WonderCon 2026: Full Schedule

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11:00am PDT

Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Tini Howard (Sirens: Love Hurts, Marian Heretic) and Blake Howard (Archie Horror, Vampire: The Masquerade) write comics both independently and together. Tini and Blake discuss the collaborative process of writing with a partner, versus writing alone, what makes a great collaboration, and a Q&A session.

Special Guests

Tini Howard

F-05, WonderCon Special Guest

Comics writer Tini Howard was an architect of the 2019 Krakoan X-Men reboot with her books Excalibur, X of Swords, and X-CORP, and she has enjoyed long runs on Harley Quinn and Catwoman at DC Comics. She lives and writes in Los Angeles, where she has names for all of the local cats... Read More →

Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, Comics, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

12:00pm PDT

Your Superpower and How It Fits in Animation

Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Room 209

The good folks at The Animation Guild (TAG) are here to show that if you're interested in a career in the animation world, drawing isn't the only thing they're looking for. Eric Robles (Stranger Things: Tales from '85), Christian Streaty (Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures), Jason Mayer (The Wild Robot), Chris Battle (Teen Titans Go!), Kristen Gish (Star vs. The Forces of Evil), and Ian Graham (Stranger Things: Tales from '85) discuss how your strengths might fit into the many and multifaceted roles that bring animation to life. Moderated by David Avallone (Batwheels), the panel covers screenwriters, storyboard artists, production workers, CG animators, designers, and more to show that there is a place for everyone in the exciting world of animation.

Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209

U: Updated, Action/Adventure, Animation, Art and Illustration, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Art and Illustration, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

Structuring the Swoon

Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Room 209

There's no HEA without the "Oh, no way!" WonderCon special guest Jasmine Guillory, Suzanne Enoch (Better Than a Duke), Erin La Rosa (Not You Again), J. Penner (Death Meets Cute), and Addie Thorley (Burn the Kingdom Down) discuss turning tropes into stumbling blocks that lead their characters to fall in love. Moderated by author Leanne Schwartz.

Special Guests

Jasmine Guillory

WonderCon Special Guest

Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, LGBTQIA+, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

2:00pm PDT

Artist's Editions (and More) Coming from Act 4 Publishing

Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Room 209

Scott Dunbier and Amanda Dunbier fill in attendees on what's been going on with all things Artist's Editions. Their playful banter is accompanied by lots of beautiful original art and fun trivia. Every attendee who arrives within the first 10 minutes receives a free raffle ticket for one of Act 4's books—winners are drawn before the end of the panel. Additionally, Act 4 poker chips featuring Walter Simonson's art will be handed out (while supplies last).

Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Historical

3:00pm PDT

Tales from My Spinner Rack LIVE!

Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Room 209

March 30th marks the 87th anniversary of the premiere of Batman in the pages of Detective Comics #27. That first story, "The Bat-Man: The Case of the Chemical Syndicate"—just six pages long!—introduced one of the most iconic comic book characters of all time, created by artist Bob Kane with writer Bill Finger. Tales From My Spinner Rack LIVE! returns to WonderCon with Gary Sassaman (former director of programming and publications, San Diego Comic-Con) and special guest Mark Evanier (comics historian, Kirby: King of Comics) to discuss the artistic history of the character, looking back at some of the incredible artists who illustrated the adventures of the Caped Crusader over the years. The first 100 attendees receive a limited-edition set of three Tales from My Spinner Rack Collector's Cards!

Special Guests

Mark Evanier

WonderCon Special Guest

Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animat... Read More →

Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Superheroes, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:00pm PDT

Deadweight with Bobby Lee: A Universe in the Making

Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Room 209

Step into the chaos, comedy, and cosmic weirdness behind Deadweight, the new graphic novel universe from GUNGNIR and comedian Bobby Lee. This panel dives into how a wild, character-driven story becomes a full-blown multimedia world—blending humor, heart, and high-concept storytelling. Matthew Medney (co-creator of the Deadweight universe) will be joined by Ernie Altbacker (writer, Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires) and Deric Hughes (co-EP and writer, Quantum Leap) to talk franchise building across comics, film, animation, and beyond, They'll break down the origins of the series, the process of building a universe around a singular comedic voice, and what it takes to launch a new franchise across formats. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, creative insights, and a few surprises as this strange, hilarious world begins to take shape.

Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209

U: Updated, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Middle Eastern/North African Representation in Media

Saturday March 28, 2026 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 much to recognize and celebrate. A panel of talented MENA American artists and entertainers explore how their backgrounds and experiences have shaped them and the progress still to be made toward further representation. Moderated by Jasmin Joestar (content creator/cosplayer, Twitch). Q&A to follow.

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, Cosplay, Seminars & Workshops

6:00pm PDT

Indie Toy Makers Unite!

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT

Room 209

Indie Toy Makers Unite returns to WonderCon with a candid, creative conversation about independently creating toys. Hear directly from creators who are producing and marketing their own independent toys and making their mark on the collectible community. This year's conversation includes Bill Murphy (BigBadWorkshop), Sarah Lynn Reynolds (senior toy designer, Bonkers), Quang Le (Creature Bazaar), Jason Langston (freelance toy and graphic designer), Rocom Toys, and Gavin Hignight (Wandering Planet Toys). Moderated by Jordan Q. Hammer (creator of pop culture news site Toyshiz; expert on Discontinued with Bruce Campbell), and Richard Mayerik (The Toys That Made Us; Secret Compartment Show).

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Animation, Anime & Manga, Books, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Music, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing

7:00pm PDT

Sci-Fi Horror: Where No One Can Hear You Scream

Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT

Room 209

From alien encounters and rogue AIs to body horror, cosmic dread, and experiments gone wrong, science fiction and horror have always been an ideal nightmare pairing. Jendia Gammon (Atacama, Dungeon Crawl at the Haunted Mall), Jean-Paul L. Garnier (Space Cowboy Books, Simultaneous Times), Eric J. Guignard (A Graveside Gallery, That Which Grows Wild), Scott Sigler (The Crypt series), and moderator KC Grifant (Monster Gunslingers, Shrouded Horror) explore what makes sci-fi horror resonate. These experts share their insights into crafting and appreciating horrors at the heart of the genre: loss of control, isolation, the terror of the unknown, and the question of what it truly means to be human.

Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

8:00pm PDT

Forensic Fact-Check: Dissecting Bone-Chilling Fiction

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT

Room 209

Alexa Tanen (M.S. in forensic anthropology, freelance editor) talks autopsies, forensics, and how some authors incorrectly dispose of bodies. Tanen helps attendees learn to create stories with a forensic level of accuracy.

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, Technology - Science - STEM

9:00pm PDT

HahaHorror

Saturday March 28, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT

Room 209

The difference between horror and comedy may be the music, but these two genres truly are made for each other. Moderator Anastasia Washington (Grind, Addams Family) leads a discussion with actors, filmmakers, and genre creators Teri Gamble (Horror Movie Survival Guide, Modern Family), Gina Hendry (Deadhead, Gaslighter), Ned Kirschman (Scissor Sleepover), Brea Grant (Grind, Lucky), Andrew Scott Bell (Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey), Sarah Nicklin (VHS Halloween, Popeye the slayer man), Matt Glass (12 Hour Shift, Grind), and Brandon Espy (Mr. Crocket) as they discuss what makes audiences laugh in fear.

Saturday March 28, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, BIPOC, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing

WonderCon 2026

11:00am PDT

Tini Howard

12:00pm PDT

1:00pm PDT

Jasmine Guillory

2:00pm PDT

3:00pm PDT

Mark Evanier

4:00pm PDT

5:00pm PDT

6:00pm PDT

7:00pm PDT

8:00pm PDT

9:00pm PDT

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