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Friday, March 27
 

2:00pm PDT

Comic-Con Lost Videos of the 1980s Part ll: The Trilogy
Friday March 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
This panel explores how digitizing media can help preserve the histories and legacies of creators and loved ones who are no longer with us and considers the question: Will A.I. help? This important issue for collectors, videographers, and archivists is highlighted through new, previously unseen videos that aim to educate and entertain, with additional surprises in store. Greg Koudoulian (Shel Dorf Archives) and Ron McFee (archivist for Comic-Con) can help answer your questions on preservation for the future.
Friday March 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Fandom, Historical, Humor & Satire, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM, Television

2:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #1: Defining the Superhero Today: Mission, Identity, and Community in Comics
Friday March 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 210
What makes a superhero a superhero, and why does it matter now? Building on Peter Coogan's defining criteria of mission, powers, heroic identity, costume, and generic distinction, this interactive panel examines how these elements shape both classic and contemporary understandings of the superhero genre. Antero Garcia (Stanford University), Susan Kirtley (Portland State University), and Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools) introduce a practical, classroom-tested rubric for analyzing superhero construction, drawing from their comics pedagogy framework and community-centered activities. After modeling how Coogan's criteria illuminate characters across publishers and eras, panelists guide attendees through hands-on evaluation and rapid-creation exercises. Participants name, assess, and finally design their own superheroes rooted in real-world identities, communities, and needs. This session invites scholars, educators, and fans to rethink the superhero not merely as a genre figure but as a cultural tool for storytelling, self-authorship, and collective imagination.
Friday March 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Historical, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes

2:00pm PDT

Identity, Growth, and Graphic Novels
Friday March 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
From first crushes and friendships to family, culture, and finding your voice, moderator Grace Sheehy (senior librarian of library resources at Mission Viejo Public Library) speaks with authors James Burks (Box Tales: Super Terrific Showtime!), Joshua Pruett (Phineas and Ferb: A-MAZE-Ing Creature Double Feature), Richard Ashley Hamilton (Leo Da Vinci: Renaissance Kid), and Michael Grover (Jake Spooky and the Wolves Within Him) as they explore how they craft powerful coming-of-age stories centering on identity, change, and self-discovery, ultimately helping young readers navigate their own journeys.
Friday March 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Education, Kids, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Spiritual Themes in Comics
Friday March 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
Casey Robin (illustrator), Travis Hanson (Beanleaf Press), Spiritual themes continue to be an essential component in comics, television, and movies, with series like Avatar: Fire and Ash, Ironheart, and Win or Lose all having spiritual themes as an important element of their stories. Leo Partible (comic book creator), Buzz Dixon (G.I. Joe), Matt Agosto (pastor), Ralph Miley (New Creation Comics), and Kyle Keene (moderator) will discuss the importance of spiritual themes in storytelling and the future of these themes as they are interwoven in the culture and in creative expressions.
Friday March 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Books, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

2:30pm PDT

Brandon Davis Show LIVE
Friday March 27, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 100B
Brandon Davis (formerly of ComicBook.com) brings his first-ever live edition of The Brandon Davis Show to WonderCon for a fun conversation with a main character. BD and a celebrity guest discuss an upcoming project and also take a walk down memory lane, looking back at some of their greatest moments and characters, boldest career choices, and the human experience of creating art and sharing it with the world.
Friday March 27, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Comics

2:30pm PDT

Creating a Local Comics Community
Friday March 27, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Members of the North County Cartoonists Collective (NCCC) discuss the process of forming their group, a collection of dedicated comics creators in San Diego's North County who meet regularly, share work, go on field trips, and twice yearly publish the comics anthology Jollies. Moderator Rocco Versaci (2025 Eisner judge/English professor) is joined by fellow NCCC members Mary Fleener, David Clark, Wendy All, Dean LeCrone, and Nick Ivins to provide valuable insights into the hows and whys of forming a supportive comic arts community.
Friday March 27, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Comics

3:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #2: Focus on Lee Marrs
Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 210
As a cartoonist and animation director, 2026 Eisner Hall of Fame inductee Lee Marrs' legacy is wide-reaching and topical. Marrs was one of the first women underground cartoonists, serving as a founding mommy of Wimmen's Comix, the first all-women comics series, and created her infamous underground series The Further Fattening Adventures of Pudge, Girl Blimp. In the 1980s, she was one of the first women to work for both Marvel and DC, and in the 1990s, she worked for Dark Horse, writing two Indiana Jones miniseries. Lee and moderator Sydney Heifler (The Ohio State University) will discuss Marrs's contributions to underground, mainstream, and fantasy comics and how her comics have sparked conversations about women's bodies, sexual orientation, and race within feminist and comic book narratives. This spotlight concludes with a look at Marrs' latest work and her ongoing effort to create comics that speak to important social, cultural, and political moments.
Special Guests
avatar for Lee Marrs

Lee Marrs

B-01, WonderCon Special Guest
As the first woman to work for both DC Comics and Marvel simultaneously, Lee Marrs was one of the founding mommies of Wimmen’s Comix. Lee’s art styles have ranged from illustrative (Heavy Metal magazine, Epic Illustrated, Star*Reach, Prince Valiant, Li’l Orphan Annie) to hu... Read More →
Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Historical, LGBTQIA+, Tributes, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

3:00pm PDT

Willie Ito: A Conversation with an Animation Legend
Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
Willie Ito is known for his work for Disney, Hanna-Barbera, and Warner Bros. Mindy Johnson, award-winning author and historian, speaks with Willie about his five-decade career in animation art.
Special Guests
avatar for Willie Ito

Willie Ito

A-01, WonderCon Special Guest
Willie Ito began his 50-year career in animation working on Disney’s iconic spaghetti-kissing scene in 1953's Lady & The Tramp. He continued to work at Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera, Bob Clampett Productions, and other studios before returning to Disney in the early 1970s. After... Read More →
Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

3:00pm PDT

Success in Creativity Mixer: Meet Other Creatives and Get Time with the Experts
Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 204C
This mixer brings together creatives from across television and film, animation, podcasts, cosplay, fan groups, music, illustration, blogging, writing, and comics to connect with peers both within and outside their own fields. Attendees can network across disciplines to find collaborators whose skills support every stage of a project, from creation through promotion and marketing. The event also offers dedicated one-on-one time with experts from the Success in Creativity panels—including Luke Cheesman, James Frye, Ron Coleman, Ph.D., Renah Wolzinger, Ed.D., Stephen Burns, Marsia Powers, Batt Rivera, Gene Turnbow, and Topher Davila—who can address questions on topics ranging from digital art, writing, and podcasting to management, accounting, taxes, event planning, and more. Attendees receive resource postcards drawn from past panels and have a chance to win a One by Wacom tablet. Bringing business cards or contact information is recommended to make the most of the networking opportunities.
Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  U: Updated, Action/Adventure, Animation, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Horror and Suspense, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes |   1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Horror and Suspense, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes

3:00pm PDT

Hyde Unleashed: First Comic from Mechanical Cake, Ridley Scott, and Johnny Depp
Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 200A
This panel explores the Hyde comic and upcoming graphic novel series, including the original black-and-white comic featuring Johnny Depp in Japan and an exclusive color release of that comic at WonderCon. Panelists Jesse Negron (Mechanical Cake), Tom Moran (Scott Free), and Jason Forman (Infinitum Nihil) discuss the project’s development and what comes next for HYDE .
Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 200A
  X: Cancelled, Comics, Books |   1: Programs, Comics, Books

3:30pm PDT

Crossing Bold Lines: Spotlight on Liana Kangas, Illustrator and Comic Artist
Friday March 27, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
Working in the comics industry can be challenging, especially when you're racing against the clock to break in within a decade. Sarah Gailey (The Echo Wife, Know Your Station, White Widow) interviews Liana Kangas (Know Your Station, Godzilla's 70th Anniversary, TRVE KVLT, HBO's Fantasmas) about navigating the industry, breaking into comics, and maintaining their passion while dealing with burnout, big wins, and work-life balance, all while striving to support and uplift their communities.
Special Guests
avatar for Liana Kangas

Liana Kangas

C-01, WonderCon Special Guest
Liana Kangas is a comics creator and illustrator specializing in neon noir storytelling across such genres as sci-fi, horror, music, and film. They’ve worked with major publishers including BOOM! Studios, Image, IDW Publishing, Dark Horse, and Vault, co-creating such acclaimed series... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Gailey

Sarah Gailey

WonderCon Special Guest
Sarah Gailey is a Hugo and British Fantasy Award–winning, bestselling author of speculative fiction, short stories, and essays. Their bestselling adult novel debut, Magic for Liars, was published by Tor Books in 2019. Their most recent novel, Just Like Home, and most recent ori... Read More →
Friday March 27, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

3:30pm PDT

The Groo Panel
Friday March 27, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
The all-time dumbest warrior in comics—the creation of cartoonist Sergio Aragonés—has been captivating audiences for decades. What is it about this stupid character and his stupid dog and their stupid adventures in a stupid world that causes smart people to follow them? Sergio's collaborators, Mark Evanier and Carrie Strachan, try to make sense out of all that stupidity, and if they need help, they will phone Sergio and see what he makes of it.
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

WonderCon Special Guest
Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animat... Read More →
Friday March 27, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Humor & Satire, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Tom King
Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
Eisner Award–winning writer Tom King had an extensive run on Batman, giving us a story to truly remember. His other credits include Batman/Catwoman, Grayson, Heroes in Crisis, Mister Miracle, The Omega Men, Rorschach, Strange Adventures, and The Sheriff of Babylon for DC and The Vision for Marvel. His most recent projects have included Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and Human Target.
Special Guests
avatar for Tom King

Tom King

F-02, WonderCon Special Guest
Tom King is the New York Times bestselling author and multiple Eisner Award–winning writer of Batman, Mister Miracle, Strange Adventures, The Sheriff of Babylon, The Vision, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Helen of Wyndhorn, and many others. He recently served as co-creator of th... Read More →
Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Comics, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:00pm PDT

Women in Comics: Is It Finally Our Time?!
Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Or are we going backwards? Expect a lively discussion with editor/journalist Heidi MacDonald (Comics Beat, Publishers Weekly), writer Amy Chu (Emma Frost, Carmilla: The First Vampire, Red Sonja), and some surprise guests.
Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, BIPOC, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, LGBTQIA+, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

4:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #3: The President Is a Hulk
Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 210
How have comics responded to the Trump era? Adam Adler (Super Babies v. DC Comics) and Peter Coogan (Institute for Comics Studies) explore how comics use metaphor, abstraction, and larger-than-life characters to express controversial or politically charged ideas and show how the response to Trump is the latest in a long line of comics-based activism.
Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Historical, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes

5:00pm PDT

Comic Pitch Review Friday
Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 204C
Most creators have no trouble coming up with great ideas for new comics, but they often struggle to speak clearly and concisely about those ideas to other people. Giving a good pitch is a vital skill in bringing your project to life. Fortunately, it's also a skill you can learn and improve with practice—and Pitch Review is a great place to do that. If you're someone who wants to get better at pitching your work (and especially if you're a writer or artist attending the Comic Creator Connection immediately after this event), this is your chance to practice giving your pitch and get some invaluable help from a professional writer and speaker coach. Pitch reviews will be conducted by Douglas Neff, a professional speechwriter, speaker coach, and host of the Comic Creator Connection. This is not a typical panel. These are three- to five-minute individual coaching sessions for as many people as can be accommodated in the scheduled time. Spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and everyone is welcome to watch and learn from the sessions.
Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Original Comic Art: An Open Discussion with the Insiders
Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Moderated by Mickey Finnegan (founder, Swagglehaus Entertainment; host, The Ungraded Truth podcast) this panel features Dinesh Shamdasani (former CEO and CCO, Valiant Comics; current CEO and CCO, Bad Idea), Patrick A. Reed (curator of Marvel: Earth's Mightiest Exhibition, Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing, and Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity), and Carl Choi (publisher, 247 Comics; producer, Six Studios). They will examine current trends in comic art collecting, share methods and tips for entering the hobby, and answer audience questions.
Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Superheroes, Comics

5:00pm PDT

The Wonderful World of Williamson
Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
Joshua Williamson (DC K.O.) has his hands full these days as he writes tentpole ongoing series for DC (Superman), Image/Skybound (G.I. Joe), and Marvel (Iron Man). Just how does he do it? This spotlight on one of the top writers in comic books highlights his process and career as he shares insights and maybe a few secrets.
Special Guests
avatar for Joshua Williamson

Joshua Williamson

F-03, WonderCon Special Guest
Joshua Williamson is a New York Times bestselling writer who has worked for nearly every comics publisher. One of the pillars of the modern DC Universe, with an iconic run on The Flash, he has written such titles as Robin, Green Arrow, and Batman/Superman. With his role as on... Read More →
Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Comics, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

5:00pm PDT

How to Fight Comic Bans and Win
Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's Jeff Trexler, writer and CBLDF board member Amy Chu (Emma Frost, Carmilla: The First Vampire, Red Sonja), attorney Britton Payne, and librarian, educator, and author Moni Barrette discuss the latest developments in comics censorship and what can be done to defend the comic arts. Book bans in schools and libraries, victories and defeats in recent court cases, new legislation targeting comics, and arrests, prosecutions, and other legal risks now facing comics retailers, creators, publishers, and fans are among the issues addressed. Comics censorship continues to surge, but understanding what's happening can help the community prevail.
Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  U: Updated, Comics, Books |   1: Programs, Comics, Books

5:00pm PDT

Creators Assemble: Comics Camaraderie, A Networking Event
Friday March 27, 2026 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. Attendees can 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 Meghan Fitzmartin, Gabriel Valentin, Kristen Parraz, Charlie Stickney, Eric Gladstone, Francis Stokes, Michelle Montrose, Omar Morales, Jonathan Chance, Jeffrey Snow, Keith Foster, and more. Comics librarians and educators include Theresa Rojas, Matthew Atherton, Joel Bakker, Joe Barrette, Moni Barrette, Elias Campos, Janie Ghinazzi, Jenni Powell, Sophia Juarez, Annie Fite, Jack Phoenix, and Dan Wood.
Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 206B
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Fandom, Writers & Writing

5:30pm PDT

Creating Comics: Ask the Pros
Friday March 27, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
Chris Ryall (Dread the Halls, Lock and Key), Jordan Hart (Dread the Halls, The Cabinet), Keithan Jones (Dread the Halls, The Power Knights), and Corinna Bechko (Blood Type, The Space Between) join Brock Smith (The Ferryman, Payne) and Christian Pedersen (The Ferryman, Payne) to discuss the ins and outs of forging a path and finding success in the comic book industry.
Friday March 27, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Writers & Writing

5:30pm PDT

Gay Geeks and Where to Find Them
Friday March 27, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Nicole Maines (actor, writer), Nathaniel Dolquist (actor, cosplayer), Jesse Ledina (artist), and Ember Vain (drag queen, cosplayer) discuss how favorite geeky fandoms can become flourishing careers, the challenges and rewards of growing up LGBTQIA+, seeking diversity and representation, and how being part of the community has influenced their work. The panel includes a special performance by Ember Vain and is moderated by Julian Jetson (stylist and host).
Friday March 27, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

5:30pm PDT

JAKKS Pacific and Disguise Costumes: Exclusive First Look at Upcoming Releases
Friday March 27, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
This panel offers a preview of new figures and collectibles based on Nintendo, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Simpsons, and more. Disguise Costumes also unveils a lineup of costumes scheduled to hit stores this year. After the reveals, the session features a Q&A and a trivia challenge that gives attendees a chance to win special prizes. Panelists include Danielle McLachlan, Kevin Feely, Jeremy Sueper, Amritz Lay, Alex Tello, Jennifer Gracia, Maddie Gerety, and Chelsea Tenney.
Friday March 27, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Kids, Movies, Superheroes, Video Games

6:00pm PDT

Comic-Con Museum: What's on and What's Next
Friday March 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Curious about how to keep the fan appreciation going all year round? This panel highlights Comic-Con Museum's current and upcoming exhibits, programming, events, and more. Moderated by Senior Director of Programming Eddie Ibrahim, the session features Comic-Con Museum leaders, contributors, and community advisors discussing the exciting present and future of Comic-Con Museum in San Diego's historic Balboa Park.
Friday March 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Fandom

6:00pm PDT

Comics Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Friday March 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
These comics teams are a dream come to life, gathering in Anaheim to talk about their work. WonderCon special guests Sarah Gailey, Tini Howard, Liana Kangas, and Babs Tarr provide an insightful and educational look into what it's like to work on comics together. Through the ups and downs, late-night calls, and early-morning coffees, these creators do what it takes to make the comics you love. Moderated by Michael Gorman (Improv Killed My Dog).
Special Guests
avatar for Liana Kangas

Liana Kangas

C-01, WonderCon Special Guest
Liana Kangas is a comics creator and illustrator specializing in neon noir storytelling across such genres as sci-fi, horror, music, and film. They’ve worked with major publishers including BOOM! Studios, Image, IDW Publishing, Dark Horse, and Vault, co-creating such acclaimed series... Read More →
avatar for Babs Tarr

Babs Tarr

F-06, WonderCon Special Guest
Babs Tarr is a professional comics artist and illustrator best known for her run on Batgirl of Burnside, her creator-owned comic Motor Crush, and the Overwatch—Tracer: London Calling miniseries (Dark Horse). She is also co-host of Critical Role's Pub Draw. Babs provided the cover for this year’s WonderCon Events Guide... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Gailey

Sarah Gailey

WonderCon Special Guest
Sarah Gailey is a Hugo and British Fantasy Award–winning, bestselling author of speculative fiction, short stories, and essays. Their bestselling adult novel debut, Magic for Liars, was published by Tor Books in 2019. Their most recent novel, Just Like Home, and most recent ori... Read More →
avatar for Tini Howard

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 →
Friday March 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

6:00pm PDT

Finding Your Passion . . . and Get Paid!
Friday March 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Whether you are trying to write a novel, illustrate a new comic book, create a new product, or launch a new website, starting a new business can be daunting and intimidating. Hosted by Tony B Kim (Hero Within), this group of entrepreneurs and professionals share tips, tricks, and skips for establishing and sustaining a new business. Featuring Priscilla Wilson (artist), Arthur Ebuen (writer/publisher), and Jeff Lawber (Marmals creator).
Friday March 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Comics, Education, Fandom, Writers & Writing

6:15pm PDT

Toonstock 17: We're Singing Again . . . with the Dynamic Music Partners!
Friday March 27, 2026 6:15pm - 7:15pm PDT
North 100B
Toonstock returns for a 17th entertaining panel, featuring the celebrated creative composers of copious cartoon music, the Emmy Award–winning Dynamic Music Partners. Perk up your ears for an hour of animated musical fun discussing the likes of Justice League, Teen Titans, Batman Beyond, The Zeta Project, The New Batman Superman Adventures, Marvel's Avengers Assemble, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and more with DMP's terrific trio—Kristopher Carter, Lolita Ritmanis, and Michael McCuistion—alongside The Archive Guys Podcast hosts Matthew Patterson and DW Ferranti, and moderator Gary Miereanu. Prepare to raise your own voice during the beloved Batman: The Brave and the Bold sing-along to the landmark "Mayhem of the Music Meister" episode.
Friday March 27, 2026 6:15pm - 7:15pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Comics, Historical, Kids, Movies, Music, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

6:30pm PDT

Collecting, Documenting, and Displaying 50 Years of Captain Canuck Comics
Friday March 27, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Trevor Alvord (curator, BYU Library), Sharolyn Swenson (cataloger, BYU Library), and Dainan Skeem (curator, BYU Library) explore the history and cultural influence of the Captain Canuck comics, its creator Richard Comely, and the efforts of Brigham Young University Special Collections to preserve Comely's work and the importance of building library comic collections. The panel will conclude with a discussion on developing an exhibit celebrating Captain Canuck's 50th anniversary, highlighting how the Canadian-themed comic fostered a sense of belonging and connection among students.
Friday March 27, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Historical, Superheroes

6:30pm PDT

Comic Book Law School®: The ABCs of Copyright and Trademark Law
Friday March 27, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 210
Creative passion and keen business sense don't always go hand in hand, and that's one of the reasons why many creators put off taking steps to protect their rights. But with an ever-growing appetite for new content and artificial means for laypersons to generate creative works with simple prompts, it has never been more important for creators to "get their ducks in a row" as soon as they can to protect themselves and their creations. But comics creators have their own Defenders they can turn to—and not just Jennifer Walters and Matt Murdock—as noted IP attorney Michael Lovitz (author of The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book) returns to WonderCon along with IP attorney Alana Friedman to bring attendees the information needed to protect their creative works. This Comic Book Law School session tackles the basics of protection and ownership of ideas, works of authorship, characters, names, and branding, giving creators information to help them protect their creative works from conception through publication and beyond. Attendees will participate in an interactive discussion about rights available to authors and creators under U.S. copyright and trademark laws, as well as some of the problems and pitfalls they may face, some important contract “dos and don'ts,” and (time permitting) a brief discussion on why written agreements can be unsung heroes and why not all generative A.I. programs are villains. 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 credit of California MCLE.]
Friday March 27, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Games, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Technology - Science - STEM, Television, Web, Writers & Writing

6:30pm PDT

G-Man Comics: How We Published 100 Comics in Seven Years and How You Can Too
Friday March 27, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
G-Man Comics' Rik Offenberger (editor-in-chief), Chris Squires (managing editor), and Ray MacKay (associate editor) offer an inside look at how a group of passionate fans grew into an independent superhero universe. In just seven years, G-Man Comics has launched over 100 issues, built a cohesive shared universe, coordinated dozens of creators, and delivered 12 successful crowdfunding campaigns. Panelists explain how they built a production pipeline that allows them to release comics consistently; how they coordinate teams of writers, artists, colorists, letterers, and editors across multiple countries; and how they manage crowdfunding, fulfillment, and fan engagement—and how you can, too.
Friday March 27, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Superheroes, Comics

7:00pm PDT

Dread the Hall H: (Fictional) Convention Horror Stories
Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
Image Comics' Dread the Hall H, the one-of-a-kind comic convention/horror anthology, returns this July. In this special panel co-hosted by the co-creators Chris Ryall and Jordan Hart and key guests, panelists will discuss the reality behind the fiction, share con stories both real and imaginary, and preview this summer's oversized annual.
Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Comics, Fandom

7:00pm PDT

Panick: The Next Wave in Horror
Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Get an exclusive first look at wave 2 of Panick Entertainment, including a special peek at The Accessories by Leah Kilpatrick and David Dastmalchian. From the people who brought you T.A.M.A., Black Diamond, and Savager comes a special first look at what's next for the publisher.
Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Writers & Writing

7:00pm PDT

What Would Buffy Do?: Why We Need Buffy the Vampire Slayer More than Ever
Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Later this year, iconic hero Buffy Summers will return in the revival TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale. Moderated by Bryant Dillon (president, Fanbase Press), this panel—featuring Juliet Landau (actress, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel), Sarah Gailey (writer, The Vampire Slayer, Eat the Rich), Marsia Powers (president/co-founder, Fandom Charities; HellmouthCon), Amy Chase (writer, Fixation, Archie Horror: Welcome to Riverdale), and Don Aguillo (cover artist, Spawn, King Spawn)—will examine the power and endurance of Buffy, how Buffy never truly left pop culture, and why today's challenges require a return from everyone's favorite Slayer.
Special Guests
avatar for Sarah Gailey

Sarah Gailey

WonderCon Special Guest
Sarah Gailey is a Hugo and British Fantasy Award–winning, bestselling author of speculative fiction, short stories, and essays. Their bestselling adult novel debut, Magic for Liars, was published by Tor Books in 2019. Their most recent novel, Just Like Home, and most recent ori... Read More →
Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

7:00pm PDT

Comic Creator Connection Friday
Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 204C
Are you a writer with a great idea for a comic book series, but you can't draw? Or maybe you're an artist looking to illustrate an incredible story, but you can't write. WonderCon is proud to once again host the Comic Creator Connection, a fast-paced networking event that puts writers and artists together to help them meet new creative partners. Here's how it works: In a two-hour period, writers and artists will sit down across from each other at a table. (And by artists, we mean pencillers, inkers, colorists, etc.—all are welcome!) Then, in five-minute sessions, you will talk one-on-one with each other about your ideas and skills. At the end of each five-minute period, you will get up and move on to the next person. If you're interested in furthering the conversation, you'll exchange contact information. Think of it as speed-dating but for writers and artists! Pro Tip: The room often fills up, so come early for the best chance at getting in. Seating begins at 6:45 PM.
Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

7:30pm PDT

Concept to Creation: A Writers Forum
Friday March 27, 2026 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? Creative professionals join for an engaging, audience-led discussion designed for independent authors, creators, and artists like you! Featuring host April Wahlin (author, Pandora Syndrome), Doc Farrow (actor, Young Sheldon), Jessica Maison (comics publisher, Wicked Tree Press), Aristotle Dreher (content creator and performer, Aristotle Full Throttle), Laurine Price (producer and writer, Phoenix), Dr. Travis Langley (writer, Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight), and Tessa McFionn (novelist, Star-Crossed Negotiations).
Friday March 27, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Superheroes, Comics

8:00pm PDT

Quests & Queries!
Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 209
The Welcome Party—Alix Catherine, Cole Garrison, and Jason Patrick Galit (JPG)—host this afterparty game of wordplay and clever query crafting where participants answer questions and question answers. Kimberley Wong (actress and voice actress, Queen of Tears) and Movie Mija (Emily Baeza) (producer, filmmaker, and content creator) will test their pop culture knowledge and put that knowledge into practice by crafting new questions, generating different answers to the same questions, and breaking down questions to find the answers they seek. With guest host Law Sharma (actor and entertainment journalist), this education- and comedy-focused battle of wits emphasizes that the thought process behind crafting an answer is just as important as the answer itself.
Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Education, Fandom, Games, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Video Games, Web

8:00pm PDT

The Great Comic Book Reading Debate!
Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Floppies vs. tablets! Kirk Kushin (Hello Kitty, PAW Patrol), Mark Fujita (Young Justice, WWE NXT), Denise Downer (Batwheels, Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man), and Britton Payne (entertainment attorney, Warner Bros./Nickelodeon) debate the best way to read comics in all their many formats. All are welcome—from "slabbers" to "flagrant page benders." This fun-filled discussion about the medium we all love welcomes fans and their comics.
Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Superheroes

8:30pm PDT

Draw Me Like One of Your Disney Girls
Friday March 27, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 210
See figure models Lucy Smith (director of SoCal-based figure drawing series Library After Dark Presents) and Kia Watson pose live for Lisa Dosson (storyboard artist for Disney TVA, Sesame Workshop, and Dan Harmon's Krapopolis), Orpheus Collar (storyboard artist for Disney's Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus), and Jose Pimienta (comic book artist and story artist for Disney and Random House). Artists and models will discuss their unique perspectives on working in the animation industry. Attendees can pose and take home a sketch or two. Moderated by Lucy Smith.
Friday March 27, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Comics, Education, Kids, LGBTQIA+, Seminars & Workshops

8:30pm PDT

Neighborhood Nightmares
Friday March 27, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Vampires and werewolves, the most popular monsters in movies and literature, exist because of folklore—local legends passed on from generation to generation to explain the weird and unknown. Small towns and regions around the globe are rich with these legends, and they can be ground zero for storytellers looking to create the next great thriller. The panelists of Neighborhood Nightmares share their knowledge and experience with small-town horror and talk about ways to use these legends to create compelling stories that keep readers and viewers up at night. From a haunted house in Amityville to the Jersey Devil to Rougarous, there are plenty of legends to explore, terrify, and inspire your creativity. New York Times bestseller Peter Clines (Gods Junk Drawer, The Broken Room), Nebula and BSFA Award finalist Jendia Gammon (Atacama, Doomflower), award-winning producer and comic book writer Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia, Blacula), and horror/paranormal author Denise Tapscott (Gypsy Kisses and Voodoo Wishes) will join moderator and award-winning horror and urban fantasy author Dennis K. Crosby (Death's Legacy, Death's Debt) for a deep dive into the thrilling tales that added to their love of horror and helped guide some of their storytelling.
Friday March 27, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing

8:30pm PDT

The Trial of Thanos
Friday March 27, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 208
How would real-world courts handle the trial of Thanos? How would statutes of limitations work in a world of time travel? Could the Joker really obtain early release? Attorney Adam Adler (Superbabies v. DC Comics) explores the strange legal puzzles hiding inside comic capers and shows how lawyers can use comics to pressure-test and improve the law.
Friday March 27, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Superheroes, Comics

9:00pm PDT

Dune: Where Do We Go From Here?
Friday March 27, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 207
Gareth Von Kallenbach and members of Skewed and Reviewed look at what the future of the Dune franchise may hold. From the upcoming movie and television series to possible new films, shows, games, books, and more, this lively panel includes an audience participation segment.
Friday March 27, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Books, Comics, Fandom, Movies, Television, Video Games
 
Saturday, March 28
 

11:00am PDT

Autism in Comic Books
Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Representation matters, but it comes with complications. Moderator Britton Payne (entertainment attorney, executive director of The Autism Scene) details the sometimes-troubling history of autistic characters in comic books and how comics as a medium can foster a modern understanding of autism among its readership. Fourth grader and inclusion advocate Eleanor Payne discusses YA books featuring autistic characters. Bex Burgess (YA graphic novel Speak Up!) addresses their experiences as an autistic comic book creator and creating autistic comic book characters, including Speak Up!, which features an autistic main character navigating her way through high school.
Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Comics, Books

11:00am PDT

Comics, Collaboration, and Co-Writing
Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209
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
avatar for Tini Howard

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

11:00am PDT

Pop Culture in Museums: Comics, Film, Animation, and More
Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
In recent years, pop culture exhibitions have exploded, with blockbuster productions reaching audiences around the world. This panel brings together curators, creators, designers, and other professionals to discuss displaying and celebrating popular arts in museum settings and will also feature an exclusive sneak peek at the Skirball Cultural Center's next comics-focused show.
Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Historical, Movies, Superheroes

11:00am PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #4: Adaptation and Collaboration
Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 210
Panelists examine the process of adaptation into and out of comics and how those adaptations navigate audience responses. Adriana Griot (California State University, Long Beach) analyzes fan response on social media to the graphic novel adaptations of the Dungeons & Dragons live-play campaign The Adventure Zone. Audrey Garcia (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) investigates how readers can "close play" comics alongside video games, considering Alien: The Illustrated Story alongside Alien: Isolation as a case study. Rachelanne Smith (Liberty University) explores how the graphic novel Trick 'r Treat: Day of the Dead connects to the original film and expands on its lore. Sierra Schiano (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) considers Reimena Yee's digital comic The God of Arepo, which adapts a collaborative short story written spontaneously and anonymously on Tumblr into an original Classical myth.
Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Fandom

11:30am PDT

Rey Mysterio vs. the Darkness: From Screen to Comics
Saturday March 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300C
The masks behind the epic animated series, now turned into an epic comic book, take fans behind the scenes of their latest comic based on the Mexican animated series. Wrestling superstar Rey Mysterio and animators Calavera Hermanos share how the story evolved from screen to page.. The conversation is moderated by director, writer, animator, and ASIFA-Hollywood Advisory Board member Jorge R. Gutierrez.
Saturday March 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Animation, Comics

12:00pm PDT

6th Annual "It's Alive!": Designing Sci-Fi, Horror, and Comic Book Genre Film and TV
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300A
"It's Alive!" returns to WonderCon with an exploration of the creative work behind horror, anime, thriller, and comic book–inspired films and TV shows. Industry professionals reveal how they bring worlds and characters to life through the artistry of music, editing, and more in this deep dive into the creative process. Panelists include composer Daniel Rojas (Marvel's Hit-Monkey), editor Eric Litman, ACE (One Piece), composer Ian Arber (Drops of God season 2), editor Kristi Shimek (Wardriver), composer Sam Boase-Miller (Good Boy), and composer Sam Jones (Didn’t Die). Moderated by editor Maura Corey, ACE (Gen V). Part 2 of Impact24 PR's Panel Superblock.
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Bad Idea: The WonderCon Panel
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
The next wave of Bad Idea comics continues right here. Mastermind David Yarovesky (director of Brightburn), and Bad Idea impresarios Dinesh Shamdasani and Benjamin Simpson offer an exclusive look at the company’s biggest slate yet. See new art from The Olympus Saga: Megalith, Warbird, The Hab, The Oddball's Odyssey, Tankers vs Ancient Aliens, Project: GOAT, and more. Plus, look for surprise guests and a convention-exclusive giveaway.
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Comics

12:00pm PDT

Storytelling Across Games, Comics, and Beyond
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Storytelling doesn't live in just one medium anymore. From Mass Effect, League of Legends, and Fallout to Call of Duty, Mortal Kombat, and award-winning comics, this panel reveals how characters are created, performed, and adapted across games, comics, and beyond. Featuring Courtenay Taylor (voice actor), Julie Nathanson (voice actor), Keith Arem (president and creative director at PCB Productions), Matthew Yang King (actor and voice actor), and Pornsak Pichetshote (comic creator and writer), and moderated by Carrie Keranen (voice actor and voice director).
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Comics, Fandom, Video Games, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Where Do Ideas Come From? For Artists and Writers Who Get “Stuck”
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
Veteran editor/creator wrangler Barbara Randall Kesel (Inkpot Award recipient; writer, Hawk & Dove, Marvels Snapshots: Avengers) slings rapid-fire tips, tricks, and strategies for vanquishing those blocked brain cells and deadline demons. Part information, part motivation, all entertaining!
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Education, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

12:30pm PDT

Legendary Comics: Godzilla x Kong, Dune, Pacific Rim, and More!
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
Legendary Comics, the publishing arm of the studio behind the Dune and Monsterverse franchises (including Monarch and next year’s Godzilla x Kong: Supernova), as well as Trick 'r Treat, Pacific Rim, and the upcoming Street Fighter movie, offers a behind-the-scenes look at their graphic novels, art books, and other tie-in publishing across all of the company’s franchises. A special giveaway is planned.
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Movies

12:30pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #5: The Horror of It All: Exploring Pain, Trauma, and Loss in Horror Comics
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 210
Why do we like stories about ghouls, darkness, and other assorted horrors? Some of us can't stand to be spooked, yet others can't get enough. What can we learn about the human condition from tales of horror? Delving into the darkness are Shelly Clevenger (Sam Houston State University), Daniel Jun Kim (PopMythology.com), and Alex Langley (Spider-Man Psychology: Untangling Webs). They explore pain, trauma, and resilience in the Ice Cream Man series, Home Sick Pilots, and Nice House on the Lake. Panelists use the genre of comics to help us understand how horror can illustrate both the worst and best of the human experience.
Saturday March 28, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense

1:00pm PDT

Meet Tarzan Author Joe R. Lansdale plus Esteemed Guests
Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
Three decades ago, Edgar Rice Burroughs' grandson found a lost Tarzan manuscript in a vault in Tarzana, California, and selected rising-star author Joe R. Lansdale (Bubba Hotep, Hap and Leonard) to complete it. Now, Lansdale is a legend in his own right, discussing new Tarzan projects as well as the 30th anniversary edition of Tarzan: The Lost Adventure, a convention exclusive debuting at WonderCon. The panel also features Llana Jane Burroughs, ERB's great-granddaughter, whose father recovered the lost manuscript and worked tirelessly to promote ERB's legacy. Next, Tom Akel of Rocketship Entertainment offers a glimpse at a new epic Tarzan comics project. Also on hand are Wolf Larson (former Tarzan TV star and VP of ERB Entertainment) and the ERB, Inc. team to discuss upcoming books, comic books, merchandise, and movie and TV series in development. Attendees will receive a Tarzan: The Lost Adventure 30th anniversary bookmark!
Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anniversaries, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Games, Historical, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

DC Comics: What's Next
Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
Top DC storytellers dive deep into DC's comics, including DC: Next Level, DC Vertigo, DC's Absolute comic books, and more. Discover what's coming next from the writers and artists shaping the future of the DC Universe, get behind-the-scenes insights into upcoming series, and learn how these creators are expanding the scope of DC storytelling.
Special Guests
avatar for Tini Howard

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 →
avatar for Scott Snyder

Scott Snyder

F-01, WonderCon Special Guest
Over his 15-year career, Scott Snyder has written such blockbuster bestselling comics as Batman (with Greg Capullo) and Absolute Batman (with Nick Dragotta), as well as critically acclaimed creator-owned titles American Vampire (with Rafael Albuquerque) and Wytches (with Jock; Amazon Studios animated adaptation in production). He is the recipient of two Eisner Awards, a Harvey Award, an Eagle Award, three Stan Lee Awards, and an Inkpot Award. Scott lives on Long Island with his wife and three sons. He's an avid, non-ironic fan of Elvis Pre... Read More →
avatar for Babs Tarr

Babs Tarr

F-06, WonderCon Special Guest
Babs Tarr is a professional comics artist and illustrator best known for her run on Batgirl of Burnside, her creator-owned comic Motor Crush, and the Overwatch—Tracer: London Calling miniseries (Dark Horse). She is also co-host of Critical Role's Pub Draw. Babs provided the cover for this year’s WonderCon Events Guide... Read More →
avatar for Joshua Williamson

Joshua Williamson

F-03, WonderCon Special Guest
Joshua Williamson is a New York Times bestselling writer who has worked for nearly every comics publisher. One of the pillars of the modern DC Universe, with an iconic run on The Flash, he has written such titles as Robin, Green Arrow, and Batman/Superman. With his role as on... Read More →
Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
  U: Updated, Art & Illustration, Comics, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, Art & Illustration, Comics, Writers & Writing

1:30pm PDT

The Writer's Journey: Your Intellectual Property Is Your Future
Saturday March 28, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
The entertainment industry has shifted in ways no one could have predicted. This panel explores how rapidly the entertainment industry has changed and what displaced writers have done to rejuvenate their careers by doubling down on their original material. Writers and producers give examples of how they changed their mentality and offer solutions for writers who feel confused and frustrated. Featuring Brandon Easton (Iyanu), Roye Okupe (Iyanu), and other creators.
Saturday March 28, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Education, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Television, Video Games, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Cinematic Storytelling: The Art of Visual Effects and Speculative Fiction
Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
A panel of award-winning visual effects artists turned science fiction and fantasy authors explore how the language of film translates into the written word. You will learn how elements of cinematic storytelling, timing, framing, rhythm, spectacle, and emotional focus can shape unforgettable prose. Featuring Eric Wilson (VFX, The Matrix; author, The Murder Algorithm), Jim Hillin (VFX, Thor: Love and Thunder; author, Horace Gumshoe), and Scott Kilburn (VFX, Life of Pi; author, The Fey Forest Chronicles), with moderator Theresa Halvorsen (author, Warehouse Dreams, Lost Aboard)
Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Animation, Books, Comics, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

What's the Buzz with The Beat?: Behind the Headlines
Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
The folks behind The Beat, the Eisner Award–winning comics news site, go behind the scenes of all the hottest stories in comics and entertainment. Editor-in-chief Heidi MacDonald is joined by Kalai Chik (K-ComicsBeat), Taimur Dar (ComicsBeat), Greg Weisman (Gargoyles), Nat Gertler (About Comics) and Patrick A. Reed (curation/consultation, Jack Kirby: Heroes And Humanity) to give attendees the inside scoop.
Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  U: Updated, Comics |   1: Programs, Comics

2:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #6: The Changing Face of the World's Favorite Superhero: Superman, Batman, Spidey, and Beyond
Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 210
What makes a superhero timeless? From the Man of Steel soaring into comics in 1938 to the masked vigilantes and webslingers dominating popular culture today, each taps into something essential in the human imagination. Experts and industry pros explore why these icons became cultural mainstays, how their appeal has shifted across eras, and what their evolving popularity reveals about the societies that embraced them. The discussion looks at the characters' mythic roots, their psychological and cultural resonance, and how fans—across generations and around the world—have reinterpreted them. Whether it is Superman's embodiment of hope, Batman's brooding complexity, or Spider-Man's neurotic relatability, the panel unpacks the formulas that made them unforgettable and considers how newer heroes are building on that legacy.
Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Historical, Seminars & Workshops

2:30pm PDT

Storytelling Through Costuming with Babs Tarr
Saturday March 28, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
WonderCon special guest Babs Tarr (Sirens: Love Hurts, Batgirl of Burnside, Critical Role Pub Draw) and moderator Dani Carr (Critical Role, The Witch Wolf) explore the art of costuming and character design and how it can tell a deeper story beyond the plot. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Love Hurts.
Special Guests
avatar for Babs Tarr

Babs Tarr

F-06, WonderCon Special Guest
Babs Tarr is a professional comics artist and illustrator best known for her run on Batgirl of Burnside, her creator-owned comic Motor Crush, and the Overwatch—Tracer: London Calling miniseries (Dark Horse). She is also co-host of Critical Role's Pub Draw. Babs provided the cover for this year’s WonderCon Events Guide... Read More →
Saturday March 28, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

3:00pm PDT

LGBTQ-Inclusive Storytelling for Young People
Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
Comics, graphic novels, and YA books are universal mediums that have grown consistently in their support of LGBTQ-inclusive stories and characters for young readers. These trailblazing successes have created new opportunities for LGBTQ+ creators. Join Prism Comics, panel moderator Cort Lane (My Little Pony, GLAAD Kids & Family Advisory Council), and a group of queer publishing storytellers as they discuss their projects and answer questions, including: How did new LGBTQ+ creators find their voice and get their start? How do they approach LGBTQ content and characters for tweens, teens, and young readers? What's the best advice they've received along their journey? How do they stay hopeful in a challenging landscape and challenging times? Creators include Tilly Bridges and Susan Bridges (Star Trek Voyager: Homecoming; Monster High), Julie Fiveash (The Froggy Library), Jose Pimienta (Luminous Beings, Halfway to Somewhere), Jasmine Walls (Brooms, The Last Session, Vol. 1: Roll for Initiative), and Shannon Watters (Lumberjanes, Hollow).
Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Kids, LGBTQIA+, Superheroes

3:00pm PDT

Monstrous Alliances: How Indie Creators Thrive Beyond Corporate Giants
Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
In an industry dominated by massive corporations, how do indie creators fight back? Leaders from comics, toys, skateboarding, and gaming—Shannon Eric Denton (Monster Forge), Bill Murphy (Big Bad Workshop), Eagle Barber (Madrid Skateboards), Kevin Grevioux (Underworld), and Armando Roque (Spin Master)—unleash bold collaborations and monstrous cross-promotions fueled by skateboarding grit and a punk rock attitude. Discover how these creative monsters are carving out space—and real success—across film, comics, toys, and games, from beloved IP like The Rocketeer to their own original monstrous creations.
Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Art and Illustration, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Video Games, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Set Decoration of Marvel's Wonder Man
Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Marvel dropped its newest show in January, set in the weird world of Hollywood and the MCU. Set decorator Lizzie Boyle, SDSA and members of the set decoration department (assistant set decorator Nicole Riley and set dec buyer Avery Ferguson) talk about the sets of this stylish show. Moderated by Rae Deslich, SDSA and Michelle Hall, SDSA. Part of the Set Decorators Society of America's series of panels on film and TV set decoration.
Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Comics, Cosplay, Education, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

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
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

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

3:30pm PDT

Figure drawing for Popular Media
Saturday March 28, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210
Emilio Soltero, Ph.D. (John Buscema: A Life in Sketches, Gorillas in da Mix) presents a primer on drawing the figure for popular media, including drawing for comics and character design. Professionals and beginners are welcome. Bring your drawing supplies to draw during this interactive presentation. Come ready to take notes and to draw.
Saturday March 28, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Comics

3:30pm PDT

Not So Strange Bedfellows: The Relationship Between Comics and Pro Wrestling
Saturday March 28, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
Some have called the spectacle of pro wrestling "a comic book come to life." That is not far from the truth. From the heroics of Hulk Hogan to the anti-heroics of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and the villainy of Ric Flair, this panel explores the parallels in character development and storyline advancement between these outrageous forms. Featuring Francis Szyskowski (creator, The Massacre Twins), Jonathan London (Hero of the Prophecy), Michael Mondragon (founder, Punk Rock Art School), Flobo Boyce (26 Stone: BIGGER, LONGER, & UNCUT), Anthony Ray Bench (associate editor, Ultima Comics), Scott Lost (creator, The 2nd Shift), Rik Offenberger (editor-in-chief, First Comics News), and Hunter Jackson (co-founder of GWAR). Moderated by Joshua Waldrop (founder/publisher, Ultima Comics).
Saturday March 28, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
  U: Updated, Comics |   1: Programs, Comics

4:00pm PDT

Family Is Community: Middle-Grade Graphic Novels
Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
Moderator Erinn Pascal (author stewardship manager at PJ Library) and creators Gabriel Valentin (Digital Lizards of Doom Volume 5), Julie Fiveash (The Froggy Library), and Scott Peterson (Phineas and Ferb: A-MAZE-Ing Creature Double Feature) explore how relationships—at home, at school, and beyond—shape their characters and highlight that stories grounded in connection and belonging help middle-grade readers grow.
Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Kids, Writers & Writing

4:00pm PDT

Level-Up: Taking Your Comics to the Next Tier
Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Comics creators discuss strategies for creating comics that stand out, digging into what separates good ideas from great projects and why so many comics fall short despite solid art or writing. Marcus McNeal (editor-in-chief, Odyssey Comics), Rob Pilkington (writer, Slight Return), April Connors (creator, Everybody's Happy Nowadays as Prof. Raco), Arthur N. Ebuen (writer, California, Inc.; animator The Simpsons), and Amy Linsamouth (writer, Jackie and the Magical Guys; Byte Me) share insights on shaping pitches with clarity and intent, assembling and leading creative teams, navigating editorial without losing your voice, and making choices that give a project a distinct identity.
Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, LGBTQIA+, Writers & Writing

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

Comic Pitch Review Saturday
Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 204C
Most creators have no trouble coming up with great ideas for new comics, but they often struggle to speak clearly and concisely about those ideas to other people. Giving a good pitch is a vital skill in bringing your project to life. Fortunately, it's also a skill you can learn and improve with practice—and Pitch Review is a great place to do that. If you're someone who wants to get better at pitching your work (and especially if you're a writer or artist attending the Comic Creator Connection immediately after this event), this is your chance to practice giving your pitch and get some invaluable help from a professional writer and speaker coach. Pitch reviews will be conducted by Douglas Neff, a professional speechwriter, speaker coach, and host of the Comic Creator Connection. This is not a typical panel. These are 3- to 5-minute individual coaching sessions for as many people as can be accommodated in the scheduled time. Spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and everyone is welcome to watch and learn from the sessions.
Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Crowdfunding Comics Today
Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
Jordan Plosky (co-founder and CEO, Zoop) and Eric Moss (co-founder and COO, Zoop) are joined by guests who straddle the worlds of comics and music. Artist and guitarist Ven Adams (Fangbanger) and cartoonist and musician Luke McGarry (Morrissey, PopNoir) discuss their experiences with crowdfunding, share real-life examples, and answer audience questions about funding creative projects of all kinds.
Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Comics, Music

5:00pm PDT

From Batman to Basquiat: Contemporary Art and Comics
Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Comic book characters are a deep source of inspiration for visual artists as avatars of social commentary and contemporary symbolism. Alma Villegas (senior director of development, Inner-City Arts), Kenny Keil (artist/writer, MAD magazine, Smoove City), John Jennings (author/artist/professor; Black Kirby, Kindred), and James Reitano (animation director/comics creator; 1985, 1987, music videos for Quasimoto, Czarface, MF DOOM) discuss their work at the intersection of contemporary art, community, and comics, as well as the work of Andy Warhol, Dulce Pinzon, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and others. Moderated by Gustavo Alberto Garcia Vaca (writer/artist, MoMA, LACMA, Beyond Warriors).
Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Comics

5:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Scott Snyder
Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 207
After a historic run on titles like Batman and American Vampire, Scott Snyder (Absolute Batman) made his return to DC Comics in 2024 with the release of DC All In Special and a celebrated launch of the Absolute Universe. But what's coming down the DC pipeline from Snyder after the colossal DC K.O. event? This spirited discussion of his thoughts and process just might yield an answer or two.
Special Guests
avatar for Scott Snyder

Scott Snyder

F-01, WonderCon Special Guest
Over his 15-year career, Scott Snyder has written such blockbuster bestselling comics as Batman (with Greg Capullo) and Absolute Batman (with Nick Dragotta), as well as critically acclaimed creator-owned titles American Vampire (with Rafael Albuquerque) and Wytches (with Jock; Amazon Studios animated adaptation in production). He is the recipient of two Eisner Awards, a Harvey Award, an Eagle Award, three Stan Lee Awards, and an Inkpot Award. Scott lives on Long Island with his wife and three sons. He's an avid, non-ironic fan of Elvis Pre... Read More →
Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Comics, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

5:30pm PDT

How to Get News Coverage
Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
Small press publishers often wonder what makes the difference between an item that will get news coverage, previews, and interviews and one that will not. Many have no idea what to submit to the press, how to submit it, or why they are being overlooked for coverage. Comics journalist Rik Offenberger (First Comics News, Archie Comics) moderates this panel on what it takes to get coverage, with comic journalists themselves explaining what they look for in submissions. Panelists include Tim Chizmar (Fangoria, co-chair of the Horror Writers Association), Jaesa Evermore (Temple of Geek, First Comics News), Ray MacKay (Fantastic Comic Fan), Grant Offenberger (Grant Me Peace), Alex Raymond (Hollywood Gone Geek), Francis Sky (First Comics News), Chris Squires (iHeartMedia), and Josh Waldrop (Ultima Media).
Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Comics, Horror and Suspense

6:00pm PDT

Hip-Hop and Comics: Cultures Combining
Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
Hip-Hop and comics share numerous connections and exist in constant communication with one another: Rappers and graffiti artists utilize superheroic imagery; DJs and producers create universes of sound; comic creators and animators incorporate Hip-Hop's musical and visual vocabularies; collectors dig through crates for key back issues and rare breakbeats. Both forms reconfigure and remix elements, blend styles, and inspire passionate fanbases. Moderator Patrick A. Reed brings together a group of experts to discuss the bonds between these two creative cultures.
Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Comics, Fandom, Music

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

6:30pm PDT

Making a Living Being Creative
Saturday March 28, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
Star Wars artist and indie comic creator Lee Kohse (Star Wars, Kindergoth, Omicron Fel) talks about his 30+ year career as a professional artist, how he broke into the entertainment industry, optioning his creator-owned comics to Hollywood, adapting to a changing industry, navigating the business of Artists’ Alley, and how to be ready when a lucky break comes. Is it all about who you know? Attendees will learn how to promote themselves, get tips on how to network, and take part in a Q&A for anything Lee may have missed. Moderated by Johnny Kolasinski (Hi Everybody: A Bad Medicine Podcast).
Saturday March 28, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

6:30pm PDT

The Marco Polo Loose Inking Technique
Saturday March 28, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 210
Comic book artist Cutter Hays will demonstrate and teach his fast methods of achieving cool-looking inks in a flashy, sped-up sumi style. It's fun to watch, he takes questions while doing it, and you, too, can learn to be fast, good, and braver with a brush and ink. Cutter will even take on suggestions for subjects as a fun challenge. If you're a beginner, this can be your launching pad. If you're advanced, you can put a new tool in your arsenal. Many are intimidated by traditional inking—come watch and find out how fun it can be!
Saturday March 28, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Comics, Books

6:30pm PDT

What Peggy Carter Taught Us
Saturday March 28, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
This March marks the 10th anniversary of the cancellation of Marvel's Agent Carter. Jennifer Redelle Carey, M.A. (educator, Ariadne's String), Dr. Mercedes Samudio (licensed psychotherapist, author, and cultural commentator), Sara Elizabeth Santana (indie YA and romance author, former blogger and professional fangirl), Dr. Janina Scarlet (psychologist; author of Superhero Therapy), and moderator Dawn M. Bourn (The Geek Girl Project) discuss why Agent Carter, as a character and a TV show, continues to be transformative to American culture and why Peggy Carter's iconic quote "I know my value" matters more than ever.
Saturday March 28, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Anniversaries, BIPOC, Comics, Cosplay, Education, Fandom, Historical, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

7:00pm PDT

Military Fiction
Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
U.S. Marine Corps veterans and writers Tom Waltz (G.I. Joe, TMNT) and Benjamin Spada (The Black Spear series) talk about the depiction of the military in various types of media and how their time in the military informs what they write, from pet peeves in the genre to the need for genuine representation. Ronald Coleman, Ph.D. (scientist/writer) moderates.
Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Comics, Fandom, History

7:00pm PDT

The Power of Color: The Discussion Continues
Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Representation in comics and pop culture continues to be at the forefront of the entertainment industry. Does the industry explore the option of looking at new material from independent creators, or does race swapping continue to be used as a method of furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion as it pertains to the topic of race? Featuring Kevin Grevioux (Underworld), Baldwin Chiu (filmmaker), Larissa Lam (actress), Hannibal Tabu (writer/producer), Leo Partible (filmmaker), and Ralph Miley (moderator). 
Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

7:00pm PDT

Ultima Comics: The Match Beyond!
Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
Ultima Comics shares updates on upcoming issues of the Founding Four titles, along with a slate of new debut projects from emerging independent comics talent publishing with Ultima. The panel highlights the stories behind forthcoming work featuring Francis Szyskowski (The Massacre Twins), Flobo Boyce (26 Stone: The Movie!), Taylor Hammond (Captain Starfish & the Aquanauts), Tim Peterson (Fire In The Dark), Payton Oliver (Parenthetical Bullet), and Anthony Bench (Ultima Comics). Hosted by Joshua Waldrop (founder/publisher, Ultima Comics).
Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
  U: Updated, Comics |   1: Programs, Comics

7:00pm PDT

Comic Creator Connection Saturday
Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 204C
Are you a writer with a great idea for a comic book series, but you can't draw? Or maybe you're an artist looking to illustrate an incredible story, but you can't write. WonderCon is proud to once again host the Comic Creator Connection, a fast-paced networking event that puts writers and artists together to help them meet new creative partners. Here's how it works: In a two-hour period, writers and artists will sit down across from each other at a table. (And by artists, we mean pencillers, inkers, colorists, etc.—all are welcome!) Then, in five-minute sessions, you will talk one-on-one with each other about your ideas and skills. At the end of each five-minute period, you will get up and move on to the next person. If you're interested in furthering the conversation, you'll exchange contact information. Think of it as speed-dating but for writers and artists! Pro Tip: The room often fills up, so come early for the best chance at getting in. Seating begins at 6:45 PM.
Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 204C
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

7:30pm PDT

EC Fan-Addict Club: Horror! Science Fiction! and Humor! The EC Art of Wood and Davis
Saturday March 28, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Thommy Burns (Foul Play and Other Stories by Jack Davis, Spawn of Venus and Other Stories by Wallace Wood), Grant Geissman (The History of EC Comics), and Jon Gothold (My Gun Is the Jury and Other Stories by Jack Davis and Wallace Wood) celebrate two of EC Comics' most prolific artists in a lively panel moderated by Mike Catron (senior editor, Fantagraphics' EC Artists Library) and hosted by Josh Burns (co-founding admin, EC Fan-Addict Club on Facebook).
Saturday March 28, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Fandom, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Science Fiction & Fantasy

8:00pm PDT

Superhero Cartoon Draft 2026
Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 207
Host Dimithri Perera (The Keeg podcasts, Comic Talk) runs a sports draft-style show where guests Justin Jordan (Still Scrolling Podcast), Nikhil Clayton (content creator, X-Men superfan), and Maggie Kingdom (cosplayer) will draft their top five greatest superhero cartoons of all time. Not only will the panelists compete against each other for their top picks, but the audience will have the chance to win big with their picks as well!
Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Comics, Fandom, Podcasts, Superheroes, Television

8:30pm PDT

The WonderCon 2026 Masquerade
Saturday March 28, 2026 8:30pm - 11:00pm PDT
North 200A
The annual onstage costume competition celebrates the amazing cosplay creativity and talents of WonderCon attendees. This is not a dance or party, but a series of onstage presentations of fan-crafted costumes, with trophies, generous cash prizes, and other awards, judged by professional costume designers. The show emcee is 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 is also special entertainment during the judging break, with a new performance by the talented Corps Dance Crew and a big new Star Wars–inspired show by the Lucasfilm-approved Saber Guild lightsaber group. Doors open at 8:00 for audience seating, but the line for choice seating always starts to form earlier. No flash photography, please.
Saturday March 28, 2026 8:30pm - 11:00pm PDT
North 200A
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Kids, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Video Games

9:00pm PDT

Whodunnit? Locked-Room Mysteries in Comics
Saturday March 28, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 211
At times, comic books feel tailor-made for a memorable mystery, whether it is a master detective or a fly-by-night gumshoe uncovering clues; the nature of the medium is primed for suspense. So, where is a good place to start experiencing private eyes on the page, or where might a veteran armchair detective search for new conundrums? The hosts of the Tangential Giants Podcast, Kareem Anderson, Patrick Kellenberger, and Ken Rolow, along with Jenna DeWitt (writer and editor, Invisible Cake Society), Jason Patrick Galit (JPG) (pop culture educator, InterMyth), and Magical Girl Marina (fandom and cosplay content creator), talk about what makes a mystery perfect for comics, how comics mysteries compare to other mystery staples in pop culture, and some of the best locked-room mysteries in comics and pop culture history so far.
Saturday March 28, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Web
 
Sunday, March 29
 

11:00am PDT

Filipino Mythologies of Future Past
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 207
Dive into the next wave of Filipino mythmaking as Benjamin DeGuzman (Anito: Book of Entropy), Ebony Soy (Maloles: The Reckoning), Joe Arciaga (DK New Icons), Earl Baylon (Doug Marcaida's Lineage), and Herbert De Leon (Alamat) unveil fresh takes on epic battles, divine intrigue, and heroic journeys. Moderated by Patricio Ginelsa (LUMPIA Deep Fried Universe film/comic book series). The session includes a free print giveaway.
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 207
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Comics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

11:00am PDT

Pop Culture and the Christian Church
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 211
Hosted by the Christian Comic Arts Society for 28 years at Comic-Con and 6 years at WonderCon, this panel will explore the effectiveness of the Christian church in reaching out to the comic book, anime, and gaming communities: where the church has been successful, where it has fallen short, and what strategies can be implemented so that the church can be more effective. Featuring Christopher Stewart (pastor), Karyn Keene (educator/youth leader), Bryan Mero (Fix-it-Felix Cosplay Repair), Joe Queen (Geeky Guys/Gal 4 God), and Kyle Keene (moderator).
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Books, Comics, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Video Games

11:00am PDT

Supporting Women's Rights (and Wrongs!) in Comics
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Comic book history is filled with both heroic and destructive women building memorable pop culture moments, from Harley Quinn's crime sprees to the Phoenix Force destroying entire civilizations, as fans have enjoyed the power of women for decades. But at the end of the day, we're all just girls supporting girls, right? . . . Right? Author and host of Lady Comic Book History Alexandrea Callaghan is joined by Alix Catherine (podcast and livestream host, The Welcome Party), Tamara Brooks (contributor and comics expert, DCComics.com, BBC Radio), Sabeen Faheem (actor, cosplayer, entertainment host), and Magical Girl Marina (fandom and cosplay content creator) for an entertaining and humorous conversation on iconic storylines in women's comics history, tropes in women's power fantasies, and why it is important to support women's rights (and wrongs!).
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300A
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Web, Writers & Writing

11:00am PDT

Writing for Indie Comics
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Whether self-publishing or working for an independent publisher, writing indie comics presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities to share your creative vision with the world. Learn the tricks and tips of the trade from writers Katrina E. Kunstmann (Warhead), Ray-Anthony Height (Midnight Tiger), Amanda Deibert Staggs (Death Mask), Pat Jankiewicz (Cosplayer! Vs Shark), and Mary Zorilita Bellamy (Faux Facts: The Truth Can Be Strange!) Hosted by David Lucarelli (Tinseltown). Free comics for everyone who asks a question!
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

11:00am PDT

Creators Portfolio Review: For Comics, Storyboard Artists, and Writers
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 206B
Artists are encouraged to bring sample work, ideally sequential pages and/or storyboard sequences. Writers should bring two pitchable ideas for discussion. Emmy Award–winning TV writer, storyboard artist, and New York Times bestselling author Joshua Pruett will provide mini feedback sessions, offering guidance toward immediate and long-term career goals.
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 206B
  N: New, Comics, Fandom, Portfolio Review, Seminars & Workshops |   5: Portfolio Review, Comics, Fandom, Portfolio Review, Seminars & Workshops |   1: Programs, Comics, Fandom, Portfolio Review, Seminars & Workshops

11:30am PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #7: Metaphor and Interpretation
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm PDT
Room 210
Daniel Ambord explores how the figure of the monstrous CEO centaur Dario Agger in Thor playfully deconstructs the narrative limits of the superhero genre to examine predation and exploitation, institutional structures of money and power, and the very real predators that dwell within them. Elke Defever (Binghamton University) traces how French cartoonist Moebius blends ancient mythic storytelling with 20th-century political tension to create a new kind of speculative visual language, not to escape reality, but to interrogate it. Logan Uber (Once Upon a Time) builds upon McCloud's definition of comics to examine the sequential artistry of illustrated Medieval texts and marginalia as juxtaposed images in sequence.
Sunday March 29, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Education

12:00pm PDT

Comics as Counter-Narratives: Teaching the History They Tried to Erase
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press), John Jennings (Eisner Award–winning creator and NAACP Image Award winner), Tara Madison Avery (Stacked Deck Press), Shane Hawk (Bram Stoker Award nominee), Samuel C. Spitale (How to Win the War on Truth), Justin Tracy (Little Brainstorm), and moderator Lorran Garrison (school psychologist and educator) discuss how comics and graphic novels challenge dominant histories and amplify overlooked voices. They will explore how visual storytelling supports counter-narratives, critical thinking, empathy, and student storytelling in classrooms and communities.
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Kids, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Tributes, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

From Burnout to Brainstorm
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
Comic book editor Amanda Meadows (Andrews McMeel Publishing; she/her), cartoonist and librarian Julie Fiveash (The Froggy Librarian; they/them), and zine-maker and artist MLOU (Explaining My Gender in Tagalog; they/them) discuss what's good in what's real—from making art by hand, to writing stories and corresponding with people in one’s own words to showing up for each other, naming truths and preserving histories—and why it's vital that everyone participate in the defense of reality. Moderated by Christine Pasalo Norland (writer, founder, Hello Barkada; she/her).
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, LGBTQIA+

12:00pm PDT

Panels, Prose, and Personality in Graphic Novels
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
From visual storytelling choices to character-driven voice, moderator Ashley Ferguson (My Girlfriend the Witch) speaks with fellow authors Dora Wang (Pocket Peaches: Game On), Eugene Yelchin (I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir), Joey Spiotto (Max, a Little Axolotl), and Raúl the Third (Tough Times) as they break down the craft behind the page, revealing how their experiences and personalities create immersive worlds, emotional impact, and unforgettable reading experiences.
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Kids, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

The Jack Kirby Tribute Panel
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
People who knew the man some call "The King of the Comics" or know about him and/or are even related to him to talk about the extraordinary creative talent that is Jack Kirby. Talking about Jack this time are John Morrow (editor-publisher of The Jack Kirby Collector), Tom Kraft (from the Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center), Paul S. Levine (attorney), Tracy Kirby (Jack's granddaughter), and others.
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
  U: Updated, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Historical, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Tributes, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances |   1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Historical, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Tributes, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

12:15pm PDT

Long Away Short Film Screening
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
North 100B
Victoria travels into her past to meet a man she never knew, her father, to bond over comics and see if he would accept her for who she really is. The award-winning queer trans sci-fi short film Long Away is followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Featuring writers and directors Tilly Bridges and Susan Bridges (Star Trek Voyager: Homecoming, Just Another Summer), Erin Macdonald (Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Star Trek: Prodigy), assistant director/VFX lead Jessie Earl (Identiteaze, the Jessie Gender YouTube channel), and stars Griffin Kelly (HBO's Book of Queer, Two Cats on a Date) and Justin Lawrence Barnes (Juilliard, Steve Yokey's Sleeping Giant). Suitable for all ages.
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
North 100B
  1: Programs, Comics, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

12:30pm PDT

Superhero Shop Talk
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
Comics greats and WonderCon special guests Tom King and Tini Howard discuss all the behind-the-scenes details about your favorite supes. Don’t miss the chance to hear these industry giants share an informal chat about all things comics. Moderated by Comic-Con’s own superhero expert, Eddie Ibrahim. **Scott Snyder will no longer be appearing on this panel.**
Special Guests
avatar for Tini Howard

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 →
avatar for Tom King

Tom King

F-02, WonderCon Special Guest
Tom King is the New York Times bestselling author and multiple Eisner Award–winning writer of Batman, Mister Miracle, Strange Adventures, The Sheriff of Babylon, The Vision, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Helen of Wyndhorn, and many others. He recently served as co-creator of th... Read More →
Sunday March 29, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
  U: Updated, Comics, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances |   1: Programs, Comics, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

1:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #8: Fear and Loathing in Aztlan: Hunter S. Thompson, the Chicano Movement, and Comics
Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 210
This panel looks at the continued and intertwined impact of both the writings of Hunter S. Thompson (author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and other books) and the Chicano Movement (including the Chicano Moratorium against the Vietnam War) on comics. Librarian Xaviera Flores (UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center), cartoonist and producer Lalo Alcaraz (La Cucaracha), and animator Jeaux Janovsky (Orwell: 2+2 = 5) discuss the Chicano art journal Con Safos, the writings and activist work of Oscar Zeta Acosta, the art of Ralph Steadman (illustrator of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and other books), and prints from the East L.A. Art center Self Help Graphics. Moderated by Gustavo Alberto Garcia Vaca (Museum of Modern Art).
Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Education, Historical

1:00pm PDT

The Magical World of LGBTQ+ Fantasy
Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
LGBTQ+ fantasy comics and graphic novels have become very popular. The fantasy genre provides a safe space for writers and artists to explore deeply felt real-life stories, challenges, and difficulties that might be much harsher if told in realistic terms. Prism Comics, moderator William O Tyler (We Belong; Theater of Terror: Revenge of the Queers!), and panelists Ben Crane (Cosmic Cadets, Scattered Futures), Nicole Maines (Suicide Squad, Bad Dream), Ajuan Mance (Gender Studies; Living While Black), Emely Corona Sandoval (animator), and Jasmine Walls (Brooms, The Last Session, Vol. 1: Roll For Initiative) discuss how myths, folktales, and fantasy influence queer storytelling in comics and how fantasy helps readers both escape and gain greater understanding and empathy for queer lives and queer experiences.
Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
  U: Updated, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, BIPOC, Comics, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television |   1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, BIPOC, Comics, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

1:00pm PDT

Manga, Anime, and the New World of Censorship
Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Manga and anime have increasingly become the target of censorship around the world, especially in the U.S. In this panel, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's Jeff Trexler, researcher and USC Annenberg doctoral student Samantha Tecson, and writer and managing editor of KComics Beat Kalai Chikshare the latest updates on manga bans in schools and libraries; the revision of manga and content to conform to national standards; a new law in Texas that is causing manga to be removed from stores; recent legal developments in Japan; arrests for having legal material on phones or laptops while traveling; debanking and other forms of platform censorship; and other developments affecting manga and anime, along with what they mean for all comics media.
Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  U: Updated, Anime & Manga, Comics |   1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Comics

1:30pm PDT

Mental Health in Comics
Sunday March 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
Chris Ryall (Dread the Halls, Lock & Key), Leah Kilpatrick (The Accessories, DC Horror Presents: 2024), Amy Linsamouth (Jackie and the Magical Guys, Descendants of the Undead), Daniel Gastelum (CHSR, Aria: A Cyberpunk Mystery), and Brock Smith (The Ferryman, Payne) discuss how a life in and around comics has impacted and inspired them to continue taking that next step.
Sunday March 29, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Education, Web, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Adaptation: Developing from One Medium to Another
Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
Moderator Spiro Skentzos (Grimm) leads a discussion with writer/producers Douglas J. Eboch (Sweet Home Alabama), Eric Heisserer (Arrival), Jill Blotevogel (Scream: The TV Series), and Brandon Easton (Iyanu) about adapting a piece of work for another medium. The panel examines what to watch out for, what not to do, and how to stay true to source material.
Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Historical, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Television, Video Games, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

All Batmen Are Batman
Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Who is Batman? Bruce Wayne. But which one? Earth-1 or Earth-2, New 52 or Rebirth? Dick Grayson in Batman R.I.P. or James Gordon in the Rookie suit? Or Adam West or Batfleck or Pattinson's Emo-Batman? Or the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh? Or Absolute Batman? Every version of Batman is equally Batman. Jim Thompson (Eisner Awards judge), attorney Adam Adler (Super Babies v. DC Comics), and Peter Coogan (Comics Arts Conference) examine how repetition, imitation, and variation of the core brand encode the mythic nature of the superhero genre, are uniquely expressed in the iterations of Batman (including trademark and merch), and are tied to the core conventions of the genre—mission, powers, and identity. When Batman says, "Because I'm Batman," he is, no matter which Batman says it.
Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Comics, Movies, Superheroes, Television

2:00pm PDT

Queer Gaming: Adventuring with Pride
Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
North 151
For decades, LGBTQ+ players have put their own spin on tabletop role-playing games and video games. RPGs give queer gamers the chance to create heroes and fantasy worlds in their own image, and it is now impossible for the industry to ignore the impact of their fandom. How can gaming give LGBTQ+ people the opportunity to reimagine themselves? How does queer culture flip the scripts in classic fantasy and sci-fi RPG genres? Where is queer gaming headed? Prism Comics and moderator Tara Madison Avery (Death Saves, Stacked Deck Press), engage in a lively discussion of these questions with panelists Matthew Michael Brown (gamer; marriage and family therapist, Queer Magic Therapy), Bryan Gomez (Twitch affiliate and cosplayer), Ray Lancione (Qweerty Gamers), Sonya Saturday (The Greatest Thing You've Ever Seen in Your Life, J.K. Rowling and the Ungrateful Fans), and Estella M. Stone (Twitch Pride Guild, Electronic Arts Creator Network).
Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
North 151
  D: d4 Tabletop Creative Conference, Games, Tabletop Games, BIPOC, Comics, LGBTQIA+, Video Games |   1: Programs, Games, Tabletop Games, BIPOC, Comics, LGBTQIA+, Video Games

2:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #9: Representing Identity
Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 210
Superhero comics serve as evolving cultural battlegrounds where questions of identity, otherness, race, queerness, disability, and social justice are negotiated and reimagined. Britton Payne (Nickelodeon) uses the Martian Manhunter to explore how superhero secret identities mirror the autistic experience of masking, belonging, and negotiating what it means to be American. Tracing queer themes, Esther Brito Ruiz (American University) examines how American superhero comics have wrestled with—and reshaped—LGBTQ+ identity over time. Focusing on Damian Wayne in The Boy Wonder miniseries, Juan Carlos Fermin (California State University, Fullerton) analyzes how Juni Ba reimagines the Batman mythos through postcolonial and Marxist critique. Mike Bittner (Stanford University) revisits 1990s teen superhero titles to assess how comics of the era tackled hot-button social issues—from LGBTQ+ rights to environmentalism—with varying degrees of insight and misfire.
Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Comics, Education, LGBTQIA+, Superheroes

3:00pm PDT

dD Cosplay Club for Persons with Disabilities: A Guide for Inclusive Cosplay
Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
Learn how dD Cosplay Club promotes adaptive cosplay techniques and activities to encourage persons with disabilities to explore and participate in cosplay. Get the perspective of parents of club members, along with feedback from club members, including dDominator, a.k.a. dD (the superhero ambassador and founder of dD Cosplay Club). Club members take part in a presentation and Q&A session moderated by Chris Birmingham (president of dD Cosplay Club).
Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E
  1: Programs, Comics, Cosplay, Fandom, Superheroes

3:00pm PDT

The Power of Love: The Rise of Webtoons, Anime, and K-Dramas
Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
Award-winning creatives, actors, and experts discuss webtoons, anime, and K-dramas that are exploding in the U.S. Rebekah Ganiere (Emmy-nominated, USA Today bestselling author and screenplay writer), Joe Ochman (actor, Digimon, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure), Angel Payne (bestselling author), Brianna Carter (author, graphic designer), and James Ganiere (Emmy-nominated director and producer) share their insights.
Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Books, Comics, Fandom, Games, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Video Games, Web, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Warren Kremer: Harvey Comics' Cover Genius
Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
When Casper the Friendly Ghost's artist visited the Marvel Bullpen, Marie Severin remarked, "They don't know it, but this is the best artist that ever walked through these doors." Was she right? Jim Thompson (A People's History of Comics, Eisner Hall of Fame judge), Alonso Nuñez (executive director of Little Fish Comic Book Studio, Eisner Hall of Fame judge), Andrew Kunka (professor at USC Sumter) and Jonny Harvey (Harvey Comics documentarian) look closely at the Eisner Hall of Famer's greatest covers from Casper , Wendy the Good Little Witch , Hot Stuff , Little Dot , Little Lotta, Stumbo the Giant, and Richie Rich . Warren Kremer offers a master class on color, brushstrokes, design, direction, character expression and the art of the gag. 
Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Superheroes, Comics

3:30pm PDT

Art as Stress Relief Instead of Stress
Sunday March 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210
Doing great art is difficult, right? Training in art is supposed to be hard, right? That's why 99 percent of people don't make it, right? Nope, wrong. Does your brain try to find ways away from art instead of into it? We did the opposite as kids. Why not still? Comic book artist Cutter Hays will give you several good tools to restore the fun and delight to your art, even if it's training hard. Loving it is the first, best way to continue doing it and get good. If it's grueling, or you have trouble sticking with it, if you feel it's never good enough, or you come up with excuses to not do it instead of the other way around, you'll want to hear this. You're not alone—many people, even professionals, have this problem, and it's curable. Come with an open mind and leave loving your artwork again.
Sunday March 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210
  1: Programs, Comics, Books

4:00pm PDT

Comics and Healing
Sunday March 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
Wayne Lo (character designer, Star Wars: The Clone Wars; Dark Horse cover artist; ILM VFX art director) and Frank Ordaz (Return of the Jedi matte painter) discuss the healing power found through comics. Have you seen someone heal from emotional trauma through story? Have you seen anyone experience physical healing through art? Panelists share eyewitness stories of people healed relationally, in body, soul, and/or spirit.
Sunday March 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
  1: Programs, Comics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

4:00pm PDT

Main Character Syndrome: Starring in Your Comic
Sunday March 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
What's it like making a comic strip about yourself? Who do you include, and what do you leave out? How personal is too personal? What do the people in your life think about it? Is it really all about you? Panelists include Jeff Keane (The Family Circus), Eddie deAngelini (Collectors), Gaia WXYZ (Made U Look), Simon Jane Robrock (Butt Planet), and moderator Sonya Saturday (The Greatest Thing You've Ever Seen in Your Life).
Sunday March 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 303AB
  1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+

4:00pm PDT

Masters of Public Domain
Sunday March 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
In a crowded comics marketplace, many creators find public domain characters a great way to appeal to pre-existing fanbases and bring new fans to their work. But what separates the fresh take from a blatant cash grab? How can one breathe new life into old stories? How loyal should one be to established lore? Luis Godoy II (Cthulhu Invades Oz, This Eternal Coil), John Jennings (Shook! A Black Horror Anthology, Silver Surfer), Russell Nohelty (Cthulhu Is Hard to Spell, How to Thrive as a Writer in a Capitalist Dystopia), Tom Pinchuk (Clash of the Classics, Ben 10), and David Schrader (Carmilla Unbound, Nightmare Theater 3D) discuss what to do (and not to do) when using works from the public domain. Moderated by Andy Nordvall (Bad Future Comics, Siren's Song).
Sunday March 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Fandom, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

4:00pm PDT

Success in Creativity Talks About Making the Best of Your Resources
Sunday March 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
Tailored to support creatives, this interactive panel provides strategies for managing full-time responsibilities while pursuing part-time passion projects. Learn how to enhance your creative collaborations with practical advice on networking and communication, helping you unlock your creative potential and promoting effective resources, workflow, and time management. Be it comic books, TV/film, animation, podcasts, cosplay, fan groups, music, illustration, blogging, or webcomics, you'll find helpful insights here. Each attendee will get a postcard of useful information, tips, and wisdom made from the information collected from the panelists. Moderator Ron Coleman, Ph.D (molecular geneticist, comic writer) hosts panelists Gene Turnbow (founder of SciFi.Radio; author), James Frye (managing editor, TheConGuy.com; screenwriter), Stephen Burns (Photoshop digital artist, author, and lecturer), and Topher Davila (art director, TheJewelryDragon.com; illustrator and producer).
Sunday March 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CD
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Movies, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Writers & Writing
 

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Friday, March 27
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Autograph Area AA01
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California Ballroom A, Hilton Anaheim
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Exhibit Hall C
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North 100B
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  • 1: Programs
  • 2: Anime
  • 3: Children's Films
  • 4: Games
  • 5: Portfolio Review
  • 6: Autographs
  • D: d4 Tabletop Creative Conference
  • N: New
  • U: Updated
  • X: Cancelled
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  • AEG: Alderac Entertainment Group
  • Bandwagon Games
  • Binary Cocoa
  • Blue Rondo Games
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  • Cardboardia
  • Darrington Press
  • Dire Wolf Games
  • Dungeons & Dragons Adv League 5e
  • Friendly Bee Game Company
  • GSGN: Golden State Gaming Network
  • HeroClix
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  • LLC
  • Looney Labs
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  • No Limit Games
  • Off the Shelf Games
  • Organized Play Foundation
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  • Renegade Game Studios
  • SafeHaven Games LLC
  • SciFi.Radio
  • SJG: Steve Jackson Games
  • Slugfest Games
  • SRG Universe Inc
  • Tavern Crawl Games