WonderCon 2026: Full Schedule

3:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #2: Focus on Lee Marrs

Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

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

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

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

4:30pm PDT

Fear Between the Lines

Friday March 27, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT

Room 208

Peer into the void and learn how these authors transform the familiar and the fantastic into fear-inducing fiction. WonderCon special guest Sarah Gailey, Kathleen S. Allen (The Resurrectionist), Collin Armstrong (Polybius), Hiron Ennes (The Works of Vermin), and Racquel Marie (If We Survive This) discuss the art of repulsing readers in ways that keep them coming back for more. Moderated by librarian Judy Neeb.

Special Guests

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 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 208

1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

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

7:30pm PDT

Mixer for Teachers and the Popular Arts Enthusiasts

Friday March 27, 2026 7:30pm - 9:00pm PDT

Room 206B

Meet educators who bring academic, social, and emotional lessons to life using the popular arts. Everyone is welcome, and there is no such thing as a stupid question. Which popular arts characters resonate with learners and inspire creativity and engagement? How about discussing superhero themes in the classroom? Share how various fandoms can enhance academic curriculum and instruction. With super educators Mike Cruz (elementary teacher, Temecula Valley Unified), Derek Heid (high school English teacher, Temecula Valley Unified), Jason Charles (high school ELD teacher, Temecula Valley Unified), Lorran Garrison (school psychologist, Little Brainstorm), Justin Tracy (drama teacher, Little Brainstorm), and Jaime Diego Chavez (counselor, San Diego Unified). Mingle with them, other teachers, and life-long learners in a fun and informal setting.

Friday March 27, 2026 7:30pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 206B

1: Programs, BIPOC, Education, Fandom, LGBTQIA+, Technology - Science - STEM

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

8:30pm 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

11:30am PDT

Fantastic Flights

Saturday March 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Room 208

Becoming a hero often means leaving behind the only world they know. WonderCon special guest Robin Hobb, Petra Lord (Queen of Faces), ND Stevenson (Scarlet Morning), and LaDarrion Williams (Bones at the Crossroads) discuss the leaps of faith they—and their characters—must take to find their next fantastic adventures. Moderated by Bree Steffen.

Special Guests

Robin Hobb

WonderCon Special Guest

Robin Hobb is a fantasy author best known for The Farseer Trilogy (Assassin’s Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin’s Fate) and the sequels that make up The Realm of the Elderlings fantasy epic. Her current work in progress, untitled as yet, will continue the history of... Read More →

Saturday March 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 208

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

12:45pm PDT

Tiny Chef Cooks Up Some Surprises

Saturday March 28, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT

North 200A

The creators of The Tiny Chef Show take you on a 45-minute journey through the handmade, frame-by-frame process that brings Tiny Chef's miniature world to life. Fresh from Chef's inauguration as the new Mayor of Pioneertown, CA, co-creators Rachel Larsen, Ozi Akturk, and Jason Kolowski, alongside actor Matt Hutchinson, the voice of Tiny Chef—and maybe a surprise guest or two—discuss how small ideas turn into big adventures. Plus, the team will share a few hints about what's coming next, answer your biggest questions, and send you home with an exclusive Tiny Chef x WonderCon mini-poster! Apprentice chef Gary Miereanu will moderate the feastivities.

Saturday March 28, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
North 200A

1: Programs, Animation, Education, Fandom, Humor & Satire, Kids, LGBTQIA+, Television, Web

1:00pm PDT

Structuring the Swoon

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

Room 209

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

Special Guests

Jasmine Guillory

WonderCon Special Guest

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

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

1:30pm PDT

Stack YA Shelves: From Fantasy to Horror, Must Reads for 2026

Saturday March 28, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Room 208

From intergalactic enemies-to-lovers tales to dark academia set at a cutthroat magical academy, from Frankenstein retellings to apocalyptic horror, readers can discover their next favorite read to "stack their shelves" with some of the biggest voices in YA. S. G. Prince (If All the Stars Go Dark), Petra Lord (Queen of Faces), Racquel Marie (If We Survive This), and Kathleen S. Allen (The Resurrectionist) discuss their newest and most anticipated books. Moderated by Dahlia De La Vega.

Saturday March 28, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208

1: Programs, Books, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

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

Creating Seats at the Table: Producer and GM Responsibility for Diverse Spaces in Tabletop

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

North 153

Jordan Lambert (blogger and dungeon master, Blackness and Dragons), Kai Grayson (screenwriter and producer, Roles for Initiative LA), Kelly Lynne D'Angelo (dungeon master, D&D in a Castle; producer, Critical Role), Jade Valkyrie (player and producer, Feywild and Out), and Sarah Durnesque (producer and game master, Pick Your Poison Productions) discuss the responsibility of producers and DMs/GMs in professional and streamed tabletop games to create and maintain diverse tables. Moderated by LemartheConGuy (professional game master and convention host).

Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 153

D: d4 Tabletop Creative Conference, Games, Tabletop Games, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ | 1: Programs, Games, Tabletop Games, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+

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

6:00pm PDT

Trans Masculine Representation in Entertainment

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

Room 303AB

Avi Roque (The Owl House, Cemetery Boys), Simon Lucas Howe (Rick and Morty, Big Mouth), Theo Tiedemann (Transparent, Our Flag Means Death), Maze Felix (Apple TV's Give Me an A, Mascvmasc), and Yas Modares Ghasiri (Sylvester Stallone's MVP, Babysplitters) bring the real talk on trans masculine representation in film and TV. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, industry tea, and a candid conversation on visibility, creativity, and taking up space.

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 303AB

1: Programs, Animation, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing

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

9:00pm PDT

HahaHorror

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

Room 209

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

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

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

11:00am PDT

Cosplay Is a Drag V: Drag Queens: First Class

Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Room 213CD

Chad Hatter (Queer for Fear, Robot Chicken) sits down with Pam Demic (costume designer, Workaholics; drag performer since 1989) and Broadway diva headliners Claire Voyance (Voyance Productions, Broadway Divas SCFTA), Leeko Rae (headliner at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts), Mama St. Merman (Broadway Divas SCFTA; headliner, Long Beach Pride), and April Showers (Showers Productions, Late-Night Divas @ Hamburger Mary's) to discuss the crossroads where cosplay meets drag, as well as navigating these artforms in the modern world.

Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 213CD

1: Programs, BIPOC, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Historical, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+

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

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+

12:15pm 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

1:00pm PDT

Set Decoration for Puppets

Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Room 300A

Set decoration for movies and television is hard enough, but what if the lead actor is made of felt and controlled by wires? Set decorators talk about the challenges of designing sets to work with puppets, and the puppeteers who move them, with Don Diers, SDSA (set decorator, The Muppets 2015), Julie Drach, SDSA (set decorator, Crank Yankers), and Bethany Barton (set decorator, The Muppet Show Special). Moderated by Michelle Hall, SDSA and Prerna Chawla, SDSA. Part of the Set Decorators Society of America's series of panels on film and TV set decoration.

Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A

U: Updated, Education, Fandom, Historical, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Television | 1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Historical, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Television

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

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

Not All Solutions Are Good Ones

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Room 300A

Authors Falon Ballard (Something Wicked), Nikki Erlick (The Poppy Fields), Petra Lord (Queen of Faces), Serra Swift (Kill the Beast), and Kiersten White (The Fox and the Devil) discuss crafting fictional challenges and their accompanying responses with Maryelizabeth Yturralde. Enjoy a lively exploration of how solutions like Science! Magic! Kissing! Stabbing! Kissing with Stabbing! can be beneficial and/or detrimental to the characters.

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Historical, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

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

The Legend of Taylore

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

North 153

The Legend of Taylore is an actual-play D&D podcast based on the music, memes, and lore of Taylor Swift, as played by a group of nerdy television writers. Produced by D&D WGA strike day organizers, it is a great adventure for Swifties and non-Swifties alike, where characters encounter dangers, intrigue, and Easter eggs at every turn. Dungeon master Lindsey Allen (Marvel's Agent Carter, MacGyver) is joined by players Casey Fisher (Altered Carbon, Walker), Daphne Miles (Batwoman, DC's Legends of Tomorrow), Ray Utarnachitt (DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Stranger Things: Tales from '85), and Nick Bragg (Death and Other Details, Off Campus), and Katherine McNamara (Shadowhunters, Arrow) to offer insights into the world they have created and discuss their current season.

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
North 153

D: d4 Tabletop Creative Conference, Games, Tabletop Games, Action/Adventure, Fandom, LGBTQIA+, Podcasts, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, Games, Tabletop Games, Action/Adventure, Fandom, LGBTQIA+, Podcasts, Writers & Writing

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

Writing Psychologically Rich Characters

Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Room 213CD

Are you a writer or have you ever wanted to become one? Have you been struggling with imposter syndrome? Have you ever wondered how you can contribute to social justice through your writing? This panel of writers explores how to create psychologically rich characters to help you boost your writing and make it stand out. Learn how to break free from your imposter syndrome and attend to your creative passions. Panelists include writers Dr. Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy; The Villains Club), Deric Hughes (Arrow; Quantum Leap), Kristi Korzec (Superman & Lois), Chris Rafferty (Cobra Kai; Lucifer), Dennis Crosby (Death's Legacy), Sarah Faxon (The Animal Court; Foreign & Domestic Affairs), and Ray Utarnachitt (DC's Legends of Tomorrow). Dustin McGinnis (Creative Community Podcast) moderates.

Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 213CD

1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Mixer for Science-Minded Geeks

Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Room 204C

Got a science question? This informal mixer invites attendees to ask anything, and a group of friendly scientists will be ready with speculative answers. Among all the pop culture fans at WonderCon, there are plenty of scientists on hand this year. Everyone is welcome, and there is no such thing as a stupid question. What might life be like in a galaxy far, far away? Could gamma radiation produce a Hulk? What would it take for a lion king to sing? Scientists from groups such as Cosplay for Science, Nerd Nite Orange County, and AAAS If/Then ambassadors are ready to talk about how things work in our favorite fandoms. Attendees can mingle with these science-minded folks in a fun, informal setting.

Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 204C

1: Programs, BIPOC, Cosplay, Education, Fandom, LGBTQIA+, Technology - Science - STEM

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+

WonderCon 2026

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Lee Marrs

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Sarah Gailey

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Robin Hobb

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Jasmine Guillory

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