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.
Friday March 31, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 210
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!
Friday March 31, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 211
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.
Friday March 31, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 209
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.
Friday March 31, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 210
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.)
Friday March 31, 2017 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 208
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.
Friday March 31, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300DE
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.
Friday March 31, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 210
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.
Friday March 31, 2017 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 213
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
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
With all the drawing software out there, why do animation studios, video game developers, and comics illustrators still use live-action models for character design and development? Panelists will discuss how art models contribute to and enhance an artist's vision, how to find the right one for a project, ways into the business, and how to make nontraditional body types, age, and disability work as assets. Panelists include art models Jennifer Fabos Patton (Gallery Girls founder), Margaret Baker (Spider-Man), Michael Q. Schmidt (Harry Potter), mo-cap model TJ Storm (Deadpool), and Disney master teacher Mark McDonnell. Moderated by Fast Company's Susan Karlin.
Are you looking to submit to the Her Universe Fashion Show? Or just want to get into the business of Geek fashion? Come and share your portfolio with industry professionals from Her Universe and Hot Topic. Get tips and advice on how to best prepare your fashion portfolio!
Saturday April 1, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 206B
Concept artist and visual development supervisor for Marvel Studios films (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Thor: Ragnarok) and former comic book artist (Tomb Raider), Andy Park has worked on every single Marvel Studios film since 2010. Join Andy and moderator Pat Loika (Four Color Realities) for this visual presentation interview and Q&A session. There will be surprise giveaways at the end of the panel.
Saturday April 1, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
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
Emilio Soltero, Ph.D. (John Buscema: A Life in Sketches, Draw the Line) presents a primer on drawing the figure for popular media, including drawing for comics and character design. The focus will be on anatomy and figure drawing. Emilio will lecture and demonstrate on figure drawing. There will be time to draw as well. Professionals and beginners are welcome. Bring your drawing supplies to draw models/cosplayers during this interactive presentation. Come ready to take notes and to draw.
Saturday April 1, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 210
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
Calling all aspiring fashion designers! Are you too young to compete in The Her Universe Fashion Show? Do you want to design your own pieces or maybe even work for a fashion company like Her Universe someday? If you are between the ages of 6 and 17, come and design with the Her Universe Team and Her Universe Founder Ashley Eckstein. This session is free with a WonderCon Anaheim badge and no experience is needed. Just come with your imagination and get ready to sketch out your designs!
Saturday April 1, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 210
Space Goat is the comic industry's premier talent agency and production studio, whose clients get jobs at Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, IDW, BOOM! Studios, and other top quality publishers. Space Goat wants to see professional-quality comic book story pages in pencil, pencil & ink, or color. They are not interested in a portfolio of pinup art. They want to see professionals and talented artists ready to be professionals.
Saturday April 1, 2017 4:00pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 206B
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
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
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
Margaret Stohl (Mighty Captain Marvel comic, Black Widow novels) and Mark Waid (Black Widow, Avengers, Jughead comics) talk all things Widow and writing. Join Margie and Mark for this one-on-one interview and Q&A session!
Sunday April 2, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 207
DC is proud to be home to some of the most talented artists working in comics today. Join in for a unique look into their visual approach in shaping some of your favorite books!
Sunday April 2, 2017 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 210
Revealed with a live comic book creation. Bill Morrison (Bongo Comics co-founder and illustrator, The Simpsons, Futurama) and Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics, Salt Lake City) will demonstrate how you can write and draw your own comic book. Educators will be able to use this model in their own classrooms to jump start reading, writing, and illustration.
Sunday April 2, 2017 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209
From storyboarding to comics and back, Lissa Treiman has been a Disney storyboard artist for the last 10 years (Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Big Hero 6, Zootopia) and a comics fan her entire life. In 2015, she made her first foray into published comics (Giant Days), bringing her years of cinematic storytelling experience with her. Join her for a discussion about the similarities and differences between the two storytelling platforms.
Sunday April 2, 2017 11:30am - 12:30am PDT
Room 208
Chad Hardin (artist, Harley Quinn, Zatanna, Warlord) demonstrates, step by step, how to draw DC Comics' favorite bad girl. Get some tips and tricks for working in the comics industry as an artist, and get the scoop on some behind-the-scenes shenanigans of the creative team of Harley Quinn.
Sunday April 2, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
Bill Butler (creative director at Garner Holt Productions, Inc.) moderates a panel featuring Garner Holt (founder and president of Garner Holt Productions, Inc.), Disney Legend Bob Gurr, and Thomas Kuntz (modern automaton builder at Atomic Design Studio) as they discuss the history of mechanized magic in Orange County, from Japanese Deer Park to Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland. Room 213
Sunday April 2, 2017 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 213
Some say the most important part of any comic book is the cover. If that's so, we need to talk more about cover designs-and talk we will with these acclaimed cover creators: Michael Cho (Civil War II, DC reprint series), Sanford Greene (Power Man and Iron Fist, Runaways), Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman, The Invisibles), Bob Layton (Iron Man, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter), and Lissa Treiman (Slam!, Lumberjanes). Your moderator as usual is Mark Evanier.
WonderCon Anaheim special guests Hope Larson (Batgirl), Andy Park (Tomb Raider), and Marguerite Sauvage (DC Bombshells) illustrate how to get in on the action as they explain how they give their characters dynamic movements on the page. Moderator Jessica Tseang (comic book historian) leads this talented group of creators as they share their insider knowledge and draw characters that leap off the page and into our imagination.
This was originally going to be moderated by my dear chum Matt Fraction but he sadly had to cancel so instead it’s being moderated by … let’s see … Mark Waid? Is that right? Oh for f—
2017 marks an entire century since the birth of the man many call the most important creative talent ever in comics. This year more than ever, comic fans celebrate the legacy of Jack Kirby. On hand will be former Kirby assistant Steve Sherman,Scott Dunbier from IDW Publishing, Rand Hoppe from the Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center, and Paul S. Levine, attorney for the Rosalind Kirby Trust. Your moderator is another former Kirby assistant, Mark Evanier.
