider-Man Into the Spiderverse, Across the Spiderverse), and illustrator Lee Kohse (Star Wars, Kindergoth) tell stories and discuss how they broke into the entertainment industry working on films, television, and comics. Find out how to be ready when your lucky break comes. Is it really all about who you know? Find out how to promote yourself and network. Moderated by Johnny Kolasinski (Roddenberry Productions, Hi Everybody: A Bad Medicine Podcast).
Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 209
What makes a villain? Consider The Joker, who in all his chaos can wrangle the Rogues of Gotham against Batman; or Loki, who can command a room or army. Some origin stories, like that of Darth Vader, are filled with trauma and emotional heartbreak. Other villains, like Freddy Krueger, use emotion and emotional intelligence (EQ) to manipulate others. What is at the heart of a villain? Authors April Fugett, Ph.D. (interim executive director, center for teaching and learning; professor, Marshall University), Britani Black, Psy.D. (assistant professor, Marshall University School of Medicine), Keith Beard, Psy.D. (professor, Marshall University), and Morgan Kinsey (Marshall University), examined measures of EQ and empathy about preference for (or against) some of pop culture’s most notorious baddies. The research results will be discussed to better understand why we may connect with some less-than-heroic characters over others.
Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Do you have an idea for a script? How about that book you wanted to write? Do you have it all written down but don’t know what to do with it? You are not alone. Content creation, publication, and marketing can be daunting. CEO April Wahlin (author, Pandora Syndrome; actor, winner of Search for the Next Elvira) hosts David Yarovesky (director and creator, Brightburn, Nightbooks), Jessica Maison (author and comics publisher, Wicked Tree Press, Plastic Girl Trilogy, Mary Shelley’s School for Monsters), Tessa McFionn (novelist, A Curse of Forever, A Divine's Retribution), Heath Harper (actor, Princess Lucinda; editor, Pandora Syndrome), and The Boxleitner Brothers Lee Boxleitner and Sam Boxleitner (screenwriters, Downstairs, Rupert).
Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 210
Whether self-publishing or working for an independent publisher, writing indie comics presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities to share your creative vision. Learn the tricks and tips of the trade from writers David Avallone (Elvira), Charlie Stickney (White Ash), Russell Nohelty (Ichabod Jones: Monster Hunter), Clinton Wolf (Zombie Ranch), and Daniel Gastelum (CHSR). Hosted by David Lucarelli (Tinseltown). Free comics for everyone who asks a question!
Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Speakers will share their inspirational career paths into the entertainment industry and discuss issues of diversity and representation for women, ethnicities, LGBTQ+, and more, and brainstorm key things you can do to help increase diversity in movies, TV, games, and comics. Panelists include Colton Tran (HBO Max, Sex Lives of College Girls; Lionsgate, Snow Falls), Josh Trujillo(DC, Blue Beetle: Graduation Day; Marvel, Hulkling & Wiccan), Ashleigh Crystal Hairston (Nickelodeon, Avengers Assemble, Craig of the Creek, Tiny Toons), Tim O'Leary (Demonhuntr creator), George Shaw (composer, DreamWorks' Abominable and the Invisible City, Star Wars Musical), Henry Barajas (Batman: Urban Legends), and Joy Ngiaw (composer: Apple TV+ Blush). Moderated by Kevin Winston (Digital LA).
Saturday March 25, 2023 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
After 15 years, we will soon learn what Indiana Jones has been up to. This panel will discuss the fifth movie of this popular franchise as well as what may be in store for the franchise under Disney, including a pending video game, additional films or television series, and other media. Featuring Gareth Von Kallenbach (creator/editor of Skewed and Reviewed), with Michael Newman and Victor and Juliette Calderon of Skewed and Reviewed.
Saturday March 25, 2023 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Dr. Who has been an icon of science fiction for 60 years! In all that time, the wizards in their visual effects department have shown us the impossible on microscopic budgets. Geoffrey Mark (CG supervisor on Raised By Wolves and The Orville) moderates a panel made up of effects luminaries Jim Davidson, Ian Hunter, Tom Griep, and Chris Simmons. They will be shown a clip from classic Dr. Who episodes and challenged to re-create those effects with household materials. Learn how to re-create those effects yourself from these professionals of cinematic prestidigitation, utilizing dubious means and materials!
Saturday March 25, 2023 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Explore the history of 3D printing as used in entertainment and media and get inspired for uses of this ever-evolving technology for your fandom and everyday life, even if you do not own a printer. Matt Greenberg, an engineer with over a decade of experience, guides a discussion on additive manufacturing and the infinite creative possibilities it offers.
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 210
Amanda Meadows (senior editor, Oni Press/Lion Forge, she/her), illustrator and Annie and Emmy Award–winning animator Sandra Equihua (El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, Maya and the Three, she/her), and Emmy and Peabody Award–winning animator Elizabeth Ito (City of Ghosts, Adventure Time, she/her) discuss how they've navigated their creative industries to produce stories that excite them, and how industry practices should change to give fans more stories that reflect a wider range of characters and experiences. Moderated by Christine Pasalo Norland (writer/founder/president of Hello Barkada, she/her).
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300E
How well did Picard know his way around a trowel? Will Petra Aberdeen or Becket Mariner dethrone Vash as best archaeologist in the quadrant? What was even in that paleontology database on board Voyager? Dr. Ashley Poust (paleontologist, San Diego Natural History Museum) and Jesse Shelmire (archaeologist, paleontologist, San Diego Natural History Museum) take a deep dive into the reality, the fiction, and a Trek-tastic utopia of archaeology and paleontology these last 56 years. Moderated by Giraffe of the Star Trek podcast Strange New Pod.
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Jared Griego (Dapper Bard, Eat the Magic) and Scarlet Aznable (cosplayer, convention lore keeper) will educate you on the world mythology that inspired famed summons in the popular Japanese RPG series.
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 209
The Welcome Party cordially invites you to a Pop Culture Fantasy Draft, where panelists build the best team for surprise scenarios and suggestions from the audience. Joined by some Felted Friends (Danny Montooth, puppeteer for Cucumber; Art Vega, puppeteer for Chunk), Alix Catherine, Cole Garrison, and JPG will be choosing characters across pop culture to brave haunted houses, medal in Olympic events, and run social media accounts. Once the characters and scenarios are chosen, it’s up to the panelists to convince the voting audience that their picks are the right people for the job!
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Girls in glass houses . . . should throw bigger stones. In the case of Wednesday Addams, given all the challenges she confronted in season 1, perhaps those girls should read some heavy law books. A panel of judges and lawyers will uncover some of the peculiar legal issues in the popular Netflix show Wednesday. Is Nevermore Academy liable for the bullying, hazing, and age-old cover-ups that threaten the safety of its students? What rights do the Nevermore students have? Did the Jericho police have a duty to warn local residents about a possible rampaging monster? Featuring U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell D. Dembin, Superior Court Judge Carol Najera, Kathy Steinman (San Diego Deputy City Attorney), Heather Ferbert (San Diego Chief Deputy City Attorney), Danna Nicholas (San Diego Deputy City Attorney), and Steve B. Chu (Assistant United States Attorney). Brought to you by The Legal Geeks.
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 207
Jeffrey Ashkin (technical support, The Credits Movie) and Marc Scott Zicree (Mr. Sci-Fi YouTube Channel) discuss all the behind-the-scenes stories of the original anthology series, which Zicree detailed in his guidebook The Twilight Zone Companion, joined by series original cast member Morgan Brittany (Gypsy, Dallas).
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
Are you a writer with a great idea for a comic book series, but you can’t draw? Or maybe you’re an artist looking to illustrate an incredible story, but you can’t write. WonderCon is proud to once again host the Comic Creator Connection, a fast-paced networking event that puts writers and artists together to help them meet new creative partners. Here’s how it works: In a two-hour period, writers and artists will sit down across from each other at a table. (And by artists, we mean pencilers, inkers, colorists, etc.—all are welcome!) Then, in five-minute sessions, you will talk one-on-one with each other about your ideas and skills. At the end of each five-minute period, you will get up and move on to the next person. If you’re interested in furthering the conversation, you’ll exchange contact information. Think of it as speed-dating, but for writers and artists! Sign-ups are taken in advance for this event, but space may still be available on-site.
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 204C
The entertainment industry has undergone significant changes in the past two decades, from the emergence of video game consoles and online multiplayer gaming to the advent of novel technologies such as web3 and the metaverse. From creating Sonic the Hedgehog and launching Master of the Universe to investing in Pokémon Go and Twitch, these panelists have been at the forefront of these changes. Tom Kalinske (former CEO of Mattel and Sega of America) and Ernestine Fu (chairman of Stanford Frontier Technology Lab, investors of Pokémon Go) share their unique insights and experiences and how they have shaped the industry as we know it today. Moderated by Francis Kong (game designer of World of Haiku).
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
1953 was a landmark year for 3-D movies and comic books. That year saw many major Hollywood feature films, shorts, and theatrical animated cartoons produced in 3-D, and most major comics companies published 3-D comic books, all to great popularity. But the fad burned out quickly—by the end of the year, there were no more 3-D comics, and only a few movies were still released in 3-D the following year. Eric Kurland (founder, 3-D SPACE), Lawrence Kaufman (historian, National Stereoscopic Association), and Mike Ballew (Close Enough to Touch: 3-D Comes to Hollywood) take a look at how the 3-D craze started, some if it's highlights, and why it fizzled out. 3-D glasses will be provided to attendees.
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 208
As The Flash TV series races to its finish line, revisit the Arrowverse from its beginning in Arrow through Black Lightning,Stargirl, and more with an exploration of the science, science fiction, and fantasy behind these great stories. Dr. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology; Stranger Things Psychology) asks a panel of experts how—and if—any of it might work: Deric A. Hughes (Arrow, Quantum Leap), Kristi Korzec (Superman & Lois), Ray Utarnachitt (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), Dr. Janina Scarlet (Dark Agents), and maybe a surprise guest or two.
Saturday March 25, 2023 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Everyone has a dark side. Horror lets people explore the monster within. Whether that's an inner demon trying to get out or an outer demon trying to not be noticed, shining the light of diverse representation lets readers feel seen and gives them real-world agency. Panelists include Phillip Knox (.357 Magnum Opus), Joelle Sellner (Ben 10), Brandon Perlow (Werewoofs), and Debbie Daughtee (Kymera Press).
Saturday March 25, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 207
Stephen Burns (3D artist and author), Nikolai Svakhin (Adobe 3D engineer), and John Eaves (Paramount Pictures and Marvel Comics concept artist) demonstrate the exciting possibilities of using Blender 3D to design and create concepts that aid in telling great stories. They will also expound on how this exciting technology allows concept and 3D artists to collaborate in bringing their visions to life. This presentation will focus on getting to know Blender 3D to build, texture, and render your 3D environments to bring your vision to life.
Saturday March 25, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 210
A panel of esteemed physicians discusses the injuries, cures, and medical misconceptions seen in adventure films from the ’80s and ’90s, including The Princess Bride, The Goonies, Back to the Future, and Indiana Jones. Featuring Johnny Kolasinski and Dr. Jackson Vane, creators of Hi Everybody! A Bad Medicine Podcast and frequent guests Dr. Ewa Farrelly, Dr. Courtney Nicholas, and Dr. Greg Winter.
Saturday March 25, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 211
Do you love Dungeons & Dragons, puppets, and unscripted chaos? The cast of Perception Studio—host/GM Ryan Keiser, Danny Montooth (puppeteer for Cucumber), and Art Vega (puppeteer for Chunk) join actress/voice actress Kim Wong (Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop, Snowdrop) for a one-shot of D&D, Much of this game is encouraged to be derailed by the audience!
Saturday March 25, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Stuntmen and stuntwomen from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Walking Dead, Agents of Shield, MacGuyver, and many more, discuss their experiences and offer advice in getting into and navigating the stunt industry in movies and TV, as well as how the industry has changed and is changing. Panelists include Esteban Cueto, Janeshia Adams-Ginyard, Brian Danner, Joette Orman, and Tammie Baird. Moderated by Justin T. Bowler.
Saturday March 25, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
The Cereal Killer Duo Anastasia Washington and Maria Spiridigliozzi are joined by Samantha Hale (Horror Nerd), David Crownson (Kingwood Comics), Ed Greer (The Greatest Pod), and Sean Owens (Icons of Darkness) to discuss true crime in comics. An interactive panel with trivia prizes and yes . . . cereal.
Saturday March 25, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 209
When Casper the Friendly Ghost's artist visited the Marvel Bullpen, Marie Severin remarked "They don't know it, but this is the best artist that ever walked through these doors." Was she right? Jim Thompson (A People's History of Comics, 2021 Eisner Awards judge), Alonso Nuñez (executive director, Little Fish Comic Book Studio, 2021 Eisner Awards judge), Mark Badger (artist, DC/Marvel, creator of Badgetoons), Jerry Beck (author and animation historian), and Isidro Valdez Palmer (artist) examine Kremer's Casper,Wendy the Good Little Witch,Hot Stuff,Little Dot,Little Lotta, Stumbo the Giant, and Richie Rich covers in a master class on color, brushstrokes, design, direction, character expression and the art of the gag.
Saturday March 25, 2023 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Our annual onstage costume competition returns, celebrating costuming in the popular arts and the cosplay creativity and talents of our attendees! Not a dance or party, but a series of onstage presentations of terrific fan-crafted costumes set to special music and lighting, and with trophies and generous cash and other awards. The guest MC is Ashley Eckstein (founder of the Her Universe fashion and lifestyle brand, and the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels, and Star Wars: Forces of Destiny). There will also be special entertainment during the judging break with a return performance by the talented Corps Dance Crew, and then a new show by the amazing Saber Guild lightsaber group. Doors will open at 8:00 for audience seating but the line for choice seating will start forming earlier. No flash photography, please.
Saturday March 25, 2023 8:30pm - 11:00pm PDT
North 200A
Larry Houston (producer/director X-Men TAS & Captain Planet; consultant on the new X-MEN ’97 for Disney+), X-Men writers Brooks Watchel ("Dark Phoenix Part 4," "MojoVision"), David McDermott ("Weapon X Lies & Videotape," "Sanctuary Part One"), Len Uhley ("Nightcrawler," "Cold Comfort"), and X-Men artist Mark Lewis (character design, revisionist) discuss behind-the-scenes production on the X-Men series.
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 207
CovrPrice.com is a collection management system and comic book price guide all rolled into one. Know what everything in your collection is worth based only on REAL sales for graded and ungraded comics, see what's trending in your collection, and track your profits daily. The founders of CovrPrice.com John Sulaitis and Matt Devoe walk through their service, recognize profit opportunities, and share tips on how to make the system work best for you.
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300E
John Wells III (The Kalib Andrews Chronicles), Paul S. Levine (literary agent, The Black Panther), Amanda Ross (The Witchkind Series, In the House of Transcendence), Jonathan Yanez (International and USA Today bestselling author), Alexandra Walker (Spider-verse Unlimited) discuss diversity in fantasy and what diverse authors owe their own cultures when writing diverse characters. The panelist of esteemed authors will partake in a Q&A session moderated by Tiffie Starchild (content creator).
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 211
Whether it’s Twitch streaming, TikTok viral videos, podcasts, or cosplay, there’s a space that may be calling to you to build content. Alix Catherine (host, The Welcome Party), Andrew Linde (host, Nothing New: A Remake Podcast), Lollipop Heidi (cosplayer and content creator), Anais Morgan (producer, Infinite Sided Dice), Dani Gage (cosplayer and content creator), and JPG (content creation consultant, InterMyth) discuss the dos and don’ts of content creation when you’re starting out. The panel will also address cultural sensitivities in content creation, self-management, and how to track and create trends.
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300A
Senior illustrators from the series Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Star Trek: Discovery will demonstrate and share their process for creating illustrations and storyboards used to create the Star Trek universe sets, vehicles, etc. Panelists will include members of the Art Directors Guild/IATSE Local 800 Dan Caplan, Andrea Dopaso, John Eaves, Neville Page,Aaron Sowd, and Daniel Hyun Lim. Moderated by Tim Burgard.
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 213CD
Where do comics go from here? As publishing recovers from the massive impact of COVID, titanic shifts are happening in the comics landscape. David Avallone and Rylend Grant, co-hosts of the award-winning Writers Block podcast, interview a panel of seasoned comics professionals about the current state of the industry. They’ll discuss the scandals, the controversies, the challenges, and possible solutions. Joining them are Charlie Stickney (White Ash), David Booher (Canto), Ray Anthony Height (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra), and Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press).
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 209
Ron Diamond (founder, curator, and producer) offers a special presentation of the best-animated shorts from the Animation Show’s first 21 years. Arrive early for a special pre-panel photo montage of directors and their colleagues at festivals and at Studio screenings.
The annual Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival continues with its final day of short films from around the world for all ages, featuring animation, live-action, and documentary. Animators and filmmakers will talk to the audience following their films, including offering advice for kids on how to become a professional animator or filmmaker.
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:00am - 5:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Thirty years ago, the Power Rangers debuted and have been a worldwide phenomenon ever since. Celebrate with some of your favorite Power Rangers actors from across the years, including Roger Velasco (Power Rangers in Space), Brennan Mejia (Dino Charge), Ciara Hanna and Cameron Jebo (Super Megaforce), and Peter Sudarso (Ninja Steel), Abraham Rodriguez (Beast Morphers), and more! Talent subject to change—more Rangers are on the way! Moderated by comedian and podcast host Ben Kliewer (TheConGuy.com).
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 300C
It's the cartoonist grand prix, and these illustrators need your help! Random House illustrators Jose Pimienta (Twin Cities), Rachel Ignotofsky (What's inside a Flower?), and Max Lang (Grumpy Monkey) dash to bring audience ideas to life in this race for the ages!
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 210
Annalee Newitz is an American journalist, editor, and author of fiction and nonfiction. They founded the science fiction website io9 and served as editor-in-chief from 2008 to 2015, then became editor-in-chief at Gizmodo and tech culture editor at Ars Technica. Their book Scatter, Adapt, and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction was nominated for the LA Times Book Prize in science. Their first novel, Autonomous, won a Lambda award.
Annalee Newitz is an American journalist, editor, and author of fiction and nonfiction. They are the recipient of a Knight Science Journalism Fellowship from MIT and have written for Popular Science, The New Yorker, and the Washington Post. They founded the science fiction website... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 208
Jae Lee is a Korean American comic book artist known for his dark style. In 1990, he became one of the youngest artists ever to work for a major publisher. He is an Eisner Award winner for his work on Marvel's The Inhumans. His art can also be seen in Stephen King's Dark Tower, Before... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 213AB
Eric Sherman (voice director and CEO of Bang Zoom! Studios) and Mami Okada (casting director, Bang Zoom! Studios) alongside a team of veteran voice actors host a discussion on the voice-over process in the anime and gaming industries, how they got started in voice acting, and their adventures in this creative space.
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 207
Calling industry, educators, and community members: The Comic-Con Museum Education Center wants your input. Emily Schindler (Comic-Con Museum education director), Robin Donlan (president, Comic-Con International), Jewyl Alderson (San Diego County Office of Education), and other engaged educators hope to catalyze a community of industry and community stakeholders to make industry-aligned education programs more accessible, more representative, and more responsive to the Comic-Con and education community needs. The Museum is encouraging attendance and input from those in the comics industry, TV/film, costuming/cosplay, esports/game design, or any others in the creative workforce.
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 204C
Get your creative juices flowing and forge your creative spirit ’cause age is just a number! Need Cosplay encouragement? Want tips to combat age stereotypes? Looking for help to feel included and honest age-related cosplay table talk? Panelists will drop tips to build strength, courage, and cosplay comfort strategies when you are 30 year old to 100+. Featuring Jen Greeley (Orange Go Fish—cosplayer, photographer, editor at Over30Cosplay), along with expert cosplayers Capuchino Cosplay, Dude Vader Hero, Melanie Bolen/GeekyFit, Joe Pryde Cosplay, Chief Patricia Photography, and Bill Burnz Cosplay. Moderated by Bill Watters (photographer, critic, and event producer).
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300A
How effective has the Christian church been in its outreach to the comic book/animation/gaming culture? Where has the church been successful, and where it has failed? Panelists will discuss concrete and tested strategies to reach the pop culture community. Discussion will be followed by a short sermonette. Panelists include Alexander James (church speaker), Joe Queen (Geeky Guys 4 God), Karyn Keene (youth leader), Bryan Mero (Christian Comic Arts Society), Janae Stark (Christian Comic Arts Society), and Ralph Miley (moderator).
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 211
The self-proclaimed “best reaction channel on Youtube,” Reel Rejects, holds a special Reel Rejects LIVE! hosted by creator Greg Alba (Reel Rejects), longtime Reject John Humphrey (Reel Rejects), and the newest reject Coy Jandreau (Nerdist, Collider). After achieving a following of over 1.07 million followers talking movies, comics, and TV shows, they thought they’d feel complete, but that void will never be filled. So they’re here to keep reacting and commentating until they realize true love is first achieved by loving yourself. Participate in the audience team-up chaos for this live recording with special TBD guests.
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209
Zombie stories in popular culture can help us critically examine social institutions (family, economics, education, law) and explore ways inequality is reproduced. Dr. Sheri-Lynn Kurisu (assistant professor of criminology and justice studies, CSUSM), Dr. Matthew Atherton (associate professor of social sciences, CSUSM), Dr. Zachary Hays (associate professor of criminal justice, CSUB), and Shawn Kittelsen (narrative director, Skybound Entertainment) will challenge audience members to survive scenarios in the zombie apocalypse. They will discuss the choices of the audience and examples from popular culture and how these choices reflect society. Moderated by Allison Carr (academic transitions librarian, CSUSM).
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300E
UFOs are in the skies and on everyone’s minds these days and they have been in comic books, movies, and television for decades. This panel of researcher-author enthusiasts, well-known in the UFO community, come together to present an entertaining and informative depiction of strange objects in the skies through the years. Walter Bosley (Ancient Aliens), Clydene Nee, Earl G Anderson (MUFON), Tessa Dick (Philip K. Dick: Remembering Firebright), and Greg Bishop (Project Beta) offer a fascinating and fun retrospective.
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
North 200A
Led by Barbra Dillon (editor-in-chief, Fanbase Press), this panel will provide a thoughtful conversation that goes far beyond the fact that representation is necessary. Featuring David M. Booher (writer, Killer Queens), Ashley V. Robinson (co-writer, Jupiter Jet), Tilly Bridges (writer, Trans Tuesdays), and Kayden Phoenix (writer, A La Brava), the conversation will include how each panelist defines "healthy" queer representation, whether it's necessary to only tackle the positive stories and aspects of life, and much more.
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Sierra Schiano (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) explores the feminist reclaiming of the Greek goddess Persephone in Li Österberg’s Theia Mania webcomics. Lillian Marie Martinez (University of Florida) uses Lore Olympus ’s mythological love story to analyze the inherent ability of the webcomic form to craft reader intimacy.
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 210
Jenny Frison (Harley Quinn, Catwoman) is joined by fellow WonderCon Special Guest Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman: Historia) to discuss cover design, art, creativity, working in the industry, Jenny's entire life story, and more.
Jenny Frison is an illustrator and comic book cover artist known for her evocative and painterly illustrations. Focusing on moody portraits, her body of work is emotionally motivated and character driven. While Jenny made a name for herself in comics creating covers for titles like... Read More →
Phil Jimenez is an Eisner, Inkpot, Diamond, and Wizard award–winning writer and artist who has worked for DC, Marvel, and a host of other comic book companies for nearly 30 years. He is best known for his work on Tempest, The Invisibles, JLA/Titans, New-X-Men, Wonder Woman, Infinite... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 208
Female filmmakers from VFX studio Crafty Apes including Laura Hill (visual effects supervisor of Barry) and Molly Pabian (head of studio/visual effects producer of Star Trek: Picard Season 3) discuss the creation of TV’s top action, adventure, and drama series. The filmmakers will provide a behind-the-scenes look into the art and craft of filmmaking as it pertains to visual effects, as well as offer perspectives on working as women in the industry. Laura and Molly will partake in a Q&A session moderated by Max Geschwind (host of The Hollywood Podcast).
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Christian Ganiere (Stranger Things, actor as Ten), Rebekah R. Ganiere (USA Today bestselling author, Emmy-nominated producer), Angel Payne (bestselling author), and James Ganiere (Emmy-nominated director/producer) discuss the universe of Stranger Things,D&D, the ’80s, world building, magic systems, and more.
Sunday March 26, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Many people today aspire to work in the ever-growing and popular video game industry. However, not everyone has the skills in art, design, writing, or programming that typically form the core creative teams that conceive and develop the games. But there is hope! The game industry is full of many types of jobs and needed skills that may not directly affect the creative vision but are just as important to the success of the team and the game. Come hear from game industry professionals with nontraditional backgrounds and ask them questions about what it takes to leverage your unique skills into a potential career in games.
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Has it been too long since you got to geek out about your current project with other cosplayers? Got a cosplay or prop idea you're stuck on, or aren't quite sure where to begin? Bring your questions (or your actual project) and join SheProp for a hands-on discussion workshop where you can get one-on-one feedback on your current projects—wigs, props, cosplay, FX, makeup, and more. Whether you're about to start or are trying to figure out the finishing touch for your epic cosplay, SheProppers are here to guide you to the finish line.
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300A
The Winner Twins, Brittany and Brianna (National best-selling authors, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts: I Love Rock N Roll, Halestorm: Hyde Manor, The Strand Series) explain how to create your own novel step by step. They will be joined by Todd McCaffrey (New York Times best-selling author, Dragonriders of Pern, The Canaris Rift Series, LA Witch Series) and Rantz Hoseley (Eisner and Harvey award-winning author and artist, Tori Amos: Comic Book Tattoo, Judas Priest: Screaming for Vengeance, The Heroin Diaries), and more guests to be announced. From developing a writing routine to an in-depth look at different publishing paths, they explore what it means and what it takes to be an author professionally and to achieve success. They will share their war stories, secrets, and paths to help you tell your stories to the world.
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
Dale Deforest (Hero Twins), Mark Nazal (Diwata Komiks), Chag Lowry (Soldiers Unknown), Johnny Bear Contreras (artist), Sara Roldan (Our Oasis), and moderator Lorran Garrison (Little Brainstorm) explore the role of indigenous storytelling in comics and pop culture through their experiences of indigenous creators. The discussion will include the importance of cultural authenticity in their work and how they use traditional storytelling techniques in their comics. They will also delve into the challenges of depicting indigenous culture in a medium that is not necessarily rooted in it, and the ways in which they navigate those challenges. Also covered will be the impact of their work on indigenous youth and how comics and pop culture can be used as a tool for education and empowerment. There will be giveaways.
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
Comics professionals talk about the world of crowdfunding. Hear some success stories, tips, and why crowdfunding is the best way to make and distribute your comics today. Bring your questions! With Vince Hernandez (VP/ EIC - Aspen Comics), Jordan Plosky (CEO - Zoop),and more special guests!
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
The cast, crew, and creators of The Dragon Prince take you on a journey from storyboard to the streaming screen—and everything in between. Moderated by Jack De Sena (Callum), the panel will break down a fan-favorite scene from season 4 of the hit Netflix series, sharing insights into their animation pipeline and creative process . . . plus some of the usual Xadian hijinks and an open Q&A, of course!
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
North 200A
After publishing comics for seven years, Malibu Comics launched the Ultraverse in 1993. Now, 30 years later, Prime, Hardcase, The Strangers, Mantra, Nightman, and the rest of the Ultraverse maintains a large, active, and vocal fan following. Chris Ulm (editor-in-chief), Kurtis Fujita (Ultraverse staff), Marc Truex (Ultramonthly Podcast), Jeff Johnson (Solitaire artist), Larry Welch (Ultraverse inker), Steven Boyd (moderator Ultraverse Facebook group), Scott Kolins (Freex artist), Tom Mason (Prototype, Malibu staff) and Dave Olbrich (publisher Malibu/Ultraverse) celebrate as they look at the past, present and future of the Ultraverse.
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Joe Quinones is an American comic book artist and illustrator. Known for his expressive faces and fluid linework, Joe has worked on several high-profile books over the last 15 years, including Dial H for Hero, Howard the Duck, America, Spider-Man and more. Most recently, Joe helped usher in the return of Tim Burton’s Batman, realizing a comic book sequel to his two films, titled Batman ’89. Joe illustrated and helped conceive of the book alongside the film’s original screenwriter, Sam Hamm.
Joe Quinones is an American comic book artist and illustrator. Known for his expressive faces and fluid linework, Joe has worked on several high-profile books over the last 15 years, including Dial H for Hero, Howard the Duck, America, Spider-Man, and more. Most recently, Joe helped... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
David Neuhausel (501st Costuming Club, Sci-Fi Coalition member) and Shawn Mullen (founder of Sci-Fi Coalition fan club) address where to start collecting, who to trade with, how to avoid pitfalls, and other dynamics of card collecting. Topics include base sets, chase cards, autographs, and sketch and promotional cards. Also: a lively discussion on the infamous X-rated C3PO trading card.
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
The hosts of The Arkham Sessions celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beloved animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. Podcast hosts Brian Ward and Dr. Drea Letamendi (Fandom) will treat the audience to a conversation with the film's co-director, Eric Radomski (Batman: The Animated Series), as well as with Londyn Jackson (History of the Batman) and Ashley Victoria Robinson (Geek History Lesson) as they "unmask," explore, and pay tribute to the storytelling of Batman, the Joker, and of course, the Phantasm!
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Comic creators often use extreme psychological states such as terror and anger to accentuate pivotal moments in a character’s arc. Vanessa Hintz (Umm…About That! podcast) Shelly Clevenger (Sam Houston State University), and J. Scott Jordan (Illinois State University) analyze comics that create such moments both in text and imagery to further influence the psychological dynamics of other characters, the lived life of the reader, and the world in which we live. How do comics use the depiction of extreme psychological states both within and beyond their narratives? Includes a special video presentation from Victor Dandridge Jr. (Vantage: Inhouse Productions).
Sunday March 26, 2023 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 210
Explore the world of LGBTQ+ furry comics and the queer furry community as a safe space full of self-expression, kindness, and empowerment. Join Prism Comics and moderator Rebecca Kaplan (Comics Beat, Prism Comics) to learn about the conventions, comics, websites, social media, and people who flourish in this anthropomorphic-attuned culture. Panelists include Mark Merlino (founding member, Cartoon/Fantasy Organization; and one of the founders of Furry Fandom; co-director, ConFurence), Rod O’Riley (one of the founders of Furry Fandom; co-director, ConFurence; writer for InFurNation.com), and Knave Murdock (TransCat).
Sunday March 26, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
Can imagined futures of drowned cities, drought, out-of-control wildfires, unprecedented weather events, and mass extinctions help us grasp the complexity of climate change? As world leaders attempt to scramble to face the coming decades, creators have as well, by telling stories focusing on the climate crisis to serve as both metaphor and call to action. Cecil Castellucci (Shifting Earth), JR Hughto (That Distant Fire), Mark Russell (Traveling to Mars), and Sherri L Smith (Avatar: The High Ground) are tackling seeding hope and visions for good futures in their stories while sounding the alarm about the high stakes of inaction when considering the state of our home, Planet Earth.
Mark Russell is an award-winning author and comic book writer best known for his work on The Flintstones, the GLAAD Award winning Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, Second Coming, Superman: Space Age, and the Eisner and Ringo Award winning Not All Robots. He is also the... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Celebrating a magical 25 years of fantasy and fashion, The Labyrinth Masquerade Ball is bringing together a talented panel of their costumers and long-time attendees of the Masquerade to discuss the creative process of designing and building high fantasy gowns and garb for all manner of mortal and fae folk alike. Panelists include Shawn Strider, Jacquie Adorni, and a team of fashion designers and costumers from the event.
Sunday March 26, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Freakazoid! How one show changed the world as we know it. The Freakazoid! series creative team gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of this Emmy Award-winning cult classic. Featuring series writer/producer/voice actor Paul Rugg, series senior producer and writer Tom Ruegger, producer and writer John McCann, series producer/designer/director Mitch Schauer, and composers Steve Bernstein and Julie Bernstein. Moderated by Joey Letson from The Animanicast.
Tom Ruegger is the 14-time Emmy winning creator/producer/writer/showrunner of many beloved animated TV series, including Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, Tiny Toon Adventures, Road Rover, and Histeria! As the creator of Animaniacs, Tom served as senior producer, showrunner, story... Read More →
Paul Rugg co-developed and was the voice of Freakazoid in Steven Spielberg Presents: Freakazoid. Paul was one of the original writers of Animaniacs and helped develop the characters of Yakko, Wakko and Dot, writing over 40 episodes. Paul also provided the voice of Mr. Director... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
North 200A
Alane Adams (The Sorceress), Gina Chen (Violet Made of Thorns), Greg van Eekhout (Fenris & Mott), and Sofía Lapuente and Jarrod Shusterman (Retro) discuss the creative ways they use to build their worlds, from the first spark of inspiration to the final product. Moderated by Judy Prince-Neeb (children's services librarian, South Pasadena Public Library).
Alane Adams is a Webby-award winning creator of media content designed to get kids excited about reading and is the author of the Legends of Orkney and the Legends of Olympus series for middle-grade readers, as well as four historical picture books set in the 1920s. Alane founded... Read More →
Greg van Eekhout is the author of four fantasy novels for adults and six fantasy and science fiction novels for middle-grade readers, as well as dozens of short stories. His novel Weird Kid won the California Independent Booksellers Alliance's Golden Poppy Award. Others of his works... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 209
Do you love old comic books? Gary Sassaman (former director of programming and publications, Comic-Con International), does! Every Wednesday on his blog (www.innocent-bystander.com) Sassaman writes about a particular comic book (like Batman #147, featuring “Batman Becomes Bat-Baby!”) he owned—and loved—as a kid growing up in the 1960s. This presentation will bring to life the history, creators, and characters involved in some of the books Sassaman has written about, along with his own fond memories of these classic—and not-so-classic—comic books.
Sunday March 26, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Every amazing story starts with a killer idea—but where do those ideas come from? Tolkien had Gaelic folklore for LOTR, Herbert had Danish feudalism for Dune, and Lucas had Asian and Middle Eastern religions for Star Wars, but how did they make primeval concepts work in a modern world? Better yet, how do you take a modern narrative and make it timeless? Nmon Ford (VP, Universal Music Group, Lune Rouge Entertainment), Geoffrey Mark (CG supervisor, Raised by Wolves, The Orville), and a group of film and storytelling wizards explore time and space (literally!) to answer the big question about where great story ideas come from.
Sunday March 26, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
Ariel Landrum (therapist), Stefanie Bautista (educator), Thien Pham (graphic novelist and teacher), Earl Baylon (actor), Jennifer N Linch (film director), Kristine Gerolaga (writer, director, and actor), and Danice Cabanela (actor) celebrate the profound impact of Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander representation in recent films and animation. Panelist shares their personal stories from their work with students, with clients, and within the entertainment industry.
Sunday March 26, 2023 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
IDW Publishing and Scott Dunbier (director of special projects) set the industry standard for high-end archival collectibles when they launched the Artist's Editions line, giving comic lovers everywhere the most authentic original comic art experience possible, from such greats as John Buscema, Dave Stevens, and Todd McFarlane (to name a few)! You'll marvel as Scott relates personal stories of how Artist's Editions are made . . . and what's coming next!
Sunday March 26, 2023 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
All of your Jason Aaron questions can at last be answered, by none other than Jason Aaron himself. The writer of Mighty Thor and Once Upon a Time at the End of the World hosts a special recap of his career and tease of what's to come.
Jason Aaron is an award-winning comic book writer best known for his work with Marvel Comics, including a landmark seven-year run on Thor. He’s also had celebrated stints writing Wolverine, Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, Conan the Barbarian, and the 2015 relaunch of Star Wars. He... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Did you know you can read thousands of digital comics with just a library card? Panelists Moni Barrette (LibraryPass director of content management and publisher relations; co-founder Creators Assemble!; president, Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table), Kevin Coon (OverDrive account manager III), Corey Etterling (Hoopla regional sales manager West Coast), Bre Indigo (sequential artist, The Dog Knight), and moderator Jack Phoenix (collection development manager, Cuyahoga Falls Library; Brodart’s graphic novel selector; author of Maximizing the Impact of Comics in Your Library) discuss the importance of digital comics at the library and show you how to access thousands of titles for free. You’ll learn which apps to use, including Libby, Hoopla, and Comics Plus, see live demonstrations, learn a little about the technologies that improve the reading experience, and learn which popular titles and publishers are available. There will also be a brief history of digital comics in libraries and a Q&A.
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Mark Chu-Lin (event coordinator and Avengers Initiative club president) hosts fellow Avengers Initiative members Jennifer Athey (California West Coast Avengers chapter leader), Alice Irvin (California West Coast Avengers executive officer), Daniel Trevizo (Los Angeles County fire captain and California West Coast Avengers member), and Alex Cherry (California West Coast Avengers member) to discuss using Marvel fandom for fundraising, charity work, and volunteerism. Natalie Chicas (Shriners Children’s Southern California certified child life specialist) will share how such volunteers serve a pediatric service organization. The Avengers Initiative is a not-for-profit fan club dedicated to celebrating the Marvel Universe through costuming. Come and learn how this all-volunteer organization was formed for the express purpose of bringing together costume enthusiasts under a collective identity of Marvel fandom and service. See how this group seeks to promote interest in Marvel through the building and wearing of quality costumes and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Marvel-related events as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work.
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Video game music is the earworm that all gamers love to have stuck in their heads. From iconic themes to emotionally wrought experiences, music in games heightens the players' experience to whole new levels. Grammy-nominated Austin Wintory (Journey, Aliens: Fireteam Elite), BAFTA-winning Garry Schyman (Bioshock franchise), and award-winning Nami Melumad (Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond) will speak to their experiences of writing music for video games and where they draw inspiration from. These composers will speak to how they collaborate with the game developers to make it the best audio experience for fans around the world. Moderated by Chandler Poling (White Bear PR).
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 207
What kind of thrills make a film or TV show a horror story? John Jennings (Kindred; director, Abrams Megascope, he/him), horror scholar and columnist Lea Anderson (Fangoria, she/they), writer Viktor Kerney (StrangeLore; host, MEGASheen podcast, he/him), editor and writer Malissa White (NIGHTMARE; contributor, PanelxPanel, she/they), and critic and writer Reyna Cervantes (Fangoria; co-host, The Carnal Extremities Podcast, she/her) discuss the elements they feel qualify a film or TV show as horror, then (re)classify a set list of past and recent films and TV shows on a scale of Horror, Thriller, or Neither. Moderated by Christine Pasalo Norland (writer/founder/president of Hello Barkada, she/her).
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
The staff from the internet's longest-running Tolkien Community, TheOneRing.net (TORn) give an in-depth breakdown of season 1 of The Rings of Power and the most current info on what to expect from season 2. Clifford Broadway (host of TORn Tuesday), Nancy Steinman (writer and graphic artist), Justin Sewell (producer of TORn Tuesday), and Cathy Udovch (special events coordinator for TORn) will discuss what worked in season 1, what didn't work, and where the show goes next. There are new cast members, new characters, and new lands to explore, so bring your questions (and your cosplay) and talk Tolkien's Second Age.
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
North 200A
The team at HexComix is here to help you bring your story to life with a step-by-step creative guide that takes your short-comic idea from the development stages all the way to finished art.Featuring Lisa K. Weber (artist, HEX11), Kelly Sue Milano (writer, HEX11), and Lynly Forrest (editor/producer, HEX11).
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
A paradigm shift has occurred in filmmaking. It opens up completely new ways to tell a story and create visuals. This panel of A-list entertainment artists will share the latest magic in cinematography.
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Josh Murillo (California State University, Long Beach), Jillian J. Mueller-Dombois (CSU, Long Beach), and Christopher R. Warren (CSU, Long Beach) present the study design, methodology, and findings of a thematic analysis of racial and gender-based discrimination, acculturation, and identity in Brian K. Vaughan’s Saga.Shelly Clevenger (Sam Houston State University) uses content analysis to show how Squirrel Girl’s “unbeatable” honorific is rooted in her trauma-informed empathy, cooperation, and kindness. Mike Bittner (North Dakota State University) explains how the Batman storyline No Man's Land clearly demonstrates the four phases of emergency management and can be used to explain these abstract principles to students. Kevin Tran (California State University, Long Beach) and Emily Doffing ( CSU, Long Beach) show how Poly Gonzalez’s anti-ableist single-panel webcomics Chronic Pain is a Party creates a platform for chronically pained people to share emotions, experiences, and knowledge about medical ableism.
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 210
A candid discussion with creators in the industry about the progression of Asian representation and where it stands today. Christie Shinn (creator, HoraTora Studios, president of CAPS), Bernard Chang (artist/designer, DC Monkey Prince, NYTimes bestselling illustrator), Gene Luen Yang (artist/writer, DC/Marvel, Monkey Prince, Shang-Chi, American Born Chinese), and Jessica Chen (editor, DC Comics, Monkey Prince, various Bat-family Books) will discuss what inspired them growing up and what they hope to see going forward. Moderated by Justin Otero (cosplayer).
Gene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. As the Library of Congress’s fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, he advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. American Born Chinese, his first graphic... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Jared Griego (Dapper Bard, Eat the Magic) and Scarlet Aznable (cosplayer, convention lore keeper) introduce you to some of anime's best giant robot series. They will explore different titles, mixing genres, and how you can suit up and get into this beloved genre of anime.
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Artist Mitch Gerads has brought his realistic style to the superhuman and unreal in books like Mister Miracle,Batman, and Strange Adventures. Mitch and Eisner Award–winning writer Tom King (Mister Miracle, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Human Target) partake in a one-on-one interview, Q&A session, and often hilarious insanity.
Mitch Gerads is a comics artist who has made a career out of bringing humanity and realism to the superhuman and unreal. Best known for his much-lauded work at DC Comics with writer Tom King on Mister Miracle, Batman, Strange Adventures, and The Sheriff of Babylon, he lives and... Read More →
Eisner Award–winning writer Tom King had an extensive run on Batman, giving us a story to truly remember. His other credits include Batman/Catwoman, Grayson, Heroes in Crisis, Mister Miracle, The Omega Men, Rorschach, Strange Adventures, and The Sheriff of Babylon for DC and The... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
The Star Wars Disney+ shows Andor and Kenobi showcased the highly repressive life faced by citizens under the Galactic Empire. Could individuals be persecuted simply because they have Force abilities? Could the Imperial Public Order Resentencing Directive (PORD) be struck down as an ex post facto law? Is there any way the operations of both the ISB and Inquisitors could be legal? Is Luthen Rael justified in his efforts to start the Rebellion against the Empire? Can those on The Path claim any legal defenses? Circuit Judge John Owens, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals judge Christine Peek, Angela Storey (Habbas & Associates), and Steve B. Chu (Assistant United States Attorney) analyze the civil rights issues presented in Andor and Kenobi. Moderated by Joshua Gilliland (Greenan, Peffer, Sallander, & Lally LLP). Brought to you by The Legal Geeks.
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 207
Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans) started writing comics in 1967 and hasn’t stopped since. Writer/editor Barbara Kesel (Meridian) will conduct Marv’s Spotlight interview and Q&A, discussing his work, his many creations, and much more.
Marv Wolfman is a multi-award-winning writer of comic books, animation, videogames, theme park shows and rides, children’s books, novels, television, internet animation, and much more. He has also created more characters that have gone on to TV, toys, games and film than anyone... Read More →
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
Moderator Christopher Canole (Dude Vader charity, causeplayer), Nathan Seekerman (cosplay and props designer), Brendan Prout (co-founder of the San Diego Star Wars Society), and David Hernandez and Leah Panos (Star Wars Samurai cosplayers) discuss the interconnection and influence of samurai movies (The Hidden Fortress, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo), graphic novels (Lone Wolf and Cub), history (Date Masamune and Ronin), and philosophy (Bushido and the Force) with the Star Wars culture and community including Skywalker movies, Rogue One, The Mandalorian, Visions, and future Star Wars movies and TV series.
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Knowledge and skills of how to brand you or your project online using the internet, websites, apps, and social media seemed to get more important each year, and then it became vital in 2020 to stay connected. Panelists will discuss how to use all the resources out there to get the good kind of attention focused on oneself or one’s projects. Acting professionally is an important trait to framing you or your content the way you want in a person-to-person situation. Five lucky attendees will have a chance to win a One by Wacom Tablet ($49 value) courtesy of Wacom; two attendees will have a chance for a copy of Clip Studio Paint Pro (a $49 value) courtesy of Clip Studio; and one attendee will win a copy of The Artist’s Roadmap to Multiple Streams of Income by Fahim Niaz. In addition, one lucky panel attendee will win a 12-month subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud ($599 value) courtesy of Adobe Education Leader Sean Glumace. Moderator Topher Davila (art director, GeekdomWear.com, Illustrator) joins Gene Turnbow (founder, SciFi.Radio; editor-in-chief, Helium Beach Press), Luke Cheeseman (director of media, TheConGuy.com), Sean Glumace (Adobe education leader, comic book letterer), and Stephen Burns (Photoshop digital artist, author, and lecturer).
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Kayden Phoenix (A La Brava, Jalisco), Ghezal Omar (. 357 Magnum Opus,Pimp Killer), Maxi Rodriguez (Chubby Bunny), and Christine Pasalo Norland (writer; founder and president, Hello Barkada) discuss how changing the vanguard allows for new characters and untold stories to be told with pride and authenticity.
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Award-winning authors Chris Baron (All of Me), Reggie Brown (Who Are Your People?), Tara Gilboy (Unwritten), Henry Herz (I Am Smoke), and Dee Leone (Dough Knights & Dragons) share insights into children's book publishing, how to get started, and lessons learned.
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
WonderCon is going out on a high note! The Powers That Be behind Fandom Charities, California Browncoats, Six Degrees of Geek (was Whedonopolis), TheHellmouth, and Fandomopolis host an interactive screening of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Come and revel in the musical genius of The Whedons! But remember, the best part of the show is up to you! Cheer for Dr. Horrible! Cheer for Penny! Cheer for Moist! Cheer for the Freeze Ray! Cheere, or whatever, for "Captain Hammer, Corporate Tool!" Just have fun and be sure to make Bad Horse gleeful.
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:00pm - 4:15pm PDT
North 200A
Dr. Wei Xu (artist, mathematician, computer scientist, author) will talk about how to correctly and efficiently draw shapes with science. He has developed an Angle-Based Constructive (ABC) method to control shapes, rather than using length-measurement, for observational drawing. People at all drawing levels will benefit from this talk.
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210
It ain't easy making comics! Get the inside scoop no one shares on websites or social media. Comics industry veterans share the secrets behind creating, selling, and living life as comic book professionals. This live version of the YouTube show Geekview Tavern features host Dave Olbrich (Malibu Comics), Scott Koblish (artist Deadpool,Avengers), Larry Houston (director, animator), Chris Ulm (Ultraverse editor-in-chief), Emmy Award winner Tom Mason (Dinosaurs for Hire, Prototype), Nicholas Doan (Monster Elementary,The Kid & The Ripper), and Vince Hernandez (Aspen editor-in-chief). What you don't know can hurt you!
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
Do you have what it takes to be a master? Do you have knowledge of all things Nintendo? Or perhaps even more? Kiet Pham, Ryan Lu, and Adam Shere let attendees compete for an opportunity to win prizes and also . . . Welcome to the Quizening!
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Representatives from WonderCon/Comic-Con International will be present to listen to attendees' feedback about the event. What did we do right? What could be improved? We want to hear from you!
Sunday March 26, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Back for another year! This panel covers what creatives need to know to make their project happen aside from the primary talent that a creative person already has. Topics include time management, resource management, and communication. This panel is for any group or individual with a goal. Every person who attends will get a postcard of some of the collected tips, wisdom, and potential pitfalls talked about on panels in past years. Ten lucky attendees will have a chance to win a One by Wacom Tablet ($49 value) courtesy of Wacom; two attendees will have a chance for a copy of Clip Studio Paint Pro (a $49 value) courtesy of Clip Studio; and one attendee will win a copy of The Artist’s Roadmap to Multiple Streams of Income by Fahim Niaz. In addition, one lucky panel attendee will win a 12-month subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud ($599 value) courtesy of Adobe Education Leader Sean Glumace. Moderator Ron Coleman, Ph.D., (molecular geneticist and comics writer) joins panelists Gene Turnbow (founder, SciFi.Radio; editor-in-chief, Helium Beach Press), Sean Glumace (comic book letterer, Glumace.com), Renah Wolzinger, Ed.D. (director of customer success at EON Reality, Inc.; owner, Renzone Music), James Frye (managing editor, TheConGuy.com), and Topher Davila (art director, GeekdomWear.com, Illustrator).
Sunday March 26, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
iAsia Brown (storyteller and producer, Xbox Game Studios), Kristin Nobles (founder and chief creative officer, BNoble Media Group), Maria Ramos (executive producer and head of developer media studios, Google), and Mela Lee (vocalist and voice actor) will share their stories of working on comics, films, games, mixed reality, and technology. Moderated by Heather Cook (community lead at Microsoft).
Sunday March 26, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
Tired of all the dystopian nightmares? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all? We offer you . . . UTOPIA! This is a lecture on how to create a true utopian society, using the new science of Free World Theory (FWT), devised by rocket scientist Andrew J. Galambos, developed by Jay Snelson, and perfected by Chas Holloway, who discovered the scientific definition of freedom. This lecture is not just for science fiction authors but for anyone else who’d like to see an end to poverty, crime, injustice, and war. Brought to you by author Mark O’Bannon (Imperium, Whiskers).
Sunday March 26, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Mia Ginaé (writer and public speaker) moderates a panel of Black video game developers as they discuss what it means to bring their authentic selves to the games industry. Open to early career pros and anyone interested in working in video games.
Sunday March 26, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 207
If you want to write a children’s picture book but don’t know where to start, this panel is for you. Stephen W. Martin (Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion) takes you through the process of picking the perfect idea, using classical structure to polish it up, and then sending it out with a creative query to capture any editor or agent’s attention. Bring your pencils, paper, and crayons—let’s pitch some picture books!
Sunday March 26, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
Ever walk the con floor and wonder just who or what someone is cosplaying? Ever wear a cosplay and constantly have people asking who it is? Love playing 20 Questions? Angela Di Martino (D&D aficionado), Kelly Dreyer (cosplayer), Lauren Emery (cosplayer), and Chris Tushinsky (comic aficionado) will ask competitors rapid-fire questions about their cosplay to guess who or what, and if the final guess is wrong, the competitor wins! Everyone who competes in the Un-Masquerade will receive a small token of appreciation.
Sunday March 26, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
