2010-04-07 - IT'S A WONDER

I've got a real soft spot in my heart for the WonderCon. It was the first comic convention I ever went to, in its inaugural year, back when it was held in Oakland and called "The Wonderful World of Comics." It was the first place I ever bought back issues, the first place I ever bought vintage toys, the first place I ever met professional writers and artists. It was where I met and got to know Marvel editor Mark Gruenwald, who would become something of a mentor and inspiration to me over the years of our acquaintance. It was the first place I ever really started to believe that one day I might get a chance to write comics myself.

With all that in mind, I'm very pleased to report that the WonderCon (now a San Francisco fixture) remains the first-rate convention I remember, a well-run show that puts the attendees first and remains strongly focused on comics. Let's take a look around, shall we?

Now owned and operated by the same folks behind Comic-Con International, WonderCon feels like Comic-Con with a little room to breathe; the programming style is exactly the same, but without 140,000 attendees to deal with, the program can be a little more comics-focused, which is nice.

The exhibit hall floor was still plenty busy, with a refreshing amount of comics dealers in attendance, I have to say.

Only for a brief period on Saturday did the crowds reach that level of compactedness so familar at San Diego where I'm ready to snap and start clotheslining Stormtroopers.

Speaking of Stormtroopers, here are a couple hanging out by the condiment station.

Lots of old comics at a comic convention. Imagine that.

It's a trap!

I don't quite remember Princess Leia's skirt being slit so high...

IDW made a big splash at the show, with fans constantly surrounding the booth to get signatures from folks like Peter S.Beagle and Michael Chiklis, and sample the blood-red beverages being passed out to celebrate their acquisition of the TRUE BLOOD license...

...as seen here, with art courtesy of David Messina.

A sneak preview of the new Joel Schumacher-directed AVENGERS movie.

Another really nice thing about Wonder-Con? The ability to drop in and out of mostly full panels without having to wait in monstrous lines watchdogged by belligerent paid security goons (I'm looking at you, Comic-Con). Here James Robinson, Geoff Johns, Jimmy Palmiotti, Greg Rucka, Judd Winick and Gail Simone discuss the art of writing at DC Comics. A very enjoyable discussion.

This is a costume, not a statue. Unbelievable work.

Sit, boy, sit. Good dog.

Nice wings!

Sadly, not as many Dr. Girlfriends in attendance this year...

On the floor, I ran into old friend and COMICS 101 Cosplay Correspondent Christopher Erickson, who with his companions was fresh from winning "Best of Show" in the previous evening's Masquerade, with their fantastic DOCTOR WHO ensemble. With any luck, we'll get a full report from Chris real soon.

It's not every show that you see someone rocking the Satan's Claw...

WonderCon also featured a busy, thriving Artists' Alley, where I found the tremendously talented Amanda Conner, and picked up two prints, this charming Marvel piece...

...and of course, this great Power Girl piece.

All in all, tremendously impressed with the WonderCon. Anyone a little worn out of the Comic-Con spectacle would do well to come out to San Francisco and check it out.

Next stop, Chicago!

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