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Friday, March 28
 

1:00pm PDT

Beastly Powers: Exploring Science, Magic, and Mythology in Comics and Pop Culture
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
From science to magic to mythology, animals have long been a source of inspiration in comics and pop culture. This panel delves into the fascinating portrayal of animal powers, whether derived from scientific principles, magical realms, or ancient myths. Panelists will discuss how animal abilities shape characters, the intersection of nature and the supernatural, and how these stories inspire both wonder and empowerment.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

Bootleg Cosplay
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Are you a cosplay goblin? Have you thrown together more than one cosplay on a hope and a prayer? Or are you perhaps a cosplay perfectionist trying to embrace the "perfect is the enemy of good" philosophy? SheProp shows how to create amazing cosplays on a budget, as well as how to make sustainable crafting choices while building. The panelists are pros at creating amazing cosplays without breaking the bank (or even without knowing how to use a sewing machine). They will talk about garment hacking, thrift cosplay, and other sustainable costuming practices. Bring your questions and get ready to learn; audience participation is highly encouraged.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Education

1:00pm PDT

Build Your Community: The Importance of Community for Comics Creators
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 209
In these challenging times within the shifting comic book landscape, community is more necessary and valuable than ever. Led by Bryant Dillon (president, Fanbase Press), comic book creators Corinna Bechko (The Space Between), Ray-Anthony Height (Midnight Tiger), Charlie Stickney (White Ash), and Arthur Ebuen (California, Inc.) speak to the value of the comic book community, how one can maximize its positive aspects, and how we can all help the comic book community grow and prosper.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, LGBTQIA+

1:00pm PDT

DSTLRY: The Future of Sci-Fi
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Cosmos sculpted by mech warfare. Cellular metal petri monsters. Vendettas that span light years. Welcome to a future of glorious atrocities designed to raise pulses and ask questions, all rooted in modern anxieties. Join the most provocative, merciless voices in speculative fiction as they vivisect the timelines we’re all desperately avoiding. Chuck Austen (Defiant) and Scott Hoffman (Warm Fusion) gaze into the stars and the chaos to come. Moderated by Sami DeMonster.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

It’s a Time Machine, Baby!: 900 1970s El Cortez SDCC Photos from the Shel Dorf Archives
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
Comic-Con founder Shel Dorf used two 35mm film cameras and a medium-format film camera to shoot pictures at Comic-Con in its early years. Greg Koudoulian has digitized over 900 of Shel's photos. Shel was a photojournalist at the Detroit Free Press from 1953 to 1968 and created the Detroit Triple Fan Fair before moving to San Diego. David Glanzer and Greg will discover old pals from decades ago during this photo slide show presentation and discussion.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, Books, Cosplay, Kids, Superheroes

1:00pm PDT

Small Print Comics 101
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 210
TBA.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

Spiders-Men: Multiversal Storytelling
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
Spider-Man has become the exemplar for how the multiverse can reinvigorate the superhero genre, thanks to the Spider-Verse films, the Ultimate Spider-Man books, and now Disney’s Friendly Neighborhood revamp. James Thompson (People’s History of Comics), Patrick A. Reed (co-curator, Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing), and Peter Coogan (Institute of Comics Studies) explore this new landscape where continuity is no longer king, but canon events carry over, no matter the Spider iteration—Peter Parker, Peter B. Parker, or Peter Porker.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

Crowdfunding Best Practices for Tabletop Games
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
North 151
Kickstarter crowdfunding continues to be an effective way to finance tabletop games. Industry experts Kimi Hughes (founder, Golden Lasso Games), Peter Vaughan (co-founder, Cardboard Alchemy), and Andrew Marks (director of product, Kickstarter) discuss the best practices and trends, as well as share stories from the latest tabletop game Kickstarters and crowdfunding campaigns. Moderated by Ruel Gaviola.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs

1:30pm PDT

AAPI Representation in Comics and Media
Friday March 28, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Creators in the industry about the progression of Asian representation and where it stands today. Christopher Sean (actor, Days of Our Lives, Ultraman Rising), Tony Moy (artist, 4Forty2nd Lost Battalion), Anjali Bhimani (actor/author, Overwatch, Ms. Marvel), and Mog Park (artist, storyboard, Game of Thrones) will discuss what inspired them growing up and what they hope to see going forward. Moderated by Justin Otero (cosplayer).
Friday March 28, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Superheroes, Television, Video Games, Writers & Writing

1:30pm PDT

Animals on Screen: Live Animals vs. CGI
Friday March 28, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Bobbi Brink (founder, Lions Tigers & Bears) leads the discussion about the longtime fascination, and sometimes atrocious history, of animals trained to perform for film or video game development. Panelists discuss new realism technologies and remaining challenges for the entertainment industry. Filmmakers and animal rights voices share ways audiences can celebrate the humane treatment of Hollywood’s greatest stars.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs

1:30pm PDT

Mondo Toy Talk Live
Friday March 28, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
Mondo’s creative team goes behind the scenes for an exclusive look at their latest collectibles! Based on Mondo’s YouTube livestream Toy Talk, this panel features Hector Arce (sr. creative director, product development), Alex Brewer (creative manager, sculpting), and Nolan Fleming Smith (sr. graphic designer) as they dive deep into the artistry and vision behind Mondo’s must-have collectibles and exclusives. Get insider insights into the design process, enjoy special sneak peeks and reveals you won’t find anywhere else, and score some incredible prizes.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Art and Illustration, Music |   U: Updated, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Art and Illustration, Music

2:00pm PDT

A Career in Card Games
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 207
Billy San Juan (TCG writer) hosts a panel of experts who discuss how they've made a career out of playing, selling, creating, and streaming trading card games. Panelists include Frank Lepore (Magic: The Gathering, game designer), Tim Shields (owner, Cascade Games), Damyan Brunson (owner, Tier1 Games), and others.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

2:00pm PDT

Building Accessibility in Fandom
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A
A staple of pop culture and fandom is the idea of how everyone is welcome in fandom spaces—but what can be done to make the space even more accessible? Chelsea Schwartz (actor and pop culture creator), Kiah Amara (founder, IndieVisible; accessibility creator), Crystal Rivers (cosplayer, entertainment journalist), Rebecca Faith Quinn (influencer), and other accessibility advocates in the entertainment space discuss the small and big actions that can be taken to ensure everyone has a seat at the table. Topics include accessibility faux pas that may be perpetuated, what to look for to consider your workspace and/or event accessible, and practical actions and resources that film sets, TV productions, and fandom spaces can take advantage of.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

2:00pm PDT

Cosplay Is a Drag
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Chad Hatter (Queer for Fear, Robot Chicken) is bringing back some of your favorite queens to WonderCon. Come escape with Pam Demic (costume designer, Workaholics; drag performer since 1989) and Broadway diva headliners Claire Voyance (Voyance Productions, Broadway Divas SCFTA), Leeko Rae (headliner at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts), Mama St. Merman (headliner, Broadway Divas, Hamburger Mary’s), and April Showers (Showers Productions, Late-Night Divas at Hamburger Mary's) to discuss the crossroads where cosplay meets drag.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

2:00pm PDT

Keep Bans Off Our Books
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
Book banning and censorship continue to be a serious issue for many communities, as more and more good graphic novels and books are being taken out of the hands of children and teens. Moderator Grace Sheehy (librarian II at Mission Viejo Public Library) and authors Jen Wang (Ash's Cabin), Marcie Colleen (Time Buddies), Jose Pimenta (Halfway to Somewhere), and Gabriel Valentin (Digital Lizards of Doom Volume 4: Fat Cat Rogers) address this issue.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, Education, Kids, LGBTQIA+, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Robot Invasion! Featuring The Rupert Wars (and SIGNA)
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Pan-Universal Galactic Worldwide launches its first wave of all-new comics, and the machines are leading the charge. Who is the World War II android called Rupert? What is the post-apocalyptic AI nightmare of SIGNA? And why is the company called PUG-W? The Rupert Wars creators Livio Ramondelli (The Kill Lock, Transformers) and Yuri Ramondelli (Joker: Put on a Happy Face) are joined by PUG-W founder John Nee (Cryptozoic, Marvel, DC, Wildstorm) and moderator Maryelizabeth Yturralde to get down to the nuts and bolts of it all.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

2:00pm PDT

Spiritual Themes in Comics
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
Spiritual themes continue to be an essential element in comic books, television, and movies, ranging from the Netflix series Arcane to the Disney+ series Agatha All Along. This panel examines how these themes have influenced the entertainment industry and the culture at large. Panelists are B. Dave Walters (actor), Scott Marcano (Diablo Publishing), Casey Robin (Disney), Matthew Agosto (pastor), and Ralph Miley (New Creation Comics), moderated by Kyle Keene.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

2:00pm PDT

How to Design Tabletop Games
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
North 151
With over 5,000 tabletop games coming out each year, the need for new games is strong. Are you designing a tabletop game or want to know how to get started? Industry experts Juliana Moreno (game designer, Wild Optimists), Kami Mandell (game designer, The Op), and Matt Forbeck (game designer, Marvel RPG) share their best practices, ways to get started, and stories from their game designs. Moderated by Christopher Castagnetto.
Special Guests
avatar for Matt Forbeck

Matt Forbeck

WonderCon Special Guest
Matt Forbeck is an award-winning and New York Times–bestselling author and game designer of over 35 novels and countless other books and games. His projects have won a Peabody Award, a Scribe Award, and numerous ENnies and Origins awards. He is also the president of the Diana Jones... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Art and Illustration, Fandom, Games, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Video Games, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #1: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility . . . and Trauma
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 210
“With great power comes great responsibility," according to Spider-Man comics. However, it also comes with great trauma as well. Spider-Man faces a great deal of trauma that he must overcome, both in and out of his mask. This panel considers how Spider-Man handles his trauma and builds his resiliency. Using the classic Amazing Spider-Man story "Spider-Man No More!," Daniel J. Kim (PopMythology.com) will discuss how Peter Parker's dilemma in the story reflects the tendency of neoliberal ideology to place the burden of endless resilience onto individual heroes, many of whom are already overburdened with the trauma of surviving in an individualist society. Alex Langley (Spider-Man Psychology: Untangling Webs) will discuss issues of resilience and trauma in The Amazing Spider-Man #33, "If This Be My Destiny," and Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #310. Shelly Clevenger (Sam Houston State University) will discuss how Peter Parker dealt with the death of his beloved Gwen Stacy and how trauma played a role in his ability to cope with that loss. Panelists will identify the unique ways in which trauma and resiliency are linked in these comics.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

2:00pm PDT

Giants’ First Steps: Glimmer of Greatness
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 100B
Be inspired by the early works of several masters of animation from Hollywood's second animation renaissance. Curator Ron Diamond presents a selection of digitally restored student films by celebrated directors, including John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Hercules, Aladdin, Treasure Planet, Moana), Brenda Chapman (Brave, The Prince of Egypt, Come Away), Kirk Wise (Beauty and the Beast,The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Mike Mitchell (Shrek Forever After, Trolls, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, Kung Fu Panda 4), and other notable directors' early films.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs

2:00pm PDT

Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
The annual Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival begins three full days of short films from around the world for all ages, featuring animation, live action, and documentaries. Animators and filmmakers will talk to the audience following their films, including giving advice for kids on how to become a professional animator or filmmaker. For the full LAICFF schedule, click here.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Education, Kids, Movies

2:30pm PDT

Comic-Con: The Cruise: An Immersive Fan Experience
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 200A
Comic-Con is legendary, but have you ever imagined taking your fandom beyond the Convention Center and onto the open seas? Key figures behind Comic-Con: The Cruise, an official licensee of San Diego Comic Convention, share how this immersive fan adventure brings the spirit of Comic-Con to life in a whole new way. From intimate celebrity moments and themed cosplay nights to fan-driven experiences you won’t find anywhere else, find out why this is the most unique, welcoming, and unforgettable way to celebrate your fandom!
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs

2:30pm PDT

Eisner Noir: The Spirit and Beyond
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Often spoken of in the same breath as directors Orson Welles and Sam Fuller, Will Eisner was influenced by, and an influence on, the dark, moody cinema genre known as Film Noir. From the innovative storytelling in the pages of TheSpirit as he stalked the shadows of Central City to the dramatic storytelling found in the recently revived John Law, and even to the dramatic flavor of graphic novels like To the Heart of the Storm, Eisner infused his stories with intense visual and thematic mood. Discussing Eisner’s walk on the dark side are Charles Hatfield (CSU Northridge), Scott Dunbier (Act 4 Publishing), and Jim Thompson (Duke University). Danny Fingeroth (Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin) moderates.
Special Guests
avatar for Danny Fingeroth

Danny Fingeroth

WonderCon Special Guest
Danny Fingeroth is a cultural historian and commentator. His books include Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us About Ourselves and Our Society and Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero. His 2019 biography of Stan Lee, A Marvelous... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Historical, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

2:30pm PDT

Franchise, Studio, Industry: What Will Shape Star Trek’s Future?
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Never before has the creative direction of the Star Trek franchise felt so tied up in so many factors beyond its creators’ control. What do fans want to see, and what are the likely real-world possibilities of Trek’s TV and film worlds? "Dr. Trek" Larry Nemecek (The Trek Files, TNG Companion) leads a panel of pundits and industry observers to peer into this dilithium-crystal ball, including Rico Anderson (Star Trek 2009, The Orville), John Champion (Mission Log, Mission Log Live), and James Kerwin (Yesterday Was a Lie, ST Continues).
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs

2:30pm PDT

Monstrous Horror in Comics, Film, and Beyond
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
At the intersection of film and comics, you'll find some creators not only comfortable operating in both spaces but thriving. Filmmakers and comics creators Rebekah and David McKendry (Barstow, Glorious), Shannon Eric Denton (Monster Forge, Return of the Monsters), Dirk Blackman (Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, Savager), David Hartman (Phantasm: Ravager, Kraken), and Kevin Grevioux (Underworld, I, Frankenstein) discuss horror's influence on their careers and their love of monsters.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

2:30pm PDT

Creators Assemble: Charisma Check
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 152
Tabletop roleplaying game creators, publishers, performers, game shop owners, teachers, and library workers have brought greater acceptance to TTRPGS and fan culture. Take a break from hectic convention life to experience “speed dating” style networking with diverse TTRPG and board game enthusiasts from all backgrounds. This year’s lineup includes Reuben Bresler, Jeromy DeChant, Eddie Doty, Sarah Durnesque, Lemar Harris, Jason Patrick Galit (JPG), Jem Lugo, Cynthia Marie, Markeia McCarthy, Momo Meas, Ryan Omega, Jenni Powel, and Sidney Rubino, along with TTRPG educators and enthusiasts Joel Bakker, Joe Barrette, Moni Barrette, Janie Ghinazzi, and Dan Wood.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 152
  1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Games, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Complex Cosplays and Influence: Mastering Cosplay Design and Presence
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Learn from the experts: Andy Holt is well known for his Hawkman cosplay and has built six different sets of articulated wings, each set improving on the previous. Julia Jenkins has cosplayed many characters including Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Kim Possible, and Talia. An avid seamstress and builder, she is also experienced in 3D printing. Anna Yeutter has cosplayed many Star Trek characters and is a skilled seamstress and builder. Joanie Brosas is a renowned cosplay model with a strong social media following, with expertise in branding, marketing, and engaging with fans.
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

Pitching and Planning Your Graphic Novel
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Graphic novels are hot, hot, hot! Whether you're an artist, a writer, or both, you've probably thought about making your own. But how to start? Or maybe you've started, but now you're stuck? Award-winning creators Amy Chu (Carmilla: The First Vampire, Sea Sirens), Thien Pham (Family Style, Sumo), and Jordan Morris (Youth Group, Bubble) share their experiences and advice for getting published.
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Dan Slott: Playing the Long Game in a Shared Universe
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 207
From kicking off The Superior Spider-Man saga in Amazing Spider-Man #698-#700 from a story development seeded a hundred issues earlier in ASM #600 to paying off a clue set up in the first issue of Silver Surfer Vol.3 in the last issue of Silver Surfer Vol.4. Marvel & DC writer Dan Slott looks at all the pitfalls, pitfalls, rewards, and . . . mostly pitfalls of long-form storytelling in a shared comic book universe.
Special Guests
avatar for Dan Slott

Dan Slott

WonderCon Special Guest
Dan Slott has worked with Marvel for many years, giving fans an action-packed 10-year run on The Amazing Spider-Man! His writing credits include She-Hulk, Avengers, Batman, and The Silver Surfer. He recently finished working on a run of The Fantastic Four and Iron Man. Currently... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Fandom, Humor & Satire, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Success in Creativity Mixer: Meet Other Creatives and Get Time with the Experts
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 204C
Meet people in and outside of your field and talents and get dedicated one-on-one time with the experts who usually speak on the “Success in Creativity” panels. Among the experts who will be on hand are Luke Cheesman (director of media, TheConGuy.com; screenwriter), Heather Joseph-Witham, Ph.D. (The Proof Is Out There on History Channel; professor of folklore), Renah Wolzinger, Ed.D. (owner, Renzone Music), James Frye (managing editor, TheConGuy.com; screenwriter), Gene Turnbow (founder, SciFi.Radio), Sean Glumace (comic book letterer), Topher Davila (art director, TheJewelryDragon.com; illustrator; producer), Marsia Powers (Fandom Charities, Hellmouth Con), and Ron Coleman, Ph.D. (molecular geneticist and comics writer). As a bonus, each attendee will get a postcard of covered topics and solutions from past panels. Be sure to bring your business card or anything that has your name, email, and phone number on it.
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

The Jack Kirby Museum at 20
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
Rand Hoppe (founder and director) and Tracy Kirby (Jack Kirby’s granddaughter) discuss the museum’s efforts, events, and impact. See videos of Kirby and scans of rare original art and pencil art photocopies. The museum’s new edition of the color Sky Masters Sunday strips and future Kirby Museum Press offerings will be shown as well.
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

Toddlers to Teens: Writing Kidlit, from Picture Books to Young Adult
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Kidlit authors discuss the craft and business of writing for young audiences. Featuring Marcie Colleen (Penguinaut, Kitten Ninja), Jeffrey Harlan (Donner und Blitzkrieg: Book One of the Minutemen, Invasion: Book One of the Protectorate), Henry Herz (The Festival of Lights, I Am Gravity), Amber Morrell (The Alchemy of Letting Go), Dan Santat (A First Time For Everything, The Misfits series), Leanne Schwartz (To a Darker Shore, A Prayer for Vengeance), and Greg van Eekhout (Happy Town, Weird Kid).
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Books, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Working with Editors
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
Alexa Tanen (freelance editor), Lisa Kastner (founder, Running Wild LLC), and David Neuhausel (sci-fi/horror author) break down the author–editor relationship and how to navigate expectations on both sides.
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Books, Horror and Suspense, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

The Dungeon Run: Mr Fated’s Fortuitous Fête
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
North 151
The Dungeon Run is a live interactive Dungeons & Dragons actual play with an incredible cast. This raucous tournament is filled with absurd arcane challenges and unpredictable magical mishaps, hosted by the enigmatic Mr Fated. In this enchanted arena, destiny is remixed through mystical divinations and live audience choices, leaving you to wonder if defeat means dire doom or merely another absurd twist of fate. Will our heroes fulfill their Fate, or will their memory fade into oblivion—you decide!
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs

3:30pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #2: Comics Under Fire: Navigating Censorship and Resistance in Education
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210
During the 2023–2024 school year, book bans in U.S. schools surged significantly, and a notable portion of these bans targeted graphic novels and comics. As censorship movements continue to escalate, comics educators face increasing challenges in integrating graphic narratives into curricula. From book bannings targeting beloved comics to navigating administrations and departments skeptical of their academic value, the landscape for teaching comics is fraught with obstacles. Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools), Susan Kirtley (Portland State University), and Antero Garcia (Stanford University) hold a discussion reflecting on these pressing issues and exploring strategies for resilience and advocacy in K–12 and post-secondary contexts. They’ll examine the evolving role of comics in education, highlight successes despite adversity, and brainstorm actionable solutions to ensure comics continue to inspire critical thinking and engagement for learners of all ages.
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

3:30pm PDT

Spotlight on Nicholas Meyer
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
WonderCon special guest Nicholas Meyer’s Sherlock Holmes novel The Seven-Per-Cent Solution was a New York Times bestseller for 40 weeks. His screenplay for the film was nominated for an Academy Award. Six other Holmes novels followed. Meyer made his directing debut from his own screenplay, Time After Time (1979). He wrote and/or directed Star Trek II, IV, and VI and directed The Day After (1983), the most-watched movie ever made for television. His memoir, The View from the Bridge: Memories of Star Trek and a Life in Hollywood, was published by Viking in 2009. He recently published the acclaimed Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell. His seventh Holmes novel, Sherlock Holmes and The Real Thing, will be published this summer by the Mysterious Press. Today, Meyer discusses his career with writer and historian Danny Fingeroth (Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin).
Special Guests
avatar for Danny Fingeroth

Danny Fingeroth

WonderCon Special Guest
Danny Fingeroth is a cultural historian and commentator. His books include Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us About Ourselves and Our Society and Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero. His 2019 biography of Stan Lee, A Marvelous... Read More →
avatar for Nicholas Meyer

Nicholas Meyer

WonderCon Special Guest
Nicholas Meyer’s Sherlock Holmes novel The Seven-Per-Cent Solution was a New York Times bestseller for 40 weeks and won the British Gold Dagger award for crime fiction. His screenplay for the film was nominated for an Academy Award. Six other Sherlock Holmes novels followed. Meyer... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Books, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

3:30pm PDT

The Greatest Cartoons Ever!
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
North 100B
Grab your popcorn and watch Mighty Mouse, Popeye, and other vintage animated classics come to life on the big screen! ASIFA-Hollywood teams up with animation historian Jerry Beck to bring you iconic theatrical shorts from Hollywood’s legendary golden age. You’ll see a Fleischer Popeye classic, masterpieces from Chuck Jones and Tex Avery, and plenty more! Dive into the fascinating backstories of how these brilliant filmmakers brought these cartoons to life.
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Animation, Historical, Movies

3:30pm PDT

Threads of Fantasy, Fright, and High-Stakes Action
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Costume designers Jennifer Bryan (The Acolyte), Christine Wada (Loki), Marie Schley (Yellowjackets), Cynthia Summers (The Last of Us), and Annie Loppert (The Fall Guy) discuss their creative journeys, the unique challenges of designing for their projects, and the powerful role costumes play in shaping iconic narratives. Moderated by Spencer Williams, host of The Art of Costume Podcast, this panel will weave together threads of fantasy, frights, and high-stakes action. Learn how these artists bring characters to life and how costume design continues to push the boundaries of imagination.
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Costuming, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

3:30pm PDT

Writing for Animation
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Did you ever want to write cartoons? Or just want to know how it’s done? Well, here’s a panel for you! Some folks who’ve written some of your favorite shows will fill you in on what they do, how they do it, and how they got to do it—plus they’ll answer your questions about the art of creating scripts for animation. Brynne Chandler (Disney’s Gargoyles), Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series), and John Semper (Spider-Man: The Animated Series) are hosted by moderator Mark Evanier (The Garfield Show).
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

WonderCon Special Guest
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 →
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Humor & Satire, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:00pm PDT

Art Heals
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Explore with Wayne Lo (Star Wars Clone Wars, ILM VFX art director), Briana Loewinsohn (Raised by Ghosts), and Frank Ordaz (Return of the Jedi, mat painter, fine artist) as they recount the healing power of art in overcoming physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual trauma and illness.
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

4:00pm PDT

Comic-Con Museum: Time Lords, Luchadores, and Unicornos
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
Traverse three global icons with Comic-Con Museum: Learn about the U.S. premiere of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction! Be the first to hear about other exciting exhibitions opening this spring from Rita Vandergaw (executive director, Comic-Con Museum) and Eddie Ibrahim (senior director of programming, WonderCon and Comic-Con International).
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs

4:00pm PDT

Inside the McFarlane Toys Multiverse
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
North 200A
Get an exclusive first look at the latest and greatest toys and collectibles from McFarlane Toys and Todd McFarlane himself! Explore exciting brands like DC Multiverse, Marvel, Spawn, and so much more. The McFarlane Toys team, along with special guests, will provide an in-depth look at these highly anticipated products. Plus, there will be some thrilling surprises and giveaways you won’t want to miss!
Special Guests
avatar for Todd McFarlane

Todd McFarlane

WonderCon Special Guest
Todd McFarlane is the Emmy and Grammy Award–winning director/producer and creator of one of the world’s best-selling comics, Spawn. He is known for his work on Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man, where he co-created Venom. Todd is co-founder and President of Image Comics and... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anniversaries, Art and Illustration, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Music, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Web, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:00pm PDT

Smartphone Photography for Cosplayers
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Scott Okuna (photographer, Swallowtail Photo Studio) discusses how cosplayers and convention attendees can generate content and take better photos using their phone cameras. This panel will cover basic principles of photography, lighting, and equipment with live demonstrations.
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Seminars & Workshops

4:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Sean Gordon Murphy
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
WonderCon special guest and fan favorite Sean Gordon Murphy, the acclaimed artist known for his work on Batman: White Knight, Punk Rock Jesus, and Zorro (to name a few), has the spotlight shining brightly on him. He will delve into what was, describe what is, and tease what’s yet to come, from his early days and collaborations to his creator-owned material, and all things in between—including the Murphyverse!
Special Guests
avatar for Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy

WonderCon Special Guest
Sean Murphy is a comic book creator known for work on such books as Joe the Barbarian with Grant Morrison, Chrononauts with Mark Millar, American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest and The Wake with Scott Snyder, Tokyo Ghost with Rick Remender, and the miniseries Punk Rock Jesus. In... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:00pm PDT

The Writers Block: Comics as Community
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
If you make comics—at any level—you are a part of the community of comics. What does that entail? What can you bring to the community, and what does the community give back to you? How can you be a better, more responsible member of this disparate group of professionals, amateurs, and fans? Co-hosts of the award-winning podcast The Writers Block, David Avallone (Elvira) and Rylend Grant (The Jump) will address these vital questions with a panel from across the spectrum of the comics community, including comics librarian Moni Barette (Creators Alliance), retailer Julio Galvez (We Can Be Heroes), editor Kris Longo (Panick), and artist Cat Staggs (Star Wars).
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

4:00pm PDT

Yar, The Pirates of Star Wars
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 207
Star Wars has had nearly 50 years of piracy, from child endangerment and property rights in Skeleton Crew to plundering Kyber Crystals in Clone Wars, smuggling puffer pigs in Star Wars Rebels, employment opportunities for the Bad Batch, and an open threat in Resistance. The Legal Geeks offer an all-hands-on-deck adventure of the law of the high seas as they search for lawful treasures of the pirates of Star Wars in live action and animation. Featuring Judge Carol Najera, Katrina Wraight, and Stephen Tollafield. Moderated by Joshua Gilliland.
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Movies, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

4:30pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #3: After 50 Years, Why Do Spidey Super Stories Comics Still Matter to Autistic Kids and Everybody Else?
Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 210
In the fall of 1974, the prestigious Children’s Television Workshop teamed up with Marvel Comics to publish the Electric Company Spidey Super Stories comic books. The simple, fun, diverse, and relatively nonviolent stories were designed to help 6- to 10-year-olds learn to read, and they have aged surprisingly well. Panel moderator Britton Payne (Nickelodeon), artist and editor John Jennings (MEGASCOPE, Marvel Super Stories), and speech and language therapist Hannah Bogen Novak discuss the origin of the venture, the structure of the stories, the “far-out” concepts (including the first black Spider-Woman, Spider-Man vs. Jaws, and the infamous Thanos-Copter), and the modern developmental value of the 57-issue run and its impact on modern comics for kids.
Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

4:30pm PDT

Gay Geeks and Where to Find Them
Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Nicole Maines (actress and writer), Emmett Yonemura (director, X-Men '97), DJ Croft (cosplayer), and D'Manda Martini (drag artist) gather to discuss their careers and projects, seeking diversity and representation, and how being a member of the community influenced their work. Moderated by Julian Jetson (host and stylist).
Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Comics, Cosplay, Fandom, LGBTQIA+, Television, Writers & Writing

4:30pm PDT

Hanna-Barbera History
Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera were the kings of TV animation for decades, especially on Saturday mornings. Their studio produced countless childhood favorites, including The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear, Space Ghost, Top Cat, Quick Draw McGraw, Jonny Quest, The Smurfs, Superfriends, and dozens of others. Come hear all about what went on in the hallowed halls of Hanna-Barbera from writers Mark Evanier and John Semper (who worked at that studio) and animation historians Jerry Beck and Greg Ehrbar.
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

WonderCon Special Guest
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 →
Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Historical, Humor & Satire, Kids, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:30pm PDT

Terrifying Tropes
Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 208
Alexa Donne (The Bitter End), Liz Kerin (First Light), CJ Leede (American Rapture), Chuck Tingle (Bury Your Gays), and Justine P. Winans (How to Survive a Slasher), moderated by Judy Prince-Neeb (Torrance Public Library), discuss tropes—from familiar elements to the reinvention of beloved classics, designed to quicken one's pulse.
Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

4:45pm PDT

Legion M: Crowdfunding at Its Finest
Friday March 28, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm PDT
North 100B
Legion M, the world’s first fan-owned entertainment company, has pioneered an equity crowdfunding strategy that makes it possible for anyone to become an entertainment investor. Learn how Legion M has brought to the big screen films like Kevin Smith’s Jay and Silent Bob: Reboot; the William Shatner documentary You Can Call Me Bill; and the dramedy My Dead Friend Zoe, starring Sonequa Martin-Green, Ed Harris, and Morgan Freeman—and discover how you, too, can be involved. Legion M co-founders Paul Scanlan and Jeff Annison and executive David Baxter discuss their upcoming projects—most notably Fade to Black, starring Karan Soni (Deadpool film franchise), who will also be featured on the panel.
Friday March 28, 2025 4:45pm - 5:45pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Movies

5:00pm PDT

A Crew Far, Far Away
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 207
What is it like to work on a Star Wars show on Disney+? Key droid technician and puppeteer Mike Senna, droid assistant and puppeteer Victor Franco, and puppeteers William Miyamoto and Rob Wight discuss their experiences working on Skeleton Crew and Kenobi.
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

5:00pm PDT

Comic Pitch Review Friday
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 204C
What is a pitch? A pitch is simply a way to present yourself or your project to others. It is usually a brief speech designed to persuade your listener into supporting what you’re doing or what you’ve made. Giving a good pitch is a vital skill in bringing your project to life. Fortunately, it’s also a skill you can learn and improve with practice—and Pitch Review is a great place to do that. If you’re someone who wants to get better at pitching your work (and especially if you’re a writer or artist attending the Comic Creator Connection immediately after this event), this is your chance to practice giving your pitch and get some invaluable help. Pitch reviews will be conducted by Douglas Neff, a professional speechwriter, speaker coach, and host of the Comic Creator Connection. Note: This is not a typical panel. These are 3- to 5-minute individual coaching sessions for as many people as can be accommodated in the scheduled time. Spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and everyone is welcome to watch and learn from the sessions.
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs

5:00pm PDT

Creating Comics: Ask the Pros
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Jim Krueger (Justice, Earth X), Tim Sheridan (Alan Scott Green Lantern), Zen (Pink Power, HiCon Media), Mathias Lewis (Knowhere Games and Comics, Eisner Awards judge 2024), Jeromy DeChant (senior director communications and strategy. Modern Fantastic), and Mark Habbegar (North County Cartoonist Society, Little Fish Comics) are joined by Brock Smith (The Ferryman) and Christian Pedersen (The Ferryman) of ZRock Comics to field your questions about creating your comic book and breaking into the industry.
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

5:00pm PDT

How to Build a WALL-E 101
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300E
This panel gives a brief description of the WALL-E Builders Club along with details on how to join. Panelists will also discuss some of the basic building techniques, as well as how to bring WALL-E to life as a puppeteer.
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

5:00pm PDT

JAKKS Pacific and Disguise Costumes: Exclusive First Look at Upcoming Releases
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Get ready for a preview of new figures and collectibles dropping soon for Nintendo, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Simpsons, and more. Plus, Disguise Costumes will unveil a lineup of must-have costumes hitting stores this year. Stick around after the reveal for an engaging Q&A session with the panel—and test your knowledge in a fun trivia challenge for a chance to win special prizes!
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

5:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Derek Kirk Kim
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 209
WonderCon special guest Derek Kirk Kim and moderator Jordan Morris (Youth Group) give a special presentation on Derek's career in both comics (The Last Mermaid, Same Difference) and animation (Adventure Time, Amphibia) with lots of giveaways, including a page of original art! Plus, a sneak peek of his upcoming Image Comics graphic novel, Royals (with artist Jacob Perez), performed by Holly Chou (X-Men ‘97), Desmond Chiam (The Falcon and The Winter Soldier), James Chen (The Walking Dead), and James Tang (Squid Game 2)!
Special Guests
avatar for Derek Kirk Kim

Derek Kirk Kim

WonderCon Special Guest
Derek Kirk Kim is an award-winning writer, artist, and director. He is the creator of The Last Mermaid from Image Comics and the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Award–winning graphic novel Same Difference and Other Stories. He garnered his second Eisner Award with The Eternal Smile... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Movies, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

5:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Sam Maggs
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award–nominated writer Sam Maggs (Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars) discusses writing across mediums, genres, and IPs in this fandom-forward one-on-one interview with Dani Carr (Critical Role: The Chronicles of Exandria)
Special Guests
avatar for Sam Maggs

Sam Maggs

WonderCon Special Guest
Sam Maggs is a New York Times bestselling author of books, comics, and video games. Her novels include Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars and The Unstoppable Wasp: Built on Hope. She’s written for games like Call of Duty: Vanguard, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, and Marvel’s Spider-Man... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Comics, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

5:00pm PDT

TTRPG Actual Plays: The Next Generation
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
North 151
For over ten years, players of tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons have been filming and streaming their games to audiences worldwide. These Actual Plays have exploded in popularity but are still in their creative infancy. Panelists will discuss the past, present, and possible future evolution of this unique form of storytelling. Featuring Amy Vorpahl (Sagas of Sundry), Jake Michaels (Good Time Society), and Noxweiler Berf (Hunters Entertainment). Moderated by Edward Doty (creative director, compadre, former producer of Critical Role).
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs

5:00pm PDT

Creators Assemble: Comics Camaraderie Networking Event
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 206B
Together, creators, publishers, comic shop owners, teachers, and library workers have brought greater acceptance to comics and fan culture. Take a break from hectic convention life to experience “speed dating” style networking with diverse comics enthusiasts from all backgrounds. This year’s lineup includes comics industry insiders Bryant Dillon (president, Fanbase Press), Jeromy Dechant (Modern Fanatic), Bre Sarpy (Ignition Press), Alex Antone (Skybound), Morgan Perry (Square Enix), and Mathias Lewis (Knowhere Games & Comics); creators Charlie Stickney (White Ash), David Avallone (Drawing Blood), Jeffrey Snow (Snowstorm Comics), Arthur Ebuen (Studio 12-7), David Booher (Canto), Mog Park (comic artist), Omar Morales (Major Thomás), Dylan Davison (Pretend Man) and Tom Breyfogle (How I Became a Shoplifter); and comics librarians and educators Matthew Atherton, Joel Bakker, Joe Barrette, Moni Barrette, Elias Campos, Janie Ghinazzi, Jenni Powell, Sophia Juarez, Jack Phoenix, and Dan Wood.
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 206B
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, Education, Fandom, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing |   5: Portfolio Review, Books, Comics, Education, Fandom, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

5:15pm PDT

Spotlight on Todd McFarlane
Friday March 28, 2025 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
North 200A
Todd McFarlane takes the stage to share his journey of breaking into comics. From his start with DC and Spider-Man to co-creating Venom, he went on to revolutionize the industry with Spawn, Image Comics, and his ever-expanding empire in entertainment and collectibles.
Special Guests
avatar for Todd McFarlane

Todd McFarlane

WonderCon Special Guest
Todd McFarlane is the Emmy and Grammy Award–winning director/producer and creator of one of the world’s best-selling comics, Spawn. He is known for his work on Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man, where he co-created Venom. Todd is co-founder and President of Image Comics and... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Art and Illustration, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Music, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Televi

5:30pm PDT

Bridging The Expanse: There Are No Small Roles
Friday March 28, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Moderator Michael Pea (senior writer, Friends of Comic-Con) with Krys Keller (professor of creative writing), Robert Hurt (astronomer at CalTech), Krys Blackwood (principal designer, NASA JPL), and Julius Francisco (Southern CA School of Writing 2.0) explore those moments in The Expanse when the players in the smaller roles rise to heroic levels or fall to Stygian depths. “We make it all this way, so far out into the darkness. Why couldn't we have brought more light?”
Friday March 28, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Fandom, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

5:30pm PDT

From Concept to Reality: A Creative's Journey into Unreal Engine and Blender 3D
Friday March 28, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 210
Stephen Burns (3D artist, author), Nikolai Svakhin (Adobe 3D engineer), and Eric Huelsman (Studio Arts Los Angeles) demonstrate the possibilities of using Blender 3D to design and create concepts that aid in telling great stories. Get a comprehensive exploration of Unreal Engine and Blender, two powerhouse tools renowned for their ability to turn concepts into interactive and visually stunning realities. Participants will be guided through the entire creative process, from conceptualizing ideas to mastering the intricacies of Blender's 3D modeling, texturing, and animation, followed by the seamless integration and interactivity provided by Unreal Engine.
Friday March 28, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Education, Seminars & Workshops

5:30pm PDT

SDSA X Marvel: Set Decorators of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Friday March 28, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Set decorators, assemble! Being the set decorator on a Marvel film or TV show is a career highlight. Set decorators from Loki (Claudia Bonfe), Miss Marvel (Karuna Karmarkar), Agent Carter (Ellen Totleben), and others share the joys and the unique struggles of creating sets for some of the comic book world’s biggest screen adaptations.
Friday March 28, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

5:30pm PDT

Storyboarding for Commercials, TV, and More
Friday March 28, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
Rafael Navarro (storyboard artist on The Batman and creator of Sonambulo), Marcus Harris (storyboard artist and penciler/cover artist on Necessary Evil), Chris Kawagiwa (ADG 800 senior artist and creator of Sunless Circus comics), Ralph Miranda (ADG 800 senior artist and co-creator of Oh, Bubba Lu!), and others discuss the evolving entertainment industry and the current state of storyboarding in regards to AI. Hear insights, tips, and lessons on how to stay productive, motivated, and vital as human storytellers. Q&A moderated by Daisy Miranda (co-creator of Oh, Bubba Lu!).
Friday March 28, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

6:00pm PDT

Celebrating Tolkien Reading Day
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 207
TheOneRing.net (TORn) is the longest-running Tolkien fan website based on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien Reading Day is usually celebrated on March 25th (the day the One Ring was destroyed), or as close to that date as we can get. The Tolkien Society started this tradition in 2003 to encourage new fans of the LOTR films to discover more works by Tolkien. TORn staffers Clifford Broadway (host of TORn Tuesday), Kristi Fojtik (founder of Tolkien Forever), Josh Rubinstein (former host of TORn Book Club), Nicole Roberts (TORn outreach coordinator), and friend Rhonda Morgan (Tolkien Forever founding member) will share select passages from several of Tolkien's books, including many you may never have heard of. Moderated by Cathy Udovch (TORn special events coordinator).
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

6:00pm PDT

Hip-Hop and Comics: Cultures Combining
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300A
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; collectors dig through crates for key back issues and rare breakbeats. 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.
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

6:00pm PDT

How to Boldly Go
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
For almost 60 years, Star Trek has boldly gone where no fandom has gone before . . . and shows no signs of slowing down. However, with so much Trek and such little time, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to enter the fandom. A panel of sci-fi and Star Trek pros compare and contrast various series from TV, film, streaming, comics, and novels and give the ultimate top ten essentials for any new Trekkie. Hosted by Tony Kim (Hero Within), with panelists Yezenia Hernandez, Giraffe, Aaron Hendricks, and WonderCon special guest Nicholas Meyer (Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell). Engage!
Special Guests
avatar for Nicholas Meyer

Nicholas Meyer

WonderCon Special Guest
Nicholas Meyer’s Sherlock Holmes novel The Seven-Per-Cent Solution was a New York Times bestseller for 40 weeks and won the British Gold Dagger award for crime fiction. His screenplay for the film was nominated for an Academy Award. Six other Sherlock Holmes novels followed. Meyer... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Comics, Books, Fandom, Historical, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

6:00pm PDT

Next Level 3D Printing
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Is your MK 50 suit melting? Boltgun breaking your back? Looking for inspiration or a creative touch for your next costume or nerdy project for around the house? 3D printing enthusiasts Anastasia Hunter (droid builder and costumer) and Matt Greenberg (manufacturing specialist, nerd) review different printable materials and how to get the most out of them. This program will have demonstrations and fun for everyone, with tips so good even Dr. Doom may lurk in the back taking notes!
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

6:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Darick Robertson
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 209
From Space Beaver to New Warriors to Transmetropolitan to The Boys, Eisner Award-nominee and WonderCon special guest Darick Robertson has been around the block more times than an Uber in a no-parking zone. Moderator, the hilarious Matt Weinhold discusses with Darick his decades-long career in comics working for companies such as DC, Marvel, Image, and now IDW, and what the future may hold. Ask your questions, and hopefully get some answers in this spotlight panel presentation and Q&A.
Special Guests
avatar for Darick Robertson

Darick Robertson

WonderCon Special Guest
Darick Robertson is an American comic book artist, writer, creator, and executive producer with a decades-long career in the industry. His notable works include co-creating with Warren Ellis the award-winning Transmetropolitan and co-creating with Garth Ennis the comic that inspired... Read More →
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

6:00pm PDT

Toonstock’s Sweet 16!
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
North 100B
Toonstock, the entertaining celebration of music in animation, returns with its 16th edition featuring a bevy of tuneful toons and the beloved Batman: The Brave and the Bold sing-along to the landmark “Mayhem of the Music Meister” episode. The Archive Guys Podcast hosts Matt Patterson and DW Ferranti, and moderator Gary Miereanu assemble for a melodious salute with some surprise guests, interactive performances, and oh-so-cool prizes.
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Animation, Fandom, Movies, Music, Superheroes, Television

6:00pm PDT

Writing for Indie Comics
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
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 with the world. Learn the tricks and tips of the trade from writers Tom Pinchuk (Remember Andy Xenon?), Nicholas Doan (The Kid and The Ripper), Daniel Gastelum (CHSR), and Mike Wellman (A Shadow Called Danger). Hosted by David Lucarelli (Tinseltown). Free comics for everyone who asks a question!
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

6:00pm PDT

Protospiel Game Lab
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
North 152
The Protospiel Game Lab at WonderCon (part of d4) is an event where you can bring a board or card game prototype to play with other designers, play testers, and publishers. It's a great way to break your game and fix it. It doesn't matter what level of polish your game has; it can be near final or made on the spot here. This event is open-house style, come and go, intended for both game designers and players who like to try new things. Hosted by Cardboard Alchemy.
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
North 152
  1: Programs

6:30pm PDT

Collider: Shudder’s Clown in a Cornfield
Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
North 200A
Collider senior producer Perri Nemiroff gives and exclusive look at one of Shudder’s hottest upcoming titles, Clown in a Cornfield. Surprise guests from the film will take the stage to offer a sneak peek at the bloody mayhem Frendo the killer clown sparks in the town of Kettle Springs.
Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs

6:30pm PDT

Comic Book Law School®: An Intellectual Property Primer for Creators and Businesses
Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 210
Copyright and trademark are a cornerstone of protection for creators and businesses (whether in comics or otherwise) of their creative works and product branding. With the demand for content continuing to soar, and with more ways to both create and also fund your works than ever, creators will find themselves with myriad opportunities and options for getting their creative works in front of an audience. But beware: with every advancement comes the need for caution, as potential pitfalls abound. More than ever, knowledge of your rights will play a vital role in reaching success in this constantly shifting landscape. Fortunately for you, Jennifer Walters, Foggy Nelson, 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), joined by USD School of Law Professor Monica Sullivan to discuss the basics of intellectual property rights that every creator (and business owner) should know. They’ll address issues such as the ownership and protection of ideas, what exactly copyrights and trademarks are, how to acquire copyrights and trademark rights, and the application of those rights to works of authorship, characters, and names. (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 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Fandom, Games, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Video Games, Web, Writers & Writing

6:30pm PDT

Not So Strange Bedfellows: The Relationship Between Comics and Pro Wrestling
Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
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 Rik Offenberger (First Comics News), Jonathan London (Geekspace), Paul London (Paul London: The Hero of the Prophecy), and Francis Szyskowski (The Massacre Twins). Moderated by Joshua Waldrop (Ultima Comics).
Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

6:30pm PDT

Queer Horror: A Film Guide
Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Queer horror as a film genre has exploded in the last five years, but LGBTQ horror content has been part of the cinema landscape since the very beginning. Prism Comics and moderator Sean Abley (Fangoria contributor, Socket writer/director, creator/co-editor of Queer Horror: A Film Guide) hosts book contributors Calpernia Addams (Transamerican Love Story, Peabody Award–winning author), Michael Varrati (Midnight Mass podcast with Peaches Christ, There’s a Zombie Outside), and Molly Henery (The Blogging Banshee, Uterus Horror for Certified Forgotten); film director and author Sam Irvin (Elvira’s Haunted Hills, Captain Samouflage and the Frankensam Scam!); and cover artist and filmmaker Brendan Haley (The Jessica Cabin,Fangoria Chainsaw Awards).
Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

6:30pm PDT

The First TMNT Movie 35th Anniversary: How It Got to Screen Against All Odds
Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) movie producer Bobby Herbeck discusses all the pitfalls and delays in getting the first TMNT movie made, the onslaught of critics’ negative reviews ("There will only be one of these awful films”), and how seven films later there are more to come. Cowabunga dudes and dudettes!
Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs

7:00pm PDT

Afro-Futurism: Black to the Future VII: Cosplay Heaven (We Didn’t Get All Dressed up for Nothin’!)
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Meet the Black content creators and actors who are pioneering the imaginative use of characters of color in film and television. Panelists will discuss emerging techniques in character portrayal and how Black performers and cosplayers will uniquely impact the entertainment industry. Featuring Kevin Grevious (actor, writer, director, producer, comic book publisher; creator, Underworld and I, Frankenstein), and Rico Anderson (actor, The Orville, Star Trek: Renegades, Grey's Anatomy, S.W.A.T.). Professor Ajani Brown, M.F.A. (lecturer, Africana Studies Department; academic senator, San Diego State University) will introduce the participants. Moderated by Jimmy Diggs (original content producer; screenwriter, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine).
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

7:00pm PDT

EC Fan-Addict Club
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
The EC Fan-Addict Club celebrates 30 years of Horror from the Crypt of Fear and 20 years of The EC Fan-Addict Fanzine. Hosts Thommy Burns (Man and Superman and Other Stories by Harvey Kurtzman, EC Covers Artist’s Edition) and Josh Burns (co-founding admin, EC Fan-Addict Club on Facebook) join EC fanzine publishers Grant Geissman (The History of EC Comics, Tales of Terror! The EC Compendium) and Bill Leach (Horror from the Crypt of Fear) in a celebration of EC fandom moderated by Mike Catron (editor, EC Artist’s Library series from Fantagraphics).
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Anniversaries, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

7:00pm PDT

First Steps: Comic Book Editing
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 209
Barbara Randall Kesel (DC Comics, Dark Horse), Kristen Koerner Simon (Image Comics, Mad Cave), Vince Hernandez (Aspen Comics), and Shannon Eric Denton (Monster Forge, Wildstorm) discuss the importance of working with an editor. Here's your chance to hear tips from experienced talents from a variety of established companies to improve your comic book project. Moderated by freelance editor Zen (Artists Elite Comics).
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs

7:00pm PDT

From Batman to Basquiat: Contemporary Art and Comics
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Comic book characters are a deep source of inspiration for visual artists as avatars of social commentary and contemporary symbolism. Panelists Alma Villegas (senior director of development, Inner-City Arts), Edgar Arceneaux (artist/director, Studio Edgar Arceneaux and USC Roski School of Art and Design), and Patrick A. Reed (curator/pop culture historian, Hip Hop and Comics panels/Marvel museum exhibitions) discuss their work at the intersection of contemporary art, community, museums, and comics, as well as the work of Andy Warhol, Dulce Pinzon, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and others. Moderated by Gustavo Alberto Garcia Vaca (artist/writer/educator, MoMA, LACMA, Beyond Warriors).
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Comics, Education

7:00pm PDT

Star Wars: The Force Awakens: 10th Anniversary with Editor Maryann Brandon
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 207
Moderator Matt Ryan talks with Star Wars: The Force Awakens editor Maryann Brandon about bringing back the Star Wars saga to the big screen. Ms. Brandon will discuss the editing challenges, tribulations, and her perseverance in overcoming production notes from Sith lords. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and take a look back at Ms. Brandon’s career, which includes Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and the J. J. Abrams Star Trek reboot.
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Anniversaries, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

7:00pm PDT

The Mythic World of Blood of Zeus: Behind the Scenes with the Creators and Cast
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Creators Charley Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides will take center stage alongside key members of the production team and an all-star voice cast to discuss the making of Netflix’s hit mythological anime Blood of Zeus. Panelists will include (subject to availability) Michael Hughes (producer), Meredith Layne (casting director, Castlevania, X-Men ’97, Arcane), Derek Phillips (Heron; Friday Night Lights, 42, Shooter), Claudia Christian (Hera; Babylon 5, 9-1-1, Atlantis: The Lost Empire), Cissy Jones (Demeter; Firewatch, Starfield, Elder Scrolls), Courtenay Taylor (Hecate; X-Men ’97, American Dad!), and Vanessa Marshall (Hestia; Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Harley Quinn, Star Trek: Lower Decks). They will delve into the origins of the series, the casting of legendary voices, and bringing Greek mythology to life with breathtaking animation. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, fan Q&A, and maybe even hints about what’s next in the Blood of Zeus universe.
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Television

7:00pm PDT

Comic Creator Connection Friday
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 204C
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 pencillers, 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 28, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs

7:30pm PDT

40 Years of Robotech
Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 300C
In the year 1985, on television stations across the Western Hemisphere, a phenomenal animated event altered the course of broadcast history: Robotech! Celebrate four decades of this amazing franchise that helped launch the global popularity of anime we enjoy today!
Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Animation, Anime & Manga, Anniversaries, Comics, Games, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

7:30pm PDT

Concept to Creation: A Writers Forum
Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 210
Are you passionate about writing, creating, and storytelling? Do you have a book, script, or idea in need of some TLC? Join creative professionals in an engaging, audience-led discussion designed for independent authors, creators, and artists like you! April Wahlin (author, Pandora Syndrome; reality show winner, Search for the Next Elvira) is joined by Chris Gore (creator, Film Threat, Attack of the Doc), Laurine Price (producer and writer, Phoenix), Jessica Maison (author and comics publisher, Wicked Tree Press; Plastic Girl Trilogy, Mary Shelley’s School for Monsters), Aristotle Dreher (content creator and performer, Aristotle Full Throttle, The Stoning Rolls), Dr. Travis Langley (writer, Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight, The Handmaid's Tale Psychology: Seeing Off Red), Alex Langley (writer, Spider-Man Psychology, The Geek Handbook series), and Cosmoe Tayson (producer, The Cosmoe Show; host, Delulu Canoe Podcast).
Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Comics, Education, Games, Writers & Writing, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Technology - Science - STEM, Television, W

7:30pm PDT

Diversity in Fantasy
Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
John Wells III (The Kalib Andrews Chronicles), LaDarrion Williams (Blood at the Root), Paul S. Levine (attorney, executor of Jack Kirby’s Estate, advocate for diversity in comics), Amanda Bolden-Weaver (The Witchkind Series, In the House of Transcendence, No One's Gonna Take Her Soul Away), Mary Ting (ISAN, Crown of Wings and Thorns, Descendant Prophecies), Leon Langford (StarLion), and Alexandra Walker (Spider-Verse Unlimited, Don't Tell The Children) discuss diversity in fantasy and what diverse authors owe their own cultures when writing diverse characters. Q&A session moderated by Tiffie Starchild (content creator).
Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs

7:30pm PDT

The Dad Batch Podcast: Family Reunion
Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 208
The hosts of the Dad Batch Podcast discuss all things prop and costume building, pop culture, and especially Star Wars. Come ready to ask questions and show off what's on your workbench.
Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Movies, Podcasts, Superheroes, Television

7:45pm PDT

Adult Swim’s Lazarus Sneak Peek Screening
Friday March 28, 2025 7:45pm - 8:45pm PDT
North 200A
A special look at the new Adult Swim series Lazarus by anime legend Shinichirō Watanabe. Celebrated for his influential body of work that includes Cowboy Bebop,Lazarus marks Watanabe’s return to the sci-fi action genre with a globe-trotting thriller set in the near future. See episodes 1 and 2 ahead of their premiere on Adult Swim.
Friday March 28, 2025 7:45pm - 8:45pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

Analyzing Arkham Asylum
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Is the Joker actually “insane”? Does Two-Face have “multiple personality disorder” by today’s standards? From an ethical perspective, do Gotham’s rogues belong in prison or in rehab? In works like The Penguin, Joker: Folie a Deux, and Batman: White Knight, DC villains have brought "main character energy" to life, proving themselves as enduring figures in media storytelling—but just how well do these baddies depict the mental health landscape of today, and is there anything wrong with celebrating villain vibes? Media psychologist Drea Letamendi, Ph.D. (Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics), screenwriter Ernie Altbacker (Batman: Hush Animated), and comics writer Kyle Higgins (Nightwing, Batman Beyond 2.0, Batman: Gate of Gotham) deconstruct, decriminalize, and debunk Gotham City’s most notorious institution and the stories behind it. Moderated by Brian Ward (The Arkham Sessions Podcast).
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

Dinosaurs in Pop Culture
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 207
Reysuka (The Cosplaying Paleontologist) shares her expertise on the realism of dinosaurs, from stop-motion B movies to CGI blockbusters like Jurassic Park. Reysuka studies dinosaurs and has been on expeditions to collect dinosaurs in China, Denmark, and South America. She shares her knowledge of paleontology on social media while combining it with cosplay and comedy.
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

In Our Y2K Era: Anime Fandom at the Turn of the Millennium
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Trading tapes with strangers online, reading manga in bookstore aisles, and staying up all night to watch the latest episode of Cowboy Bebop. In a world before streaming, how did anime fans survive? Erica Victoria Espejo (author, The Fangirl Diaries) and Stan "Gekinetic" Oh (League of Legends streamer) discuss what it was like to be an anime fan in the '90s and early '00s.
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

On the Mic Podcast with Tim Drake Live from WonderCon
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 211
Hosted by Tim Drake (Demonetize, Bundy Manor, Funny or Die), 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 co-host Alex Watson (Demonetize, Bundy Manor, Star Wars Fan Film). They will be talking film, TV, and comedy.
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

The GCATs: Geek Culture Aptitude Test
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 209
The Welcome Party (Alix Catherine, Cole Garrison, and JPG) cordially invites you to the GCATs, the Geek Culture Aptitude Test! This is an afterparty game where hosts Victoria Male (film writer, producer, public speaker) and Kim Wong (actress/voice actress; Queen of Tears, Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop) dig deep into their pop culture trivia knowledge and the school lessons they’ve probably already forgotten. Combining trivia questions with the anxiety and panic that standardized tests create, panelists will have the chance to earn points through syntax, mathematical equations, and a secret third subject.
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

True Crime in Comics
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300E
The Cereal Killer duo, Anastasia Washington (Grind) and Maria Spiridigliozzi (LITTOH), are joined by panelists David Crownson (Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer,Killer Bee), Veronica Shea (Criminal Gines), Ashley Maria (Super Human Anxiety), Samantha Hale (Horror Nerd), Melissa Howland (We Are Movie Meeks), Gina Powers Hendry (Deadhead, Gaslighter), and Rebekah McKendry (Fangoria, Shudder) discuss true crime in comics. An interactive panel with guests, prizes, and yes . . . cereal.
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

Bikini Bottom Bash: Tom Kenny & The Hi-Seas
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:30pm PDT
North 100B
Get ready for an electrifying night of music, laughter, and animated mayhem as Tom Kenny & The Hi-Seas team up with Radioactive Chicken Heads for an unforgettable live concert event. Joining the party is Luis Carreño, the beloved Spanish voice of Bob Esponja, making this a truly global SpongeBob celebration! And to keep the energy sky-high, the one and only DJ Lance Rock (Yo Gabba Gabba!) will be spinning and hosting the night, bringing his signature mix of fun and funk. Fans of animation, music, and all things pop culture won’t want to miss this one-night-only spectacle!
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:30pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Animation, Fandom, Humor & Satire, Movies, Music, Television

8:30pm PDT

Bad Medicine: The Best and Worst of Michael Bay
Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 208
Johnny Kolasinski and Dr. Jackson Vane, the creators of Hi Everybody! A Bad Medicine Podcast, along with Dr. Ewa Farrelly, Dr. Courtney Nicholas, and Dr. Greg Winter, discuss what blockbuster director/producer Michael Bay gets right and wrong about medicine and how the body works.
Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

8:30pm PDT

How to Use Hypnotic Language for Dynamic Storytelling
Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 210
Being able to tell engaging stories is an art form. But what if you had specific techniques to capture an audience’s attention? Learn how to hypnotize your audience as certified hypnotherapist Grant Offenberger (Grant Me Peace: Hypnotherapy, Talk Is Jericho) moderates this panel of storytellers who will share their techniques for engaging an audience’s attention. Featuring Maria Kanellis (WWE, Playboy), Jon Allen (Rick and Morty, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure), Tim Chizmar (Comedy Central, FilmThreat Best Indie Horror Film 2024 winner), and Murray Sawchuck (Pawn Stars, Masters of Illusion on CW).
Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

8:30pm PDT

StreetPass OC: Nintendo Quizbowl IX Pokébowl Edition
Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Welcome all to an almost annual tradition at WonderCon: The Nintendo Quizbowl! Do you have what it takes to be a master? Everyone wants to show their skills. Make your way to the top of the hill! Join Kiet Pham, Ryan Lu, and Adam Shere to compete for an opportunity to win prizes. No fish were harmed in the making of this panel.
Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Games, Video Games

8:30pm PDT

Taskmaster LA: Champion of Champions Extravaganza
Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 300C
The Taskmaster LA live-stage comedy show comes to WonderCon! Contestants Johnny Stanton IV (Former NFL fullback, game designer), Kiri Callaghan (author/actor), Lemar Harris (comedian, streamer), and Sarah Durnesque (Pick Your Poison Productions) will be challenged to complete absurd, often hilarious tasks to earn arbitrary points from the Taskmaster Ryan Omega (host/game designer) and Taskmaster assistant Reuben Bresler (game design instructor NYFA). This panel heavily involves the audience, making them an integral part of the fun and chaos!
Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Fandom, Games, Humor & Satire

9:00pm PDT

Advanced Screening of the Season Two Premiere Episode of The Walking Dead: Dead City (AMC/AMC+)
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
North 200A
Get an exclusive advanced screening of AMC’s The Walking Dead: Dead City ahead of the premiere of the second season. The series follows fan-favorite characters Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) as they travel into a postapocalyptic Manhattan, long ago cut off from the mainland. In season 2, in the growing war for control of Manhattan, Maggie and Negan find themselves trapped on opposite sides.
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs

9:00pm PDT

Greatest Comic Book Supervillain Tournament
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Batman was victorious in the 2024 WonderCon Greatest Comic Book Superhero tournament. This year, it’s the villains’ turn. Your favorite comic book supervillains square off in a bracket-style tournament. Listen to GG4G superfan panelists (Joe Queen, Brian Slape, Steve Fromm, Jason Wilkerson, and Robert Lanuza), fill out your tournament bracket, and vote on head-to-head villain matchups until the greatest is crowned! Select audience members will have the opportunity to advocate for their favorite villain throughout the matchups. Who will dominate the vote and reign supreme?
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

9:00pm PDT

Mighty: A Look Back at Browncoat Fandom
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 211
Head out into the black with this shiny crew of panelists as they reminisce about the early days of Browncoat fandom. Learn how a shared love of Firefly's misfit crew evolved into Universal Studios’ fueling Serenity's second chance to fly—this time on the big screen. Celebrate the OB, the heroes of B3, and the formation of long-running social events for good, including "Can't Stop the Serenity" screenings and the Browncoat Ball. This salute to the fandom seeks to answer "What makes Browncoats so mighty?"
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs

9:00pm PDT

Star Wars Trivia Challenge Strikes Back!
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Teams compete in spirited rounds of mind-bending Star Wars trivia ranging from the movies and TV shows to fandom and parody songs. Hosts Richard and Sarah Woloski (Skywalking Through Neverland/Today in Star Wars History) and Leilani Shiu (The Mandalorian,Obi-Wan Kenobi) facilitate the fast-paced fun as teams answer quirky trivia questions. You don’t have to be a trivia expert, and you may even learn some fun Star Wars facts. Prizes! Prizes! Prizes!
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

9:00pm PDT

The Emperor of the Iceberg Lounge: Inside the Mind of the Penguin
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 300A
The new series The Penguin takes viewers deep into the origin of one of Batman’s best-known villains. From being overlooked and disregarded to being the kingpin of Gotham’s underground, the origin story of the Penguin, as told by this series, is psychologically rich, with topics of trauma, relationships, overcoming insecurities, and forming one's identity present in almost every episode. Lorran Garrison, M.A. Ed. (Little Brainstorm), Dr. Sara Roldan (Our Oasis Community Podcast), Travis Adams, L.S.W. (Spider-Man Psychology), and Dr. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology) dive deep and explore the Penguin’s story to understand why he's a fan favorite. Moderated by Dr. Benjamin Taitz (Psychology for Geeks).
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Superheroes, Television

9:00pm PDT

The Same Old Song: Musical Remakes
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 207
Musical theater, once an accessible entertainment medium, at one point became out of reach for the regular consumer—until film brought musicals onto the big screen. With animated music features, traditional musicals, and music-based storytelling becoming more and more accessible again, why are musical remakes so important to the pop culture zeitgeist? The hosts of Nothing New: A Remake Podcast (Andrew Linde and Justin Quizon) are joined by panelists Bethany Brinton (film composer, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Logan), Joy Regullano (actress; creator of the Supportive White Parents musical), and Alix Catherine (host, The Welcome Party) address the renaissance of musical remakes, how retelling a story with song brings new life to the plot, and why so many films’ trailers hide the fact that they are secretly musicals.
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

9:00pm PDT

Upcoming Video Games to Be Hyped For
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 209
Gareth Von Kallenbach joins members of Skewed and Reviewed for a lively look at upcoming video games to be hyped for. This program features a mix of video and Q&A and will cover a wide range of games for current and next-generation systems.
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Games, Video Games
 
Saturday, March 29
 

10:00am PDT

Career Paths into Game Development
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 213CD
As the business of video games now surpasses the annual revenues of both film and music combined, interest in pursuing a career in the game industry has increased staggeringly 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 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

10:00am PDT

Klingon Lifestyles: The WonderCon Edition
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300E
What sort of activities do the crew of the IKV Stranglehold engage in between missions and conventions? They present a special WonderCon mission that may tie into future missions and problems. All alien races are welcome.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Fandom, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

10:00am PDT

Only Murders in the Building: Solve the Editors’ Murder Mystery
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300A
Matt Ryan talks with Only Murders in the Building editors Shelly Westerman and Matthew Barbato about the art of editing Mabel, Charles, and Oliver’s story. Through clips and behind-the-scenes tales, Ms. Westerman and Mr. Barbato will solve the Only Murders in the Building editors’ mystery of how they crafted sequences of comedy, drama, and murder. Celebrate Only Murders in the Building, editing, and how podcasters and event moderators solve crime.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Television

10:00am PDT

Pop Culture as a Sociocultural Predictor
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 211
When it comes to building narratives, the best and most enduring stories are the ones that feel plausible. The more believable the story is, the more we can invest in its fantastical parts. But what happens when fictional stories become reality or when narratives have scarily similar story beats to what we’re experiencing socially, politically, or culturally? The hosts of Tangential Giants Podcast (Kareem Anderson, Patrick Kellenberger, and Ken Rolow) are joined by Arge O'Neal (film/TV editor), Magical Girl Marina (fandom, cosplay content creator), Kimberly Pace-Nieva (standup comic; actor, Open to It), and Ray-Anthony Height (creator/founder, SKYE-TIGER Studio) to talk about recent news stories and their pop culture counterparts, reasons why pop culture can be prophetic at times, and the nature of connecting fiction to reality.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs

10:00am PDT

Remembering Great Comic Book Hero Jules Feiffer
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 209
Starting as an assistant to Will Eisner on The Spirit, through his “Feiffer” syndicated strip, to his groundbreaking history The Great Comic Book Heroes, to movies like Carnal Knowledge and Popeye, to his Kill My Mother graphic novel trilogy, to his many children’s books, Jules Feiffer (who passed away in January at age95) was a true titan in a wide array of media. Remembering Feiffer’s life and career today is an expert panel, including Charles Hatfield (CSU Northridge), Michael Dooley (Art Center College of Design), Jim Thompson (Duke University), and moderator Danny Fingeroth (Will Eisner Studios).
Special Guests
avatar for Danny Fingeroth

Danny Fingeroth

WonderCon Special Guest
Danny Fingeroth is a cultural historian and commentator. His books include Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us About Ourselves and Our Society and Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero. His 2019 biography of Stan Lee, A Marvelous... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Historical, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Tributes, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

10:00am PDT

Storyboarding Screams and Laughs
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 207
How do you craft a compelling story that combines horror and comedy? Movies like Army of Darkness, Zombieland, The Cabin in the Woods, and Renfield all ventured into the realm of chuckles and goosebumps. Join Art Directors Guild/IATSE Local 800 members and hear from storyboard artists behind those pictures as they discuss their contributions to pulling off such a seeming contradiction. Panelists include Doug Lefler (Army of Darkness, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), Joel Venti (Zombieland, Ash vs Evil Dead, The Batman), Simeon Wilkins (The Cabin in the Woods, Hellboy, Black Panther), Robin Richesson (Scary Movie 2, Starship Troopers, Mars Attacks), and Heiko von Drengenberg (Renfield, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Sonic the Hedgehog). Moderated by Storyboard artist Sam Tung (Teacup, Twisters, The Dark Tower).
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

10:00am PDT

Thrilljoy and The Golden Giveaway
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
North 100B
Thrilljoy hosts Brian Mariotti (founder and CEO) and Karissa Marston (director of marketing) are joined by panelists who will help share thrilling updates and spread joy through giveaways. And this isn’t just any giveaway . . . it’s Thrilljoy’s biggest, wildest giveaway ever! Get ready for surprises that will have the entire convention buzzing.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs

10:00am PDT

Let’s Make a Board Game!
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
North 151
Creating your own board game is not only fun, it’s educational! Learn about systems and the iterative process, teamwork, time and resource management, research, critical analysis, and even science, history, math, and language development. This workshop will take you through the rapid prototyping process for a board game facilitated by Aaron Vanek, who has been teaching analog game design to middle school students for more than seven years.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
North 151
  1: Programs, Education, Games, Kids, Seminars & Workshops, Technology - Science - STEM

10:00am PDT

Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 9:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
The annual Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival continues with its three days of short films from around the world for all ages, featuring animation, live-action, and documentaries. 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. For the full LAICFF schedule, click here.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 9:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Education, Kids, Movies

10:00am PDT

Protospiel Game Lab
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 9:00pm PDT
North 152
The Protospiel Game Lab at WonderCon (part of d4) is an event where you can bring a board or card game prototype to play with other designers, play testers, and publishers. It's a great way to break your game and fix it. It doesn't matter what level of polish your game has; it can be near final or made on the spot here. This event is open-house style, come and go, intended for both game designers and players who like to try new things. Help test the next best board games! Hosted by Cardboard Alchemy.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 9:00pm PDT
North 152
  1: Programs

10:15am PDT

Working on the Set: Skeleton Crew and Kenobi
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
North 200A
What is it like to work on a Star Wars show on Disney+? Key droid technician and puppeteer Mike Senna, droid assistant and puppeteer Victor Franco, and puppeteers William Miyamoto and Rob Wight discuss their experiences working on Skeleton Crew and Kenobi.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs, Television

10:30am PDT

Intro to TV Writing: From First Draft to Getting Staffed
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 300C
Moderator Spiro Skentzos (Arrow) and TV writers, showrunners, and executives from your favorite genre shows discuss navigating the TV spec terrain, including beginner’s mistakes, what is looked for in a writer, and what it takes for you to write a killer spec that will stand above the crowd. Be sure to bring your questions.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs

10:30am PDT

Mark Waid: 50 Answers in 50 Minutes.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 213AB
Mark Waid (JLU, Kingdom Come, Daredevil) is here for a rapid-fire, no-boundaries Q&A, answering audience questions about himself, his career, and comics in general! Will he get through 50 questions in 50 minutes? Come prepared to join in and find out!
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Waid

Mark Waid

WonderCon Special Guest
Mark Waid is a multiple New York Times bestselling author whose work has appeared in countless languages across the globe. Over the course of his four decades in the comic book industry, Waid has developed characters and written stories for Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, The Avengers... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

10:30am PDT

Wielders of Mystique: Witches, Fae, Enchanters, and Bloodcarvers
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 208
Authors Vanessa Le (His Mortal Demise), Bree Paulsen (The Firelight Apprentice), Sasha Peyton Smith (The Rose Bargain), and LaDarrion Williams (Blood at the Root) delve into magic systems, power structures, and the creatures who hold their secrets. Moderated by I.V. Marie (Immortal Consequences).
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

10:30am PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #4: Dynamics of Authentic Storytelling: Black Creators Are Essential—Period!
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 210
The lack of Black professionals in comics is staggering, though likely not surprising to those familiar with the complexities of the industry. More often than not, white people provide the primary decision-making concerning the representation of Black characters in comics. The risks of non-Black people crafting stories attempting to reflect Black experiences include inauthenticity, unintended reinforcement of stereotypes, and tokenism for any Black people who may be involved in the creative process. Professionals and scholars Vanessa Hintz (Carroll University), Victor Dandridge, Jr. (Vantage:Inhouse Productions), Ajani Brown (San Diego State University), and John Jennings (MEGASCOPE) discuss the value of authentic representations of Black lived experiences, created for Black people by Black people, and the dynamics and complexities of diversifying representation in both the comics industry and readership.
Saturday March 29, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

11:00am PDT

3rd Annual Scene Breakdown: Behind the Camera of Film and TV Shows
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Industry experts, including producers, directors, editors, and more, share insights into their craft and break down memorable scenes from iconic productions. Discover how these talented professionals bring stories to life. With composer/music producer Aaron Gilhuis (Queen of the Ring), composer Ian Arber (Paris Has Fallen), casting director Jazzy Collins (Very Important People), creators/executive producers Michael Price and Matthew Claybrooks (Lil Kev), and documentary editor Wax Taber (Down To Earth). Moderated by writer/ producer Victoria Male. Part 1 of Impact24 PR’s Panel Superblock.
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Movies, Music, Television

11:00am PDT

Autism in Comics
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 211
Representation matters but comes with complications. Moderator Britton Payne (VP of business and legal affairs, Nickelodeon/Paramount) details the sometimes-troubling history of autistic characters in comic books with panelists Bex Burgess (YA graphic novel Speak Up!) and Eleanor Payne (3rd Grade Inclusion Advocate). They’ll explore how comics as a medium can foster a modern understanding of autism among its readership. Bex will also discuss their experiences as an autistic comic book creator and of creating comic books that feature an autistic main character navigating her way through high school.
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Kids, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

11:00am PDT

Engaging Students with Comics in the Classroom
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Hear 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. Panelists will share resources, tips, and tools you can add to your utility belt. Featuring Jaime Chavez (school counselor, San Diego Unified), Mick Rabin (resource counselor, Youth Advocacy Dept., San Diego Unified), Mike Cruz (elementary teacher, Temecula Valley USD), Ella “Dizzy” Rogosin (social science teacher, Sweetwater UHSD), and Scott Nielsen (mild/moderate special education teacher, Grossmont UHSD) and moderated by Jewyl Alderson (San Diego County Office of Education). You too can become a super teacher!
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

11:00am PDT

The Five Secrets of Cosplay Leathercraft
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Want to make something out of leather but don't know where to start? Amy and Brayton Carpenter (owners, Legendary Costume Works) demonstrate how to tackle a leathercraft project from beginning to end, including tips and tricks from the pros and where to buy leather and tools.
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

11:00am PDT

You Got Comics in My Games! You Got Games in My Comics!
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209
Comics and games are the two largest mediums in geek culture that intersect for most of fandom. From adaptations of the same IPs to why fans love both of them is explored by creators and players alike. Why choose comics or games when you can fall in love with both?
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Comics, Fandom, Games, Superheroes, Television, Video Games

11:00am PDT

Your Vampire Story
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 207
Whether you’re halfway done with your vampire saga or just jotting down ideas for an urban fantasy novel, this panel is for you. Industry story veterans Stephan Franck (writer/creator/artist, Silver; animation supervisor, Marvel’s What If? . . .),Brandon Easton (writer, Vampire Hunter D: Message from Mars, Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy), and Doug Lefler (director, The Last Legion,Xena Warrior Princess) share their vast knowledge of storytelling and answer your writing questions. Moderated by Sean Rourke (host, The Vampire’s Castle YouTube channel). Your Nosferatu epic awaits!
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Books, Education, Horror and Suspense, Writers & Writing

11:00am PDT

Shattering the Fourth Wall: Breaking into a Gaming Career
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
North 151
Gaming industry professionals Jon Wolheim (VP, People and Culture), Chris Castagnetto (advisory board member), and other members of the Games for Love team and gaming professionals hold an open conversation around recruiting, partnerships, and marketing. Learn how charities are helping to make a difference in gaming.
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs, Games, Video Games

11:15am PDT

11th Annual Women Rocking Hollywood Panel: Surviving and Thriving in a Changing Landscape
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
North 100B
The last few years have been difficult for artists working in the screen industries. This has been especially true for women. And yet, they persevere. This year’s panel celebrates the showrunners, directors, and advocates creating great work despite the challenges. From fan favorites to genre films and compelling stories on the small screen, female filmmakers reflect diverse voices onscreen. This panel of powerful women changing the landscape of film & TV from the inside discusses their newest projects and how they navigate the worlds inside and outside Hollywood. Scheduled to appear are writer/executive producer Aeysha Carr (Woke, the upcoming Government Cheese), director Rosemary Rodriguez (Peacemaker, The Walking Dead franchise), producer/executive producer Dara Resnick (Daredevil, Home Before Dark), writer/executive producer Carla Ching (Fear the Walking Dead, Mr. & Mrs. Smith), writer/executive producer Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (Up Here, Survival of the Thickest), and advocate Chandra Jackson (director of marketing and communications for Women in Film). Moderated by Leslie Combemale (lead contributor, Alliance of Women Film Journalists).
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, BIPOC, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing |   U: Updated, Action/Adventure, BIPOC, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

11:30am PDT

BAD IDEA: The WonderCon Panel
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
BAD IDEA impresarios Dinesh Shamdasani, Peter Stern, Benjamin Simpson, and Siena Fallon give an exclusive look at BAD IDEA's biggest slate yet! Witness new art from Planet Death, Ordained, Survive, Cul-De-Sac, Habitat, Hero Trade, and much more. Plus, surprise panelists and a convention exclusive giveaway!
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Comics

11:30am PDT

Graphic Novels vs. Prose
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 208
In the YA and MG world, there are several popular prose books and graphic novels. Moderator Joshua Pruett (Gyro and the Argonauts), and authors Sara Phoebe Miller (You Belong Here), Simón Estrada (Otto Normal's Monsterton), Tom Phillips (The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves), and Patrick Ness (Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody) discuss the different challenges of creating their stories, characters, and plots.
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Comics, Education, Kids, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

11:30am PDT

Pitching Film and Television
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Pitching is a critical skill for a career in screen or television writing. Writers Douglas J. Eboch (Sweet Home Alabama, The Hollywood Pitching Bible), J. Holtham (Supergirl, The Handmaid’s Tale), Spiro Skentzos (Arrow, Grimm), Jill Blotevogel (Scream: the TV Series,Eureka), and Karen Stillman (The Assets, Smoke Screen) and producer Ken Aguado (An Interview with God, The Salton Sea) discuss pitching original ideas as well as pitching to win assignments for movies and television. They’ll delve into how to identify what’s unique and marketable about your concept, how to construct a compelling pitch, and how to present it effectively.
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing

11:30am PDT

Writing the DC Universe Animated Movies
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
North 200A
An alumni reunion of screenwriters from the 18-year history of the DC Universe animated movies gives you the lowdown on the creation of some of the most beloved animated films in superhero history—and how those treasured words were crafted for the screen. Hear from popular writers Tim Sheridan (Batman: The Long Halloween), Meghan Fitzmartin (Justice Society: World War II), Jeremy Adams (Batman: Soul of the Dragon), Jim Krieg (Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths), Ernie Altbacker (Justice League Dark: Apokolips War), and others as they give insight into honing your skills as a professional animation writer. Come for the writing tips and stay for the audience Q&A, when moderator Gary Miereanu will reward the best questions with some limited-edition prizes.
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs, Animation, Education, Fandom, Kids, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

11:30am PDT

The Game Pitch Review
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm PDT
Room 204C
The game pitch review is conducted by a panel of professional game developers who will offer their invaluable advice and insights to those seeking to further their dreams of making their game idea a reality. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch a game for around 5 minutes and then receive constructive feedback on how it went. This session will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, and sign-ups will be taken on-site.
Saturday March 29, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs

12:00pm PDT

5th Annual “It’s Alive!”: Designing Sci-Fi, Horror, and Comic Book Genre Film and TV
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Industry professionals reveal how they bring worlds and characters to life through the artistry of editing, music, sound, and more. With editor Brett W. Bachman, ACE (Companion, Heart Eyes), re-recording mixer Christina “Chuyue” Wen (What We Do in the Shadows Season 6), VFX supervisor/2nd unit director Johnny Han (HBO and DC’s The Penguin), editor/director Jon Dudkowski (Star Trek: Discovery), and composers Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson (Cobra Kai, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man). Moderated by director/actor/writer/co-founder of Not Your Daddy's Films Carlye Tamaren. Part 2 of Impact24 PR’s Panel Superblock.
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Fandom, Movies, Music, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

12:00pm PDT

Avengers Assemble! Suiting Up and Serving Others with Marvel Causeplay
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Marvel fans, are you interested in cosplay but unsure where to begin? Or perhaps you've suited up before but are curious how to use your fandom for a good cause. Members of the Avengers Initiative, a national fan organization of Marvel cosplay volunteers, discuss how to get started in cosplay as well as giving back to your communities via charity service events, visiting kids in hospitals, and much more. Bryan Lee (head executive officer, Avengers Initiative) moderates panelists Jen Athey (commanding officer, West Coast Avengers of California), Alice Irvin (executive officer, West Coast Avengers of California), Coby Thornton (commanding officer, Avengers Mid-Pacific of Hawaii), Mark Chu-Lin (head commanding officer, Avengers Initiative), and Judy Stephens (author of Cosplay the Marvel Way and co-founder of the Women of Marvel podcast).
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

12:00pm PDT

Main Character Energy
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
Everyone may be the hero of their own story, but what does it take to summon main character energy that can carry a compelling narrative, whether in romantasy, folklore, mystery, silent film stunt work, or high-tech suspense? Rachel Howzell Hall (The Last One), Darby Kane (What the Wife Knew), Autumn Krause (Before the Devil Knows You're Here), Nicole Maggi (A Murder in Zion), Mallory O’Meara (Daughter of Daring), and Sara Sligar (Vantage Point) discuss how their MCs hold center stage and strive against conflicts and obstacles; moderated by Southern CA Bookseller Maryelizabeth Yturralde.
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Horror and Suspense, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Ultima Comics: Kickstarting A Distribution Revolution
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
Coming off of our first successful crowdfunding effort, Ultima Comics is excited to share about the process of running and fulfilling a successful campaign, what's up with the Founding Four, how Ultima is viewing change as an opportunity as it pertains to the distribution disruption and a look ahead of what's to come this summer! Featuring Francis Ssyskowski (The Massacre Twins), Todd Tochioka (Meat Farm), and Anthony Ray Bench (Ultima Comics). Moderated by publisher/EIC, Joshua Waldrop.
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

12:00pm PDT

Where Do Ideas Come From?
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
For artists and writers who get “stuck”! Veteran writer/editor Barbara Randall Kesel (Hawk & Dove, Marvels Snapshots: Avengers) slings rapid-fire tips, tricks, and strategies for vanquishing those blocked brain cells and deadline demons! Part information, part motivation, all entertaining!
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Education, Humor & Satire, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Women in Comics: How Much Do You Really Know?
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Jeopardy fans rejoice! We present to you the state of women in the comics industry—past, present, and future—in a fun quiz show format. Editor/journalist Heidi MacDonald (Comics Beat, Publishers Weekly) joins comics and TV writer Amy Chu (Carmilla: The First Vampire, Red Sonja) and writers Tilly Bridges and Susan Bridges (Monster High, Star Trek Prodigy). Winners get a No-Prize!
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

12:00pm PDT

Roll for Initiative: TTRPG Content Creators Combating Imposter Syndrome and Burnout
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
North 151
Moderator Jes Wade (tabletop charity content producer) leads five talented (and busy) tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) content creators through a discussion on content fatigue and imposter syndrome. Aleks David Royt (co-creator of StoryQuest and prop master for Encounter Party), Brooke Eyler (cosplayer and professional dungeon master), Mayanna Berrin (writer and TTRPG performer), Cai Kagawa (costumer and TTRPG performer), and Johnny Stanton (creator of SINK RPG) explore combat in TTRPGs through the lens of defeating self-doubt and taking care of themselves with long rests.
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs

12:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #5: Violence and Chaos on the Margins and in the Gutter
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 210
Juan Carlos Fermin (University of California, Irvine) compares Art Spiegelman's Maus and Joe Sacco's Palestine, examining their formal, narrative, and rhetorical content as commentaries on imperialism, fascism, ethnic nationalism, and how these forces rise to power. Mike Bittner (Stanford University) looks at the ways Native superheroes continue to be portrayed in mainstream comics and beyond, and how those representations can lead to harmful assumptions being made during wartime. Anuradha Dosad (Adamas University) uses the psychoanalytical theories of Sigmund Freud and the Lacanian framework of symbolic, real, and imaginary stages of the personality structure to offer insight into the mechanics of sequential narratives featuring the Joker. Daniel Ambord presents a feminist reading of Peter Milligan's Sub-Mariner: The Depths with an eye to what it has to teach us about Western attitudes towards chaos.
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

12:30pm PDT

Building New Worlds with DSTLRY
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
The pioneers of creator-owned comics work whole-cloth, not only to construct characters and plots, but to develop sprawling worlds and ecosystems with a scope that defies expectation. The creators on this panel represent this era’s biggest mythmakers, traversing media to establish new frontiers of fiction. Chuck Austen (Defiant), Joe Henderson (The Big Burn), and Scott Hoffman (Warm Fusion) deconstruct the art of summoning new universes from their imaginations. Moderated by Sami DeMonster.
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs

12:30pm PDT

Close Look at Graphic Novels
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
From inception to the shelf, graphic novels are a labor of love, patience, creativity, and a whole lot of perseverance—and no one knows that better than creators Jen Wang (Ash’s Cabin), Jordan Morris (Youth Group), Brittney Williams (Mixed-Up), and Sara Phoebe Miller (You Belong Here). They explore the making of a graphic novel, including the journey of bringing their own recent and upcoming graphic novels to life. Moderated by Thien Pham (Family Style).
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

12:30pm PDT

Everyone's a Critic: Being a Journalist in an Online Age
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300C
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. This panel of writers and hosts from CBR, Geek Magazine, Digital Bits, Bleeding Cool, Film Threat, and others will talk about the roles new media play between their readers and the industries and communities they serve. Topics include varying levels of informality vs. classic ideas of professionalism, show-specific outlets vs. general news sites, and more.
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Comics, Fandom, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing

12:30pm PDT

World of X-Men '92 and X-Men '97
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
North 100B
Eric and Julia Lewald (X-Men story editors), Rick Hoberg (X-Men character designer), Mark Lewis (X-Men production artist), Cal Dodd (voice of Wolverine), Chris Potter (voice of OG Gambit/Cable), Isaac Robinson-Smith (voice of Bishop), Matthew Waterson (voice of Magneto), and Lenore Zann (voice of Rogue) discuss their behind-the-scenes experiences. Everyone will participate in a Q&A session by moderator Larry Houston (X-Men'92 producer/director).
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs

12:45pm PDT

Dive Deep with Clips and Conversations with Prime Video’s Invincible
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
North 200A
Co-showrunner and executive producer Simon Racioppa, art director Dou Hong, and supervising producers and supervising directors Shaun O’Neil and Dan Duncan discuss key storylines and groundbreaking moments from season 3 of Invincible. The series is based on the award-winning comic book series by Robert Kirkman, co-creator Cory Walker, and contributing creator Ryan Ottley.
Saturday March 29, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

2nd Annual All in the Details: Costume, Makeup, and Hair Design for Film and TV
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Step behind the curtain of popular film and television projects to discover what it takes to bring characters to life! Composers, costume designers, makeup artists, and hair designers share their creative process and reveal how they transform actors into unforgettable characters. Featuring director Carlos Baena (Star Trek: Unification), prosthetics designer Chris Bridges of Gaslight FX (Heretic), costume designer Cris Araujo (Uglies), makeup department head Desiree Falcon (Thelma), co-composer Michael Paraskevas (Agatha All Along), and composer Tim Kelly (Watchmen Chapter I and II). Moderated by actor Chris Villain. Part 3 of Impact24 PR’s Panel Superblock.
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

1:00pm PDT

Get Cozy
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 209
Get ready to unwind and step into a realm of enchanting, low-stakes adventures with Ann Aguirre (I Think I’m in Love with an Alien), C. B. Lee (Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe), S. A. MacLean (The Phoenix Keeper), Annalee Newitz (Automatic Noodle), and Purpah (Suitor Armor). Moderated by Michelle Bucud (Mysterious Galaxy).
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

Gremlins: The Wild Batch Screening and Q&A
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
Mogwai Rule #5: Never miss a Gremlins panel! The cast and producers of the hit Warner Bros. Animation and Max Original animated prequel series show an exclusive screening of a never-before-seen episode, followed by an in-depth discussion of season 2. Hear straight from the creatives and voice actors about crafting this current chapter of the beloved franchise, and enjoy a sneak peek at the mystery and mayhem ahead for Gizmo, Sam, and Elle along their epic American West adventure. Gremlins: The Wild Batch is produced by Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Animation.
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Kids, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

1:00pm PDT

Tarzan’s Creator Celebrates 150 Years!
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
A century and a half ago, a man was born who changed the face of popular culture, writing some of the most iconic and bestselling books of the 20th century and spawning a multimedia franchise that has endured to this day: Edgar Rice Burroughs, creator of Tarzan of the Apes and John Carter of Mars! The team at Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.—James Sullos (president), Cathy Wilbanks (vice president of operations), and Christopher Paul Carey (vice president of publishing)—discuss this monumental milestone as well as announce the next wave of forthcoming Burroughs projects. Wolf Larson—writer, producer, former Tarzan TV star, and now head of ERB Entertainment—will also be on hand to discuss the company’s new entertainment division, including an ERB Universe animated TV series in development and other prospects for both the big and small screens.
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anniversaries, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Historical, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

1:00pm PDT

The Official Disneybound Panel: Bringing Bounding to All Fandoms!
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300E
The creator of the viral The Disneybound Blog and author of Disney Publishing’s DisneyBound: Dress Disney and Make It Fashion, Leslie Kay, and a panel of (Disney)bounding pros Dolly Lee, Clarione Gutierrez-Owens, and Helen Kelly Davis share their expertise in conceptualizing, building, and styling and how to apply that knowledge and creativity to fandoms from across other universes, mediums, and more. Moderated by Kelsey Walmer.
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

What's Next for Comics Censorship
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
The new year has brought new challenges to free expression through the comic arts, and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is here to share the latest news and strategies. How could new laws affect comic books, graphic novels, manga, and even cosplay? What is happening with the CBLDF's current court cases? What is the connection between the attempted TikTok ban and the Comics Code—and what, if anything, can be done about censorship on online platforms? Interim director Jeff Trexler and others will share their thoughts on these and other important issues, as well as what you can do to make a difference.
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

StoryQuest Live: A D&D Space Pirate Audience One-Shot
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
North 151
The StoryQuest crew embarks on a comedic, improvised D&D one-shot that brings the audience along for the ride. Combining their storytelling, improv, and comedy skills, the folks from Story Quest (David Tilstra, Aleks David Royt, Oscar Montoya, Mayanna Berrin, Reed Sights, Jordy Martin, and Serenity Garcia) aim to tell a satisfying, collaborative, and family-friendly story on the WonderCon stage. A focus on the introduction to TTRPG games will be a guiding principle, on top of teaching audience members about storytelling strategies and how they can be a joint effort. Audience participation is both invited and encouraged, and prizes will be given out to the most enthusiastic audience members!
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs

1:30pm PDT

Modville: Ridley Scott's First Graphic Novel
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
Jesse Negron (Mechanical Cake), Tom Moran (Scott Free), Dave Elliott (Mechanical Cake), and Anthony Francisco (senior visual development artist for Marvel Studios) discuss what is on the horizon for Mechanical Cake and Scott Free, starting with their debut graphic novel, Modville, Ridley Scott’s first foray into graphic novels. Modville is a sci-fi Southern Gothic crime drama with AI humans in future New Orleans. Moderated by Chris Northrop (Horrible Future). Book 1 of Modville is written by Jesse Negron and drawn by Hendry Prasetya and Eko Puteh.
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

1:30pm PDT

Spotlight on Denys Cowan
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
In a nearly 50-year journey, Denys Cowan, has carved out one of the most unique and varied resumes in the history of comics, ranging from comic book creator, animation producer/director, wrestling manager, and even whiskey pitchman. Michael Stradford, author of the upcoming career retrospective book, Graphic Samurai: The Art of Denys Cowan has a conversation with the man himself about his past, present, and future!
Special Guests
avatar for Denys Cowan

Denys Cowan

WonderCon Special Guest
A co-founder of Milestone Media, which sold over 10 million copies of groundbreaking comic books, Denys Cowan has numerous credits to his name, including Black Racer, Deathstroke, Black Lightning & Hong Kong Phooey, Batman: Lovers & Madmen, Blind Justice, Black Panther: Flags of Our... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

1:30pm PDT

The Writer's Journey: Your IP Will Save the World
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
In a rapidly changing and unpredictable entertainment landscape, the one thing everybody can agree on is that writers need to create their own intellectual properties (IP) and get that material into the marketplace ASAP for any chance at success. This can be a challenging concept for creators at every level of their careers, and there's no single path to victory. Creators David Crowson (Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Mechcraft) join others who have taken their IPs from concept to execution and managed to build strong careers from their efforts. Moderated by Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron, Iyanu).
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Education, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Writers & Writing

1:30pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #6: Comics, Form, and Genre
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 210
Ishita Sehgal (Indiana University, Bloomington) explores the construction and reproduction of memory through the graphic medium while focusing on female authorial agency in Malaka Gharib’s I Was Their American Dream, Mira Jacobs’s Good Talk, and Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis. Audrey Garcia (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) uses Maaheen Ahmed’s theory of openness in comics in a case study of 1940s Franco-Belgian cowboys to examine social values in children’s comics magazines. Callum McNutt (Cape Breton University) argues for the integrity of the Batman Noir series, notwithstanding its having appeared originally as individual comics written and drawn by different artists. Michael Mazzacane (University of California, Los Angeles) reads Spy x Family through the lens of asexuality in order to deconstruct compulsory sexuality and gender through the manga's reflexive construction of the “normal” heterosexual family.
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

1:45pm PDT

DC: Superman with Mark Waid and Dan Slott
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
North 100B
Celebrated storytellers Mark Waid and Dan Slott come together in this fun panel as they discuss their love of Superman and share what’s in store for the Man (and Boy) of Steel in Action Comics and Superman Unlimited.
Special Guests
avatar for Dan Slott

Dan Slott

WonderCon Special Guest
Dan Slott has worked with Marvel for many years, giving fans an action-packed 10-year run on The Amazing Spider-Man! His writing credits include She-Hulk, Avengers, Batman, and The Silver Surfer. He recently finished working on a run of The Fantastic Four and Iron Man. Currently... Read More →
avatar for Mark Waid

Mark Waid

WonderCon Special Guest
Mark Waid is a multiple New York Times bestselling author whose work has appeared in countless languages across the globe. Over the course of his four decades in the comic book industry, Waid has developed characters and written stories for Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, The Avengers... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

2:00pm PDT

Lord of the Rings: Previewing Upcoming Projects
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
Fans from TheOneRing.net Josh Rubinstein (former host of TORn Book Club), Kristi Fojtik (founder of Tolkien Forever), Clifford Broadway (host of TORn Tuesday), Cathy Udovch (senior features programmer at the Newport Beach Film Festival), and Nicole Roberts (TORn outreach coordinator) discuss all the new LOTR movies, TV shows, games, and books from Middle-earth. Is it all connected? Where are Tolkien stories headed after the recent releases of The War of the Rohirrim and season 2 of The Rings of Power? Hear all the news and rumors lighting up the community. Moderated by Justin Sewell (producer of TORn Tuesday).
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs

2:00pm PDT

Next-Gen Nerds
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A
What happens when big nerds raise little nerds? Do powers multiply with each new generation? A group of professional geek and nerd parents discuss how nerdy jobs, hobbies, and fandoms inform parenting and help guide parents in raising the next generation of physically and emotionally healthy nerds.
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Kids, Seminars & Workshops

2:00pm PDT

Scott Dunbier and Act 4 Publishing: Breaking Free!
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
Act 4 Publishing is off and running! Scott and Amanda Dunbier walk fans through what is in store for discerning aficionados of Artist’s Editions, deluxe archival collections, and even some brand-new comics. Besides the recently announced Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition and Darwyn Cooke’s The Complete Spirit Connoisseur Edition, they’ll be announcing several new releases in the coming year—all with lots of art presented.
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics

2:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Yaya Han
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
This is your chance to get to know WonderCon special guest Yaya Han as a designer, cosplayer, and author. Ask her questions on cosplay-related topics, as well as her experiences going to cons, making costumes, dressing up, and traveling worldwide.
Special Guests
avatar for Yaya Han

Yaya Han

WonderCon Special Guest
Yaya Han is a cosplayer, designer, and author with more than 20 years of activity in the fandom world. Yaya has made over 400 costumes and has been featured in two U.S. network TV shows, countless magazines, books, newspapers, and online media. Yaya’s work has impacted cosplay profoundly... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Books, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

The Folio Society: What Makes a Marvel Story Unforgettable
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 207
For 85 years, Marvel has built an unparalleled library of characters and stories that have shaped pop culture. What makes a Marvel story unforgettable? Is it the classic characters, the dynamic dialogue, or the action and adventure? Acclaimed writer and actor Patton Oswalt chats with acclaimed writer Jordan Blum about Marvel Comics storytelling.
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

2:00pm PDT

What’s the Buzz with The Beat: Inside the News
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
ComicsBeat kicks off its 21st year with discussions of all the hottest stories in comics and entertainment. Editor-in-chief Heidi MacDonald is joined by a panel of experts who will give you the inside scoop on what’s in and what’s out. Bring your most burning questions! With Heidi MacDonald, Yael Tygiel (Inside the Con, Fanversations), Henry Barajas (Death to Pachuco, Gil Thorp), Patrick Meaney (House of Demons), and others.
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

2:00pm PDT

Gaming Creator Connection
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 204C
The Gaming Creator Connection is an opportunity for game developers—whether currently working in the industry or aspiring to do so—to receive valuable advice, insights, and mentoring from seasoned veterans of the game industry representing diverse professional backgrounds. The GCC is a perfect opportunity to seek expert guidance in art/design, narrative, business, and career advice. Participants will have 10–15 minutes to speak with a mentor and will be able to rotate between mentors during the two-hour session in order to maximize the amount of feedback.
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs

2:30pm PDT

A Conversation with Ronald D. Moore: Why Replicators Are [Still] The Worst
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 200A
From humble beginnings as a member of the official fan club to writing and producing three Star Trek series (and two movies!), reimagining the classic 1970s series Battlestar Galactica as perhaps one of the greatest modern television series of all time, adapting the beloved book series Outlander for the small screen, capturing our imaginations with the hopeful and inspirational For All Mankind, and much, much more: a conversation with the one and only Ronald D. Moore, moderated by Mary Anne Butler (editor-in-chief, Nerdbot).
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs, Movies, Podcasts, Television, Writers & Writing

2:30pm PDT

From Fantasy to Thriller: The Many Faces of YA
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Dive into the captivating world of Young Adult fiction with a panel of celebrated authors who masterfully traverse diverse genres. Jade Adia (Batgirl: Possession), LaDarrion Williams (Blood at the Root), and Alexa Donne (The Bitter End) share their insights and experiences on crafting the perfect YA novel, no matter the genre. From the enchanting realms of fantasy to the heart-pounding twists of thrillers, discover the secrets behind creating stories that resonate with young readers. Moderated by I. V. Marie (Immortal Consequences).
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs

2:30pm PDT

Production to Distribution: Thinking Outside the Box
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
Kumari Bakhru (Paramount, Disney; teacher), Susan Spohr (postproduction supervisor, associate producer, author), Victoria Blake (distributor, Seismic Releasing), and Valerie Lettera-Spletzer (DreamWorks Animation; animator, content creator) talk about the latest in the industry, and everything from developing your project to distributing it and finding creative ways through production. Moderated by Dustin Quick (actress, model, musician, and filmmaker).
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Education, Movies, Music, Seminars & Workshops, Technology - Science - STEM, Writers & Writing

2:30pm PDT

The Mighty Crusaders
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
In 1939, MLJ Comics, the company later rebranded as Archie Comics, published Blue Ribbon Comics, entering the world of superheroes with Bob Phantom. They would go on to create a pantheon of superheroes, including the first patriotic superhero, The Shield, as well as fan favorites like The Comet, Hangman, The Fly, Lancelot Strong, and many more. These heroes have appeared in both Archie Comics and DC Comics. Their stories have been reprinted in England, France, Germany, and Brazil. They have crossed over to radio, film, and the pulps. Presented here is the 86-year history of the greatest superheroes of the Archie Universe. Moderated by Rik Offenberger (The MLJ Companion), with Tim Chizmar (Fangoria, co-chair of the Horror Writers Association), and Ray MacKay (Big Bang Comics, EYRIE magazine).
Saturday March 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Historical, Superheroes

3:00pm PDT

A Faith-Full Dickens Tale: The King of Kings Animated Movie
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 207
Get the inside scoop on The King of Kings, an all-new, faith-based family film starring the voices of Kenneth Branagh, Oscar Isaac, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, Sir Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, Forest Whitaker, and more. In the film, Charles Dickens (Branagh) and his son Walter embark on a multidimensional adventure as the master storyteller engages his youngest son’s vivid imagination with the fascinating life of Jesus (Isaac), his well-known trials and tribulations, and his notable colleagues and foes. The film’s rich animation allows the Dickens pair (and the family cat, Willa) to become intrinsically immersed in the ancient tale. The result is an animated film that makes the biblical journey easily relatable, readily understood, and captivatingly entertaining for families and, especially, children of all ages. The film’s director/producer Seong-ho “Jay” Jang (Joint Security Area,The Taste of Money), producer and BAFTA Award-winning cinematographer Woo-Hyung Kim, co-screenwriter Rob Edwards (Captain America: Brave New World, Disney’s The Princess and the Frog) are joined by Emmy Award–winning casting/dialogue director and executive producer Jamie Thomason (Young Justice,Spirited Away, The Tigger Movie), ), Angel Studios chief distribution officer Jared Geesey, and several of the film’s acclaimed voice actors like Jim Cummings (voice of Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck), James Arnold Taylor (Star Wars animated franchise), Fred Tatasciore (Hit Monkey, I Am Groot), and Vanessa Marshall (Harley Quinn, Star Wars Rebels) to reveal the magic behind the making of this imaginative film. Publicist Gary Miereanu moderates. Produced by Mofac Studios and distributed by Angel Studios, The King of Kings arrives in theaters on April 11.
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Books, Historical, Kids, Movies

3:00pm PDT

Comixology Originals: Lights, Camera . . . Comics!
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Actor Thomas Jane (Troppo, The Lycan), writer/producer Matthew Arnold (Emerald City, Eden), animator/producer and writer Chuck Austen (She-Ra and the Princess of Power, The Tormented, Edgeworld), and newcomer Omar Morales (Major Thomás, LA Strong) discuss comics, storytelling, their passions, inspirations, and latest projects. Moderated by Barbra Dillon of Fanbase Press.
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

Figure Drawing for Popular Media
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 210
Emilio Soltero, Ph.D., M.A. (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. The focus will be on anatomy and figure drawing. Emilio will lecture and demonstrate on figure drawing.
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

Frankensteining Patterns for Cosplay
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Creating cosplays can be a challenge, from patterning to sewing and more. It can be even more of a challenge to know where to start. Join Hylian Cream, a master-level cosplayer, sewing educator, and Janome maker, in learning how to "Frankenstein" commercial sewing patterns into the perfect fit for your next cosplay build. This program will include interactive elements and go over important, beginner-friendly details to help you get started.
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Fandom, Seminars & Workshops

3:00pm PDT

How RoboForce and Biker Mice from Mars Kicked Off a New Universe
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
From executive producers Dwayne Johnson, Brian Volk-Weiss, and Dany Garica comes RoboForce: The Animated Series. This six-episode series is the first installment in the Nacelleverse, an interconnected universe of animated shows and toys that includes Biker Mice from Mars, Sectaurs, Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, The Great Garloo, and Power Lords.Brian Volk-Weiss (The Toys That Made Us, Disney's Behind the Attraction) and the Nacelle team discuss RoboForce: The Animated Series, show exclusive never-before-seen clips, and tell behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the show.
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

Queer Comics in Color
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
More and more, diverse cultural voices of people of color are being heard in comics today. Prism Comics, moderator Viktor Kerney (StrangeLore, We Belong), and panelists Amy Chu (Carmilla: The First Vampire,Red Sonja), Ajuan Mance (Gender Studies), William O. Tyler (Queerbait), and others discuss the contributions of queer people of color to comics and creating a more inclusive and powerful queer geek community.
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, LGBTQIA+

3:00pm PDT

Tales From My Spinner Rack LIVE!
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
With the new Fantastic Four: First Steps movie coming out in just a few short months, Gary Sassaman (former director of programming and publications, Comic-Con and WonderCon) takes a nostalgic look back at “The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine!” in this graphics-filled presentation featuring the “first steps” of the Fantastic Four comic book series by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Joining Sassaman to discuss growing up with the FF and Kirby’s boundless creativity is WonderCon special guest Mark Evanier (Kirby: King of Comics, Groo the Wanderer), friend and former assistant of the artist.
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

WonderCon Special Guest
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 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Superheroes, Humor & Satire, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

3:00pm PDT

Two Legends
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 100B
Jim Lee and Todd McFarlane talk comics, careers, and friendship.
Special Guests
avatar for Jim Lee

Jim Lee

WonderCon Special Guest
Jim Lee, the world-renowned comic book artist, writer, editor, and publisher, is currently president, publisher, and chief creative officer of DC. He leads creative efforts to integrate DC’s publishing portfolio of characters and stories across all media, supporting Warner Bros... Read More →
avatar for Todd McFarlane

Todd McFarlane

WonderCon Special Guest
Todd McFarlane is the Emmy and Grammy Award–winning director/producer and creator of one of the world’s best-selling comics, Spawn. He is known for his work on Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man, where he co-created Venom. Todd is co-founder and President of Image Comics and... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Art and Illustration, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Music, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Web, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Ap

3:00pm PDT

From Dice Rolls to Digital Worlds: The Transformative Power of Games
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 151
Games are more than just entertainment—they are engines of learning, connection, and transformation. From fostering literacy and mathematical reasoning to enhancing emotional self-regulation, games provide dynamic spaces for individual growth. This panel will examine how player communities—whether in tabletop RPGs, esports, or online cooperative worlds—build camaraderie, reduce social isolation, and support identity development. Whether you're a player, educator, or game designer, this panel will showcase how the magic of play extends far beyond the screen or the tabletop.
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Games, Historical, Technology - Science - STEM, Video Games

3:15pm PDT

The Hunting Party
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
North 200A
NBC's new high-concept procedural The Hunting Party stars Melissa Roxburgh (Manifest) as a former FBI profiler who leads a small team of investigators to track down and capture the most dangerous serial killers the world has ever seen, all of whom have just escaped from "The Pit"—a top-secret government prison that's not supposed to exist. Cast members Roxburgh, Patrick Sabongui (The Flash), Nick Wechsler (Revenge, Roswell), and Josh McKenzie (La Brea), and showrunners J. J. Bailey (Echo) and Jake Coburn (Arrow,Quantico, Gossip Girl) share an exclusive sneak peek of the penultimate episode from Universal Television.
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs, Television

3:30pm PDT

From VHS to 4K: The Creative Minds Behind Home Media Marketing
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
As technology reshapes the entertainment landscape, physical media continue to hold a unique appeal—what drives their staying power? Industry leaders Vicki Tunkel, Kasey Yee, Dino Espinosa, and Chris Kawagiwa (Foundry LA) join Matthew Marone (business development manager at Scanavo) for an in-depth discussion of the past, present, and future of home entertainment. Explore the creative process through the eyes of designers, marketers, and ultrafans. Moderated by Joe LeFavi (Genuine Entertainment).
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Education, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Video Games, Web

3:30pm PDT

Makeup Design for Film and Television
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C
WonderCon special guest and Emmy Award–winning makeup designer Neville Page discusses the processes, challenges, and thrills of creating practical makeup for film and television. He will be sharing with you how he works with the writers and producers from the very beginning of a project all the way through to the post-process and everything in between.
Special Guests
avatar for Neville Page

Neville Page

WonderCon Special Guest
Neville Page is an Emmy Award–winning designer, concept artist, and educator whose work has shaped some of Hollywood’s most iconic films, including Avatar, Star Trek, Tron: Legacy, and Cloverfield. Originally from England, he studied at the Art Center College of Design before... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

3:30pm PDT

Spotlight on Jessica Fong
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Jessica Fong (Poison Ivy) is an artist known for her surreal cover art in DC's GLAAD (2023) Award–winning Poison Ivy series. Join Jessica for this Q&A and presentation session.
Special Guests
avatar for Jessica Fong

Jessica Fong

WonderCon Special Guest
Jessica Fong is a Bay Area–based illustrator known for her stunning cover art in DC Comics' GLAAD Award–winning Poison Ivy series. Her artwork blends surrealism with nature, often featuring dark yet beautiful imagery. Fong's work captures the "terribly sublime," a theme that is... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:00pm PDT

Cartoon Voices
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 207
It wouldn’t be WonderCon without one of Mark Evanier’s famous panels of folks who supply the voices for your favorite cartoon characters and TV shows. This time, Mark has assembled Kimberly Woods (Archer, X-Men ’97), Wally Wingert (Invader Zim, The Garfield Show), Candi Milo (Looney Tunes, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends), Daniel Ross (Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures) and a surprise or two!
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

WonderCon Special Guest
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 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Animation, Humor & Satire, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:00pm PDT

From Burnout to Brainstorm
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
Cartoonist and librarian Julie Fiveash, filmmaker and award-winning graphic novelist James Spooner (The High Desert), and cartoonist Emmanuel Guerrero (Cactus Kid) share what it means to be storytellers in a global culture that's becoming more suppressive and exploitative, the ways they stay rooted in collective care to keep on, and how readers and fans can continue advocating for diverse stories. Moderated by Christine Pasalo Norland (writer, founder, Hello Barkada).
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics

4:00pm PDT

From Wookiees to Twi’leks: Mastering Alien Cosplay in Star Wars
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Pamm Riddle (TheMandalorian) and Walter Welsh (FaceOff) join cosplayers Linz Stanley, Aidan Wagner, Sean Shaw, Natalie Lucia, and Michelle Lorenzen as they share expert tips on sculpting, prosthetics, and makeup. Moderated by Crystal Schaefer.
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

4:00pm PDT

How Props Become Icons
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 210
Property Masters Guild members James “Skip” Torvinen, PMG, and John Harrington, PMG, reveal what it takes to translate fan-favorite iconic film props from script to screen in a discussion and Q&A session moderated by Michael Corrie (Props to History).
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

4:00pm PDT

Progress and Possibilities: A 2024 Retrospective on Representation in Animation
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
Moderated by animation activist and educator Sam Goff, panelists examine the progress made in 2024 and the opportunities ahead in authentically representing marginalized identities on screen Searit Huluf (Pixar Spark Short: Self), David DePasquale (Invincible Fight Girl, Golden Axe), Ren Bernal (Rey Mysterio, The Harley Quinn Show), Bryan K. Turner (Justice League, Rise of the TMNT), and Rodrigo Nogueira (Blue Sky Development Deal) share their insights on creating impactful and inclusive animation content.
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Television

4:00pm PDT

The Legend of Taylore
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
The Legend of Taylore is an actual-play D&D podcast based on the music, memes, and lore of Taylor Swift, as played by a bunch of nerdy television writers. Produced by D&D WGA Strike Day organizers, it’s a great adventure for Swifties and non-Swifties alike, where characters encounter dangers, intrigue, and easter eggs at every turn. Moderator Jose Molina (Marvel’s Agent Carter, The Vampire Diaries) chats with dungeon master Lindsey Allen (Marvel’s Agent Carter, MacGyver) and players Casey Fisher (Altered Carbon, Walker), Daphne Miles (Batwoman, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), Lauren Muir (The 100), Ray Utarnachitt (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), and Nick Bragg (Death and Other Details, The 100).
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Fandom, Games, LGBTQIA+, Music, Podcasts, Television, Writers & Writing

4:00pm PDT

Writing for Weird Tales Magazine
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Weird Tales is in its 102nd year of publishing stories that are a bit too strange, too dark, too odd, too . . . weird . . . for any other magazine. New York Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry has been editing the magazine since its return, bringing it into the 21st century while still honoring the tradition that built the “unique magazine,” which features stories, essays, and poetry by writers ranging from bestsellers to newbies. Panelists include Weird Tales contributors Dennis Crosby, Scott Sigler, Lisa Kastner, Ray Porter, and Chris Ryall.
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

4:00pm PDT

Venture Forth: An Immersive D&D Actual Play
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
North 151
The cast of Venture Forth—Russel Bartek, Rodney Campbell, Rebecca Hausman, and Shane O'Loughlin—led by dungeon master Seth Fowler demonstrate roleplaying prowess, keen storytelling skills, creative gameplay implementation, cohesive ensemble performance style, and the impact of their immersive ruleset in a canon one-shot session. Drama, laughs, and detailed descriptions of violence are guaranteed!
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Fandom, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy

4:15pm PDT

Defiant: The Robert Smalls Story in Comics, a Graphic Novel . . . and Film!
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
North 100B
The unbelievable life of American hero Robert Smalls has been memorialized in an inspiring run of comics, a graphic novel on the near-horizon, and soon a feature film from Legion M. As an enslaved harbor pilot in Charleston at the height of the Civil War, Robert Smalls pulled off the most audacious heist in history by commandeering a Confederate warship and filling it with family and friends to run the naval blockade to freedom in the North. Smalls then helped convince Abraham Lincoln to accept African American soldiers into the Union Army—and became a naval hero. And that was only the beginning of Smalls’ extraordinary life. Comics/graphic novelist and screenwriter Rob Edwards (Captain America: Brave New World, Academy Award–nominated The Princess and The Frog), producer Marvin Jones (Black Lightning), and other members of the Legion M team talk about the process of adapting Small’s amazing story to comics and film. Legion M executives Chris Cooper and David Baxter will moderate the discussion.
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Education, Historical, Movies

4:30pm PDT

Science Advisors Make Sci-Fi Better
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 208
Wormholes, magic spells, and singing lions may seem unrealistic, but there are scientists involved in bringing those to life onscreen and on the page. Science advisors Erin Macdonald (Star Trek shows, Space Cadet), Stuart Sumida (Kung Fu Panda, The Wild Robot), Elizabeth Rega (World of Warcraft, Strange World), and Ronald Coleman (Joe Ledger book series) work with the creatives behind your favorite TV shows, movies, video games, and books to add a dose of reality to the magic of science fiction and fantasy storytelling. Hear about the questions they get asked and how they help writers, actors, directors, and designers bring just the right amount of facts to your favorite fiction.
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Animation, Books, Education, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM, Television

4:30pm PDT

Spotlight on Brian Posehn
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Writer, actor, comedian, and comic book creator Brian Posehn chats about his career with artist Darick Robertson (The Boys, Transmetropolitan). Brian has been busy with his new books Grommets, Rifters, and Scotch McTiernan Versus the Forces of Evil—not to mention his D&D podcast Nerd Poker, and his many other adventures, including Star Wars: The Mandalorian, The Big Bang Theory, and lots of comedy.
Special Guests
avatar for Brian Posehn

Brian Posehn

WonderCon Special Guest
Brian Posehn is a writer/actor/stand-up comic. His credits include Disney+’s The Mandalorian, Netflix’s Lady Dynamite, and FX’s You’re the Worst, along with recurring roles on The Big Bang Theory and New Girl. He was one of the stars of Comedy Central's The Sarah Silverman... Read More →
avatar for Darick Robertson

Darick Robertson

WonderCon Special Guest
Darick Robertson is an American comic book artist, writer, creator, and executive producer with a decades-long career in the industry. His notable works include co-creating with Warren Ellis the award-winning Transmetropolitan and co-creating with Garth Ennis the comic that inspired... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Humor & Satire, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

4:30pm PDT

Until Dawn Film Panel
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
North 200A
Cast and filmmakers discuss their upcoming horror film before it hits theaters April 25. Be among the first to see exclusive material and go behind the scenes. Until Dawn: Every night a different nightmare.
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs, Horror and Suspense, Movies

4:30pm PDT

Vam PD: Big Finish New IP
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Juliet Landau (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bosch Legacy), Mara Wilson (Matilda, Mrs. Doubtfire), Alimi Ballard (Doom Patrol, Sabrina the Teenage Witch), producer Lizzie Worsdell, and director Ursula Burton (Dark Shadows) discuss the world of Vam PD, an audio series where vampires keep an uneasy peace between the living and the undead. But who polices the vampires? Vam PD is a wholly unique, wickedly funny universe unlike anything you’ve ever heard before.
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire

4:30pm PDT

Behind the Camera House: An Entertainment Industry Mixer
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 206B
The Behind the Camera House invites you to an entertainment industry mixer dedicated to bringing together professionals and creatives looking to build connections and community. Whether you’re an editor, composer, director, artist, agent, manager, or other creative contributor, this is your chance to network with like-minded talents, exchange ideas, and spark new collaborations.
Saturday March 29, 2025 4:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 206B
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Education, Fandom, Movies, Music, Podcasts, Television, Writers & Writing |   5: Portfolio Review, BIPOC, Education, Fandom, Movies, Music, Podcasts, Television, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

A Comics Coming Out Party
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300A
It’s a panel! It’s a party! It’s a coming out party for comic book characters who are LGBTQ+! Over the past several years, dozens of preexisting characters have been revealed to be LGBTQ+ in the pages of comic books, from Iceman to Jughead to Allan Scott and more. Join this raucous group of panelists—Tim Sheridan (writer, Allan Scott: Green Lantern), David Booher (writer, Canto), Meghan Fitzmartin (writer, Tim Drake: Robin), Dylan Carter (cosplayer, co-host, House of X podcast)—and moderator Jack Phoenix (comics librarian) as they celebrate these characters and the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in comics.
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

5:00pm PDT

Aniplex of America Industry Panel
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
Do titles like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Sword Art Online, or Mashle: Magic and Muscles make your otaku heart skip a beat? Then, you don’t want to miss this panel, which brings you the latest news on all your favorite Aniplex shows.
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Anime & Manga, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

5:00pm PDT

Comic Pitch Review
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 204C
What is a pitch? A pitch is simply a way to present yourself or your project to others. It is usually a brief speech designed to persuade your listener into supporting what you’re doing or what you’ve made. Giving a good pitch is a vital skill in bringing your project to life. Fortunately, it’s also a skill you can learn and improve with practice—and Pitch Review is a great place to do that. If you’re someone who wants to get better at pitching your work (and especially if you’re a writer or artist attending the Comic Creator Connection immediately after this event), this is your chance to practice giving your pitch and get some invaluable help. Pitch reviews will be conducted by Douglas Neff, a professional speechwriter, speaker coach, and host of the Comic Creator Connection. Note: This is not a typical panel. These are 3- to 5-minute individual coaching sessions for as many people as can be accommodated in the scheduled time. Spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and everyone is welcome to watch and learn from the sessions.
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs

5:00pm PDT

FIST: Making Toys in Latin America
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Esteban Cifuentes (toy designer and creator of FIST) and Michelle Alvarez (marketing and social media) reveal the path to building an original franchise in Colombia and then taking it to the global stage. From action figures to comics, animation, and video games, you will discover the challenges and strategies to consolidate intellectual property in the entertainment industry.
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Comics, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

How to Group Cosplay
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Ever wondered what it’s like to be in a group cosplay? What about one that went viral? This program is for those looking to expand not only their group cosplays but their community as well. But where do you start? Panelists will discuss the beginning stages of concept to execution. Get your friends together and get organized, from spreadsheets, Facebook groups, meetings, cohesive patterns, and fabrication all the way down to scheduling meetups and photo shoots, as well as utilizing social media to do those latest trends.
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Fandom, Seminars & Workshops

5:00pm PDT

Middle Eastern/North African Representation in Media
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 209
The importance of Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) representation in arts and entertainment remains strong today, but there is still more to be done and also much to recognize and celebrate. Learn from a panel of talented MENA Americans how their background and experiences shaped them and the progress to make for further representation. Featuring actor/writer Yas Modares Ghasiri (MVP,Babysplitters), DGA assistant director Esraa Darwish (Brooklyn Nine-Nine,Fast X), comedian Sarah Fatemi (LA's Roast Battle Champion 2023,SkankFest 2024), cartoonist/podcast host Kaveh Taherian (Mothman’s Compendium of Southern California Cryptids,500 Open Tabs), content creator/cosplayer Jasmin Joestar (Twitch), and graphic designer T. J. Searl (The Morning Show,Schooled). Moderated by actor/filmmaker Paul Zecharia (Mr. Student Body President,Last Call).
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Comics, Education, Fandom, Movies, Music, Podcasts, Television, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Spotlight on David Dastmalchian
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 207
From a struggling theatre actor in Chicago to landing his first film role in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight through three Marvel Ant-Man films and starring as Polka Dot Man in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad,David Dastmalchian has turned his life-long love of comic books into a cinematic career and now a publishing career. With three ongoing comic titles—Count Crowley at Dark Horse, Knights vs Samurai at Image, and The Creature Commandos at DC—Perri Nemiroff (Collider) talks with Dastmalchian about his creative process, behind-the-scenes moments, and the future he is plotting for his company, Good Fiend Films.
Special Guests
avatar for David Dastmalchian

David Dastmalchian

WonderCon Special Guest
David Dastmalchian’s feature film debut was as the Joker’s deranged henchman Thomas Schiff in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. In 2014 he wrote and starred in the feature film Animals, directed by Collin Schiffli. In 2018, David wrote and starred in All Creatures Here Below... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Stan and Jack
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 210
Daniel Fingeroth is the author of A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee. Mark Evanier is the author of Kirby, King of Comics. So the authors of the most-read books about Stan Lee and Jack Kirby will discuss both men and what they meant to the comic book industry, the Marvel Age of Comics, and the childhoods of an awful lot of people.
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

WonderCon Special Guest
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 →
avatar for Danny Fingeroth

Danny Fingeroth

WonderCon Special Guest
Danny Fingeroth is a cultural historian and commentator. His books include Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us About Ourselves and Our Society and Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero. His 2019 biography of Stan Lee, A Marvelous... Read More →
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Historical, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Tributes, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

5:30pm PDT

Funmakers Unite
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
North 100B
Mike Becker (founder of Funko) and Dave Bere will take you through the steps of what being a Funmaker is all about.
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs

5:30pm PDT

Gunslingers and Ghosts: The Rise of the Weird West
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Step into the "weird west," a genre that blends the raw history of the Old West with supernatural oddities and fantastical forces. A panel of experts from literature and gaming delve into what makes characters like Wynonna Earp, Jonah Hex, Roland the Gunslinger, and countless others so captivating to fans. Jennifer Brody (A Sacrifice of Blood & Stars,Disney Chills), Deborah Smith Daughetee (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,Kolchak the Night Stalker: Touch of Silk), Ross Fisher-Davis (Doomtown: Reloaded and Vampire: the Masquerade) and Eric J. Guignard (A Graveside Gallery,That Which Grows Wild), along with moderator K. C. Grifant (The Monster Gunslinger series and Women of the Weird West) share how to successfully create weird west worlds to explore the myths of American history, as well as their top recommendations for must-read books, films, and games.
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Games, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

5:30pm PDT

How to Get News Coverage
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
Small press publishers: What makes the difference between an item that will get news coverage, previews, and interviews and what won’t? Many 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, G-Man 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), Jaesa Evermore (Temple of Geek, First Comics News), Jez Ibelle (First Comics News) Heidi MacDonald (The Beat) Grant Offenberger (Grant Me Peace), Alex Raymond (Monstar, Hollywood Gone Geek), Francis Sky (First Comics News), and Josh Waldrop (Ultima Media).
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Seminars & Workshops

5:30pm PDT

Star Wars and More Movie Memories
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Craig Miller, whose Hollywood career dates back to working on the original Star Wars, tells tales of marketing genre films of the 1980s, including The Empire Strikes Back, Superman II, The Thing, Krull, The Dark Crystal, The Last Starfighter, and more. He’ll also talk about writing for animation, from Curious George and The Smurfs to The Real Ghostbusters to G.I. Joe and Beast Wars.
Saturday March 29, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Animation, Books, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing

6:00pm PDT

Coming Together: Honoring AANHPI Voices in Pop Culture
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 209
Educators, mental health professionals, and creators explore the impact of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander representation in recent films and animation. Panelists share personal experiences from their work with students, clients, and the entertainment industry while discussing ways to challenge stereotypes and tell authentic stories.
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs

6:00pm PDT

Cosplay in the Workplace
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300E
A pastor, a kindergarten teacher, a school counselor, and a branch chief walk into a convention. It might sound like the opening of a joke, but it's actually a panel about the mostly positive but sometimes negative aspects of cosplaying in the workplace. Lisa Richter (kindergarten teacher), Brian Robison (pastor), Irene Yu (school counselor), and Shelly Grace (branch chief, CA Department of Social Services) discuss their experiences implementing cosplay into typically professional environments where they work.
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

6:00pm PDT

Crowdfunding Comics in 2025!
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
Eric Moss (co-founder and COO, Zoop), Kris Longo (CEO and publisher, Panick Entertainment), and Shannon Eric Denton (founder, Monster Forge Productions) discuss everything you want to know about crowdfunding comics, including the growth of crowdfunding, how it’s helping fill the void in today’s comic market, tips, experiences, stories, and more. Moderated by Jordan Plosky (co-founder and CEO, Zoop).
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Web, Writers & Writing

6:00pm PDT

Indie Toy Makers Unite!
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Small companies and creators are creating, crowdfunding, and selling their own action figures. Do you want to be one of them? Attendees will hear directly from creators who are making and marketing their own independent toys and making their mark on the collectible community. Moderators ToyShiz and Richard Mayerik will be joined by Doc Wyatt and Gavin Hignight of Wandering Planet Toys and others to discuss how they turn their ideas into reality and make independent toys for collectors everywhere.
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Anime & Manga, Comics, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

6:00pm PDT

The Marco Polo Technique of Loose Inking
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 210
Illustrator and comic book artist Cutter Hays will demonstrate and teach his fast methods of achieving cool-looking inks in a flashy, sped-up sumi style. It's fun to watch; he takes questions while doing it, and you, too, can learn to be fast, good, and braver with a brush and ink. Often Cutter will even take on suggestions for subjects as a fun challenge. These drawings are 1–5 minutes, but the method can be taken as far as you want. If you're a beginner, this can be your launching pad. If you're advanced, you can put a new tool in your arsenal.
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

6:00pm PDT

The Science of Spider-Man
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 207
Two people very knowledgeable about the Spider-Man comics—TJ Shevlin (2023 Eisner Judge, product development, Upper Deck) and Alonso Nunez (executive director, Little Fish Comic Book Studio)—join with scientists who understand the limits of biology (Ronald Coleman, Ph.D., Regenerative Medicine) and physics (Chelsea Ballinger, physicist/co-founder of Ishihara Solutions) examine the science of the character. Starting with the mutations induced by the radioactive spider that bit him, through the genius of his web slingers, panelists 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, All the Time We Have podcast).
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Animation, Comics, Education, Movies, Superheroes, Technology - Science - STEM, Television, Video Games

6:00pm PDT

Trans Masculine Representation in Entertainment
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Avi Roque (Disney's The Owl House), Gabriel Shane Dunn (Netflix's Big Mouth), Theo Tiedemann (Amazon's Transparent and cosplayer), Maze Felix (Apple TV's Give Me an A), Mars Wright (fashion designer and content creator), and Yas Modares Ghasiri (Sylvester Stallone's MPV) discuss the unique struggles trans masculine artists face in entertainment and the importance of trans masculine representation in the arts.
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

6:00pm PDT

Roll for Mythicality Live
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
North 151
The cast of Mythical Entertainment’s hilarious and heartfelt D&D actual play series appear ahead of their season 2 finale for a special live one-shot adventure where things will surely go awry, followed by Q&A where things will surely go smoothly! Mythical’s Emily Fleming, Trevor Evarts, Mikayla Barnes, Lucas Strader, and Jenna Purdy join for the fighting and fun. Moderated by DM T. J. Chambers.
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs, Games, Humor & Satire, Web

6:30pm PDT

Exploring Identity Through Character Creation in TTRPGs
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Mayanna Berrin (writer and TTRPG performer), Cai Kagawa (costumer and TTRPG performer), Darby Pak (TTRPG performer), and Johnny Stanton (creator of SINK RPG) chat about the transformative power of TTRPGs as a medium for self-discovery and identity exploration. They'll share experiences using character creation and storytelling as a means of exploring gender and sexual identity, and more. Moderated by Jes Wade (tabletop charity content producer).
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs

6:30pm PDT

Supernatural Worlds of Kid/YA Comics
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
James Thompson (A People's History of Comics), Alonso Nunez (Little Fish Comic Book Studio), Mary Ellen Stout (San Diego State University), Charles Hatfield (California State University Northridge), Fadi Bayaa (writer, technology/gaming expert), and Jameson Rohrer (Butte County Library) explore the fantasy and horror tropes that dominate comic youth markets from early readers to young adult, allowing for magic metaphors of acceptance, tolerance, and awakening sexuality and difference within traditional romance, melodrama, and comedy narratives. Favorite books and authors will be discussed.
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, Kids, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Video Games

6:30pm PDT

Young Indy to Young Ani: The Origins of the Star Wars Prequels
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300C
The Young Indy Chroniclers podcast takes you back to where the Star Wars prequels all began . . . with Indiana Jones. Before George Lucas returned to the Galaxy Far, Far Away, he turned back the clock on the Indiana Jones franchise to tell the tales of the fedora-wearing hero's early years. What transpired was truly a labor of love for Lucas and Lucasfilm and served as a proving ground for many of the techniques and themes that would be utilized in the Star Wars prequels. The Young Indy Chroniclers podcast, hosted by filmmakers Peter Holmstrom and Daniel Noa, traces the origins of the Star Wars prequels from the development and implementation of cutting-edge technology to how the themes and characters explored in Young Indiana Jones would find their way to the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
Saturday March 29, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs

7:00pm PDT

3D Printing Action Figures
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 210
Esteban Cifuentes (FIST; GI Joe design expert), Rob Wiggins (Get R Done Dudes; ex-designer for Hasbro), Elliot Garnett (Centerpoint Studios; Star Wars custom figure designer and painter), and Adam Rodriguez (designer for micro action figures) discuss the successes and failures of creating toys we will never see in the stores. From digital design to custom painting to new technology in 3D printing, they will show and talk about what it takes to make these figures come to life and how you can, too. Moderated by Mike Syfritt (HTB Toys; toy designer and 3D printing expert). Stay to the end for a chance to win a resin 3D printer of your own!
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Animation, Anime & Manga, Comics, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Technology - Science - STEM, Television, Video Games

7:00pm PDT

How to Win the War on Truth
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
For centuries, people shared stories to explain the world and our place in it. But in a public sphere that’s increasingly online, storytellers are no longer tribal elders or Hollywood screenwriters. They’re marketers, political strategists, and troll farms weaving stories designed to misinform, mislead, and manipulate. So what can consumers do about it? Using humorous comic art from his graphic novel, author Samuel C. Spitale (How to Win the War on Truth) will provide a crash course in media literacy to help concerned citizens become more savvy media consumers.
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Books, Education, Historical, Humor & Satire, Seminars & Workshops

7:00pm PDT

Psychological Intersection of Dystopia and True Crime
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 207
Fans love a good tragedy, whether in Shakespearean plays, modern-day true crime documentaries and podcasts, or dystopian novels. There is something about seeing these stories play out that has long captured the attention of consumers. Stories of people grabbing up penny dreadfuls and original newspaper articles focused on the (then) latest Jack the Ripper development continue to fascinate scholars. We followed alongside Katniss as she dismantled the system in Hunger Games and are now finding Shatter Me thanks to #booktok’s boyfriend obsessions. We debate innocence, guilt, or punishment of the heroes and villains of true crime. In this presentation, Dr. Britani Black (assistant professor of psychology, Marshall University), Dr. April Fugett (executive director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Marshall University), Dr. Keith W. Beard (professor of psychology, Marshall University), and Addison Guilliams, B.A. (graduate student, Marshall University) explore the idea of escapism and psychological themes involved in the love of dystopian and true crime media.
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

7:00pm PDT

The Art of Music in Horror
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
A panel of renowned composers discuss the unique challenges and creative process involved in scoring horror films and television. Discover how music elevates the fright factor and plays a key role in shaping iconic scenes that haunt audiences long after the credits roll. The panel will be led by Louie Stephens of BMI and Chandler Poling of White Bear PR.
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Education, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Music, Television

7:00pm PDT

The Death of Mid-Budget Movies
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300A
The general audience and film fanatics alike have seen a large shift in how studios create movies now. With the combination of big budgets, star power, and hundreds of millions spent on “safe” content, studios are looking more at the bottom line and returns moreso than audience impact. What happened to the mid-budget films of yesteryear, and how did the constraints of those budgets breed even more creativity in a creative-driven media? Derick McDuff (the host of the Underrated Movie Podcast) alongside Alix Catherine (host, The Welcome Party), Andrew Linde (host, Nothing New: A Remake Podcast), Tricia Aurand (award-winning screenwriter; podcast host), Law Sharma (actor, entertainment journalist), and JPG (pop culture educator, consultant; InterMyth) address topics like the best mid-budgets films, speculate about which years the industry pivoted, and discuss the importance of low-budget and mid-budget filmmaking.
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

7:00pm PDT

True Crimes of Cosplay
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Seasoned cosplay veterans lightheartedly show you a selection of heinous crimes they have committed in craftsmanship so you can learn from their fails.
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

7:00pm PDT

Women Artists and the Current State of Entertainment Art
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 209
Women working professionally in small businesses and art studios are trying to keep their careers afloat or build them in a world of more and more AI art imitations and fewer jobs. What will the future hold? Panelists discuss working in the animation business as either freelance or for a studio and what that entails. Featuring Star Wars fine artist Tricia Buchanan Benson and The Simpsons director Debbie Mahan. Moderated by Melody Severns.
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs

7:00pm PDT

Comic Creator Connection Saturday
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 204C
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 pencillers, 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 29, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs

7:30pm PDT

How to Build an R2
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Droid builders Mike Senna, Michael McMaster, William Miyamoto, Chris Romines, and VictorFranco from the R2 Builders Fan Club discuss how their droids were built and how they work. Topics will include materials, blueprints, building techniques, tools, and electronics that bring their droids to life.
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs

7:30pm PDT

Reclaiming Fear: Blackness and Queerness in Horror
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 208
Dr. Vanessa Hintz (Umm . . . About That! podcast), Dr. Kaela Joseph (Side Quest Psychology), and Ruby McCoy (thanatologist and doctoral candidate) discuss representations of both Blackness and queerness in horror and the impacts on identity development and overall wellness. In addition, panelists will highlight the efforts of modern-day horror to combat harmful tropes and to feature more authentic representations of diverse characters.
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

7:30pm PDT

Writing Psychologically Rich Characters
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Are you a writer or have you ever wanted to become one? Have you been struggling with imposter syndrome? Have you started and abandoned your creative projects? This panel of writers teaches how to create psychologically rich characters to help you boost your writing and make it stand out. Learn how to break free from your imposter syndrome and attend to your creative passions. Panelists include Dr. Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy; Through Bullets and Thunderstorms), Jonathan Maberry (V-Wars; Joe Ledger series), Deric Hughes (Arrow; Quantum Leap), Sarah Faxon (The Blue Dragon Society: Origins), Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology), and Dennis Crosby (Death’s Legacy). Dustin McGinnis (Creative Community Podcast) moderates.
Saturday March 29, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Books, Education, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Writers & Writing

8:00pm PDT

Avoid Getting Scammed as an Artist
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 211
Franco Te (co-creator, Tee No Evil), Paolo Encarnacion (artist, PaoWorks), Chris Kawagiwa (ADG 800 senior artist, creator of Sunless Circus comics), Ralph Miranda (ADG 800 senior artist, co-creator of Oh, Bubba Lu!), and a panel of industry vets share tips on spotting red flags in messaging and contracts. They’ll also reveal the scams they’ve encountered (and some they've fallen for) to help creatives guard themselves and ensure getting treated and paid fairly.
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

Critic/Creator: The Craft of Video Game Review
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Reviewing video games for an audience is a balancing act that’s very different from other journalistic reviews. One part business and one part entertainment, content creators focused on video games navigate this nuance with every video they post on social media. But how can you practice this balance of being both critic and creator when it comes to your content? Kurosh Jozavi (host of The KJP Show) and panelists Lisa Wallen (stand-up comedian, professional nerd), Myles Obenza (editor, games journalist), Danreb Victorio (community manager, games journalist), MerdreaStar (content creator, streamer), and Ronell Crawford (co-creator, 8-Bit Closed Fist) speak about navigating negative press, their roles are reviewers to a fanbase, and how their words can shape the success of the games they cover.
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

Mold/Resin Making, 3D Printing, and FX Techniques
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 210
Learn techniques from Fon Davis (25-year veteran of miniature VFX who has worked on over 25 movies), Brooke Wheeler (technical sales manager and materials specialist with Reynolds Advanced Materials and distributor of Smooth-On), Sam Girgis (owner of BiggerBoxModels), Shawn Thorsson (founder of Thorsson & Assoc. Workshop whose props and armor are produced for films and collectors), and Julia Jenkins (cosplayer, seamstress, and builder with experience in 3D printing).
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

Movie Posters: History and Future
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Poster artists Kyle Lambert (Stranger Things) and Ethan Pro (Star Wars) talk about the art of creating awesome painted movie posters, how they got their start, and the future of poster art. Historian Chad Frye presents a tour of the history of movie posters from their earliest days. Moderated by Tom Racine.
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Historical, Movies, Television

8:00pm PDT

Supervillains at 85: Killers, Conquerors, Crooks, and Clowns
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 209
As Batman's archnemesis turns 85, does the anniversary of the Joker's debut mark the anniversary of supervillainy itself? Many call the Joker the original supervillain, but what about Hugo Strange and other baddies who arrived first? Or their predecessors in pulp fiction, legends, and ancient myths? Dr. Travis Langley (The Joker Psychology, Daredevil Psychology) leads the discussion as Jonathan Butler (The Flash), Dr. Shelly Clevenger (Understanding Victimology), Victor Dandridge, Jr. (Vantage:inHouse), Alex Langley (100 Greatest Graphic Novels, Spider-Man Psychology), Britton Payne (Nickelodeon), and Dr. Brittani Oliver Sillas-Navarro (Black Panther Psychology) discuss the enduring popularity of fantastic troublemakers as controversial as Killmonger or Magneto, as grand as Thanos or Doctor Doom, as quirky as Kite-Man, or as much fun as Harley Quinn. Beware!
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

The Science of Science Fiction: All Your Questions Answered
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 207
Daniel W. Rasmus (University of Washington, Serious Insights) and NASA physicists Dr. Morgan L. Cable (co-deputy, PI Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry, NASA JPL), Dr. James T. Keane (planetary scientist, NASA JPL), Dr. Tiffany Kataria (research scientist, NASA JPL) will answer your deepest questions about the science behind science fiction. Ever wondered if lightsabers could actually work? Will warp drives ever break the limits of physics? Is AI on the verge of sentience, or is it just great at faking it? Learn from our panel how to separate science fact from fiction in your favorite books, movies, and shows. Prepare to challenge what you think you know about the world today and what will be possible tomorrow!
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

8:00pm PDT

We Are! One Piece Psychology!
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Dr. Isaac Taitz (All Mind Health), Dr. Sara Roldan (All Mind Health, Our Oasis), and Dr. Benjamin Taitz (Mental Health Quest, My Hero Therapy) discuss the psychology of your favorite characters in Eiichiro Oda's fantastical journey of One Piece!
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Education, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Television

8:30pm PDT

The 2025 WonderCon Masquerade
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:30pm - 11:00pm PDT
North 200A
The annual onstage costume competition celebrates the amazing cosplay creativity and talents of WonderCon attendees. Not a dance or party, the masquerade is a series of onstage presentations of terrific fan-crafted costumes, with trophies, generous cash prizes, and other awards, and judged by professional costume designers. The guest mistress of ceremonies will be Ashley Eckstein (founder of the Her Universe fashion and lifestyle brand, and the voice of Ahsoka Tano for Star Wars: The Clone Wars,Star Wars: Rebels,Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, and more). There will also be special entertainment during the judging break with a new performance by the talented Corps Dance Crew, and then a big new Star Wars–inspired show by the amazing Saber Guild lightsaber group. Doors will open at 8:00 PM for audience seating, but the line for choice seating always starts to form earlier. No flash photography, please.
Saturday March 29, 2025 8:30pm - 11:00pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Music, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Video Games
 
Sunday, March 30
 

10:00am PDT

Action and Adventure in Graphic Novels
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 209
It's all about the chase scenes, witty superheroes, thrilling mystery, and exciting escapades in these stories. Moderator Thien Pham (Family Style) joins authors Kayden Phoenix (Latina Superheroes, Vol. 1: Jalisco and Santa), Steve Breen (Sky & Ty 2: Dinomite!), and Emmanuel Guerrero (Cactus Kid The Battle for Star Rock Mountain,Cactus Kid Rumble at the Rodeo) as they explore exercising imaginations and engaging passions with graphic novels.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Comics, Education, Kids, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

Beginner's Guide to Content Creation Brand Management
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300A
Creating content for the pop culture space is an uplifting and worthwhile experience, but how a creator comes off as a personality and a representative of their content can vary wildly. How can a person’s content encourage good or bad content interactions? Alix Catherine (host, The Welcome Party), Samantha K. Tan (film writer, producer), Andrew Alandy (content creator, video game personality; Duralath), Briana DeCoster (cosplayer, TTRPG personality; Utahime Cosplay), Patrick Ballesteros (freelance artist, educator), and JPG (pop culture educator, consultant; InterMyth) discuss how you can build a personal brand, inject that brand into what you’re making, and create and foster a like-minded community.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

10:00am PDT

Deaf Representation in Popular Culture
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 211
Yvonne Hunt welcomes Darrell Utley (actor, Days of Our Lives), Awet Moges (artist, Pantheon), Larry Andersen (creative, TheSwelmetGuy), and T. L. Forsberg (songwriter, Of This I’m Sure) to discuss the current state of deaf representation in popular culture. Moderated by Brandon Carmedy.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Education

10:00am PDT

How to Build Halo Cosplay and Props with Anvil Station
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300E
Want to build your own Halo cosplay and props? Do the options seem infinite and the challenges unreal? The crew of Anvil will review the most common techniques used today to construct armor, props, and costumes, including 3D printing, casting and molding, foam construction, laser cutting, microcontroller programming, and more. Ask your questions in the Q&A with panelists: Cary Gunnar Lee (Legacy Effects), Chris Loomis (CrazedOneCosplay), Matt Hendricks (Matterhackers), Ricky Herriman (SNRTechBytes), and Amy Herriman (Threads and Starlight). Moderated by Benedict Choy (Spacemeat The Cosplay).
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

10:00am PDT

Love YA, Romancing Your Shelf
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 207
We could all use a little more romance on our shelves, so if you’re looking for your next obsession complete with many swoony, toe-curling moments, look no further than this program with authors Vanessa Le (His Mortal Demise), Sara Phoebe Miller (You Belong Here), and CB Lee (Coffeeshop in an Alternative Universe). Get ready to fall head over heels for their latest books! Moderated by Dahlia De La Vega (book reviewer, interviewer, beta reader).
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

10:00am PDT

The Micro-Publisher Boom
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 213CD
We are experiencing an unprecedented micro-publishing boom in comics. Creators who have worked with companies like Marvel, DC, and Scout for years are walking away from traditional publishing to start their own companies. Rylend Grant and David Avallone, co-hosts of the Telly Award–winning Writers Block podcast, sit down with Micro Publishing company honchos—including Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press), Ray Anthony Height (Studio Skye-Tiger), and Charlie Stickney (White Ash Comics)—to discuss how and why they went into business for themselves.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Comics

10:00am PDT

It’s Not All Fun and Games: Building Your Tabletop Business in 2025
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
North 151
Looking to self-publish your tabletop game? Thinking about whether you should run your own Kickstarter or pitch to an existing publisher? Learn from tabletop professionals and experts John D Clair (game designer, Mystic Vale), Elise Rezendes (senior RPG producer, Darrington Press), Bryan Borgman (GAMA, membership services), and Jane Hoffacker (CEO, Incredible Dream Studios), who have taken their games from ideas to the shelf. Moderated by Christopher Castagnetto.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
North 151
  1: Programs

10:00am PDT

Mixer for Science-Minded Geeks
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 204C
Among all the pop culture geeks, there are plenty of scientists in our midst at WonderCon. Everyone is welcome at this mixer, and there’s no such thing as a stupid question. What might life be like in a galaxy far, far away? Could gamma radiation produce a Hulk? What would it take for a lion king to sing? Friendly scientists will be on hand and ready to speculate about how things work in our favorite fandoms. Mingle with them and other science-minded folks in a fun, informal setting.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Education, Fandom, LGBTQIA+, Technology - Science - STEM

10:00am PDT

Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 5:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
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. For the full LAICFF schedule, click here.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 5:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Education, Kids, Movies

10:00am PDT

Protospiel Game Lab
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 5:00pm PDT
North 152
The Protospiel Game Lab at WonderCon (part of d4) is an event where you can bring a board or card game prototype to play with other designers, play testers, and publishers. It's a great way to break your game and fix it. It doesn't matter what level of polish your game has; it can be near final or made on the spot here. This event is open-house style, come and go, intended for both game designers and players who like to try new things. Help test the next best board games. Hosted by Cardboard Alchemy.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:00am - 5:00pm PDT
North 152
  1: Programs

10:30am PDT

Authentically Creating Autistic Characters
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 213AB
With increasing rates of autism, there is an increasing demand for autistic characters in pop culture from both executives and audiences. But for the creatives in the middle, especially the neurotypical ones, it can feel like a daunting challenge. Whether it’s a YA fantasy graphic novel, a family sitcom, a high-octane hospital drama, a postapocalyptic zombie comic, or whatever—authentic autistic characters belong there, too. Moderator Britton Payne (vice president of business and legal affairs at Nickelodeon/Paramount) leads a discussion with autistic actor Kayla Cromer (The Good Doctor, Monster High), writer/producer Niya Wright (Ada Twist, Scientist) and non-speaking author/advocate Alfonso Camacho (Preparing for School: Alfie’s AAC Journey). This panel of both autistic and neurotypical television and comic book creators will speak wioth Britton about how they successfully added autistic characters to serial fiction, and how you can too!
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Kids, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

10:30am PDT

Main Character Energy: Creative Workshop for Kids and Families
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 210
This family-friendly interactive workshop led by Angel Halo Chang (author and illustrator of the Adobo, Boba, Chai collection) shows how to bring your own main character to life. Pencils and paper provided. Coloring pencils and crayons are encouraged but not required.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Education, Kids, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

10:30am PDT

Spotlight on Adam Nimoy
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 208
Author and filmmaker Adam Nimoy discusses his memoir, The Most Human: Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy while in conversation with Scott Mantz (entertainment reporter, KTLA-5). Discover how the Son of Spock navigated the tumultuous relationship with his famous father and how, with the help of 12-step recovery, he was finally able to reconcile with Leonard, with Spock, and with himself.
Special Guests
avatar for Adam Nimoy

Adam Nimoy

WonderCon Special Guest
Adam Nimoy is a graduate of UC Berkeley and Loyola Law School. He practiced entertainment law for seven years before changing careers to become a television director. He directed over 45 hours of network television, including episodes of Ally McBeal, NYPD Blue, and Gilmore Girls... Read More →
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

10:30am PDT

Writing Blended Genres
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 300C
Blackstone Publishing's new anthology, Combat Monsters: Untold Tales of World War II, offers great examples of combining fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and alternative history. New York Times bestsellers Peter Clines (The Broken Room), Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger series), and Scott Sigler (SLAY), plus Jeff Edwards (The Damocles Agenda) and moderator Henry Herz (The Hitherto Secret Experiments of Marie Curie) discuss how to write blended genre stories.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

10:45am PDT

Watchers: The Next Step in Collectible Card Games
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
North 100B
Watchers creators Justin Waldner and Alexander Gray (Heart of Batman)—alongside some luminaries from the animation and comics realms—guide you through the fun, fast-paced gameplay in this rich, alien-infused CCG that spotlights hope in the face of domineering evil humans aligning with aliens, and the Watchers themselves, a council of elders with unbridled power who observe until it’s time to act. But which side will they join? Hear all about the game and plans for an upcoming comic book series and animated film. Publicist Gary Miereanu moderates the festivities, which will include a special giveaway: some lucky fans in attendance will receive a free copy of the single-player game, ready for battle, complete with a starter deck, dice (D6, D12, D20), battle pad, and instructional manual.
Sunday March 30, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Comics, Games, Kids, Science Fiction & Fantasy

11:00am PDT

Cosplay Clubs for People with Disabilities
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Claudia Birmingham, Jim DiRosa, Donna Bawolski, and Andrea Romo (founding parents of the dD Cosplay Club for Persons with Disabilities) and Bryce Birmingham, Luis DiRosa, Dayna Bawolski, and Brandon Estribi (founding members of the dD Cosplay Club) discuss the benefits of cosplay for persons with disabilities, along with how to start and run your own cosplay club. Moderated by Chris Birmingham (creator of the superhero dDominator, founder of the nonprofit ddominatordotnet inc., and creator of the dD Cosplay Club for Persons with Disabilities).
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Superheroes

11:00am PDT

Pop Culture and the Christian Church
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 211
How effective has the Christian church been in reaching out to the pop culture community? Where has the Christian church fallen short, and how can it improve? Fans, pastors, and church leaders discuss tested strategies to reach the pop culture community with the love of God. Featuring pastor Alexander James (author), Joe Queen (Geeky Guys/Gals 4 God), Karyn Keene (educator), Bryan Hero (Spirit Knight), Pastor Christopher Stewart (Jesus House), and moderator Kyle Keene.
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Comics, Education, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

11:00am PDT

The Popular Arts Put the POW in Comic-Con Museum Education Programs
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
The Comic-Con Museum education program leverages all that you love at Comic-Con and brings it to life through programs for schools, the community, and comics fans. Emily Schindler (senior director of learning and engagement, Comic-Con Museum) and Jewyl Alderson (San Diego County Office of Education) will share more about how the popular arts bring learning to life and how you can be part of the movement, whether you are in the creative industry or in education.
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

11:00am PDT

Two Marks Answer Questions
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 207
If there’s anything (a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g) you’ve ever wanted to know about comic books, the characters, the people who created them, the business . . . anything, this is the panel for you! If writers Mark Waid and Mark Evanier don’t know it, no one does. Come armed with questions!
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Waid

Mark Waid

WonderCon Special Guest
Mark Waid is a multiple New York Times bestselling author whose work has appeared in countless languages across the globe. Over the course of his four decades in the comic book industry, Waid has developed characters and written stories for Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, The Avengers... Read More →
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

WonderCon Special Guest
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 →
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Animation, Comics, Historical, Humor & Satire, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

11:00am PDT

What Am I Going to Do with All These Comic Books?
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Have you ever wondered what will happen to your prized comic collection when you are gone? Well, if you don’t plan on leaving it to a family member, have you ever considered donating it to help inspire others? University libraries have special collections that can archive your comic books for research purposes and even get you a tax break based on the value! Hear about how one nonprofit organization’s donors ended up on the cover of Forbes magazine and how you can help generations of comic fans to come. Panelists include Golden Apple Comic & Art Foundation board member Marc Andreyko (creator/writer), Heidi MacDonald (Comics Beat), Ryan and Kendra Liebowitz (co-founders), and Gary Prebula (donor).
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Seminars & Workshops

11:00am PDT

Who You Gonna Call: Crossing Streams for Charity
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209
Jason Reitman (Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire), Paula Newstat (Sony Pictures Entertainment), Matt Zunich (Los Angeles Ghostbusters), and Madison Shearer (Starlight Children’s Foundation) discuss how community and philanthropy intersect with the Ghostbusters legacy and how fans can turn passion into action. Moderated by The Cosmoe Show.
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs

11:00am PDT

Tabletop Game Design Pitch Panel
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
North 151
This panel features live pitches to a panel of experts: Nate Murray (game publisher), Dekan Wheeler (senior product manager, Ultra Pro Entertainment), Ian Clayman (senior game designer, Exploding Kittens), and Manny Vega (game designer, Flamecraft). Pitches will be open to everything from fledgling ideas to polished design. Each designer will have roughly 5–10 minutes to present and receive feedback. The goal of the event is to help designers hone their skills in presenting their game ideas and to receive feedback about the game concepts themselves. Moderated by Christopher Castagnetto.
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs

11:30am PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #7: The Comic Book and Me: Bob Dylan and Comics
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 210
“I always loved Batman. The way I looked at it, you had to come from another planet to be Superman, but I could be Batman. And you know I tried!”—Bob Dylan. With the recent release of the acclaimed biopic A Complete Unknown, there’s more interest in Nobel laureate Bob Dylan than there has been in years. As he has profoundly affected creators in many media, Dylan has influenced comic book, comic strip, and graphic novel writers and artists for the past six decades. In an expanded version of the presentation he gave at the Dylan in Tulsa, WonderCon special guest Danny Fingeroth (A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee; Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin) explores Dylan references in comics as well as comics references in Dylan’s oeuvre.
Special Guests
avatar for Danny Fingeroth

Danny Fingeroth

WonderCon Special Guest
Danny Fingeroth is a cultural historian and commentator. His books include Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us About Ourselves and Our Society and Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero. His 2019 biography of Stan Lee, A Marvelous... Read More →
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Comics, Historical, Music, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

11:30am PDT

My Comic History in Three Issues
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
What are the impactful graphic novels/comic issues that shaped your love for graphic literature? Choose your three favorites and join a panel of comics creators, comics professionals, and academics for an interactive discussion of the works that influenced their personal and professional lives, as well as picks from the audience. Alex Antone (editorial director, Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics), Dr. Matthew Atherton (associate professor of social sciences, CSUSM), David M. Booher (Killer Queens,Canto), and Barbra Dillon (president and co-founder, Fanbase Press) identify the key moments that shaped our love for a medium. Moderated by Allison Carr (academic transitions librarian, CSUSM).
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, Superheroes

11:30am PDT

Props Master Class: A Q&A
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Brad Elliott (Obi-Wan Kenobi,Rebel Moon) and Andy Siegel (Red One, Star Trek: Beyond) discuss tools, methodology, and tips for creating and building iconic and functional film props. Q&A session moderated by Olivia Dom (associate member of the Property Master's Guild).
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs

11:30am PDT

Spotlight on Dan Veesenmeyer
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 208
Most noted for his work involving X-Men: The Animated Series,DanVeesenmeyer reflects on his career as an animation and licensing illustrator. With a client list that includes Mondo, Hasbro, Marvel, DC, Lucasfilm, and Lego, Dan shares his thoughts on all aspects of his journey, from breaking into being a fan on the inside of geek pop culture. Moderated by Larry Houston, executive producer/director X-Men: The Animated Series.
Special Guests
avatar for Dan Veesenmeyer

Dan Veesenmeyer

WonderCon Special Guest
Dan is an artist with over 30 years of experience working in the worlds of animation, toys, comics, and video games, perhaps most noted for his work with X-Men The Animated Series and X-Men ’97. Starting out as a TV animation storyboard artist on X-Men The Animated Series, he continued... Read More →
Sunday March 30, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

12:00pm PDT

Alternative Career Options in Video Games
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Many people aspire to work in the ever-growing and popular video game industry, but not all have 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 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

12:00pm PDT

Comics in the Classroom: Transforming Texts, Voices, and Creativity
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Austin Bruns (Ánimo Leadership Charter High School), Warren Smith (Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy), and MarQuitta Sutton (Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy) share how comics and graphic novels reimagine ELA classrooms, fostering engagement, critical inquiry, and creativity. Learn how students create digital comics, websites, and cover art while showcasing their work in a classroom comic convention. Moderated by Leondria Brown (Green Dot Public Schools).
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

12:00pm PDT

Faithful: A Scottish Fairytale Short Film
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
North 100B
You’re invited to the official USA premiere of Faithful, in which a young girl sets off into the scary Scottish woods to find a mythical grim reaper fairy dog hoping to cross over to The Otherworld and save her Mum. Followed by a Q&A panel with Lily McGuire (Vaila), Lucy Linger (director/producer), Fraser Coull (writer/producer), Valerie Andrews (producer), and Lindsay Jenkins (line producer).
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Kids, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

12:00pm PDT

It All Starts with a Word
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
Authors and writers Janina Scarlet (Dark Agents,SuperheroTherapy), Megan Haskell (Aether Bound,Forged in Shadow), and John W. Wells III (The Kalib Andrews Chronicles) share words of wisdom and tales from the trenches to help you put pen to paper and fingers to keys to start writing that novel that's been simmering in your head. Moderated by independent comic artist and illustrator (and soon-to-be first-time author) Vince Alvendia (Dark Agents,Horrorgasm).
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Jack Kirby Tribute
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
At every WonderCon, we make time to remember the man they call The King of Comics, Jack Kirby. Former Kirby assistant Mark Evanier heads up a dais of folks who knew the man or at least his amazing career. This time out, Mark is joined by two members of Jack’s family—Tracy Kirby and Jeremy Kirby—as well as John Morrow (publisher of The Jack Kirby Collector), Rand Hoppe (founding trustee/director of the Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center), Kirby family friend Dave Schwartz, and attorney Henry W. Holmes (better known as the Kirby-drawn character Destroyer Lawyer).
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

WonderCon Special Guest
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 →
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Historical, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Tributes, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

12:00pm PDT

The Un-Masquerade: Red Carpet Edition
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Lights, camera, cosplay! This WonderCon, be the star of the con and showcase your cosplay! Panelists Angela DiMartino (D&D aficionado), Kelly Dreyer (cosplayer), Lauren Emery (cosplayer), Aimee Tushinsky (cosplayer), and Chris Tushinsky (comic aficionado) will conduct red-carpet-style interviews (on an actual red “carpet”) of you and your cosplay, including that quintessential question, “Who are you wearing?”
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom

12:00pm PDT

Women in Comics
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
Jamie Jameson (Warlord of Mars: Deja Thoris), Leah Kilpatrick (DC Horror Presents, Headless Horseman: Halloween Annual), Corinna Bechko (Cruel Universe, Sister Imperator), Rachel Pinnelas (DC’s I Know What You Did Last Crisis, comics curatorial expert), and Amy Linsamouth (Jackie and the Magical Guys, Descendants of the Undead) discuss their experiences and challenges of being a female creative in the comic industry, with moderator Jim Krueger (Justice, Earth X),
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs

12:00pm PDT

The Wandering Path: D&D Live!
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
North 151
Roll along with players Bex Taylor-Klaus (Voltron: Legendary Defender), Lyn Rafil, Ian McQuown (The Bright Sessions), and Mayanna Berrin (StoryQuest, NY By Night) plus GM Mischa Stanton as they skate their way through a radical fantastical adventure.
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs

12:30pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #8: Diagnosing Sick Humor as a Comics Genre
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 210
In the 1950s, “sick” humor emerged in comics, novelty recordings, and club acts. By 1959, “sick” had a specific genre identity, which Time magazine described as “partly social criticism liberally laced with cyanide, partly a Charles Addams kind of jolly ghoulishness, and partly a personal and highly disturbing hostility toward all the world.” The comics medium dominated every aspect of that description—Addams as point of origin, the “ghoulishness” of EC horror books, equal parts horror and humor, and, finally, “hostility,” specifically identifying Lenny Bruce, but signifying MAD’s humor in a jugular vein. James Thompson (A People’s History of Comics), Charles Hatfield (California State University, Northridge), and Michael Dooley (Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design) examine the intersection of the comics medium and the sick comedy genre, using the lens of critical genre theories. Did “sick” become an actual label for exhibition/distribution? If not, why not, and what did it say about the comics, the times, and the genre?
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

12:30pm PDT

Diverse Storytellers Empowering Equity and Inclusion
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Andres Useche (writer/director, We Don’t Give Up, Marching into the Light), Rob Edwards (writer, Captain America: Brave New World, The Princess and the Frog), Nicole Maines (actor, Yellowjackets,Supergirl), Miranda Kwok (showrunner/producer, The Cleaning Lady,The 100), Jorge R. Gutierrez (director/animator, The Book of Life, Maya and the Three), Aaron Butler (editor, Euphoria, The Idol), Drew Leung (concept artist, LOTR: The Rings of Power, Black Panther Wakanda Forever), and Stephanie Paciullo (agent, CAA) reveal the secrets of their craft, how you can make your way into the industry, and how the arts can make a difference by giving voice to underrepresented folks in the search for greater justice, empathy, and equality. Moderated by Stephanie Pfingsten (CEO/publicist, Lumos PR).
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Games, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Kids, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Music, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Podcasts

12:30pm PDT

Spotlight on Matt Forbeck
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
Matt Forbeck (Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game) has been creating novels, comics, nonfiction, video games, and tabletop games for a living for over 35 years, including the upcoming Minecraft: Roll for Adventure series of game books. Join him for a Q&A session about his storied career and what’s coming next.
Special Guests
avatar for Matt Forbeck

Matt Forbeck

WonderCon Special Guest
Matt Forbeck is an award-winning and New York Times–bestselling author and game designer of over 35 novels and countless other books and games. His projects have won a Peabody Award, a Scribe Award, and numerous ENnies and Origins awards. He is also the president of the Diana Jones... Read More →
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Art and Illustration, Fandom, Games, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Video Games, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

12:30pm PDT

Star Trek Toys from the Nacelle Company
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Brian Volk-Weiss (The Toys That Made Us) and The Nacelle Company (The Toys That Made Us, Biker Mice from Mars) discuss their new officially licensed action figures for Star Trek. Fans in attendance will get exclusive sneak peeks at future waves of Star Trek toys coming from Nacelle and learn how wave one of Nacelle’s highly anticipated action figure line went from idea to reality. These are Star Trek toys made by passionate Star Trek fans!
Special Guests
avatar for Nicholas Meyer

Nicholas Meyer

WonderCon Special Guest
Nicholas Meyer’s Sherlock Holmes novel The Seven-Per-Cent Solution was a New York Times bestseller for 40 weeks and won the British Gold Dagger award for crime fiction. His screenplay for the film was nominated for an Academy Award. Six other Sherlock Holmes novels followed. Meyer... Read More →
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, Comics, Movies, Music, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Web, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

12:30pm PDT

The Writers Coffeehouse: WonderCon Edition
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 204C
This is a moderated Q&A about the latest trends in the industry, the craft of writing, markets, pitching and selling, conquering frustration and defeating writers block, and all of the good things that come from the community of writers. No previous publishing experience necessary—the Writers Coffeehouse attracts everyone from beginners to award-winners and bestsellers. Hosted by New York Times bestseller and Writers Coffeehouse creator Jonathan Maberry, along with Henry Herz, Scott Sigler, Elle Jauffret, Dennis Crosby, and Lisa Kastner.
Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

Body Image and Representation in Cosplay Media
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Your Neighborhood Mickey (media analyst and founder of Body Love & Beyond recovery coaching), RoseyGCosplay (master-level professional cosplayer), and Laura Munley (LMShoots Photography) discuss how the intersection of body image, cultural expression, and cosplay can be used to celebrate diversity and inclusivity as a community. Panelists will conduct a Q&A to conclude.
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

Breaking into Voice Acting for Games and Animation
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A
A team of award-winning veterans from the voice-over industry discuss their experiences and how they got started in voice acting. Daniel Ross (Emmy Award–winning actor, Donald Duck in Mickey and the Roadster Racers; Gizmo in MultiVersus), Stephanie Southerland (Jean Gunnhildr in Genshin Impact; Tess Bailey in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6), Alex Bankier (Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture; Crème Brûlée Cookie in Cookie Run: Kingdom), and Heather Gonzalez (Tsuru in Beyblade X; Minoto the Hub Maiden in Monster Hunter: Rise) and others share stories and give advice for those interested in voice acting. Moderated by artistic director Shawn Strider.
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

Learning from Los Angeles: Comics, Contracts, and the Art of Dealing with Disaster
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
The Los Angeles fires, Hurricane Helene, the COVID pandemic—the tragic disasters of the past decade have left a lot of people wondering what they can do to deal with the aftermath—and what can be done to protect themselves for the future. Comic Book Legal Defense Fund interim director Jeff Trexler and others discuss how these events have affected the comics community, what you need to know about contracts and insurance, and where to go for help.
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

Queer Comics and Resistance: Poking Fun at Power
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
How can comics and culture fight back against homophobia and transphobia? Can poking fun at political figures influence their opinions? Can satire in comics change the way people think about the queer community? Prism Comics, moderator Tara Madison Avery (Prism Comics, Stacked Deck Press), and panelists Liam Coballes (The Out Side, Yu Yu Hakusho), Nicole Maines (Bad Dream, Secret Six, Supergirl), Knave Murdok (TransCat, We're Still Here), Megan Praz (One More Year, Contested Strip), Sonya Saturday (The Greatest Thing You've Ever Seen in Your Life, J.K. Rowling and the Ungrateful Fans), William O. Tyler (We Belong, Anxious Ax), and Shing Yin Khor (The Legend of Auntie Po, American Dream? A Journey on Route 66) discuss these and other topics of social activism in comics.
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+, Superheroes

1:00pm PDT

We Are All Superfans
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
Welcome to the Superfan Podcast, where the people who make the comics you love talk about the things they love . . . that are not comics. Co-hosts Christian Gossett (The Red Star, Eyes of Wakanda), Kristen Simon (senior editor, Mad Cave Studios’ Nakama Press) and David Hyde (Superfan Promotions) are joined by superstar creators Pornsak Pichetshote (writer, The Good Asian) and Marco Finnegan (cartoonist, Calvera, P.I.,Morning Star) for a free-wheeling, candid conversation with a surprise or two.
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

We Ride at Dawn!
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 209
Choose your trusty weapon from an array of magical and mystical options, for you never know when a thrilling encounter might arise! Featuring Amal El-Mohtar (The River Has Roots), Rachel Howzell Hall (The Last One), Aimee Lim (The Spindle of Fate), Jordan Morris (Youth Group), and Samuel Sattin (Unico: Awakening). Moderated by Jeanelle Horcasitas (educator, technical writer, and speculative futurist).
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs

1:00pm PDT

Publishing on Your Terms for Your Benefit
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
As contracts become more stringent in story/character control and as corporations are bought by larger and larger entities, modern comic book creators are constantly looking for ways to build a fanbase while keeping their narrative integrity intact. When a story is close to your heart, how can you ensure the indie and/or self-publishing routes benefit both your creativity and the consumer at the same time? Arthur N. Ebuen (writer/producer/director, Studio 12-7), Justin Giampaoli (writer/editor/critic, Thirteen Minutes), Barbra Dillon (editor-in-chief, Fanbase Press), Dave Law (artist, Art of Dave Law), Jessica Maison (writer/director/publisher, Wicked Tree Press), and Marcus McNeal (editor-in-chief, Odyssey Comics) discuss the many hats you need to wear as an independent creator, how small press is being recognized by the industry as a whole, and what practical tips and strategies new creators need to see their important ideas printed on the page.
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs

1:15pm PDT

The Thrilling Adventure Hour 20th Anniversary
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
North 100B
The Thrilling Adventure Hour is an institution of the LA comedy scene, having run live since 2005. The show consists of scripted comedy-genre segments starring your favorite actors from the worlds of TV, film, podcasts, and improv. Creators Ben Acker and Ben Blacker have a freewheeling conversation with cast members Craig Cackowski, Mark Gagliardi, Marc Evan Jackson, Hal Lublin, Annie Savage, Paul F. Tompkins, Janet Varney, and others.
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Comics, Education, Fandom, Movies, Music, Podcasts, Television, Writers & Writing

1:30pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #9: Focus on Danny Fingeroth
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 210
WonderCon special guest Danny Fingeroth spent 18 years at Marvel, where he ran the Spider-Man line and wrote hundreds of comics. As a cultural historian, Danny’s books include Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us About Ourselves and Our Society and Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero. His 2019 biography of Stan Lee, A Marvelous Life, tackles the controversies surrounding Lee. Danny’s most recent book, 2023’s Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin, chronicles Ruby’s bizarre life. Today, Danny speaks about his career with popular culture expert Travis Langley (Spider-Man Psychology: Untangling Webs).
Special Guests
avatar for Danny Fingeroth

Danny Fingeroth

WonderCon Special Guest
Danny Fingeroth is a cultural historian and commentator. His books include Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us About Ourselves and Our Society and Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero. His 2019 biography of Stan Lee, A Marvelous... Read More →
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Comics, Historical, Seminars & Workshops, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

1:30pm PDT

It's a Film Strip, Charlie Brown!
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
In the 1980s, the Peanuts animation team created the Charlie Brown Career Education Program, a filmstrip series where Snoopy and pals (including a new Latina character) learned about preparing for the world of work. Professional Peanuts nerd Nat Gertler not only leads you through this forgotten slice of Peanuts but shows you some of the film strips, including one live reading with Sofi Guiterrez (from the Transpose Theatricals of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown) and audience participation.
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Cartooning and Comic Strips

1:30pm PDT

Spotlight on Mitch Gerads
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
WonderCon special guest Mitch Gerads (Mister Miracle, Batman, Strange Adventures) and moderator Tim Sheridan (Alan Scott: The Green Lantern, FLASHPOINT Beyond) discuss how Mitch has brought his realistic style to the superhuman and unreal in books like Mister Miracle,Batman, and Strange Adventures. Mitch and Tim join for a one-on-one interview, Q&A session, and often hilarious insanity.
Special Guests
avatar for Mitch Gerads

Mitch Gerads

WonderCon Special Guest
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 →
Sunday March 30, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

2:00pm PDT

Japanese Queer Media
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
Japanese Queer media (Yaoi, BL, Yuri, and GL) has grown in popularity with an incredibly devoted fandom. What are the earliest depictions of Japanese queer media? How has it evolved? Panelists discuss this subgenre and how it is being challenged today.
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Television

2:00pm PDT

Launching Your First Kickstarter
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Has crowdfunding become too crowded? Moderator Andy Nordvall (Bad Future Comics) holds a lively discussion with panelists Carl Choi (247 Comics), Eddie deAngelini (The Collectors), Chris Hill (Rapture Productions), Oriana Leckert (Kickstarter’s head of publishing), and C. Solis (The Order of the Nun-Ya) on how to navigate an ever-changing online landscape.
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Let's Get Criminal
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
Criminal acts, the participants, their adversaries, and the consequences have fascinated storytellers and audiences throughout human history. These tales of crime and suspense span from the Age of Enlightenment to contemporary Gen Z, with protagonists ranging from bakers to malefactors to law enforcement. Brett Battles (Culprits), Richard Brewer (Culprits), Jennifer Chow (Star-Crossed Egg Tarts), A. Rae Dunlap (The Resurrectionist), Christopher Farnsworth (Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets), Jessica Kaye (Culprits), and John Shen Yen Nee (TheMurder of Mr. Ma) interrogate their genre choices with Southern CA bookseller Maryelizabeth Yturralde.
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Historical, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Nerdy Arts and Crafts for All Ages 20 to 80 and Beyond
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 207
Arts and crafts are fun for all ages! Sarah Scheidegger (artist/cosplayer) Amber Frakes (seamstress/cosplayer), and Summer Stinson-Pull (crafter/cosplayer), join Jasmine Paige Moore (seamstress/cosplayer/actress) for a discussion with Q&A monitored by Phil Acosta to answer questions about painting, sewing, crafting with reclaimed items, and more.
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs

2:00pm PDT

Princess and Superhero Storytime with Kids Can Cosplay
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Kids of all ages, come hear stories read by some of your favorite princesses and superheroes! Children and adults can also learn more about working with our causeplay charity and becoming a volunteer. After stories, follow cosplayers to the KCC booth on the show floor for meet-and-greets, photo ops, and booth giveaways. KCC volunteer character readers include Elemental Cosplay, Kat Ristow, James Johnson, Stefanie Carlson, Jennifer Hinojosa, Johnny Hinojosa, Leana Ahmed, Wendy Newton, and Trevor Newton.
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Animation, Books, Cosplay, Kids, Superheroes

2:00pm PDT

The Beauty in the Beast: Unlocking Design Secrets with Neville Page
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A
From elegant to eerie, concept design is all about finding the beauty in every creation. Emmy Award–winning artist Neville Page (Avatar, Star Trek, Cloverfield) takes you behind the scenes of his upcoming book, revealing his creative process through exclusive footage and never-before-seen insights. Explore how form, function, and storytelling merge to create iconic designs in film, TV, and beyond. Whether you're an artist, a designer, or a fan of cinematic world-building, this is your chance to witness creativity in action and gain inspiration from one of the industry's leading visionaries.
Special Guests
avatar for Neville Page

Neville Page

WonderCon Special Guest
Neville Page is an Emmy Award–winning designer, concept artist, and educator whose work has shaped some of Hollywood’s most iconic films, including Avatar, Star Trek, Tron: Legacy, and Cloverfield. Originally from England, he studied at the Art Center College of Design before... Read More →
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, Movies, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

The Gauntlet: A Dungeons & Dragons Adventure
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 151
Five heroes have been plucked from familiar fantasy and sci-fi worlds by the mysterious game master. To secure passage home, they must race through a series of challenges and battle to the death. Featuring Shaun Leonard, Ashleigh Morghan, John Wayne Constance, Mo Williams, Dr. Michael Tanizaki Kurland, and Nathan Beukema.
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 151
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Games, Humor & Satire, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

2:30pm PDT

Alien Civilizations
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Award-winning science fiction authors, visionary science futurists, renowned screenwriters, and Oscar-winning visual effects artists come together to explore the exciting process of creating alien civilizations for storytelling. Dive into the imaginative design of alien species, futuristic starships, and intricate societies, as they reveal the creative challenges and innovative approaches that bring these otherworldly concepts to life on screen and in novels. Featuring Larry Niven (Ringworld, Man-Kzin Wars), David Brin (The Uplift War, Existence), Jimmy Diggs (Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: DS9), Andre Bormanis (Star Trek, The Orville), and Doug Drexler (Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica). Moderated by Mark O’Bannon (Imperium, Whiskers).
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Books, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing

2:30pm PDT

Comic Culture in Museums: The World Of Pop Media Exhibitions
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
In recent years, comics and pop culture exhibitions have grown in popularity, with new venues opening to showcase these creative fields, prominent institutions recognizing the vitality and importance of these oft-overlooked mediums, and blockbuster touring exhibitions traversing the world. Moderator Patrick A. Reed brings together a group of curators, creators, fans, and scholars to discuss how the field continues to evolve and address how the popular arts are celebrated and elevated through increased prominence in galleries and museums.
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs

2:30pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #10: Guiding Villains, Helping Heroes: What Comics Teach Us About Finding the Right Therapist
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 210
The right mentor can offer critical support during pivotal moments, instilling lasting values and helping individuals navigate their unique paths. Psychologists Christie Pickel (Psychology Specialists of Maine), Sita-Marie Pillay (Hanna Center), and Francisco Rojas delve into the intersection of comic book mentorship and therapeutic relationships. The panelists will explore how iconic mentors like Professor X from The X-Men, Uncle Ben from Spider-Man, and Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender embody diverse mentoring styles that shape their protégés’ personal growth and decision making. Panelists will provide insights on how to find the right therapist to navigate life’s challenges.
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs

2:30pm PDT

Lumpia Deep Fried Universe: DJ Icy Ice in the Mix-Mix!
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 100B
Kid Heroes Productions, the creators behind the award-winning Lumpia film and comic books series, discuss their newest comic book drop, The Ones and Twos, with legendary DJ Icy Ice (World Famous Beat Junkies), spotlighting the mobile, party, and club deejay scene of the '90s prevalent with Filipino American culture mixed with their latest addition to the D.F.U.: Mix-Mix, a multiracial task force of multi-dessert-inspired anti-heroes! Featuring Patricio Ginelsa (writer/director), Brian "beee" Bello (artist), Lauren Lola (co-writer), Cesar Cueva (artist), and moderator Winston Emano (mano Y mano Media). Includes free print giveaway and special surprises!
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Comics, Movies, Music, Superheroes

2:30pm PDT

Perfecting and Pitching the Picture Book
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
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, Simon & Schuster) 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 colored crayons—let’s pitch some picture books!
Sunday March 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

Crafting a Multiverse: Careers in Design
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Marianne Parker (costume designer, pattern maker), iAsia Brown (senior producer Xbox, Microsoft), Jude Escalante (specialty costumer), Barbara Ingleheart (costume supervisor), and Erica Schwartz (assistant designer/key costumer) share insights and advice on having a career in design and storytelling. Hosted by Heather Cook (speaker and community builder, Microsoft).
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

From Fandoms to Community-Focused Projects
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Pop culture is not just about the stories it tells, but the communities that rise from it. An anime, film, or TV show has the ability to bring people together in ways creators could never imagine. But what happens when your passion for fandoms extends into live or online community events? Temple of Geek executives Monica Duarte and Madison Morrow are joined by Pop Umai (owner, UmaiGosh Entertainment), Nick Williams (content creator, journalist), Amanda Castrillo (social producer, writer, performer), and JPG (pop culture educator and consultant; InterMyth) to talk about bringing your passions to the next level, with topics including practical community resource management, how to plan successful fandom events, and how to plan the right events for the most disenfranchised of our communities.
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

Science of Disneyland
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 207
Disneyland is just down the road, so let’s take a virtual field trip to explore the parks from a different point of view. There’s something to discover in every land—life on other planets in Galaxy’s Edge, dinosaurs roaming the railroad, and majestic rock formations in Cars Land, just to name a few. There’s also robotics everywhere, from the original audio-animatronics to the advanced Spider-Man that swings across Avengers Campus. Panelists include astrophysicist Lisa Will, geologist Garrett Vice, paleontologist Stuart Sumida (who worked on the Matterhorn animations), and biologist Elizabeth Rega (who consulted on the Hall of Presidents). All are huge Disney fans who can’t wait to geek out and help you experience Disneyland from a whole new angle.
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM

3:00pm PDT

The Art of Collecting for Fun and Business
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
Professional collector and Smithsonian Advisory Board member Doug Dreier (founder of DCDcollects) brings his decades of experience creating and overseeing some of the largest private collections. Curator Trevor Hocking and artist Lee Kohse (Lucasfilm, Kindergoth, Image Comics) share their experiences collecting. What to collect? How to start your collection on a budget? How to avoid market disruptions and when to collect? What makes something collectible? Bring your best questions about collecting and art.
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

The Power of Love: The Rise of Webtoons, Anime, and K-Dramas
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
Award-winning creatives, actors, and experts discuss some of their favorite Webtoons, Anime, and K-Dramas that are exploding in the U.S. Featuring Rebekah Ganiere (Emmy-nominated, USA Today bestselling author and screenplay writer) and James Ganiere (Emmy-nominated, director/producer).
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs

3:00pm PDT

X-Men Fandom Panel: Mutant Voices
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Merry mutants unite! Voice actors from X-Men ’97, Marvel Rivals, X-Men: The Animated Series, and the Capcom Fighting Collection gather to talk about bringing their characters to life. Lenore Zann (Rogue), Catherine Disher (Jean Grey), Matthew Waterson (Magneto), Isaac Robinson-Smith (Bishop), J. P. Karliak (Morph), Alpha Takahashi (Psylocke), and Daniel Marin (Namor) appear with moderators Chandler Poling and Chris Riley of the X-Reads podcast.
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Animation, Fandom, Podcasts, Superheroes, Video Games

3:30pm PDT

Star Wars Trading Card Collecting
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C
David Neuhausel (trading card collector, Sci-Fi Coalition member), Shawn Mullen (founder of Sci-Fi Coalition fan club), and William O'Neill (Star Wars sketch card artist) address where to start collecting, who to trade with, how to avoid pitfalls, and other dynamics of card collecting. Topics include vintage sets, chase cards, autographs, sketches, and promotional cards. And of course, they'll not leave out the infamous X-rated C3PO trading card.
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles

3:30pm PDT

The Art of Voice Directing
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210
Some of the best voice directors in the business are once again stepping out of the booth for an insightful and delightful discussion about their craft with journalist Taimur Dar (The Beat).
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Animation, Movies, Television

3:30pm PDT

The Future of Doctor Who
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
The world’s longest-running sci-fi show faces an uncertain future. Will Disney+ pull their funding of the BBC classic? Share your views with a panel of expert Whovians, including moderator Sandro Monetti (CNN), Andrew Elkins (Geek Regeneration), Patricia Miller (River Alexandra Song cosplayer), Cody Shoberg (cosplayer), Julie O’Malley (Time Travelers Utld), and Kristi Schoeman (SD Who Con).
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs

3:30pm PDT

WonderCon Talk Back
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
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 30, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Fandom

3:45pm PDT

Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog: An Interactive Musical Comedy
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:45pm - 5:00pm PDT
North 100B
WonderCon is going out on a high note—literally! Fandom Charities and Hellmouth Events bring you the ultimate interactive screening of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog! Whether you're a seasoned Evil League of Evil hopeful or a newbie villain-in-training, this is your chance to sing, cheer, call back, yell back, and laugh along with the cult-favorite musical from 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! Cheer, or whatever, for "Captain Hammer, Corporate Tool"! Just have fun, and above all, make Bad Horse proud. Costumes, props, and over-the-top enthusiasm are encouraged! It’s the perfect way to close out WonderCon—with laughter, music, and a little bit of evil.
Sunday March 30, 2025 3:45pm - 5:00pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs

4:00pm PDT

25th Anniversary of Emperor's New Groove
Sunday March 30, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 207
Director Mark Dindal, writer Dave Reynolds, character designer Joe Moshier, head of story Steve Anderson, and story artist Jeff Ranjo are on hand to talk about the long and winding development of one of Disney’s most popular films. Behind-the-scenes stories and never-before-seen art will celebrate 25 years of Kuzco, Pacha, Yzma, and Kronk! Moderated by Tom Racine.
Sunday March 30, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Animation, Anniversaries, Art and Illustration, Humor & Satire, Movies

4:00pm PDT

Essential Elements for Film and TV Financing
Sunday March 30, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Ronnel Ricardo Parham (showrunner, producer; 5R Productions), Nate Golon (writer, producer; Workshop), David Bianchi (actor, producer; RZR), and Corey Grant (DGA, PGA, WGA) offer insights into an always-challenging area for creators: financing your project. Panelists will also provide a blueprint for what’s needed to grab the attention of financers and investors.
Sunday March 30, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Education, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Television

4:00pm PDT

Special Showcase of the 24 Hours Animation Contest for Students
Sunday March 30, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
The 24 Hours Animated Contest annual contest is a free international event where students from around the world compete in teams to produce a 30-second animated film in just 24 Hours. A screening of the Top 50 animated films will follow up with a Q&A panel of select filmmakers from these films, as well as the contest's founder, Aubry Mintz. Moderated by DreamWorks producer Shabrayia Cleaver.
Sunday March 30, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Education

4:00pm PDT

Success in Creativity: Making the Best of Your Resources
Sunday March 30, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Learn how to enhance your creative collaborations with practical advice on networking and communication, helping you unlock your creative potential and promoting effective resource, workflow, and time management. Ron Coleman, Ph.D. (molecular geneticist and comics writer) moderates the panel with Gene Turnbow (founder of SciFi.Radio), James Frye (managing editor, TheConGuy.com; screenwriter), Stephen Burns (Photoshop digital artist, author, lecturer) and Topher Davila (art director, TheJewelryDragon.com, illustrator/producer). As a bonus, one person will have a chance to win a One by Wacom Tablet ($49 value), courtesy of Wacom. In addition, each attendee will get a postcard of covered topics and solutions from past panels.
Sunday March 30, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs

4:00pm PDT

Writing What Makes You Different: Turning Unique Experiences into Compelling Fiction
Sunday March 30, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
Gretchen Schreiber (Ellie Haycock Is Totally Normal), Emery Lee (Meet Cute Diary), Elle Jauffret (Threads of Deception), Dennis K Crosby (Kassidy Simmons series), and Dr. Billy San Juan (Supernatural Psychology) explore how distinctive backgrounds and unusual experiences become storytelling strengths, enhancing character depth and creating authentic fiction that resonates with readers.
Sunday March 30, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Books, Education, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing
 
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Friday, March 28
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Autograph Area
California Ballroom A, Hilton Anaheim
California Ballroom CD, Hilton Anaheim
Exhibit Hall C
North 100B
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Room 204C
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  • 1: Programs
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  • AEG: Alderac Entertainment Group
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  • Friendly Bee Game Company
  • GSGN: Golden State Gaming Network
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  • Koalatie Games
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  • Pull the Pin Games
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  • SafeHaven Games LLC
  • SciFi.Radio
  • SJG: Steve Jackson Games
  • Slugfest
  • SRG Universe Inc
  • Sunrise Tornado
  • Sunwolf Studios
  • Tavern Crawl Games
  • Zombicide