WonderCon Anaheim 2015

The Christian Comics Arts Society offers a cross-section of contemporary patterns of spiritual and religious thought in today's comics. From far out theology to down home philosophy, each comics' creator brings something of their beliefs to the page. Join panelists as they trace the threads in our cultural tapestry.

UPDATED: Thu, Apr 02, 09:21AM
Last year marked the 75th anniversary of the Batman. Now let's take a look into what the future may have to offer for the iconic Caped Crusader and the "Bat Family." Moderated by Tiffany Smith (DC All Access), we'll hear from WonderCon Anaheim special guests Brenden Fletcher (Batgirl, Black Canary), Tom King (co-writer, Grayson), Greg Pak (writer, Batman/Superman), and Babs Tarr (artist, Batgirl) as they talk about how the Dark Knight has gotten to where he is today and what's in store for the Batman, and all of his supporting characters, for the coming years.

An aristocrat dresses in a weird batlike costume and fights evil. Batman? Nope; it's Spring-Heeled Jack from the 19th century. A genius uses weaponized armor to battle bad guys. Iron Man? Nope; it's the Flaming Avenger from 1933. Who were the superheroes before Superman? Peter Coogan (Washington University, St. Louis), Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight), Molly Mahan (Dynamite Entertainment), and Chris Gavaler (Washington and Lee University) travel back before the big bang of Action Comics #1 in 1938 to examine the pulp vigilantes, mystery men, gentleman thieves, and sci-fi Ubermenschen who laid the groundwork for the superhero genre, as well as the role of eugenics in the emergence of the superhero and how these proto-superheroes are being revived today.

WonderCon Anaheim special guest Sam de la Rosa, comic book finisher/inker since 1982, will recount his efforts to break into comics starting in the early 1970s, his accomplishments, and his favorite work: Spider-Man, Venom, and Carnage. Have some questions for Sam ready for the Q&A to follow.

Spider-Man has been one of the most widely known superheroes in popular culture for over 50 years. What is it about this character-based on an arachnid that most people hate or are afraid of-that has made Spider-Man resonate with the populace? Robert G. Weiner (Texas Tech University), Robert Moses Peaslee (Texas Tech University), Christina Angel (Metropolitan State University of Denver), and Hannah Means-Shannon (Bleeding Cool.com) address this issue and discuss the process of putting together the collection Web-Spinning Heroics: Critical Essays on the History and Meaning of Spider-Man (McFarland Books) and their individual contributions-"the hermeneutics of Spider-Man," Peter Parker's role in Elizabethan England from Neil Gaiman's 1602, why Mary Jane is really the only girl for Spider-Man, and how Freudian analysis can help us understand the inner workings of the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films.

From spies to assassins to private detectives, crime comics are a staple, and one that is having a resurgence. Moderator Jessica Tseang (comic book historian) discusses how crime comics pay off with Darwyn Cooke (Richard Stark: Parker series of graphic novels), Fred Van Lente (Archer & Armstrong), Marc Andreyko (Manhunter), Phil Noto (Black Widow), and Steve Epting (Velvet).

WonderCon Anaheim special guest Cullen Bunn broke into comics with books like The Damned and The Sixth Gun. Now he writes for several major publishers, working on books like Magneto, Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars, Sinestro, Lobo, Aquaman, Hellbreak, and Harrow County. Join Cullen for a look at his upcoming projects and an open Q&A session.

UPDATED: Thu, Apr 02, 02:01PM
ComiXology Submit has released thousands of independent comic books, graphic novels, and manga from celebrated creators and cartoonists such as Shannon Wheeler, Becky Cloonan, Gail Simone, and more. Join comiXology's co-founder and director of comiXology Submit John D. Roberts and marketing maven Chip Mosher, along with breakout Submit creators Jason Brubaker (reMIND), Joshua Fialkov (The Bunker, The Life After), Jody Houser (Cupcake POW!), and Elliot Blake (The Package) for a tell-all discussion on how you too can create, submit, and reach the ranks of comiXology Submit stardom!

WonderCon Anaheim special guest, artist Neal Adams (Batman, X-Men, Ms Mystic) has been making a name for himself in the comic book world since the very beginning. His impact on Batman, nearly 30 years ago, has paved the way for a darker caped crusader to this day. Neal discusses his career from Marvel to DC, his Hall of Fame awards, and much more.

Artist's Edition guru and special projects editor Scott Dunbier lifts back the veil on the secrecy surrounding upcoming Artist's Editions! There will be announcements, special guests, and a rumored special appearance from IDW president (and art lover) Greg Goldstein.

In the 1960s and '70s, publishers fled from spinner racks to magazine stands to escape the bounds of the Comics Code Authority. While comic books continued to labor under the stigma of low-value, juvenile speech, the larger-format magazine comics broke out, giving artists a safe haven to openly deal with adult content, provide more horror and suspense, and be frank about sexuality. Magazines like Mad, Creepy, and Eerie paved the way for a generation of titles that included Heavy Metal, Vampirella, Epic Illustrated, 1984, and Savage Sword of Conan to break new ground for a general audience and loosen the reins on some of comics' top creators. CBLDF deputy director Alex Cox reveals the untold history of magazine comics, reviewing the impact of publications from Warren, Marvel, Heavy Metal, National Lampoon, and more!

How do comics use the future to examine the present? Christine (Capes and Whips) explores how Sarah Stone's art in the Transformers comics Starscream and More than Meets the Eye is particularly female and queer-friendly through character design and facial expressions. Michele Brittany (Spyfi & Superspies) analyzes how Garth Ennis effectively employs space opera and horror genre tropes, with particular attention to gender identity, body transformation, and societal values. Ajani Brown (San Diego State University) uses the lens of AfroFuturism to explore what it means to be identified as "alien" or "other" in figures such as ICON, Concrete, Deathlok, Papa Midnite, and the Black Panther.

WonderCon Anaheim and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue their annual Preview Screenings tradition, with episodes of The Flash and Gotham, plus advance sneak peek screenings of new episodes of iZOMBIE and Teen Titans Go!

The Flash- The Flash is a fast-paced superhero drama that follows the high-speed adventures of the Fastest Man Alive. After the unexpected and devastating explosion of the S.T.A.R. Labs Particle Accelerator, Central City Police Department CSI Barry Allen finds himself suddenly charged with the incredible power to move at super speeds. While Barry has always been a hero in his soul, his newfound powers have finally given him the ability to act like one. However, Barry was not the only one affected that fateful night, and now a rash of super-powered villains are popping up all over Central City. With the help of his friends at S.T.A.R. Labs and his foster-father, Detective Joe West, Barry works to keep his city safe from these "metahumans," while working to uncover the secrets of and defeat his arch-nemesis, The Man in Yellow, who is responsible for the death of his mother and the wrongful imprisonment of his father. The Flash airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

Gotham- Before there was Batman, there was Gotham. The origin story of the great DC supervillains and vigilantes has only just begun. Gotham follows Jim Gordon's rise through the Gotham City police department and the spawning ground of the world's most iconic villains. Gotham airs Mondays at 8/7c on FOX.

iZOMBIE - iZOMBIE makes its WonderCon Anaheim debut with an advance screening of a brand-new upcoming episode. Olivia "Liv" Moore was a rosy-cheeked, disciplined, overachieving medical resident who had her life path completely mapped out . . . until the night she attended a party that unexpectedly turned into a zombie feeding frenzy. Now stuck somewhere between half-alive and undead, Liv transfers her residency to the coroner's office for access to the brains she must reluctantly eat, but with each brain she consumes, she inherits the corpse's memories. With her medical examiner boss and a police detective, she now solves homicides to quiet the voices in her head. Based on characters created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, published by DC Entertainment's Vertigo imprint, iZOMBIE airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

Teen Titans Go!- The Teen Titans are back at it again, in Teen Titans Go!, with all-new comedic adventures both in and out of Titans Tower, and your Titans craving will be satiated by screening of a brand-new episode. Based on DC Comics characters and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Teen Titans Go! airs Thursdays at 6/5c on Cartoon Network.

WonderCon Anaheim special guest Dustin Nguyen is the co-creator of both Batman: Lil Gotham and Image's new series Descender. Join this Q&A session about his career, work, and things to come.

It's that time again. If you've been to any of WonderCon Anaheim special guest James Robinson's spotlights in the past, you'll know that it's very simple; he takes the podium and you ask him anything you want-personal, professional, absurd, obscene, nothing is off limits. James will do his best to answer with utter veracity and candor. Come and enjoy a fun, chill time with a creator who's been around long enough that he no longer takes himself or the world around him too seriously.

New to Valiant Comics? Start here with an accessible introductory panel filling you in on everything you need to know about the heavy hitters of the Valiant Universe! This panel will take you step by step through the origins of X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Quantum and Woody, Ninjak, and more of Valiant's top heroes and villains right here with Valiant 101!

CANCELLED: Thu, Apr 02, 09:11AM
We regret to announce that this program has been cancelled.

UPDATED: Fri, Mar 20, 04:48PM
With the seemingly weekly advancements in technology, it has never been easier as a creator to get your works in front of an audience, and hopefully in a profitable way. But the rise of crowdfunding, digital publishing, and print-on-demand services means there are more potential pitfalls than ever to navigate your way through. And while it's true that with great (technological) power comes greater reward, it also gives rise to even greater risk, with thieves gaining an ever-expanding bag of tools to use in fleecing the unwary. Bottom line: You need somebody's help (and not just a little help from your friends). Luckily, Ms. Walters and Mr. Murdock aren't the only lawyers available to the superhero set, as WonderCon Anaheim welcomes back noted IP attorney Michael Lovitz, author of The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, to discuss the truths and myths of protecting your intellectual capital. Attendees are invited to come together and join Lovitz in an interactive discussion about basic rights provided under U.S. copyright and trademark laws. Starting with the basics on the ownership and protection of ideas, the panel will also provide a brief overview of copyright and trademark rights, including for works of authorship, characters, and names, as well as the registration process for each, a brief discussion on why written agreements are good, and not all lawyers are bad. Along the way, there will be plenty to learn about the protections, and pitfalls, of the U.S. intellectual property systems. 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 (1) credit of California MCLE.]

In the past 15 years WonderCon Anaheim special guest Rick Remender (Black Science, Deadly Class, Fear Agent) has co-created numerous acclaimed creator-owned titles in every genre. Join Rick for a one-on-one interview and Q&A session about the trials and rewards of creating a new series from ground up, and learn how to do it yourself.

This panel is an intimate conversation and Q&A session with writer/artist and WonderCon Anaheim special guest Jamal Igle. Jamal will talk with writer Alan "Sizzler" Kistler (Doctor Who: A History, The Marysue.com) about everything from acting to his career as a veteran comics creator. Come by and spend an hour with a guy his teachers called "a little rambunctious but basically a good kid."

The force is strong with these special guests! Moderator Greg Weisman (Star Wars Rebels) will lead a stellar discussion of what it takes to work in the Star Wars Universe, with Braden Lamb (Star Wars: Shadows of Endor), John Ostrander (Star Wars: Legacy), Sam de La Rosa (Star Wars comics), Mike Mayhew (The Star Wars), Kevin J. Anderson (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights series) and Rebecca Moesta (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights series). Hear about what it takes to get from this galaxy to one far, far away.

For attendees (writers or artists) of the Comic Creator Connection. Before you give your pitch to twenty strangers, use this opportunity to practice your presentation and get some free coaching from a pro. Sit one-on-one with Douglas Neff (host of the Comic Creator Connection and From Fan to Creator: Goal-Setting for Creative Types) for a personalized crash course in pitching your work. Note that all reviews will occur on a first-come, first-served basis and will only be accommodated as time allows.

Cartoonist Scott Shaw! (Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew!, Sonic The Hedgehog, Simpsons Comics, Annoying Orange) once again presents his uniquely hilarious slideshow of "the craziest comic books ever published!" Once you've seen this mind-roasting presentation-which has played to standing-room-only crowds in San Diego for the better part of four decades-you'll never forget such covers as those of the "crotch-centric" issues of Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane, those with someone getting slapped with a "fish-in-the-face," and those Silver Age issues of Batman and Detective Comics with "Robin-in-the-corner!" Scott promises, "My hilarious presentation is for everyone who's enjoyed reading a comic book, whether as an avid collector or as a young patient in a dentist's office-in fact, even for people who have never read a single comic book in their life. Even if you've seen my acclaimed slideshow presentation many times before, when you see their covers blown up to the size of the side of a barn, you'll be amazed and delighted at the unbelievable imagery that is revealed!" See for yourself why Stan Lee calls Scott's show "the wildest, wackiest exposé of some of the craziest comic books I've ever seen!"

You can all name a favorite villain or two: the Joker, Darth Vader, or Loki. But how many of your favorite bad guys are actually bad girls? Here to discuss the best and baddest of the lady villains (and their lack of representation) is a panel of women equally dangerous in their own rights: Katrina Hill (Action Movie Freak), Devin Grayson (Catwoman, Black Widow), Chase Masterson (Star Trek: Deep Space 9), Jessica Merizan (Heroes of Cosplay, PizzaAndPorn), Patty Jean Robinson (Pike and Trident), Dr. Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy), Victoria Schmidt (Scruffy Rebel), Patricia Tallman (actor, Creating Badassery for Women Over 50), and Janey Tracey (OuterPlaces.com).

WonderCon Anaheim special guest Kevin Maguire (artist, Justice League International) holds a Q&A session and more. He likes to make jokes, so you may get a laugh or two.

Meet New York Times bestselling writer and WonderCon Anaheim special guest Marc Andreyko. Hear about his 20 years in comics, ranging from Torso with Brian Michael Bendis to the cult classic Manhunter, to Batwoman, Wonder Woman '77, and beyond! Fun stories, talking craft, and an audience Q&A!

UPDATED: Wed, Apr 01, 11:46AM
Comics publisher BOOM! Studios is actively developing several of its original titles for film and television. Have you ever wondered what that process is like? Hear from BOOM! Studios founder and CEO Ross Richie, president of development Stephen Christy, screenwriter Arash Amel (Butterfly), and entertainment attorney Matt Sugarman as they talk about the process of shopping a comic book property in Hollywood. Moderated by The Hollywood Reporter's Borys Kit.

The publishing world was rocked this year with the news that IDW Publishing had acquired Top Shelf Productions. Now, join Top Shelf editor-in-chief Chris Staros and IDW marketing VP Dirk Wood for a spirited discussion of all things Top Shelf-announcements, hi-jinx, sneak peeks at new projects, Q&A and more! Come find out what's changing about your favorite indie publisher. Hint: Not much! More of the great groundbreaking projects you've come to expect from Top Shelf are on the way!

Jake Wyatt (Ms. Marvel) examines, breaks down, and jokes around with WonderCon Anaheim special guest Kris Anka (Uncanny X-Men). Jake will look into the life and education that led to Kris's career with Marvel. A lot of dumb jokes will most likely happen.

This panel will address the question every aspiring writer wants answered: "How do I break into the business?" If you are an unpublished writer with dreams of making it in the transmedia marketplace and you don't know how or where to begin, this is the panel for you. Hollywood screenwriters and graphic novel producers share insider information, publishing secrets, and the professional realities on how to develop your ideas into a viable comics proposal. Moderated by 2015 Disney/ABC Writing Program finalist and 2014 Eisner Award nominee Brandon Easton (ThunderCats, Andre the Giant biography), the panel includes Geoffrey Thorne (Leverage, The Librarians), Jonathan Callan (Ben 10: Omniverse, Slugterra), Erika Alexander (Concrete Park, Living Single), and Tony Puryear (Concrete Park, the Schwarzenegger film Eraser). Topics will include how to hire artists and build a strong contract, how to seek out a publisher, and how to navigate the tough new world of intellectual property management in the digital frontier.

With the comics and entertainment industries' landscapes changing so rapidly, The Antidote Trust, America's #1 indie collective, returns with more insights on you and your creative output. Panel participants are DeWayne Copeland (Ja Rel Sunstormer & the Port Controller of Cruzar co-creator/producer of the webseries CV Nation), Dani Dixon (creator of 13, M.I.S.//ing and the upcoming YA fantasy series Five Nations), Sebastian Jones (The Untamed, Dusu, I Am book series, president of Stranger Comics), Hannibal Tabu (writer, web producer, journalist, winner of 2012 Top Cow Talent Hunt, Artifact #35, Project: Wildfire), Robert Roach (two-decade pro in the entertainment and comics industries and winner of the inaugural Glyph award for indie comics, returning with six new issues of his vanguard project, Menthu). Moderator Andre Owens is the writer/publisher of Force Galaxia comics and the writer/director of The Psychedelic Detective webseries.

From marriage equality becoming a reality in state after state to queer performers and sports figures coming out in all corners of popular media, LGBTQ people have made great strides in society at large. Queer people and their relationships are more and more mainstream in the world of comics as well. As yesterday's radical notions become today's popular culture, what's new and cutting edge in LGBTQ comics? What new responsibilities do comics creators have to themselves and their readers in presenting LGBTQ characters and stories? Join Prism Comics and moderator Tara Madison Avery (Gooch, Prism Comics board member) as they explore these and other questions with panelists Marc Andreyko (Batwoman, Wonder Woman '77), P. Kristen Enos (Web of Lives, Deseo, Prism Comics board member), Devin Grayson (Nightwing, USER), Ed Luce (Wuvable Oaf), Sam Saturday (Death's Door), and Josh Trujillo (Love Machines). The recipient of the 2015 Prism Comics Queer Press Grant, an annual financial grant to help an aspiring comics creator publish their work, will also be announced at this panel.

Studios today are looking for more than just an individual movie. They want franchises-story worlds that can exist across multiple mediums. What are the elements of a successful franchise? Where do transmedia properties come from? How can you create a story world that spans multiple platforms? How does franchise creation influence, expand, and even enhance the storytelling process? Moderated by members of the New York Film Academy's screenwriting department, professors Nunzio DeFilippis (New X-Men, chair of the screenwriting department), Adam Finer (chair of industry outreach and professional development, transmedia professor), and Christina Weir (New X-Men, Amazing Agent Luna) analyze the core elements of a variety of preexisting properties. They will take attendee ideas and examine their transmedia franchise potential.

In The Walking Dead, ethical lines are crossed and taboos broken as survivors adapt to a new way of life. But what drives the living to do terrible things, and how far will they go? Why do the atrocities committed by The Governor and The Hunters attract followers? Did society's breakdown break Morgan's psyche? Does Abraham's traumatic past direct his "mission?" How does Rick remain sane? Is he immune to the "insanity?" Join forensic psychiatrists H. Eric Bender, M.D., Praveen R. Kambam, M.D., and Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D., of Broadcast Thought, as well as special guest Michael Cudlitz (Abraham Ford on AMC's The Walking Dead) as they analyze the minds of heroes and villains of The Walking Dead. In a world of walkers, is humanity a liability? Learn how some rise above the mayhem while others fall into the depths of derangement where walkers prey on the living, the living prey on each other, and everyone prays that they survive!

WonderCon Anaheim will once again host the Comic Creator Connection, an event that puts writers and artists together to see whether they can find their creative counterparts. Here's how it works: in two 2-hour sessions - on Friday, April 3, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and Sunday, April 5, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - writers and artists can sit down and meet each other in a neutral environment. (Please note: This isn't an ordinary WonderCon Anahiem program. Preliminary sign-ups for the CCC took place online before WonderCon Anaheim. Since we are registering creators in advance they will get priority seating. Any seats that are still open once the event starts will be given on a first come first serve basis. To check and see if space is still available, visit Room 206B on the second level about 30 minutes prior to the start of each session.) Complete details are available on the Comic Creator Connection page on our website.