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
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
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.
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
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).
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’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
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
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
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).
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
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!
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
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
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.
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
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
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)!
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
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.
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 →
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
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
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.
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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 →
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
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
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
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!
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
