The protagonists and antagonists of these authors' works have to learn a mad variety of skills, sometimes in a classroom or other formal structure, sometimes in a life-threatening moment-and sometimes both! WonderCon special guest Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns), plus Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre (Honor Bound), Alexa Donne (Brightly Burning), and Henry Lien (Peasprout Chen series) will discuss the lessons they learned while instructing their characters in conversation with librarian Judy Price-Neeb (Chula Vista Public Library).
Friday March 29, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Stage, screen, and voice actor Phil LaMarr discusses projects old (Pulp Fiction, MAD TV, Futurama, Samurai Jack, Justice League, and more) and new (Goblins Animated, The Jellies, Craig of the Creek). Learn what goes on behind the scenes and ask the WonderCon special guest all of your burning questions about your favorite shows and characters!
Friday March 29, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300D
The folks who bring you Groo the Wanderer explain why they haven't brought you Groo the Wanderer lately, and they discuss what and where you will see the Mindless Mendicant again in your local comic shop. The award-winning team of WonderCon special guests Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragonés will speak and answer questions about their work, together and apart in comics, plus the hardest-working man in comics-Tom Luth, who colors Groo-will be along to reveal what it's like to spend every waking minute of the day coloring crowd scenes.
Friday March 29, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
In the past two years, writer/artist Joëlle Jones has released a second volume of her creator-owned series Lady Killer and taken on new challenges in her exclusive deal with DC Comics-including drawing Batman for writer Tom King during the Bruce/Selina engagement storyline, immediately followed by her bold writer/artist take on Catwoman. She's also currently working with writer Tim Seeley on "Bog of Blood," a new Swamp Thing story that plays to Jones' serial-killer strengths. In this spotlight panel, WonderCon special guest Joëlle Jones talks with moderator Mike Russell (The Sabertooth Vampire) about what she's learned while building a new city and new foes for Catwoman-as well as what she has planned for Selina's future and her take on the storied Swamp Thing legacy. The conversation will touch on her writing and drawing processes, how to craft a kick-ass fight scene, the future of Lady Killer, her creative obsessions, and much more. The session will also feature in-depth breakdowns of what went into some of her most famous artwork-along with some exciting reveals from her upcoming projects.
Friday March 29, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 208
Flight? Invisibility? Super strength? Everyone at one point in time has sat around their living room, debating which one is best. Now hear the opinion of the experts! Do these comic creators know the answer? Is there truly a right answer? Moderator Gabe Carrasco (Aspen Comics managing editor) gets to the truth with Vita Ayala (Supergirl), Amy Chu (Red Sonja), Tom King (Batman), Liam Sharp (Wonder Woman), and Scott Snyder (Batman).
Friday March 29, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
You love comics, but are you fan enough to #MakeComics? ComiXology discusses the triumphs, sorrows, tricks, and craft of illustrating comic books with one of comics' most multifaceted and talented artists working today: Tula Lotay (Mondo, All-Star Batman, Supreme: Blue Rose). What's the hardest thing to draw? What inspires her work? Who are the artists she admires most? All of this and more will be discussed in this intimate and far-reaching panel no budding artist can miss.
Friday March 29, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 208
Artist and cover artist Brian Stelfreeze (Black Panther, Batman, X-Men, Spider-Man) talks about his career as a comics illustrator and shares what he's learned along the way. Welcome to this lively discussion and Q&A, combined with a live demo during the panel. Maybe even get some insight on his soon-to-be-announced series from Image and 12Gauge Comics!
Friday March 29, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
WonderCon special guest Dana Simpson, author of the syndicated comic strip and bestselling graphic novel series Phoebe and Her Unicorn, answers questions in a Q&A session in which she'll talk about her journey from early webcomics to syndication, as well as being the first out transgender creator in syndicated comics. Also, unicorns. She'll probably talk about unicorns a lot.
Friday March 29, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 209
On February 28, 1949, the great director of Warner Brothers cartoons, Bob Clampett, segued into television with the debut of Time for Beany, the first great kids show to also attract an adult audience. Originally a puppet show featuring the voices of the legendary Daws Butler and Stan Freberg, it won one of the first Emmy Awards and later became one of the most popular animated programs of all time. Bob's own kids, Ruth Clampett and Robert Clampett, Jr., present memories and rare video from this TV classic along with moderator Mark Evanier.
Friday March 29, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
DC Entertainment publisher and chief creative officer Jim Lee (Batman, Justice League, Superman Unchained, Detective Comics #1000) 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 first-hand and learn the tips of the trade that bring DC Entertainment's characters to life.
Friday March 29, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
North 200B
Being a successful author is an entirely different proposition than it was just a few years ago. The introduction of the e-reader and the rise of self-publishing have turned the industry on its head-and new authors are benefitting. Learn how to harness your strengths and take charge of your career in a candid discussion of the self-published world with Amazon bestselling author and WonderCon special guest Michael C. Grumley and hear the story behind his one-million-books-sold Breakthrough series, moderated by Gina Smith from Scott Brick Productions.
Friday March 29, 2019 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 209
They may be killers, but readers often find themselves rooting for the villains anyway. What makes these hardened criminals worthy of adoration? Find out from the creators who bring them to life. Moderator Mark Waid (Daredevil) discusses villainous antics with WonderCon special guests Donny Cates (Venom), Gerry Duggan (Deadpool), Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer), and Tim Sale (Daredevil).
Friday March 29, 2019 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Comics writer and WonderCon special guest Greg Pak (Planet Hulk, Star Wars, Ronin Island, Firefly, James Bond 007, New Agents of Atlas) reveals secrets from his 15-year career in comics, previews never-before-seen art from upcoming books, and answers all your questions!
Friday March 29, 2019 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 209
Have you ever wanted to write cartoons for a living? If so, you'll want to listen to a panel of folks who have actually done it and done a lot of it. Come and hear from moderator Mark Evanier (The Garfield Show, Thundarr The Barbarian), John Semper (Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Static Shock), Julien Magnat (The Garfield Show. Ben 10), and others.
Friday March 29, 2019 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300B
The Eisner Award-winning artist of Batman: Haunted Knight, Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: Dark Victory, Superman for All Seasons, Catwoman: When in Rome, Superman: Kryptonite, and Solo, Tim Sale, comes to WonderCon to discuss his varied career from cover painter, colorist, cover colorist, inker, penciller, writer, and artist! Followed by a Q&A session. He may even have a few stories about his two dogs.
Saturday March 30, 2019 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 213AB
Celebrate a vast array of sentient beings, some of whom may occasionally be more sympathetic than human characters, with creators Dana Simpson (Phoebe and her Unicorn), Leah Thomas (When Light Left Us), Jim Pascoe (Cottons: The Secret of the Wind), Nicole Conway (Dragonrider Legacy series), and Cecil Castellucci (Shade: The Changing Girl), moderated by Maryelizabeth Yturralde (Mysterious Galaxy).
Saturday March 30, 2019 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 300D
Get your questions answered in this panel with Peter J. Tomasi, a New York Times bestselling author known for his work on Batman: Detective Comics, Superman, Batman and Robin, Super-Sons, Green Lantern Corps, Brightest Day, and many others. Over the course of his career with DC Comics, Peter also served as a group editor ushering in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and JSA along with special projects like Kingdom Come. Peter is the author of the creator-owned books The Bridge: How the Roeblings Connected Brooklyn to New York with artist Sara DuVall (Abrams), House of Penance with artist Ian Bertram (Dark Horse), Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg (Dark Horse), and The Mighty with Keith Champagne, Chris Samnee, and Peter Snejbjerg (Dark Horse).
Saturday March 30, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
From art direction at the famous Kubert School to art direction at DC Comics, WonderCon special guest Andy Kubert discusses his career as both artist and teacher, plus what it's been like to work on some of the biggest comics at both Marvel and DC.
Saturday March 30, 2019 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 207
You are cordially invited to a spotlight panel on WonderCon special guest Gerry Duggan. It will be unmoderated; however, it will be dungeon mastered. If you do not have a dice bag, you may borrow some of Gerry's dice, but we encourage you to bring your own dice because Gerry's are cursed. You will ask your questions of Gerry, and then you will both roll the dice to see what happens next. You may ask your question, or perhaps not. Perhaps you will be killed and asked to leave the room. Then perhaps Gerry will answer your question. He is a monster. Or maybe you will win Gerry's treasure.* Who can foretell what will happen? You will get a bonus to attack Gerry for dressing as a character Gerry's written. *One adventurer will win a single CGC graded 9.8 comic previously signed by Gerry.
Saturday March 30, 2019 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209
Learn how to write and illustrate for kids with authors and illustrators Peter S. Beagle (The Last Unicorn), Barbara Bottner (Priscilla Gorilla), Scott Campbell (Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy), Molly Idle (Flora and the Flamingo), Lee Wardlaw (Won Ton and Chopstick), and Jo Whittemore (Supergirl). Moderated by Henry Herz (Good Egg & Bad Apple).
Saturday March 30, 2019 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
The shared mind of Venom & Eddie Brock joins Marvel Comics superstar writer and WonderCon special guest Donny Cates. Donny will discuss his ongoing monthly Venom book, as well as the new Venom event this August.
Saturday March 30, 2019 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 209
WonderCon special guests Julie Benson and Shawna Benson talk about their journey breaking into writing for television and comics. They are best known for their work on DC Comics Batgirl and the Birds of Prey and Green Arrow, CW's The 100, and Wu Assassins for Netflix. They're excited to discuss how they work as a team and answer audience questions.
Saturday March 30, 2019 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 207
Creators David Baron (Stained) and Brian Stelfreeze (Matador) are joined by comics librarian Dan Wood (youth librarian, Escondido Public Library), comics retailer Rachel Parker (SoCal Games & Comics), and Morgan Perry (BOOM! Studios) to share their unique perspectives on how comics transform lives. Moderator Moni Barrette (adult librarian, Escondido Public Library) will lead a Q&A session between panelists and comic enthusiasts.
Saturday March 30, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
WonderCon special guest Scott Snyder gives an introspective look at the Dark Knight's darkest side, with story highlights and discussion from The Batman Who Laughs, Grimm Knight, and Last Knight on Earth.
Saturday March 30, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300D
WonderCon special guest Katie Cook talks about her work in this crazy industry! Katie currently writes and draws her creator-owned comic, Nothing Special, which is published online with Webtoon . . . but she's also worked on My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Tangled: Before Ever After, written and drawn for Marvel, and illustrated several Star Wars kids' books. She'll have a conversation about working on licensed books, going on to work on your own projects, and navigating the waters of online publishing versus print. Or just come listen to Katie talk about her cat.
Saturday March 30, 2019 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209
Geeky fashion expert Ashley Eckstein (Her Universe) moderates a panel on one of comics' most burning questions, when it comes to superhero fashions, which is more important, fashion or function? WonderCon Anaheim special guests Jen Bartel (Blackbird), Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer), Tula Lotay (Supreme: Blue Rose), and Brian Stelfreeze (Back Panther) share their expertise on what makes a great costume.
Saturday March 30, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Come hear firsthand the latest on the world's greatest superheroes from DC publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee. Combining humor, breaking news, and filled with surprises, this panel is the perfect place to find out what Dan and Jim have in store for your favorite DC heroes and villains.
Saturday March 30, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 200B
The Internet is the planetary-scale nervous system for our species, and these days it consists of four giant sites filled with screenshots from the other three. The lesson of this moment in late-stage capitalism isn't that Facebook has figured out how to build a mind-control ray: Rather, it's that they've figured out how to scale up the paltry sums they extract from your personal life into piles so big, they add up to billions. WonderCon special guest Cory Doctorow shows us that fixing technology isn't a matter of paying for things instead of seeing ads: It's all about seizing the means of information and controlling your tech, rather than being controlled by it.
Saturday March 30, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 211
By now, you've probably heard of this fast 'n' funny competition where some of the speediest cartoonists on the globe cross Sharpies in a test of who can draw the funniest idea in the least amount of time. Your Quick Draw quizmaster Mark Evanier throws the challenges at Sergio Aragonés (MAD magazine, Groo the Wanderer), Scott Shaw! (The Flintstones, The Simpsons), and Tom Richmond (MAD's star caricaturist). See which one emerges victorious. (Spoiler alert: Usually, the big winner at these competitions is the audience.).
Saturday March 30, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
North 200B
Come and see how WonderCon special guest Ryan Meinerding, head of visual development at Marvel Studios, helps create the heroes and villains from the MCU. Ryan will be taking you through his concept art and talk about how they translate your favorite characters for the big screen. Moderated by Tara Bennett SYFY WIRE's senior editor/producer for the West Coast.
Saturday March 30, 2019 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
Comics are more accessible than ever! WonderCon special guest Vita Ayala (Livewire) and Danny Lore (Queen of Bad Dreams) answer questions about what it was like breaking into comics, and they'll share some of the tips and tricks they've gathered to break in along the way. Conversation and audience Q&A!
Saturday March 30, 2019 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 211
Once again, your moderator Mark Evanier brings together a team of experts in the art of speaking for animated characters, interviews them, and has them demonstrate what they do. The panel this time includes Jon Bailey (Transformers: Combiner Wars, Bumblebee), Phil LaMarr (Futurama, Samurai Jack), Alicyn Packard (Tom & Jerry, Poppy Cat), Rachel Butera (The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Jim Meskimen (Avengers Assemble, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and maybe a surprise or two.
Saturday March 30, 2019 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
North 200B
Love all things comics? Love paying your bills too? What opportunities are out there for comics creators and comics lovers? Moderator Mark Waid (Daredevil) talks to WonderCon Anaheim special guests Julie Benson (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey), Shawna Benson (Green Arrow), Ryan Meinerding (head of visual development, Marvel Studios), and Liam Sharp (Wonder Woman) about the ins and outs of the comics biz and all its extensions.
Sunday March 31, 2019 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 208
How does a comics scholar win a Will Eisner Comic Industry Award? Step one, study comics. Step three, win an Eisner. To figure out step two, join WonderCon special guest Damian Duffy to discuss academic comics, the art books Black Comix and Black Comix Returns, his Eisner Award-winning collaboration with John Jennings in adapting Octavia Butler's masterpiece Kindred, and their forthcoming adaptation of Butler's Parable of the Sower. Travis Langley (Black Panther Psychology: Hidden Kingdoms) moderates.
Sunday March 31, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 210
WonderCon special guest Jen Bartel (Blackbird) will chat with artist Kris Anka (Runaways) about her unconventional career path into comics and how it quickly propelled her into being a recognized name-both as a highly in-demand cover artist and as an interior artist on titles like her own creator-owned Image Comics book Blackbird, The Mighty Thor, and Black Panther. Room 208
Sunday March 31, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 208
As a kid, everything is magical, and magic is believable. Bringing magic to life expands young minds, and these comics creators are experts at sprinkling that fairy dust. Dan Wood (youth librarian, Escondido Public Librry) moderates Mary Bellamy (Faux Facts and Ah Heck!!), Alina Chau (The Nian Monster), and WonderCon special guests Katie Cook (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic), Greg Pak (The Princess Who Saved Herself), and Dana Simpson (Phoebe and Her Unicorn) as they share their tips and tricks and a little hint of magic.
Sunday March 31, 2019 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208
WonderCon special guest Tom King discusses Mr. Miracle, Batman, and Heroes in Crisis. Tom will talk about his approach in humanizing these larger-than-life heroes in a way that's never quite been seen before in comics.
Sunday March 31, 2019 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300D
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: Greg Capullo (Batman, Spawn), Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Superman for All Seasons), and Jen Bartel (Blackbird, Black Panther). Your moderator as usual is Mark Evanier.
Sunday March 31, 2019 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300B
Geoff Boucher (creator of Hero Complex) talks with WonderCon special guest Liam Sharp (artist, The Green Lantern) about his long career in comics and his hugely successful comeback to mainstream comics at DC. Liam and Geoff host an intimate, lively one-on-one interview and Q&A session!
Sunday March 31, 2019 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211
WonderCon special guest Kendare Blake, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling fantasy series Three Dark Crowns, shares a brief and irreverent look at how she got here. Topics that may or may not be covered: switching genres from horror to urban fantasy to high fantasy, how to query an agent, drafting versus revisions, hairless cats, possible mix-ins for mac and cheese, and book-to-movie/TV adaptations. The Q&A will be wide open.
Sunday March 31, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 208
Come for a fantastic discussion with WonderCon special guest Peter S. Beagle (The Last Unicorn) and moderator Delilah S. Dawson (Kill the Farm Boy: Tales of Pell), covering 50 years of The Last Unicorn, Star Trek, writing fiction and non-fiction, and evolving perspectives.
Sunday March 31, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 213AB
