Photo Credit: WonderCon

WonderCon is about to start! All this weekend come and enjoy the many things this convention has to offer, including comics publisher presentations, movie and TV series events, animation, workshops, seminars, and much more! The convention runs from Friday, March 23 to Sunday, March 25, at the Anaheim Convention Center. To learn more and get tickets, click here!

This year, GLAAD is proud to partner with BOOM! Studios for the “Pop Culture is LGBTQ” panel. The panel will feature many prominent LGBTQ voices in pop culture, including GLAAD’s Director of Entertainment Research & Analysis, Megan Townsend. In order to keep up with all the action, follow @GLAAD on Instagram to see highlights from the day!

Check out the LGBTQ-inclusive and diversity focused panels at WonderCon! Descriptions come directly from the WonderCon schedule guide.

Friday March 31

BOOM! Studios: Discover Yours

The world of BOOM! Studios has grown bigger than ever before, meaning there’s a comic book for every kind of fan, and this is the panel to Discover Yours! Josh Trujillo (Dodge City), Sarah Kuhn (Clueless), David Walker (Planet of The Apes), Ben Blacker & Ben Acker (The Thrilling Adventure Hour), Carly Usdin (Heavy Vinyl), Matt Gagnon (editor-in-chief, BOOM! Studios), and others reveal big news from the diverse imprints of BOOM! Studios, Archaia, BOOM! Box, and KaBOOM!, along with some special surprises for every fan in attendance. Moderated by Filip Sablik (president of publishing & marketing, BOOM! Studios)

Friday March 23, 2018 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Room 211

A Very Special Episode: A Lesson in Kids Comics

Grab your afterschool snacks and settle down to listen to WonderCon Anaheim special guests Nidhi Chanani (Pashmina), Jody Houser (Faith), Faith Erin Hicks (The Nameless City), Cat Staggs (Supergirl), and Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer) as they wax philosophical on why kids’ comics shouldn’t shy away from the tough stuff. Moderated by Jessica Tseang (founder, The Comic Book Girl, Little Geek Girls).

Friday March 23, 2018 2:30pm – 3:30pm

Room 213AB

Gay Geeks and Where to Find Them

Jack Plotnick (actor, Drawn Together, Girls Will Be Girls), Cort Lane (SVP of Marvel Entertainment Animation & Family), Ted Biaselli (executive of development, Netflix Original Series), Richy Rich (podcast host), Renee Jeske (Disney Music Group), Xander Jeanneret (singer, The Library Bard’s, role player on Geek & Sundry), and Jacob Johnston (SVP of Development of Crypt TV, visual development producer of Marvel Films) discuss how to turn your favorite geeky fandoms into flourishing careers, the challenges and rewards of growing up a gay geek, and how being a member of the LGBT community influenced their work. Q&A session moderated by Chris Riley (producer, Male Cosplay Pinups).

Friday March 23, 2018 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Room 213CD

Spotlight on Michael Dante DiMartino

Michael DiMartino (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Legend of Korra) will talk with director Kurt Mattila (stuntman, Avatar Spirits) about his career in animation, co-creating two successful series, and his most recent writing projects’ The Legend of Korra graphic novels and Rebel Geniuses, a fantasy book series.

Friday March 23, 2018 4:30pm – 5:30pm

Room 300D

Manga: An Intro to Comics Fans

Are you a longtime comics fan but also have interest in anime and manga and don’t really know how to dive in? ComiXology hosts a panel of comics tastemakers (who are also secretly weebs and otaku, shhh!) to recommend the best of manga, past and present. Panelists includes Deb Aoki (Anime News Network), Faith Erin Hicks, (The Nameless City), and Stephanie Hocutt (BOOM! Studios). Tell them your favorite comic, movie, or TV show and they’ll give you a manga to match

Friday March 23, 2018 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Room 211

Comic Sheets: What is the Best Superpower?

Constitution, dexterity, strength, wisdom . . . there is so much to consider when selecting the best super power. Roll the dice with WonderCon special guests Ryan Benjamin (X-Men), Jason Fabok (Justice League), Mitch Gerads (The Punisher), Gail Simone (Birds of Prey), and Mariko Tamaki (Supergirl) as they hash out what truly is the most sought-after power in the land. Moderated by Vince Hernandez (Aspen).

Friday March 23, 2018 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Room 213AB

Queer Comics at the Cross Roads

In the past several years, LGBTQAIU individuals have made great strides in representation in comics. The next frontier for queer creators is tackling characters whose experiences straddle not only a queer identity but the other identities that make people who they are: race, ethnic background, gender, religion, ability, and more. What are the unique challenges facing writers and artists who wish to examine intersectionality of identities? How do a character’s additional identities complement or complicate their lives and loves? Moderator Viktor Kerney (#GayMediaSoWhite creator, Prism Comics board member) and panelists Sean Z. Maker (Bent-Con, Ramonah Rising), Ajuan Mance (Gender Studies), William O. Tyler (Queerbait), Sonya Saturday (Sonya Saturday’s Comics and Art) discuss creating characters and stories that highlight diversity and inclusion.

Friday March 23, 2018 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Room 209

GAAAYS IN SPAAACE: Live Long & Be Fabulous

In 2016, Star Trek Beyond gave fans their first glimpse of a gay man who was alive and well in the future, followed by an actual gay couple on Star Trek: Discovery. Gaaays In Spaaace was created to celebrate this historic step forward and has been joined by numerous members of the Star Trek family at events across the country. Nana Visitor (Major Kira, Star Trek: DS9), Dan Deevy (GIS founder) and Blueprint Earth co-founder, volcanologist, and California congressional candidate Jess Phoenix are on hand to discuss the journey so far, why it’s taken so long to get here, and why it’s more important than ever for LGBTQ character inclusion in sci-fi to continue. Plus, everyone will receive a free GIS tote bag.

Friday March 23, 2018 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Room 209

Saturday March 24

Constantine World Premiere Screening

A WonderCon Anaheim exclusive! See the first episodes of the animated Constantine series for CW Seed. This new series from Warner Bros. Animation and Blue Ribbon Content follows DC’s popular comic book character John Constantine (voiced by the live-action series star Matt Ryan), a seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult. Constantine is executive produced by David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight trilogy, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Constantine [live-action series], Krypton), Greg Berlanti (The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, Black Lightning), and Sarah Schechter (Blindspot, Riverdale, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning); produced by Butch Lukic (Justice League Action, Batman Unlimited); written by J. M. DeMatteis (Justice League Dark, Batman vs. Robin); and directed by Doug Murphy (Justice League Action, Young Justice). The first season of Constantine will begin streaming on the CW Seed on March 24.

Saturday March 24, 2018 10:00am – 11:00am

North 200A

Into the Badlands

Cast and executive producers join moderator Jeff Yang for a discussion about what to expect from the upcoming third season of AMC’s martial arts drama Into the Badlands. .

Saturday March 24, 2018 10:00am – 11:00am 
Room 300B

Making and Publishing Queer Comics

For queer cartoonists, comics are an amazing way to build community, tell their stories, imagine new worlds, and claim their identity. But how do they get these comics out of their own heads and in front of readers? Prism Comics and moderator Elizabeth Beier (Prism Comics board member, Bisexual Trials and Errors) present a discussion on the avenues and ways to put queer work into the world, from self-published zines to webcomics and online funding options like Patreon and Kickstarter, to traditional publishing. Panelists include Tara Madison Avery (Prism Comics board member, Stacked Deck Press publisher), Cat Esguerra (Eighty Days), Sina Grace (Iceman, Self-Obsessed, Nothing Lasts Forever, Iceman), Viktor Kerney (Prism Comics board member, StrangeLore) and Jeff Krell (Jayson). The winner of the Prism Comics 2018 Queer Press Grant will be announced at the end of the panel. The Prism Comics Queer Press Grant is an annual financial grant given by Prism Comics to an up-and-coming comics creator to help them publish their work of LGBTQ-interest.

Saturday March 24, 2018 11:00am – 12:00pm

Room 211

SuperheroIRL! Join the Real-Life Justice League!

Captain America knocked out Hitler, and @SuperheroIRL is knocking out bullying, racism, misogyny, LGBTQ bullying, and cyberbullying. Join this rally on empowerment & strategies to end injustice from bad school memories through relationships, workplace bullying & more. Featuring Joe Gatto (Impractical Jokers), Scott Mantz (Access Hollywood), showrunner Geoff Thorne (Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest), Aliza Pearl (Nerdist), Mark Altman (The Librarians), Dr. Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy), Vanèe Matsalia (Black Girl Nerds), Brandon Matsalia (curriculum creator), Jo Garfein (Cancer Gets Lost), Deric Hughes (The Flash), Erin Maher (Freakish), Kay Reindl (Freakish), and David Avallone (Love Is Love). Hosted by Pop Culture Hero Coalition Founder Chase Masterson (Big Finish: Vienna). Come join the real-life Justice League! “From now on, Comic-Con attendees will come for cosplay, entertainment, freebies, autographs — and healing.” CNN

Saturday March 24, 2018 11:00am – 12:00pm

Room 207

Warner Brothers Pictures

It’s time to escape the Stacks and head to the Oasis! Get a sneak peak of Ready Player One and meet the high five and Ernest Cline.

Saturday March 24, 2018 12:25pm – 1:10pm 
Arena

Marvel Animation: From Pencil to Screen

Marvel Animation presents a behind-the-scenes journey through all aspects of production and development. You’ll get an exclusive look at how Marvel assembles acclaimed animated series and projects such as Marvel’s Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, and the highly anticipated Marvel Rising, as well as an inside glimpse at the popular Marvel Funko animated shorts and Marvel LEGO Super Heroes—Black Panther: Trouble in Wakanda. Led by Cort Lane (SVP, Animation and Family Entertainment) and featuring several special guests, the Marvel Animation team will share insights into the writing process, voice direction, production, never-before-seen sneak peeks of upcoming projects, and tons of scoops on future storylines.

Saturday March 24, 2018 12:30pm – 1:30pm 
Room 300D

NBC’s fan favorite drama Timeless returns

NBC’s fan-favorite drama Timeless is back for season 2 with nonstop action, adventure, and romance, as the beloved Time Team continue to race throughout history in an attempt to prevent the destruction of our world as we know it. Join cast members Abigail Spencer (Rectify, Oz the Great and Powerful), Matt Lanter (Pitch Perfect 3, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Malcolm Barrett (Preacher, Better Off Ted), Claudia Doumit(Supergirl, Faking It), Paterson Joseph (The Leftovers, Aeon Flux), Goran VišnjiÄ

Saturday March 24, 2018 1:00pm – 2:00pm 
North 200A

Making of Star Trek: Discovery

Meet the creative minds from behind the scenes who brought the world of Star Trek back to TV. From the writers’ room to VFX, music, SFX makeup, prosthetics, and more, hear from the talented creators and artists who took the world from idea to streaming on CBS ALL ACCESS.

Saturday March 24, 2018 3:00pm – 4:00pm 
North 200A

Fear the Walking Dead

Cast and executive producers will discuss what to expect from the upcoming fourth season of Fear the Walking Dead, with additional insight on the highly anticipated crossover of Lennie James’s character Morgan Jones from the show’s companion series, The Walking Dead.

Saturday March 24, 2018 3:30pm – 4:30pm 
Arena

Spotlight on Mariko Tamaki

Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer, She Hulk, Supergirl) talks with Sina Grace (Self-Obsessed, Iceman).

Saturday March 24, 2018 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Room 211

Spotlight on Cat Staggs

Join Cat Staggs for a chill, 45 minutes before Saturday dinner, as she talks about her art process, demonstrating with pages from Crosswind with Gail Simone, who will be stopping by to talk about season 2, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Star Wars, and more. With moderator Lea Hernandez, artist on DC Comics’s Teen Titans Go!

Saturday March 24, 2018 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Room 211

The Further Adventures of Nick Wilson: Behind the Scenes Look at the Making of an Image Comics Series

Creator Marc Andreyko (Love Is Love, Manhunter) and editor Shannon Eric Denton (SyFy’s Con Man: The Series) discuss the everyday preparations and execution that go into creating a series for Image Comics. Moderated by Henry Barajas (operations director, Image’s Top Cow Productions).

Saturday March 24, 2018 6:30pm – 7:30pm 
Room 208

Sunday March 25

We’re Still Here: The First All Transgender Anthology

In recent years transgender artists and performers have struck high profiles in the world of popular culture, and the world of comics is no exception. In 2018, Stacked Deck Press is publishing the world’s first all-transgender comics anthology, We’re Still Here, featuring a roster of trans creators from every walk of life the world over. Join Prism Comics, moderator Tara Madison Avery (Prism Comics board member, Stacked Deck Press publisher) and anthology contributors Ryan Rose Aceae (Genderwrecked), DiAngele Augustus (The Indigo Path), Veronica Casson (Salt & Fog), Marcy Molly “Bones” Jones (Rad Bones), Ajuan Mance (Gender Studies), Sonya Saturday (Socially-Conscious White Ladies), and Knave Murdock (TransCat) for a lively discussion of the forthcoming book and the state of trans comics today.

Sunday March 25, 2018 10:00am – 11:00am

Room 211

Lucifer Episode Screening

Consider this your deal with the devil! Lucifer fans will have the opportunity to see not only an upcoming episode of the devilish drama but also a special video message from series stars Tom Ellis, Lauren German, Tom Welling, and Aimee Garcia. From Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with Warner Bros. Television, and based on the characters created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg for Vertigo from DC Entertainment, Lucifer airs Mondays at 9/8c on FOX.

Sunday March 25, 2018 10:30am – 11:15am 
Arena

Pop Culture is LGBTQ

BOOM! Studios and GLAAD present a discussion of LGBTQ representation in pop culture and the path forward to a brighter, more inclusive future, with special guests including Wilson Cruz (actor, Star Trek: Discovery), Elliot Fletcher (actor, The Fosters), CB Lee (writer, Not Your Sidekick), Rian Sygh (artist, The Backstagers), Josh Trujillo (writer, Dodge City) and Megan Townsend (director of entertainment research & analysis, GLAAD). Moderated by journalist Tracy Brown (LA Times).

Sunday March 25, 2018 11:00am – 12:00pm

Room 211

Black Lightning All New Episode and Q and A

Where there is darkness, there is . . . Black Lightning. Jefferson Pierce made his choice: He hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago. But with crime and corruption spreading like wildfire, and those he cares about in the crosshairs of the menacing local gang The One Hundred, he must return as Black Lightning–to save not only his family, but also the soul of his community. Join show producers, writers, and members of the cast to watch the electrifying never-before-seen ‘Sins of the Father’ episode. Based on the DC character created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden, Black Lightning is produced by Berlanti Productions and Akil Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. Black Lightning airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

Sunday March 25, 2018 12:45pm – 1:45pm

Arena

Superheroes for Girls and Princesses for Boys?

An exploration of how parents and educators can use pop culture to attack gender norms that hold kids back. John Marcotte (Heroic Girls) leads a panel of experts including Charlie Capen (VP Gishwhes), Tamara Robertson (Scijinks, Mythbusters), and Dr. Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy).

Sunday March 25, 2018 2:30pm – 3:30pm 
Room 213AB