WonderCon Anaheim 2017

Susan Kirtley (Portland State University), Antero Garcia (Colorado State University), Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools), David F. Walker (Power Man and Iron Fist), Shannon Wheeler (The New Yorker), Johnny Parker II (Neat-O Comics), and Rosie O. Knight present a roundtable conversation on the ways in which our various relationships to comics inform our thinking on the medium, and how we might work together to develop better comics, better comics criticism, and better comics education. Panelists will examine their own fandom while assessing how representations of agencies, identities, and actions in comics shape how readers define their world. Inversely, participants will explore how much the voices and experiences of readers can reciprocally influence comics.

Join author and illustrator Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy, Goosebumps, Teen Boat!) as he teams up with his mom, Miriam (who has never been to a comic convention and is scared to even draw a stick figure), and several audience members to make completely improvised comics. Expect lots of embarrassing stories, crazy characters, and hilarious twists and turns!

Award-winning artist Marguerite Sauvage weaves vivid imagery in DC's Bombshells, Faith (Valiant), Thor (Marvel), Scarlet Witch (Marvel), Adventure Time (BOOM! Studios), and more titles along with numerous stunning variant covers. Join Nina Taylor Kester (Cartoon Art Museum) in conversation with Sauvage to learn about her path from law and communications graduate to internationally acclaimed illustrator and cartoonist. Plus, learn about her upcoming work in Femme Magnifique, an anthology of stories about women who crack ceilings, take names, and change the game.

Eisner Hall of Fame winner Marv Wolfman brings his annual writing panel back to WonderCon Anaheim. Marv discusses creating characters, plots, themes, and much, much more. This is an invaluable seminar for those who want to become writers or who simply want a reminder what to think about before you do. Come early to guarantee getting a seat.

Ever see a comic book cover that makes you wonder, "How the hell did THAT ever get published?" Cartoonist Scott Shaw! (Sonic the Hedgehog, Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew!, Simpsons Comics, The Flintstones) returns to provide the answer to that question with his popular digital slideshow of "the craziest comic books ever published!" See why Stan Lee says, "Wow, True Believers, I thought I'd seen it all, but Scott Shaw!'s hysterically hilarious Oddball Comics is the wildest, wackiest exposé of some of the craziest comic books I've ever seen! Or, to put it mildly, Scott's outrageous opuses are a blast!" And if Stan says it, it's gotta be true, right? (You'll be laughing hard, so wearing Depends is highly recommended.)

DC Entertainment co-publisher Jim Lee (Batman, Justice League, Superman Unchained, Suicide Squad) talks about his 30+ years in the comics industry and sketches your favorite characters live on the big screen in this engaging panel. This is a great opportunity to watch the creative process firsthand and learn the tips of the trade that bring DC Entertainment's characters to life.

Webcomics Advocates co-founder Phil Vecchio (Brax the Alien Rocker) and webcomic creators Patrick Scullin (Super Siblings), Eddie deAngelini (Collectors), and Madeleine Holly-Rosing (Boston Metaphysical Society) celebrate and discuss the exciting world of webcomics. They will also give any webcomic creators in the audience 30 seconds to promote their comics to the crowd. All creators and fans are welcome.

Watch how a professional artist creates hand-painted illustrations from sketch to finished product, live. Come discuss, ask questions, and gain insights to the art making process.

A WonderCon Anaheim tradition continues as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Animation invite you to attend the World Premiere of Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, the latest entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Original Movies. Inspired by the 1984 DC story arc from Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract finds the Teen Titans—Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, Blue Beetle, Robin, and the just-returned Nightwing—working as a cohesive team in their never-ending battle against evil. But their newest teammate, the mysterious and powerful Terra, may be altering that dynamic. Meanwhile, an ancient evil, Brother Blood, has awakened, and familiar foe Deathstroke is lurking in the shadows—both waiting to pounce. Be among the first to see this landmark story come to animated life, then enjoy an entertaining panel discussion amongst cast members Sean Maher (Firefly, Serenity, Batman: Bad Blood) as Nightwing, Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) as Raven, Jake T. Austin (Wizards of Waverly Place, The Fosters) as Blue Beetle, Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series) as Beast Boy, Kari Wahlgren (Phineas and Ferb, Legion of Super Heroes) as Starfire, and Stuart Allan (Batman vs. Robin, Batman: Bad Blood) as Robin/Damian, plus director Sam Liu (Batman: The Killing Joke), supervising producer James Tucker (Batman: Bad Blood, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders), and character designer Phil Bourassa (Justice League Dark, Young Justice). As always, moderator Gary Miereanu will offer exclusive prizes for best audience questions and might even introduce some surprise guests. Teen Titans: The Judas Contract will be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital HD (4/4/17) and Blu-ray & DVD (4/18/17).

In recent years, animated features from smaller and/or foreign studios and independent artists have received critical praise, awards, and Oscar nominations for their unique visions. The Red Turtle, Song of the Sea, My Life as a Zucchini, and others have broken new ground in content, storytelling, technique, and visual style in animation. Moderated by internationally respected critic and historian of animation Charles Solomon, this panel featuring some of the most dynamic independent filmmakers currently working in the entertainment industry discusses how these kinds of films are produced.