While most people think that Saturday is the most happening day at any convention, WonderCon knows how to start the weekend off strong! Friday is full of really great panels – especially for the book fans amongst us. There are some really amazing panels with some really great authors that I can’t wait to check out and that I think you’ll enjoy, too. Plus Warner Bros. is premiering their brand new animated film, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, on Friday night with the bulk of the cast in attendance! Programming starts at noon so those of you who still have to go in to work or go to school can duck out early and check out some panels. If not, there’s plenty of stuff
Fandom and Fiction
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM @ Room 209
One of my most anticipated panels of the weekend also happens to be one of the earliest panels. A great group of authors – including Margaret Stohl, Sam Sykes, Ashley Poston, Sarah Kuhn, and Cecil Castellucci – are coming together to talk about fiction, fandom, and fandom in fiction. From working on beloved franchises like Star Wars (Cecil Castellucci) and Marvel (Margaret Stohl) to creating your own fandoms (like Ashley Poston in Geekerella), there should be tons to talk about in this panel. Readers, this is your first must-see panel of the con!
How to Get Published and Write Canon: Delilah S. Dawson with Chuck Wendig
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM @ Room 213
It’s not particularly fair that this panel overlaps with the Fandom and Fiction panel and yet here we are. Star Wars fans are going to want to check out this panel featuring Star Wars short story author Delilah S. Dawson and ubiquitous Star Wars scribe Chuck Wendig. In particular, Star Wars fans who want to write – and possibly write Star Wars – will want to come listen to all the stories and advice these two have to offer.
DreamWorks Trollhunters
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM @ Room 300AB
If you haven’t watched it yet, Trollhunters is an overlooked Netflix gem. Based on a middle grade novel created by Guillermo del Toro it improves on the source material in every way to bring you a super entertaining animated kids series. The executive producers are on hand at WonderCon to discuss the first season – and hopefully offer some hints to what’s coming next!
Marvel Animation Storytellers
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM @ Room 300DE
Everyone loves the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Netflix original series but the Marvel animated universe over on Disney XD can be just as entertaining. Cort Lane and Stephen Wacker from the Marvel Animation team will be discussing how the various series are developed and giving fans a look at what’s to come in Marvel’s Avengers and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. There also may be some ‘special guests’ – voice actors perhaps? You’ll have to attend to find out!
BOOM! Studios: Discover Yours
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM @ Room 211
If you’ve kept up with our weekly pull-list posts you’ll notice that I read almost exclusively BOOM! Studios books. That’s because I love them. BOOM! Studios has something for everyone across it’s many imprints. Readers of all ages and lovers of all genres can find their new favorite comic series with them if they only know here to look! Explore the publisher’s works and find some great new recommended reads at this Friday panel.
Prison Break
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM @ Room 300AB
The wait is over, folks! Prison Break is back. For regular viewers at home, the series picks up on April 4th but lucky WonderCon attendees will get to see the very first episode a few days early. Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell as well as other cast members will be there, too, with some of the showrunners for a panel after the episode. I bet they’ll even open it up for questions towards the end so die-hard Prison Break fans – this is your chance!
Comics Drawing Party with Dave Roman and His Mom!
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM @ Room 211
Look, I’m just recommending this panel because it sounds adorable. Artist Dave Roman and HIS MOM! Also apparently they’ll be pulling audience members on stage to take part in the drawing party? This is going to be amazing.
Behind the Creative Process of Logan
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM @ Room 300DE
Have you seen Logan yet? If not, leave this website now (but bookmark this list first) and come back once you have. It’s awesome. And this panel features Clint Reagan and Francois Audouy – two of the people who helped make it awesome. If you enjoy behind the scenes looks are your favorite films, you’ll definitely want to sit in on this panel.
Fantasy: Not Always Fantastic
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM @ Room 213
Friday continues to be a great day for fans looking to connect with their favorite authors. This panel brings together a number of authors to discuss the challenges of magic and the misconception that fantasy equates to happy endings. One of the authors on the panel is Erika Lewis whose debut YA novel, Game of Shadows, we reviewed about a month ago! Definitely sounds like a panel book fans are going to want to check out.
Imaginary Mary
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM @ Room 300AB
Imaginary Mary debuts on ABC on April 4th but you can get an early screening of (weirdly) the show’s second episode at WonderCon! Check out what’s to come in this new CGI-blended, live-action comedy series about stress, family, and imaginary friends. Executive producers and cast members will be on hand to enjoy the episode with you and to hopefully answer some audience questions.
iZombie Season Three Premiere Screening
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM @ Arena
We were going to recommend that you guys check out the Time After Time panel in this slot but sadly the show met an untimely, sudden end a couple of days ago. In it’s place, you can now check out the iZombie Season Three Premiere. It doesn’t look like any of the cast or show runners will be attending but the episode doesn’t air until April 4th so iZombie fans should consider it time well spent. Last season ended with all kinds of huge revelations. I know I’m not going to say no to an early look at the next season!
Riverdale Special Video Presentation and Q&A
4:45 PM – 5:45 PM @ Arena
How have you guys been enjoying The CW’s Riverdale? Fans at WonderCon will have the chance to sit down with the stars of the show as well as the executive producers to discuss the show’s first season and what’s coming next. ‘Special Video Presentation’ hints at some exclusive new footage from the series though if you’re looking for an early screening of the next episode, you’ll have to wait until Saturday.
World Premiere of Teen Titans: The Judas Contract
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM @ Area
It’s time for WonderCon’s newest Warner Bros. animated premiere! This is easily one of the best parts of WonderCon each and every year. DC Comics is bringing their latest full-length animated feature film Teen Titans: The Judas Contract to fans ahead of the film’s blu-ray and DVD release this April. To make things even better, the bulk of the cast will be on hand for some Q&A afterward! We’ll see you guys there!
No Tow Trucks Beyond Mars
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM @ Room 209
One of the coolest things about conventions is that there is always something for everyone. If you’re a big fan of the science in science fiction, you’ll want to check out this panel. Panelists are going to talk about the ins and outs of space exploration and the technology necessary to make it all work. The main focus is on exploration in our own solar system and the challenges of operating machinery millions of miles away.
Your Opinion Sucks! Rotten Tomatoes Critics Versus Fans
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM @ Room 300DE
Who doesn’t love talking about movies? And if you’re at WonderCon you probably have some strong opinions about your favorites. Well, now’s your chance to put your opinions to the test. Rotten Tomatoes is bringing some of their higher ups in for a healthy debate amongst fellow nerds – with plenty of participation from the audience. It should be a lot of fun!
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