Small press publishers: What makes the difference between an item that will get news coverage, previews, and interviews and one that doesn’t? A lot of publishers 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 just what it takes to get coverage, with the comics journalists themselves telling you what they are looking for in your submission. Panelists include Albert Ching (Comic Book Resources), Josh Henaman (Big Foot), Jez Ibelle (First Comics News, Geek-a-pedia), Alan Kistler (Polygon.com, Oodon.com), Francis Sky (First Comics News), Rob Salkowitz (ICv2 and Forbes), and Josh Waldrop (Red Gorilla Comics).
Saturday April 1, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 209
There's never been a better time to discover new visions of your lifelong favorite characters in comic books, but what's the secret to modernizing and diversifying beloved mythology without losing fans? Find out just what it takes to turn your favorite TV show, movie, and more into a successful comic book that balances entertaining longtime fans with bringing in new readers with an eye to the future of entertainment.
Saturday April 1, 2017 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 208
It's another cartooning battle royale, a duel with sketch pads and Sharpies as three super swift scribblers attempt to make the Flash look lethargic. Competing will be (of course) Sergio Aragonés of MAD and Groo the Wanderer;The Simpsons and The Flintstones artist Scott Shaw! and the new kid on the dais, popular Internet cartoonist Lonnie Millsap. Putting them through their paces will be Mark Evanier, aided by suggestions from the audience. As always, no wagering, and may the best cartoonist win!
Saturday April 1, 2017 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 300DE
What happens when toy worlds collide? What would top toy makers say to each other if given the opportunity? Be a fly on the wall in this discussion among some of the leaders in the toy industry from companies both large and small. You will hear how and why things are done the way they are, the state of the industry, and their tales of woe and triumph as they make the products everyone loves. Panelists Bill Benecke (Mattel), Kevin Kiniry (DC Collectibles/DC Entertainment), Scott Klauder (Gentle Giant Ltd.), Jerry Macaluso (Pop Culture Shock Collectibles), and David Vonner (Mattel) discuss the toy industry and the toys they love. Moderated by Daniel Pickett (Action Figure Insider, Gentle Giant Ltd.).
Saturday April 1, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209
In the past several years, LGBTQAIU individuals have made great strides in representation in comics. The next frontier for queer creators is tackling characters whose experiences straddle not only a queer identity but the other identities that make people who they are-racial, religious, gender, and more. What are the unique challenges facing writers and artists who wish to examine intersectionality of identities? How do a character's additional identities complement or complicate their lives and loves? Join Prism Comics and moderator Tara Madison Avery (Gooch, Alphabet, Stacked Deck Press, Prism Comics) and panelists Vi Cao (David Doesn't Get It), P. Kristen Enos (Active Voice,Web of Lives), Viktor T. Kerney (StrangeLore), Sonya Saturday (Load World Comics), William O. Tyler (Ratboy), and Josh Trujillo (Love Machines, Death Saves) for a lively discussion of intersectionality in comics.
Saturday April 1, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 211
The breakout hit of 2016 returns to WonderCon Anaheim! Join the cast and crew of the show that Variety named one of 2016's best new shows as they reveal what's in store for season 2!
Saturday April 1, 2017 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 208
A comic can be hard enough to create when a story focuses on just one main character, but what about ensemble casts? How can one navigate the trials and tribulations of making a successful comic book team? Moderator Mark Waid (Archie) talks with WonderCon Anaheim special guests Sanford Greene (Power Man and Iron Fist), Marguerite Sauvage (DC Bombshells), David F. Walker (Super Justice Force), and Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals) about what makes a good comics crew.
Saturday April 1, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
Valiant's Josh Johns and Dinesh Shamdasani and special surprise guests collide MI-6's deadly assassin against a gauntlet of Valiant's most formidable heroes with new footage from Ninjak Vs. The Valiant Universe-the bone-shattering live-action series coming in 2017. Plus: major news and announcements about new Valiant digital projects.
Saturday April 1, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 211
ComiXology, Amazon’s premier digital comics shopping and reading platform, spills the beans on everything you’ve ever wanted to know about digital comics, publishing, LIFE, and more—from how to publish your own comic on comiXology Submit to how to begin your own successful startup and even a behind-the-scenes look at the latest comiXology Originals releases. ComiXology CEO and co-founder David Steinberger, along with comiXology Originals head of content Chip Mosher, will answer all your burning questions in a Q&A of epic proportions! Moderated by Albert Ching, managing editor at Comic Book Resources.
Saturday April 1, 2017 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
New to comics? Are you at the convention because you're a fan of the great DC TV, movies, video games, or other sources? Binging a season of The Flash leave you wanting to know more about the source material? Well, look no further; this is the panel for you! Our panel of experts is here to help you along your journey through the wonderful world of comics! Come one, come all!
Saturday April 1, 2017 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300DE
Frank Mastromauro (co-owner/president), Peter Steigerwald (Aspen co-owner), Vince Hernandez (VP/editor-in-chief), Mark Roslan (VP/director of design and production), J. T. Krul (Jirni), Scott Lobdell (No World), and David Wohl (Santeria: The Goddess Kiss) will reveal new Aspen Comics for 2017 and beyond, as well as hold a special Q&A directly with fans.
Saturday April 1, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
The hottest new bands are all in . . . comic books? Music and comics have always been intertwined, but 2017 is bringing even more of a musical influence to your favorite graphic fiction. Patrick Reed from Comics Alliance and top creators discuss the unique relationship between musicians and comic creators and how to authentically combine two of the most powerful forms of entertainment.
Saturday April 1, 2017 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211
Executive producer and head of Marvel Television Jeph Loeb, series stars, and producers of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. talk all things season 4. Find out what's coming up with a Q&A and special screening of a never-before-seen episode. The action-packed series from Marvel Television returns this April, airing Tuesdays, 10/9c on ABC.
Saturday April 1, 2017 2:00pm - 3:15pm PDT
Room 300AB
Everyone remembers their first time, and now these WonderCon Anaheim special guests are sharing their first comics experience. Moderator Mark Waid (Archie) discusses what it takes to get into comics with Michael Cho (Shoplifter), Lissa Treiman (Giant Days), Genevieve Valentine (Catwoman), Gerard Way (Umbrella Academy), and Judd Winick (Hilo).
Saturday April 1, 2017 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213
Editors from BOOM! Studios are conducting portfolio reviews. Please bring sequential work relating to all-ages content as well as out-of-the-box ideas, plus cover art, color art, and materials showing off your personal style. No story pitches, please.
Saturday April 1, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 206B
Hip-hop and comics are two American artforms that bring together disparate elements to create vast worlds of creativity. They share much common ground-rappers and graffiti artists utilize superheroic imagery and adopt larger-than-life alter egos; MCs and producers assemble universes with words and sound; comic creators draw on hip-hop's rich visual vocabulary and incorporate music, dance, and fashion into the fabric of their stories. Here, Patrick A. Reed (Depth of Field, ComicsAlliance) brings together an all-star group of graphic artists and musical innovators to discuss the ties between these two creative cultures.
Short. Meaningful. Memorable. How do you write great dialogue? What works and what doesn't work? Harrison Ford once said to George Lucas, "You can type this sh*t but you can't say it." Writers from animation and comics, including Marv Wolfman (The New Teen Titans, Crisis on Infinite Earths), Craig Miller (Curious George, Beast Wars), Ernie Altbacker (Justice League Dark, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract), and Holly Huckins (Rugrats, Sheriff Callie's Wild West) talk about how to craft a great line.
Saturday April 1, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
DC Universe: Rebirth has taken the industry by storm. The universe has been restored with hope and optimism, engaging storylines, and dynamic characters. Come discover more about your favorite DC superheroes, plus hear from the talented teams bringing these stories to life!
Saturday April 1, 2017 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300DE
Before a camera is unpacked, before a set is built, the illustrators of the Art Directors Guild are brought in for pre-visualization-concept art, storyboards, key frames, and more. Panelists include Anson Jew (Wonder Woman, Passengers), Benton Jew (Wonder Woman, Logan), Robin Richesson (Preacher, Jack Reacher), Patrick Rodriguez (A Wrinkle in Time, Justice League), moderated by Tim Burgard (Independence Day: Resurgence, The Revenant).
Saturday April 1, 2017 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
The current TMNT brain trust of Kevin Eastman,Tom Waltz, and Bobby Curnow discuss the Turtles' past, present, and the threat from Dimension X looming in their future! Also announcing new creators and TMNT projects for 2017 and beyond!
Saturday April 1, 2017 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213
Join Marvel’s creative director Brian Crosby and writer/artist Rob Liefeld in this can’t-miss panel discussing Marvel’s all-new original graphic novel, Deadpool: Bad Blood! Learn all about what’s in store for the Merc with a Mouth when new villain Thumper shows up to take his revenge—and just how are Cable and Domino involved? Stick around after the discussion for a Q&A session to get all of your burning Deadpool questions answered!
Saturday April 1, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
Are comics mightier than the sword? Can comics be calls for action, or catalysts for resistance, revolution, and change in a divided society? Now more than ever, comic artists and writers are claiming their diverse identities, writing their own histories, and using the artform to build empathy and understanding. Join Prism Comics, moderator Elizabeth Beier (Bisexual Trials and Errors), and a diverse panel of LGBTQ comics creators as they explore comics as a source of power and change. Panelists include Marc Andreyko (Love Is Love), Tara Madison Avery (Gooch, Alphabet, publisher Stacked Deck Press), Ajuan Mance (1,001 Black Men), and Sonya Saturday (2016 Republican Presidential Candidates Coloring Book). Prism Comics will announce the recipient of the 2017 Prism Comics Queer Press Grant at the end of this panel.
Saturday April 1, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 207
Moderated by IndieWire executive editor Michael Schneider, an all-star panel of showrunners behind some of the coolest TV out there will swap stories and insights about the behind-the-scenes inner workings of your favorite shows. Panelists include Marc Guggenheim (Arrow, DC's Legends of Tomorrow), Jessica Goldberg (The Path), Jonah Ray (Mystery Science Theater 3000, Hidden America with Jonah Ray), Sera Gamble (The Magicians), Raphael Bob-Waksberg (BoJack Horseman), and Aline Brosh McKenna (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend).
Saturday April 1, 2017 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Room 300AB
In an interview with Cecil Castellucci (Shade, the Changing Girl;The Plain Janes), New York Times bestselling author Hope Larson will discuss her 12-year journey from indie cartoonist to writer of DC's Batgirl.
Saturday April 1, 2017 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 213
Alex Sinclair and the folks from Copic provide a hands-on opportunity. Copic will have an assortment of their fine products available for attendees to use as they color along an image under Alex's guidance. He will show his marker coloring techniques live. There will be giveaways.
Saturday April 1, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 210
Everyone's favorite tea-chugging Eisner loser Si Spurrier (X-Men Legacy, The Power of the Dark Crystal, Doctor Who) will be presenting his acclaimed lecture/essay/presentation thingamabob, confusingly titled "The Pluripotent Panel." Gasp as he reveals the cosmic potential of the comic book form! Self-congratulate as you learn the sophisticated secrets of your chosen medium! Puke with laughter as he gets his slides muddled and has a breakdown on stage! Live-tweet your awkward questions about crumpets, Brexit, and fractal narratives in a bonus Q&A session! (N.B.-Probable sweariness. N.B.#2-Then, pub.)
Saturday April 1, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
The Nerdist crew, including Jessica Chobot (host of Nerdist News), Kyle Hill (Because Science), Rachel Heine (Nerdist editor-in-chief), Andrew Bowser (Nerdist supervising creative producer), Mike Shaw (Nerdist head of video), Joan Ford (Nerdist writer), and Aristotle Acevedo (Nerdist podcast producer) talk sci-fi, superheroes and discuss what it's like to work at Nerdist. Dan Casey (The Dan Cave) moderates.
Saturday April 1, 2017 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
Room 300AB
Award-nominated animator/director/comic book creator Stephan Franck (The Iron Giant, Silver) discusses how to apply the visual principles of film language to the comics page for clarity, emotional and cinematic impact, and making the storytelling accessible to the broadest possible audience.
Saturday April 1, 2017 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213
IDW has been blazing the way in archival collections, from Artist's Editions to the Marvel Artist's Select books and beyond. Greg Goldstein,Chris Ryall,Scott Dunbier, and special guests discuss what's come out so far and, most important, what's coming next!
Saturday April 1, 2017 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 208
Fresh off a dazzling run with breakout books Space Riders, Black, Kim & Kim, 4 Kids Walk into a Bank, The Dregs, We Can Never Go Home,andYoung Terrorists, Black Mask has made a name for itself as the hottest launchpad to debut new talent and as the home for some of the coolest, most provocative comics around. Join Black Mask co-founder Matteo Pizzolo (Young Terrorists,Godkiller,upcoming Calexit) and creators Matthew Rosenberg (4 Kids Walk into a Bank, We Can Never Go Home), Holly Interlandi (upcoming Last Song), Adam Egypt Mortimer (Ballistic), Tyler Boss (4 Kids Walk into a Bank), and more special guests for a wide-ranging discussion of how new creators and new ideas are changing comics, and how you can be a part of it.
Saturday April 1, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 211
The road to Valiant’s biggest, most ambitious, and most impactful comic book event of all time starts right here at WonderCon Anaheim with a superstar cast of Valiant creators and staff. Jump on board to find out what the future holds for Harbinger Renegade, X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Faith, Divinity, Ninjak, and the rest of Valiant’s most powerful heroes . . . and how the coming of Harbinger Wars 2 will soon be felt across the entire Valiant Universe, with never-before-seen artwork and announcements.
Saturday April 1, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 209
If you have a passion to tell stories through the mediums of novels and comics, there are now limitless opportunities to produce, publish, and distribute your work. Of course, with so many options it can be a brain-scrambler to know which path is the best way to go. Is it better to go indie or seek out a traditional publisher? A panel of professional writers will discuss the many paths they've taken to get their work into the hands of their readers. Moderated by Neo Edmund (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Red Riding, the Alpha Huntress series) and featuring Marv Wolfman (The New Teen Titans, Batman: Arkham Knight), R. A. Salvatore (The Demon Wars Saga, Dungeons & Dragons: Forgotten Realms), and Joe LeFavi (Fraggle Rock, Thrilling Adventure Hour).
Saturday April 1, 2017 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 208
Space Goat offers a sneak peek at their summer and fall 2017 lineup of books, board games, and more, including the Evil Dead 2 board game and their ongoing Terminator board game Kickstarter. Company president Shon Bury will be moderating.
Saturday April 1, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 211
Celebrate creative freedom by seeing art made right before your eyes! The CBLDF Live Art Jam brings together a group of comics artists includingTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman, award-winning Shoplifter creator and cover artist Michael Cho, and other special guests, who will make art on the spot and share their perspectives on censorship and the creative process. Watch live art being created, learn about censorship, and bid to win the pieces made during the jam! All proceeds benefit the free speech work of CBLDF.
Saturday April 1, 2017 7:00pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 209
Mark Kolpack (visual effects supervisor, Marvel), Sabrina Arnold (visual effects producer, Marvel), Kevin Lingenfelser (visual effects supervisor, FuseFX), and Dan Mellitz (visual effects supervisor, CoSA VFX) discuss what is needed to take characters like Ghost Rider, Hive, Quake, and others out of the comics and onto television. Moderated by Shawn Richter from The Marvel Report.
Saturday April 1, 2017 7:15pm - 8:15pm PDT
Room 300AB
Tune into Legion of Leia's own Nerd Up or Shut Up podcast. Join in on the conversation as you step into the next episode and chat and debate all things nerdy with hosts Anastasia Washington (Coyote Magnate), Maggie Olbrich (Nerd Up or Shut Up), Emalee Burditt (Nerd Up or Shut Up), Richard Sheehan (Nerd Up or Shut Up), and moderator Aabria Lipscomb (Coyote Magnate).
Saturday April 1, 2017 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 208
Comics on Comics: Live! is excited to kick off its newest season! Juan Manuel Rocha and Vito Lapiccola are bringing along the newest member of the hosting staff-long-time collaborator Tim Powers. These three podcast powerhouses welcome some of their friends to the stage to talk about reboots and remakes. They'll end with an announcement about all the cool things they will be trying in the new season.
Saturday April 1, 2017 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 211