A little more than a week from now, thousands of enlightened souls will converge on Anaheim, deftly avoid the Disneyland traffic and get themselves to WonderCon. We like WonderCon. We liked it all the years it was in Berkeley, California. We liked it even more all the years it was in San Francisco…and hope it returns there soon. And we liked it last year for its first Anaheim incarnation.
WonderCon is run by the same folks who operate the annual Comic-Con International in San Diego. It's not as big or star-studded but you'll never suffer from a lack of things to browse 'n' maybe buy or things to do. One of the things you might do is attend any or all of the programming events that involve moi. Here's the rundown of them…
Quick Draw!
Friday, March 29, 2013: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM in Room 300AB
It's another duel-to-the-drawing-boards competition as three of the fastest, funniest cartoonists working today vie for the nonexistent crown. They are Scott Shaw! (The Simpsons), Jeff Smith (Bone), and Bobby London (Dirty Duck), with some surprise participants as well. Ring-leading it all as always is the Quizzzzmaster of Quick Draw!, Mark Evanier. No wagering.Spotlight on Brent Anderson
Friday, March 29, 2013: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Room 203
He's been one of the brightest lights in comic art since he burst on the scene with Ka-Zar the Savage, Somerset Holmes, Strikeforce: Morituri, and the X-Men graphic novel, God Loves, Man Kills. More recently you know him from Kurt Busiek's Astro City and other popular comics. He's WonderCon Anaheim special guest Brent Anderson, and here's your chance to hear him interviewed about his life and career by Mark Evanier.That 70's Panel
Saturday, March 30, 2013: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM in Room 203
A look at comics in what some call the Bronze Age…a time of massive change within in the industry. What made that era unique from comics that came before and after? Perhaps we'll learn as Mark Evanier (Groo the Wanderer) chats with Marv Wolfman (Tomb of Dracula), J. M. DeMatteis (Justice League), Len Wein (Swamp Thing), and Brent Anderson (Astro City).Cartoon Voices
Saturday, March 30, 2013: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM in Room 300DE
Once again, cartoon voice director Mark Evanier (The Garfield Show) gathers together six of the top professionals who speak for animated cartoons. Hear a demonstration of their craft starring Laraine Newman (The Fairly OddParents), Gregg Berger (G.I. Joe), Laura Summer (The Real Ghostbusters), Jason Marsden (Young Justice), Saratoga Ballantine (Guild Wars 2), and Neil Kaplan (Starcraft II).Writing for Animation
Sunday, March 31, 2013: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM in Room 300DE
Interested in writing cartoons? Or just curious how it's done? Mark Evanier has written hundreds of scripts for such programs as The Garfield Show, Garfield and Friends, Dungeons 'n' Dragons, Scooby Doo, Richie Rich, ABC Weekend Special, CBS Storybreak, Thundarr the Barbarian, and more. He'll tell you how it all happens and answer any questions you may have.
Other times, I'll be roaming the convention. Folks always ask me, "Where's your table?" and I always turn down the one the con (any con) offers me so I can wander freely and see things…but I'm large and easy to find. If you see me, say howdy. If you don't see me, just consider yourself lucky.