Comics Round Up – Wondercon 2023 Comic Book Panels

We normally like to talk about our favorite panels taking place at conventions before they happen, but with me specifically attending Wondercon in Anaheim this year, I wanted to dedicate this week’s Comics Round Up to my stand-alone comic book panel suggestions for the convention.

This list of panels are all dedicated to or around the realm of comic books, so if comics are more then a way of life for you, check out my suggested list of panels!

FRIDAY

Friday March 24, 2023 2:00pm – 3:00pm PDT
Defending Comics Today

Challenges to free expression through the comic arts have reached new heights, and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is on the case. Interim director Jeff Trexler and special guests discuss the CBLDF’s landmark courtroom victory in Virginia Beach, ongoing efforts to remove graphic novels from schools and libraries, emerging legal risks for selling comics, digital comics codes, and cutting-edge strategies for protecting the artform that brings us together. Room 207

Friday March 24, 2023 3:00pm – 4:00pm PDT
The Business of Comics

What’s it like to be “in the biz”? Hear about the highs, the lows, and everything in between from WonderCon Special Guests Tom King (Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow), Joe Quinones (Batman ’89), Doc Shaner (Future Quest), and Marv Wolfman (Young Justice), with Amanda Deibert and moderator Cecil Castellucci (Shifting Earth). Room 207

Friday March 24, 2023 5:00pm – 6:00pm PDT
Creating Tales of Horror and Suspense with Storm King Comics

For a decade and counting, The Queen of Horror Sandy King Carpenter has taken the world of comics by storm with her publishing imprint Storm King Comics, co-founded with the legendary John Carpenter. This panel of horror and sci-fi writers will discuss what it takes to craft a compelling tale of horror and suspense for the comic book medium. Panelists include Sandy King (writer/editor, Tales for a HalloweeNight; CEO of Storm King Productions & Comics), WonderCon Special Guest Marv Wolfman (Tomb of Dracula, Teen Titans, former editor at DC Comics), Neo Edmund (Tales for a HalloweeNight, Grimms Town Terror Tales, Power Rangers), and Sean Sobczak (writer, Tales for a HalloweeNight; managing editor at Storm King Comics). Room 207

Friday March 24, 2023 6:00pm – 8:00pm PDT
Comic Book Law School®: Basics of Intellectual Property Law for Creators and Companies

Copyright and Trademark protections are almost as important to comics as a Punchline™. Technology combined with an ever-increasing appetite for content means that it’s easier than ever for creators to get their works in front of an audience; but at the same time, this has also made the copying of content, ideas, and now even artistic styles easier than ever. The economics are always tricky, even with the rise of crowdfunding, digital publishing and print-on-demand services, so more than ever, knowledge is key to navigating the ever-shifting landscape. And although with great power there must also come great responsibility, today’s creators are finding that with great technological power comes great (potential) reward and also greater risk, with thieves gaining an ever-expanding bag of tools to fleece the unwary. End result: it’s vital to know what your rights are in order to best defend your valuable IP. Luckily, Matthew Murdock, Mallory Book, and Wolff and Byrd aren’t the only lawyers available to the superhero set, as WonderCon once again brings back noted IP attorney Michael Lovitz (author of The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book) to discuss the truths (and debunk some urban legends) about protecting your creative capital. Attendees are invited to participate in an interactive discussion led by Lovitz concerning the basic rights provided under the U.S. Copyright and Trademark laws, including the basics on the ownership and protection of ideas, a brief overview of copyright and trademark rights and their application to works of authorship, characters, and names, as well as an overview of the registration process for each, and (time permitting) a brief discussion on how loose lips can sometimes sink ships, why written agreement are good, and why not all lawyers are villains. Along the way, there will be plenty to learn about the protections, and pitfalls, of the U.S. intellectual property systems. Please Note: The Comic Book Law School® seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. However, the seminar is presented for information and entertainment purposes only, and the information presented and opinions expressed at the seminars do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. [This program is approved for one (1) credit of California MCLE.]. Arena

SATURDAY

Saturday March 25, 2023 12:30pm – 1:30pm PDT
The Science of Spider-Man

TJ Shevlin (2023 Eisner judge, comics enthusiast) and Alonso Nuñez (executive director, Little Fish Comic Book Studio) join scientists Ronald Coleman, Ph.D. (Regenerative Medicine) and Chelsea Ballinger (physicist) to focus on the biology and physics of Spider-Man. Starting with the mutations induced by the radioactive spider that bit him, through the genius of his webslingers, the scientists and Spider-Man lore experts will explore the things that are possible, the things that are impossible, and the things we just can’t know. Moderated by Jonathan Bacon-Liu (host of All the Time We Have podcast). Room 300C

Saturday March 25, 2023 2:00pm – 3:00pm PDT
Using Comics for Good

Comics are a powerful force: Fun fandoms, book sale profits, creative career opportunities, and drivers of popular culture. What if all of this awesome power can be harnessed to do even more good? Find out how some of your favorite industry insiders and creators use their substantial influence to positively impact their communities. Panelists include Alex Antone (editorial director, Skybound Entertainment), Moni Barrette (Creators, Assemble co-founder; 2023 Eisner judge), and comics creators Mairghread Scott (Sea Serpent’s Heir), Geoff Johns (Junkyard Joe) and Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian). Room 300E

Saturday March 25, 2023 4:00pm – 5:00pm PDT
Drawing Super

What does it take to bring your favorite superheroes to life? How do you create those dynamic images that leap off the page? Some of the best in the business discuss just that with moderator Nick Ghanbarian (musician; Bayside, host; Thank the Maker podcast). Panelists include Comic-Con Special Guests Mingjue Helen Chen (Gotham Academy, and Silk), Adam Hughes (Invisible Woman), Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons), Daniel Warren Johnson (Wonder Woman: Dead Earth), and Jae Lee (Sacred Six Vol. 1: Numerology Collection), along with Alice “NerfAlice” Matthews (Moon Knight). Room 211

Saturday March 25, 2023 5:00pm – 6:00pm PDT
Comic Pitch Review Saturday

Most creators have no trouble coming up with great ideas for new comics, but they often struggle to speak clearly and concisely about those ideas to other people. Giving a good pitch is a vital skill in bringing your project to life. Fortunately, it’s also a skill you can learn and improve with practice—and Pitch Review is a great place to do that. If you’re someone who wants to get better at pitching your work (and especially if you’re a writer or artist attending the Comic Creator Connection immediately after this event), this is your chance to practice giving your pitch and get some invaluable help from a professional writer and speaker coach. Pitch reviews will be conducted by Douglas Neff, a professional speechwriter, speaker coach, and host of the Comic Creator Connection. This is not a panel. Instead, these are 3- to 5-minute individual coaching sessions for as many people as can be accommodated in the scheduled time. Spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and observers are welcome. Room 300A

Saturday March 25, 2023 8:00pm – 9:00pm PDT
True Crime in Comics

The Cereal Killer Duo Anastasia Washington and Maria Spiridigliozzi are joined by Samantha Hale (Horror Nerd), David Crownson (Kingwood Comics), Ed Greer (The Greatest Pod), and Sean Owens (Icons of Darkness) to discuss true crime in comics. An interactive panel with trivia prizes and yes . . . cereal. Room 213CD

SUNDAY

Sunday March 26, 2023 2:00pm – 3:00pm PDT
Process Hex: How to Make Your Own Short Comic

The team at HexComix is here to help you bring your story to life with a step-by-step creative guide that takes your short-comic idea from the development stages all the way to finished art.Featuring Lisa K. Weber (artist, HEX11), Kelly Sue Milano (writer, HEX11), and Lynly Forrest (editor/producer, HEX11). North 200A

Sunday March 26, 2023 3:30pm – 4:30pm PDT
Six Essentials Aspiring Creators Must Know (Geekview Tavern Live!)

It ain’t easy making comics! Get the inside scoop no one shares on websites or social media. Comics industry veterans share the secrets behind creating, selling, and living life as comic book professionals. This live version of the YouTube show Geekview Tavern features host Dave Olbrich (Malibu Comics), Scott Koblish (artist Deadpool, Avengers), Larry Houston (director, animator), Chris Ulm (Ultraverse editor-in-chief), Emmy Award winner Tom Mason (Dinosaurs for Hire, Prototype), Nicholas Doan (Monster Elementary, The Kid & The Ripper), and Vince Hernandez (Aspen editor-in-chief). What you don’t know can hurt you! Room 21

Did we miss any panels that you think we should have listed? Let us know below!

Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.