WonderCon 2025 is upon us! Seems like it was just yesterday that I attended last year’s event but I am always happy to attend and cover this convention. This year’s slate is one of the more fascinating collection of panels I’ve seen from a convention, namely cause there does not seem to be a gigantic movie panel in the group which is great cause there’s so much more attention on the smaller panels. Let’s take a dive into some of the most interesting.
FRIDAY
Beastly Powers: Exploring Science, Magic, and Mythology in Comics and Pop Culture
Room 213CD
From science to magic to mythology, animals have long been a source of inspiration in comics and pop culture. This panel delves into the fascinating portrayal of animal powers, whether derived from scientific principles, magical realms, or ancient myths. Panelists will discuss how animal abilities shape characters, the intersection of nature and the supernatural, and how these stories inspire both wonder and empowerment. John Jennings (professor and author/illustrator, Marvel, DC, Megascopeto), RJ Palisoc (line producer, Sony Pictures Animation), Lyn Pacificar (chief ritualist and shaman, Katuuran), Lea Anderson (columnist, Fangoria), Alex Langley (Spider-Man Psychology: Untangling Webs), and moderator Lorran Garrison (school psychologist, author, Little Brainstorm) explore how animal powers continue to evolve in comics, reflecting both our past and future.
Giants’ First Steps: Glimmer of Greatness
North 100B
Be inspired by the early works of several masters of animation from Hollywood’s second animation renaissance. Curator Ron Diamond presents a selection of digitally restored student films by celebrated directors, including John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Hercules, Aladdin, Treasure Planet, Moana), Brenda Chapman (Brave, The Prince of Egypt, Come Away), Kirk Wise (Beauty and the Beast,The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Mike Mitchell (Shrek Forever After, Trolls, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, Kung Fu Panda 4), and other notable directors’ early films.
Afro-Futurism: Black to the Future VII: Cosplay Heaven (We Didn’t Get All Dressed up for Nothin’!)
Room 300E
Meet the Black content creators and actors who are pioneering the imaginative use of characters of color in film and television. Panelists will discuss emerging techniques in character portrayal and how Black performers and cosplayers will uniquely impact the entertainment industry. Featuring Kevin Grevious (actor, writer, director, producer, comic book publisher; creator, Underworld and I, Frankenstein), and Rico Anderson (actor, The Orville, Star Trek: Renegades, Grey’s Anatomy, S.W.A.T.). Professor Ajani Brown, M.F.A. (lecturer, Africana Studies Department; academic senator, San Diego State University) will introduce the participants. Moderated by Jimmy Diggs (original content producer; screenwriter, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine).
SATURDAY
11th Annual Women Rocking Hollywood Panel: Surviving and Thriving in a Changing Landscape
North 100B
The last few years have been difficult for artists working in the screen industries. This has been especially true for women. And yet, they persevere. This year’s panel celebrates the showrunners, directors, and advocates creating great work despite the challenges. From fan favorites to genre films and compelling stories on the small screen, female filmmakers reflect diverse voices onscreen. This panel of powerful women changing the landscape of film & TV from the inside discusses their newest projects and how they navigate the worlds inside and outside Hollywood. Scheduled to appear are writer/executive producer Aeysha Carr (Woke, the upcoming Government Cheese), director Rosemary Rodriguez (Peacemaker, The Walking Dead franchise), producer/executive producer Dara Resnick (Daredevil, Home Before Dark), writer/executive producer Carla Ching (Fear the Walking Dead, Mr. & Mrs. Smith), writer/executive producer Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (Up Here, Survival of the Thickest), and advocate Chandra Jackson (director of marketing and communications for Women in Film). Moderated by Leslie Combemale (lead contributor, Alliance of Women Film Journalists).
A Conversation with Ronald D. Moore: Why Replicators Are [Still] The Worst
North 200A
From humble beginnings as a member of the official fan club to writing and producing three Star Trek series (and two movies!), reimagining the classic 1970s series Battlestar Galactica as perhaps one of the greatest modern television series of all time, adapting the beloved book series Outlander for the small screen, capturing our imaginations with the hopeful and inspirational For All Mankind, and much, much more: a conversation with the one and only Ronald D. Moore, moderated by Mary Anne Butler (editor-in-chief, Nerdbot).
Reclaiming Fear: Blackness and Queerness in Horror
Room 208
Dr. Vanessa Hintz (Umm . . . About That! podcast), Dr. Kaela Joseph (Side Quest Psychology), and Ruby McCoy (thanatologist and doctoral candidate) discuss representations of both Blackness and queerness in horror and the impacts on identity development and overall wellness. In addition, panelists will highlight the efforts of modern-day horror to combat harmful tropes and to feature more authentic representations of diverse characters.
SUNDAY
Japanese Queer Media
Room 211
Japanese Queer media (Yaoi, BL, Yuri, and GL) has grown in popularity with an incredibly devoted fandom. What are the earliest depictions of Japanese queer media? How has it evolved? Panelists discuss this subgenre and how it is being challenged today.
Writing What Makes You Different: Turning Unique Experiences into Compelling Fiction
Room 211
Gretchen Schreiber (Ellie Haycock Is Totally Normal), Emery Lee (Meet Cute Diary), Elle Jauffret (Threads of Deception), Dennis K Crosby (Kassidy Simmons series), and Dr. Billy San Juan (Supernatural Psychology) explore how distinctive backgrounds and unusual experiences become storytelling strengths, enhancing character depth and creating authentic fiction that resonates with readers.