WonderCon 2026

Multi-hyphenate Felicia Day (Supernatural, The Guild, Eureka) engages in a one-on-one discussion about her passion for creating independent content. She discusses her new graphic novel, The Lost Daughter of Sparta, and her web series The Guild, which is being revived with a reunion movie Kickstarter this summer.

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.]

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.

Julian David Stone (author of the novel It's Alive!) and Antonia Carlotta (host of the Universally Me web series) celebrate The Bride of Frankenstein's 90th anniversary with a special presentation and discussion on the making and influence of the greatest of all Universal Monster films.

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.

Fans-turned-entertainment-media-superstars share stories of how they got their starts in journalism, content creation, and the movie world in general. Brandon Davis (Phase Hero), Joe Deckelmeier (MovieWeb), Perri Nemiroff (Collider), and Taya Miller (content creator) offer stories from press and influencer trips, experiences working with brands, and tips for breaking into a media outlet or winning the algorithm's favor, drawn from a combined five-plus decades of working the biggest entertainment events, interviewing the biggest stars, and collaborating with major movie studios.

There was once a time when fans would hear of a video game being adapted into another medium and forums would be ablaze with skepticism, jeers, and outright doubt. But with adaptations like Super Mario Bros., The Last of Us, and Sonic the Hedgehog filling theater seats, what has led to the change in fan perspectives? Derick McDuff (host of Underrated Movie Podcast), is joined by Tricia Aurand (award-winning screenwriter and podcast host), Thomas Craig (podcast host of Sick Burn Podcast), Kurosh Jozavi (games journalist and host of Savepoint Stories), Austin Olivia Kendrick (Emmy-nominated film/TV sound editor), and Jeremy "Jaymo" Strauss, (host of The Old Switcharoo) to address the fall and rise of video game adaptations, the tangible creative changes made to the adaptation process, and the growing trust fans are putting back into this industry.

One of the most popular frameworks for telling stories is the Hero's Journey, a set of steps that guide heroes from beginning to end to accomplish their goals. In a climate of distrust, disdain, and A.I. use, this panel examines what modern-day journalists and reporters can take from this structure to become trusted sources for new audiences. Monica Duarte (editor-in-chief, Temple of Geek), Victoria Male (writer, producer, and journalist), Madison Morrow (journalist and host, NijiFest, Temple of Geek), Caitlin Tyrrell (journalist, Screen Rant, Temple of Geek), and Nick Williams (content creator and journalist), alongside moderator Christina Silvoso (cosplayer and host), discuss the similarities between stories and scoops, how the Hero's Journey applies to the pursuit of news, and what a journalistic creator needs to survive in their respective climates.

Stuntmen and stuntwomen from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Lift, Avengers: Endgame, Snowfall, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Cocaine Bear, Walking Dead, 9-1-1, God of War Ragnarok, and many more break down stunt scenes from prep to shooting, discuss their experiences, and offer advice in navigating the stunt industry. Panelists include Janeshia Adams-Ginyard (stunt double for Danai Gurira), Brian Danner (stunt coordinator/weapons expert), LeRoyal Tutt (stunt double for Kevin Hart), Joette Orman (stunt double for Rebel Wilson), Michael DeCamp (dreamy stuntman), and Thekla Hutyrova (martial arts badass). Moderated by Justin T. Bowler.

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.

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!).

Leading industry producers and creatives T.J. Chambers (executive producer/host, Mythical Entertainment), Jake Michels (creative director/co-founder, Good Time Society), Jes Wade (TTRPG producer, ChariTTRPGs), Reed Sights (StoryQuest), and Shane O'Loughlin (creative director, Venture Forth D&D) discuss what is involved in the foundation of a successful Actual Play. Attendees will find real-world context along with philosophical approaches and tips for aspiring creators. Led by Rebecca Hausman (producer/founder, Venture Forth D&D).

Voices from the Long Lost Lore Twitch stream—Philip Schaeffer, Zane, and Lauren Montez—lead a TTRPG-focused conversation on mechanics, education, and combining these concepts to create a safe and entertaining experience. The first part of the panel focuses on crafting mechanical rules and statistics-driven dice choices that go beyond typical homebrew, while a scene-based one-shot brings Bethany Andres (cosplayer, darthpoolbby), Jason Patrick Galit (JPG) (pop culture educator, InterMyth), and Olivia Youngers (actress, Star Trek: Picard) to test a system built by the audience to its limits. Combining storytelling, TTRPG mechanics, and game education, this session incorporates audience participation that influences every aspect of the panel.

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.

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.