WonderCon 2025: Full Schedule

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

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

1:30pm 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

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

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

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

3:30pm 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

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 →

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

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

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

Nicholas Meyer

WonderCon Special Guest

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

6:30pm 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

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

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

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

11:30am 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

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

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

1:30pm 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

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

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

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

3:30pm 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

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

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

4:15pm 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

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

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

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

7:30pm 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

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

10:30am 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

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

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

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

11:30am 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

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

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

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

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

Neville Page

WonderCon Special Guest

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

2:30pm 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

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