WonderCon is the sister show to Comic-Con International, featuring comic books, sci-fi, film, TV, anime, Artists Alley, the Masquerade and much more. WonderCon was founded in 1987 by comics retailer John Barrett and was originally known as the Wonderful World of Comics Convention. From its Bay Area origins, the event has grown every year, with an estimated 60,000 attendees in 2014. WonderCon is taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Downtown L.A. for the first time on Friday-Sunday, March 25-27.
EXHIBIT HALL
The centerpiece of WonderCon 2016 the world-famous Exhibit Hall, which is filled to the rafters with comics and pop culture exhibitors, including top comics publishers and hundreds of retailers. The sprawling Exhibit Hall takes over the massive South Exhibit Hall, located on Level One of LACC.
Fans can get up close and personal with actors and authors in the Autograph Area and the Author Signing Area, which are both located in the Exhibit Hall. Meet stars from generations of movies and TV shows, including Star Wars Episodes II and III, Back to the Future II, Star Trek TOS, the original Battlestar Galactica, Land of the Lost, and The Incredible Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno.
PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
The WonderCon programming schedule offers an incredible variety of panel discussions, including comics publisher presentations, movie and TV series events, animation, workshops, seminars and much more. On Friday and Saturday, the programming extends into the evening hours and includes special nighttime programs.
On Saturday afternoon, catch the exclusive World Premiere of the new WB Animation and DC Universe animated movie Justice League Vs. Teen Titans, which screens in the Microsoft Theater starting at 2:30 p.m.
WONDERCON MASQUERADE
Whether you’re a fan of comic books, movies, television, Japanese Anime, giant robots, Broadway shows, steampunk adventures, or the many incarnations of Doctor Who, costumes are integral to everything we love about the popular arts. Now in its 12th year, the on-stage WonderCon Masquerade Costume Competition is a special night dedicated to giving costumes the spotlight they’re entitled to and talented costuming attendees the recognition they deserve. Masquerade is taking place at the Microsoft Theater at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26.
Masquerade is described as “a show upon a stage,” featuring theater-style lighting, enhanced sound, and a giant high-definition video screen displaying close-ups of the mind-blowing costumes created by convention attendees. Most of the presentations are accompanied by specially selected music, some with effects and elaborate choreography. Each presentation is introduced by the emcee, and a panel of guest judges selects the winners in various categories. The 2015 audience numbered over 3,000 fans and the line for choice seating started to form long before the doors opened.
QUICK GUIDE
For detailed info about WonderCon 2016, including maps, exhibitor lists and a complete programming grid, download the online version of the WonderCon Quick Guide.