WonderCon

WonderCon is an annual comic book, science fiction, and film convention held in the San Francisco Bay Area (1987–2011), then—under the name WonderCon Anaheim—in Anaheim, California (2012–2015, 2017–present), and WonderCon Los Angeles in 2016.^[2] The convention returned to the Anaheim Convention Center in 2017 after a one-year stint in Los Angeles due to construction at the Anaheim Convention Center.

WonderCon
WonderCon 2010 main exhibit hall
Status	Active
Genre	Multi-genre
Venue	1987–2002: Oakland Convention Center 2003–2011: Moscone Center 2012–2015 Anaheim Convention Center 2016: Los Angeles Convention Center 2017–present: Anaheim Convention Center
Location(s)	California
Country	United States
Inaugurated	May 2, 1987; 36 years ago (1987-05-02) (as Wonderful World of Comics Convention)
Most recent	March 24, 2023; 8 months ago (2023-03-24)
Next event	March 29, 2024; 4 months' time (2024-03-29)
Attendance	60,000 (2016)^[1]
Organized by	Comic-Con International
Filing status	Nonprofit
Website	www.comic-con.org/wc//

The convention was conceived by retailer John Barrett (a founder of the retail chain Comics and Comix) and originally held in the Oakland Convention Center. In 2003, it moved to San Francisco's Moscone Center.^{[3][failed verification]} The show's original name was the Wonderful World of Comics Convention.

History

Retailer Joe Field (of Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff) and his partner Mike Friedrich owned and operated the convention for fifteen years. In 2001, they brokered a deal with the management team that runs the San Diego Comic-Con International to make it part of the Comic-Con International convention family.^[4] This gave the San Francisco show a wider audience and has made it a venue for previews and early screenings of major motion pictures, in particular ones based on comic books. These have included Spider-Man 2 in 2004, Batman Begins and Fantastic Four in 2005, Superman Returns in 2006, 300 in 2007, Watchmen in 2009, and Kick-Ass in 2010. All of these events featured the stars of the films fielding questions from the audience.

WonderCon had 34,000 attendees in 2009,^[5] 39,000 in 2010, and 49,500 in 2011.^[6]

The show left the Bay Area after the 2011 con, because San Francisco's Moscone Center was being remodeled. The convention moved to Anaheim in 2012, and was rebranded WonderCon Anaheim.^[2] When the move to Anaheim was first announced, Comic-Con International said they would be returning to San Francisco after the Moscone Center renovations were complete; however, the convention ultimately stayed in Southern California. In 2016, a new convention started in the Bay Area, called the Silicon Valley Comic Con.^[7]

WonderCon relocated from Anaheim to Los Angeles in 2016, and is now called WonderCon Los Angeles and was held March 25–27, 2016 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.^[8] The 2017 edition of the convention returned to Anaheim and was held March 31 – April 2, 2017.^[9]

The WonderCon logo was designed by Richard Bruning and Tim Zach.

 

Logo for WonderCon@Home.

The 2020 edition of the show, scheduled for April 10–12, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[10] The 2021 edition of the show, scheduled for March 26–27, was cancelled again due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Event history

Dates	Location	Guests
May 2–3, 1987	Oakland Convention Center Oakland, Calif.	^[11]
April 23–24, 1988	Oakland Convention Center Oakland, Calif.	^[12]
April 28–30, 1989	Oakland Convention Center Oakland, Calif.	^[13]
May 11–13, 1990	Oakland Convention Center Oakland, Calif.	Dan Brereton, Erik Larsen, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Ron Lim, Ken Macklin, Chris Marrinan, Trina Robbins, Jim Valentino, Tim Vigil, Marv Wolfman^[14]
April 24–26, 1992	Oakland Convention Center Oakland, Calif.	^[15]
April 22–24, 1994	Oakland Convention Center Oakland, Calif.	^[16]
April 26–28, 1996	Oakland Convention Center Oakland, Calif.	^[17]
April 1–3, 2001	Oakland Convention Center Oakland, Calif.	^[18]
April 19–21, 2002	Oakland Convention Center Oakland, Calif.	^[19]
April 25–27, 2003	Moscone Center San Francisco, Calif.	^[20]
April 30 – May 2, 2004	Moscone Center San Francisco, Calif.	^[21]
February 18–20, 2005	Moscone Center North San Francisco, Calif.	^[22]
February 10–12, 2006	Moscone Center West San Francisco, Calif.	^[23]
March 2–4, 2007	Moscone Center South San Francisco, Calif.	^[24]
February 22–24, 2008	Moscone Center South San Francisco, Calif.	^[25]
February 27 – March 1, 2009	Moscone Center South San Francisco, Calif.	^[26]
April 2–4, 2010	Moscone Center South San Francisco, Calif.	Peter S. Beagle, Geoff Johns, Adam Kubert, Jimmy Palmiotti, Tim Powers, Kevin Smith, Judd Winick^[27]
April 1–3, 2011	Moscone Center South San Francisco, Calif.	Sergio Aragonés, Robert Kirkman, Francis Manapul, Joe Quesada, Frank Quitely, Amy Reeder, Bill Sienkiewicz, Judd Winick, Marv Wolfman^[28]
March 16–18, 2012	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	^[29]
March 29–31, 2013	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	^[30]
April 18–20, 2014	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	Tony Daniel, Jim Lee, Mark Waid^[31]
April 3–5, 2015	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	Neal Adams, Becky Cloonan, Sam de la Rosa, Steve Epting, Greg Horn, Phil Noto, Greg Weisman^[32]
March 25–27, 2016	Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, Calif.	Brian Michael Bendis, Amber Benson, Jason Faunt, Lou Ferrigno, Christopher Khayman Lee, Jim Lee, Humberto Ramos, John Romita, Jr., Bill Sienkiewicz, David Sobolov^[33]
March 31 – April 2, 2017	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	Sergio Aragonés, Kevin Eastman, Chad Hardin, Phil Jimenez, Jim Lee, Mark Waid^[34]
March 23–25, 2018	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	Sergio Aragonés, Larry Hama, Faith Erin Hicks, Jim Lee, Patrick Rothfuss, Gail Simone, Mark Waid^[35]
March 29–31, 2019	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	^[36]
April 10–12, 2020	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
March 26–27, 2021	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	Cancelled again due to COVID-19 pandemic
April 1–3, 2022	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	Rico E. Anderson, Michael Cho, Bobby Clark, Becky Cloonan, Tracee Lee Cocco, Michael W. Conrad, David Dastmalchian, Kevin Eastman, Ashley Eckstein, Mary Gibbs, Shannon Hale, Herbert Jefferson Jr., Neil Kaplan, Sarah Kuhn, Lex Lang, Cherami Leigh, Elliot S! Maggin, Deneen Melody, Amanda C. MIller, Trung Le Nguyen, David A. Robertson, Kevin Smith, Michael A. Stackpole, Babs Tarr, Larry Thomas, David F. Walker, Tula Lotay/Lisa Wood, Gene Luen Yang, Skottie Young
March 24–26, 2023	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	Jason Aaron, Alane Adams, Beau Billingslea, Steve Blum, Griffin Burns, Mingjue Helen Chen, Tom Cook, Ian James Corlett, Mark Evanier, Jenny Frison, Mitch Gerads, Kyle Herbert, Adam Hughes, Brian Hull, Phil Jimenez, Daniel Warren Johnson, Tom King, Jae Lee, Steve Leialoha, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Cynthia McWilliams, Annalee Newitz, Joe Ochman, Gary Phillips, Joe Quinones, Trina Robbins, Kaitlyn Robrock, James Rollins, Neil Ross, Tom Ruegger, Paul Rugg, Mark Russell, Evan "Doc" Shaner, Kaiji Tang, Greg van Eekhout, Marv Wolfman, Gene Luen Yang
March 29–31, 2024	Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, Calif.	TBA

Features and events

 

The exterior of WonderCon at the Anaheim Convention Center

While the main attraction of WonderCon has always been various retailers selling back issues of comic books and action figures, the exhibitor list has grown to include retailers of specialty DVDs. There is also an "Artists Alley" featuring mainly comic book artists selling artwork, signing books, and doing sketches; and mainstream celebrities signing autographed pictures.

WonderCon hosted the Harvey Award ceremonies from 1997 to 1999.^[37] Since 2007, academicians and comic industry professionals have held the Comics Arts Conference in conjunction with WonderCon.

In addition, WonderCon features an event called "Trailer Park", where trailers for upcoming films are shown.

The WonderCon masquerade competition usually takes place on Saturday after the convention closes. Awards are given to those with the most creative performances, though anyone can participate.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. MacDonald, Heidi. "WonderCon Hosts DC's Rebirth Debut in Los Angeles". PublishersWeekly.com. Publishers Weekly. from the original on July 6, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
2. "WonderCon Moves To Anaheim With Costumed Avengers In Tow", July 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine CBS 2 San Francisco (March 17, 2012).
3. . Comic-Con International. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
4. Albert, Aaron. "Wondercon Profile" July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, About.com.
5. Boucher, Geoff. "WonderCon shows the comic convention circuit's power is growing" August 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Los Angeles Times. April 6, 2010
6. MacDonald, Heidi. "WonderCon Brings Fans, Publishers, Excitement to San Francisco" August 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Publishers Weekly. April 4, 2011
7. Minotti, Mike (April 17, 2015). "Steve Wozniak and Stan Lee are bringing Silicon Valley its own comic con". VentureBeat. from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
8. Variety Staff (April 6, 2015). "WonderCon Moving to Los Angeles for 2016 Convention". Variety. from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
9. Woerner, Meredith (March 25, 2016). "WonderCon will go back to Anaheim in 2017, but L.A. wants it back for 2019". The Los Angeles Times. from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
10. Mancuso, Vinnie. "WonderCon 2020 Postponed Indefinitely Due to Coronavirus; No Decision Yet on San Diego Comic-Con", Collider (MAR 12, 2020).
11. "Wonderful World of Comics Convention 1987 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
12. "Wonderful World of Comics Convention 1988 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
13. "Wonderful WonderCon 1989 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
14. "Wonderful WonderCon 1990 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
15. "Wonderful WonderCon 1992 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
16. "Wonderful WonderCon 1994 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
17. "Wonderful WonderCon 1996 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
18. "Wonderful WonderCon 2001 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
19. "Wonderful WonderCon 2002 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
20. "Wonderful WonderCon 2003 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
21. "Wonderful WonderCon 2004 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
22. "Wonderful WonderCon 2005 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
23. "Wonderful WonderCon 2006 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
24. "Wonderful WonderCon 2007 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
25. "Wonderful WonderCon 2008 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
26. "Wonderful WonderCon 2009 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
27. "Wonderful WonderCon 2010 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
28. "Wonderful WonderCon 2011 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
29. "Wonderful WonderCon 2012 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
30. "Wonderful WonderCon 2013 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
31. "Wonderful WonderCon 2014 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
32. "Wonderful WonderCon 2015 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
33. "Wonderful WonderCon 2016 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
34. "Wonderful WonderCon 2017 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
35. "Wonderful WonderCon 2018 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
36. "Wonderful WonderCon 2019 Information". Fancons. from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
37. Press release. "2003 Harvey Awards Banquet Cancelled, Awards Unaffected, Comic Book Resources (January 24, 2003).

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to WonderCon.

• Official website
• WonderCon feature on Sidewalks Entertainment
• WonderCon founder's website

37°48′00″N 122°24′00″W / 37.8000°N 122.4000°W / 37.8000; -122.4000