WonderCon (original) (raw)

Annual convention

WonderCon
The WonderCon 2010 main exhibit hall in the Moscone Center in San Francisco
Status Active
Genre Multi-genre
Venue 1987–2002: Oakland Convention Center2003–2011: Moscone Center2012–2015 Anaheim Convention Center2016: Los Angeles Convention Center2017–present: Anaheim Convention Center
Location California
Coordinates 37°48′00″N 122°24′00″W / 37.8000°N 122.4000°W / 37.8000; -122.4000
Country United States
Inaugurated May 2, 1987; 38 years ago (1987-05-02) (as Wonderful World of Comics Convention)
Most recent March 28, 2025; 6 months ago (2025-03-28)
Next event March 27, 2026; 5 months' time (2026-03-27)
Attendance 60,000 (2016)[1]
Organized by Comic-Con International
Filing status Nonprofit
Website comic-con.org/wc

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.

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.

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 which runs San Diego Comic-Con to make it part of the Comic-Con International convention family.[4] That 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. The events 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 the events featured the stars of the movies 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 convention, 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 moved 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.[_citation needed_]

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.

Dates Location Guests
May 2–3, 1987 Oakland Convention CenterOakland, California [11]
April 23–24, 1988 Oakland Convention CenterOakland, California [12]
April 28–30, 1989 Oakland Convention CenterOakland, California [13]
May 11–13, 1990 Oakland Convention CenterOakland, 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 CenterOakland, California [15]
April 22–24, 1994 Oakland Convention CenterOakland, California [16]
April 26–28, 1996 Oakland Convention CenterOakland, California [17]
April 1–3, 2001 Oakland Convention CenterOakland, California [18]
April 19–21, 2002 Oakland Convention CenterOakland, Calif. [19]
April 25–27, 2003 Moscone CenterSan Francisco [20]
April 30 – May 2, 2004 Moscone CenterSan Francisco [21]
February 18–20, 2005 Moscone Center NorthSan Francisco [22]
February 10–12, 2006 Moscone Center WestSan Francisco [23]
March 2–4, 2007 Moscone Center SouthSan Francisco [24]
February 22–24, 2008 Moscone Center SouthSan Francisco [25]
February 27 – March 1, 2009 Moscone Center SouthSan Francisco [26]
April 2–4, 2010 Moscone Center SouthSan Francisco Peter S. Beagle, Geoff Johns, Adam Kubert, Jimmy Palmiotti, Tim Powers, Kevin Smith, Judd Winick[27]
April 1–3, 2011 Moscone Center SouthSan Francisco 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 CenterAnaheim, California [29]
March 29–31, 2013 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim [30]
April 18–20, 2014 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim Tony Daniel, Jim Lee, Mark Waid[31]
April 3–5, 2015 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim Neal Adams, Becky Cloonan, Sam de la Rosa, Steve Epting, Greg Horn, Phil Noto, Greg Weisman[32]
March 25–27, 2016 Los Angeles Convention CenterLos Angeles 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 CenterAnaheim Sergio Aragonés, Kevin Eastman, Chad Hardin, Phil Jimenez, Jim Lee, Mark Waid[34]
March 23–25, 2018 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim Sergio Aragonés, Larry Hama, Faith Erin Hicks, Jim Lee, Patrick Rothfuss, Gail Simone, Mark Waid[35]
March 29–31, 2019 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim [36]
April 10–12, 2020 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
March 26–27, 2021 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim Canceled again due to COVID-19 pandemic
April 1–3, 2022 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim 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 CenterAnaheim 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 CenterAnaheim Patrick Ballesteros, Irene Bedard, Susanne Blakeslee, Niketa Calame-Harris, Jeff Dekal, Colleen Doran, Ashley Eckstein, Grace Ellis, Steve Englehart, Mary Gibbs, Rachel Howzell Hall, Hugh Howey, Tony Isabella, Terry Kavanagh, Jae Lee, Jonathan Maberry, David W. Mack, Sarah Natochenny, Todd Nauck, Dustin Nguyen, Steve Oliff, Steve Orlando, Lisa Ortiz, Jimmie Robinson, Daniel Ross, Erica Schroeder, Stephen Silver, Gail Simone, Tracy Wolff, Marv Wolfman
March 28–30, 2025 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, Calif. Denys Cowan, David Dastmalchian, Mark Evanier, Danny Fingeroth, Jessica Fong, Matt Forbeck, Mitch Gerads, Yaya Han, Derek Kirk Kim, Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Sam Maggs, Nicholas Meyer, Sean Murphy, Adam Nimoy, Neville Page, Brian Posehn, Darick Robertson, Dan Slott, Dan Veesenmeyer, Mark Waid
March 27–29, 2026 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, Calif. TBA

Features and events

[edit]

The exterior of WonderCon at the Anaheim Convention Center, April 2022

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 Awards 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 "Trailer Park", an event 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_]

  1. ^ MacDonald, Heidi. "WonderCon Hosts DC's Rebirth Debut in Los Angeles". PublishersWeekly.com. Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on July 6, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "WonderCon Moves To Anaheim With Costumed Avengers In Tow", Archived July 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine CBS 2 San Francisco (March 17, 2012).
  3. ^ "WonderCon". Comic-Con International. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  4. ^ Albert, Aaron. "Wondercon Profile" Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, About.com.
  5. ^ Boucher, Geoff. "WonderCon shows the comic convention circuit's power is growing" . Los Angeles Times. April 6, 2010
  6. ^ MacDonald, Heidi. "WonderCon Brings Fans, Publishers, Excitement to San Francisco" Archived 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. Archived 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. Archived 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. Archived 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. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  12. ^ "Wonderful World of Comics Convention 1988 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  13. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 1989 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  14. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 1990 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  15. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 1992 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  16. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 1994 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  17. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 1996 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  18. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2001 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  19. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2002 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  20. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2003 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  21. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2004 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  22. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2005 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  23. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2006 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  24. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2007 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  25. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2008 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  26. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2009 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  27. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2010 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  28. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2011 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  29. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2012 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  30. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2013 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  31. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2014 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  32. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2015 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  33. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2016 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  34. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2017 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  35. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2018 Information". Fancons. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  36. ^ "Wonderful WonderCon 2019 Information". Fancons. Archived 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).

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