WonderCon 2025: Full Schedule

1:00pm PDT

Build Your Community: The Importance of Community for Comics Creators

Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

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+

1:30pm 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

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

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

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

1:30pm 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

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+

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

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

4:15pm 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

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

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

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

10:30am 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

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

1:00pm 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

1:15pm 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

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