Down in Anaheim, California this weekend, WonderCon kicked off three days of comic books, movies, anime, gaming and cosplay madness. A smaller affair than Comic-Con International’s San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon takes over the vast Anaheim Convention Center down the street from Disneyland. Rows of food trucks and a fountain (out of commission this year) where cosplayers meet up welcome you to the doors.
Special guests include Nicolas Meyers (Star Trek II) and Adam Nimoy, comic book legends Jim Lee and Todd McFarlane along with a couple of Marks like writers Waid and Evanier. The Exhibit Hall floor was comfortably full as I spotted Todd McFarlane exclusives, a cool future yet retro diner facade for Ridley Scott’s graphic novel Modville and The Rocketeer swag. Funko, Mondo and Loungefly took up a corner with awesome statues, book bags and posters from X-Men, Masters of the Universe and Futurama.
There’s Star Wars droids, Ghostbusters and Colonial Marines from Aliens in the Fan Club area while Casper Van Dien, Michael Biehn, Mark Rolston and others set up tables for autographs and photos. Over in Artist Alley I made my usual stop at Ron Lim’s table to pick up a two-piece Spider-Man print then I was on the hunt for some Mark Texeira signatures. Mark Waid (Avengers, Captain America, Kingdom Come) had an overflow line so I’ll try him later.
Panel wise, WonderCon was packed with Comic-Con International updates (they run a museum and now a cruise!), animation, Jack Kirby, Spotlight on Nicolas Meyer, Todd McFarlane toys and then career, Star Wars and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle anniversaries and a live performance from Spongebob Squarepants himself, Tom Kenney and his band The Hi-Seas! McFarlane was hilarious and inspirational as usual encouraging the audience to take their shot at whatever endeavor they had in mind as that’s better than not trying at all. TMNT producer and writer Bobby Herbeck gave an enthusiastic, hilarious and heartfelt rundown of how the Ninja Turtles made it to the big screen and became a sensation. Apparently Fathom Events is re-releasing the film in August, Cowabunga dude!
To end the night it was over to the Hilton, WonderCon’s host hotel where Lobby Con aka people hanging at the huge bar was in full swing. Jedi Barbie, Wolverine, Game of Thrones, sexy Woody from Toy Story, Spider-Mans and other cosplayers sat next to blazer clad women attending a Mary Kay event. A fantastic start to the weekend, see you Saturday!
