WonderCon is packed with streaming treats
Here’s what to see during the annual homage to fantasy, sci-fi and comic books
For a second straight year, WonderCon won’t pack the Anaheim Convention Center with cosplayers and comic book geeks, pop culture vendors and celebrity panelists.
But that doesn’t mean the Justice League is on the run from the coronavirus or that the masked Avengers are going to lose the Pandemic War to that supervillain COVID-19. No, not on their distanced watch.
Just as the good guys usually win in the final reel, WonderCon@Home is here to save the day as a second year of pandemic lockdown continues to disrupt the best-laid plans of mice (Mickey, Minnie, Mighty) and men (Super, Bat, Spider).
So let’s take a stroll through the world of WonderCon@Home, and help you plan your virtual video visits on Friday and Saturday.
All programs will stream live online.
Friday highlights
THE JACK KIRBY TRIBUTE PANEL, 10 A.M.>> One of the legends of superhero comics, Kirby co-created such beloved characters as Captain America, the Fantastic Four, Thor, the Hulk and Black Panther. Mark Evanier, author of the biography “Kirby: King of Comics,” will talk about his life and career with writer Neil Gaiman and TV host Jonathan Ross.
A SCIENTIFIC LOOK AT ‘WANDAVISION,’ 11 A.M. >> The hit Disney+ series “WandaVision” incorporates such scientific and technological concepts as pocket dimensions, telekinetic powers, mind control and a gem-powered android. A podcaster, a physicist and a neurological engineer will pool their
own individual superpowers to … discuss.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG’S 30TH AN
NIVERSARY STARTS HERE, 11 A.M. >> Game company Sega, publisher IDW and surprise voice artist guests kick off the hedgehog’s 30th year with a panel to talk about the special plans to come in 2021.
NETFLIX’S NEW SERIES ‘JUPITER’S LEGACY,’ NOON >> The cast of the superhero show that premieres on May 7 includes actors such as Josh Duhamel and Leslie Bibb, and all of them, plus Mark Millar, co-creator of the comic books that inspired it, will part of this panel.
‘GHOST BROTHERS LIGHTS OUT,’ 2 P.M.>> The three hosts of this new Discovery+ series are the first and only African American paranormal investigators on TV. They’re
bringing their stories and sense of humor they display on the show to this panel.
CULINARY ADVENTURES IN DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, 3 P.M. >> The three authors of the new D&D cookbook, “Heroes’ Feast,” explain how they developed the recipes and decided which ones belonged in the human section and which were elven fare. BYOMead.
EVERYBODY WANTS ‘KUNG FU’ FIGHTING, 3 P.M. >> A sneak peek of the CW reboot of the ’70s TV series is set in present-day San Francisco. Actress Olivia Laing stars as Nicky Chen, and she and the rest of the cast will be on the virtual panel.
AMC’S ‘CREEPSHOW,’ 6 P.M. >> Showrunner Greg Nicotero will be on hand to serve up some scary sneak peeks at the second season
of the AMC/Shudder supernatural horror series that returns on April 1.
Saturday highlights
DISPATCHES FROM MIDDLE-EARTH, 10A.M.>> Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings” prequel series is expected to debut later this year. Superfans including staff at TheOneRing.net will talk about what we know so far of the show that takes place thousands of years before the events of author J.R.R. Tolkien’s original books.
STAN LEE GOES TO COLLEGE, 10 A.M. >> In the ’60s, Marvel’s Stan Lee was a popular speaker on college campuses. This panel features recollections by students who brought him to their schools, including Indiana University alum Michael Uslan, who grew up to become executive producer of the “Batman” movies.
INSIDE THE WRITERS ROOM IN THE AGE OF COVID, 11 A.M. >> TV writers with credits on shows such as “The Boys,” “The Flash,” “Fringe,” “The Flight Attendant” and more talk about what it’s been like working virtually (and sometimes in person) in the past year of COVID-19.
‘JUSTICE SOCIETY: WORLD WAR II,’ 11A.M.>> The new animated DC movie arrives on digital on April 27, and this panel brings together most of its cast, including Stana Katic as Wonder Woman and Matt Bomer as the Flash, and writers and producers to share insights in what’s to come.
HER UNIVERSE FASHION SHOW UPDATE, NOON >> Ashley Eckstein, founder of the Her Universe fashion line and the Her Universe fashion shows that are wildly popular at Comic-Con, is part of a panel talking about Her Universe shows past and future.
‘MARVEL’S M.O.D.O.K.’, NOON >> The Hulu adult animation series that premieres in May stars Patton Oswalt as the titular supervillain with Ben Schwartz, Beck Bennett and Wendi McClendon-Covey voicing other characters. The cast at the panel will take pre-submitted questions from fans.
HIP-HOP AND COMICS, 2 P.M. >> Depth of Field magazine’s Patrick A. Reed brings his hip-hop and comics panel to WonderCon@ Home, exploring the links between those two artistic disciples with guests from both worlds.
‘FEAR THE WALKING DEAD’, 4 P.M. >> The AMC zombie series previews the return of the show on April 11 at a panel with actors Lennie James, Colman Domingo and Jenna Elfman, as well as showrunners Ian Goldberg and Andrew Chambliss.