Wow! It’s less than a week away to WonderCon and I’m hyped up more than ever for this weekend’s comic convention. WonderCon is run by the same guys which also organizes one and only Comic Con in San Diego. WonderCon is like its little brother and usually held in San Francisco. But the convention center up there is in construction so they’ve decided to move it to Anaheim convention center this year, my backyard.
I wasn’t too thrilled about the event but ever since they announced the full program last week, I’m starting to geek up. While Hollywood will have its presence at the con, the panels are focused more on comics. There’s also less people than comic con and I don’t feel like I’m sophisticated when I’m walking around. I can’t make it for Friday because of work. Below is my plan for Sat & Sun.
Sat:
10:30-11:30 Spotlight on Scott Snyder— WonderCon special guest, writer Scott Snyder (Batman, Swamp Thing, American Vampire, Severed), answers your questions in this open discussion on the craft and business of writing comics. Room 207.
Snyder is the current writer of Batman and the story has been amazing so far. I want to know what’s in store for Batman, as well as his insight on making creative & interesting stories.
1:15-2:15 20th Century Fox: Prometheus and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter…in 3D— 20th Century Fox and WonderCon attendees have two big reasons to celebrate the year’s event. Sir Ridley Scott, director of Alien and Blade Runner, returns to the genre he helped define and he’ll be live on stage to tell you all about Prometheus, his epic and groundbreaking new mythology. Sir Ridley and co-screenwriter Damon Lindelof will screen some exclusive footage.
You’ll also meet this country’s 16th president and first superhero — Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which explores the secret life of our greatest leader, and the untold story that shaped our nation. The filmmakers will screen special footage, which presents the visionary work of producer Tim Burton and director Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), who bring a fresh and visceral voice to the classic portrayal of the bloodthirsty vampire, while imagining Lincoln as history’s greatest hunter of the undead. Ballroom, Third Level
One of my favorite directors, Ridley Scott, will be talking about Prometheus. Awww yeah! It should be interesting to hear his approach on a prequel to a movie he did more than 30 years ago. The Abe Lincoln presentation should be cool, the trailer looked kick ass.
4:00-5:00 Kotobukiya Spring Preview— Representatives offer an exclusive look into what products are in development for 2012 and beyond, a Q&A session, and surprise giveaways! Room 203
I like Kotobukiya statues and I want to see what Bishoujo statue they’ll have in the future. I hope they’ll have the Harley Quinn sculpt ready by then.
4:15-5:30 Sony: Resident Evil: Retribution, Looper, Amazing Spider-Man — In Resident Evil: Retribution, we learn more about Alice’s mysterious past as she continues to hunt those at The Umbrella Corporation responsible for the T-virus outbreak, a chase that takes her from Tokyo to New York, Washington, DC, and Moscow, culminating in a mind-blowing revelation that will force her to rethink everything she once thought to be true. Aided by newfound allies and familiar friends, Alice must fight to survive long enough to escape a hostile world on the brink of oblivion. The countdown has begun. Resident Evil: Retribution stars Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory, Kevin Durand, Shawn Roberts, and Boris Kodjoe. Appearing in person is Alice herself, Milla Jovovich, who along with writer/director Paul W. S. Anderson will host a preview and discussion of the wildly successful film franchise based on the popular video game series Resident Evil and this highly anticipated fifth installment, Resident Evil: Retribution in state-of-the art 3D.
Looper—Joseph Gordon-Levitt and writer-director Rian Johnson come to WonderCon to give fans a first look at the futuristic action thriller Looper. And when we say, “First look,” we mean it! The panel will premiere the first footage anyone anywhere has seen from this movie. In Looper, time travel will be invented, but it will be illegal and only available on the black market. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they send their target 30 years into the past, where a “looper”—a hired gun, like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)—is waiting to mop up. Joe is getting rich and life is good. . . until the day the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) for assassination. the film is written and directed by Rian Johnson and also stars Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and Jeff Daniels. Ram Bergman and James D. Stern produce.
The Amazing Spider-Man—The Amazing Spider-Man is back on the big screen, shot in 3D for the first time, and will be swinging into your neighborhood on July 3, 2012. Director Marc Webb and star Emma Stone appear live at WonderCon to give you your Spidey fix! For the fans who haven’t seen it, here is your chance to see the eight minutes of footage that the filmmakers recently presented in a 13-city global launch event. Ballroom, Third Level
I don’t really care about Resident Evil but I’m looking forward to Looper and Spider-Man reboot. Spider-Man’s new trailer looked promising. I never heard of Looper until I read it on the program. Below is behind the scenes footage courtesy of a fan:
7:00-8:00 Tournament of Nerds!— Who would win in a fight, Batman or Wolverine? Superman or Gandalf? Debates like these have raged for decades. In dorm rooms, cubicles, classrooms, comic shops, and video stores, fans have pondered these questions that seemed unanswerable…until now. Tournament of Nerds pits two fans, or “Nerds,” against each other to battle it out in heated debate. Which comic book, sci-fi, action, or horror character has the stuff to take down a fellow iconic character? The action is fast and furious, as debaters pick characters to debate on behalf of. A compelling argument can slay a more powerful foe. Nerds are screaming, laughing, and crying as titans clash. Their goal: to advance their character through a “March Madness” set of brackets in hopes of being crowned the ultimate Nerd and having their character reign supreme! The regular group of debaters includes Maddox (The Alphabet of Manliness, The Best Page in the Universe), Alex Fernie (Funny or Die, Reno 911), Roger Barr (I-Mockery, Doc Mock’s Movie Mausoleum), Chris Tallman (Reno 911, Crossballs), and more! Room 204
Can’t wait for a real hardcore nerd debate. I hope Batman wins!
Sunday
11:30-12:30 Steampunk 101— H.,G. Wells, leather corsets, goggles, gears and steam-powered blasters: these are all marks of the genre, but what exactly is Steampunk? Explore the answer to this basic question and much more with scintillating steampunk experts Donna Ricci (Clockwork Couture), Joe Benitez (Lady Mechanika); Thomas Willeford (Brute Force Studios); Nick Bauman, Andrew Fogel and Duane Matthews (The League of S.T.E.A.M.); and moderator Dina Kampmeyer (The Manticore Society). Room 213
I’ve always been interested in the Steampunk genre but don’t have a clue where it started from. I hope this will educate me about the culture.
11:30-12:30 CAC Session 8: What’s the Matter with Batman?— Batman clearly has “issues.” Aside for running around in a form-fitting costume, he’s got an alter ego, he broods a lot, he can be a bit neurotic, and he at times experiences alarming flashbacks — not to mention the problems he has in his relationships with women. Psychologists Robin Rosenberg (Psychology of Superheroes, What’s the Matter with Batman?), Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight), and surprise guests explore Batman’s issues and determine whether he has a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, and if so, which one(s). Room 210
This coincides with the Steampunk Panel. I’ll check this one out first since Batman is my favorite. If it sucks I’ll go to to the other panel. It should be an entertaining hour as experts talk about Batman’s issues and motives.
12:30-2:00 Cover Story: The Art of the Cover— It’s WonderCon’s yearly look at what makes a great cover. This year moderator Mark Evanier talks to special guests Arthur Adams (Monkeyman and O’Brian), Michael Golden (The ‘Nam), Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Eric Powell (The Goon), and Fiona Staples (Saga) on their individual approaches to cover design and illustration. Room 207
I can’t draw for shit but I always appreciate art and the psychological effect behind it. Now only if Marvel will also put much more effort into their insides pages as the cover…
I think that’s it for me for the panels. The rest of the time and whenever there’s a break between panels, I’ll be at the artists alley and buying collectables that will make me go broke. It’s also fun to check out the cosplayers.
Below is my checklist and comic celebs I wanna meet:
Mike Mignola – I’m going to ask him to sketch Hellboy on the back of my iPhone. I’ll also have my Black & White Batman Statue re-release Mike Mignola base signed.
Scott Snyder – Hopefully he can sign some of Batman comics.
I’ll be looking out for Arkham Asylum Batman & Joker play arts figures. I hope vendors will have good deals on them.
My budget for the whole con will be $200 including food & parking. I’m hoping to grab some sketches/prints from artists as well.
WonderCon will be this Fri-Sat, Mar 16 – 18 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
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