WonderCon

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WonderCon
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WonderCon 2010 - Floor 013.jpg
WonderCon 2010 main exhibit hall
Status Active
Genre Multi-genre
Venue 1987–2002: Oakland Convention Center
2003–2011: Moscone Center
2012-2015 Anaheim Convention Center
2016- : Los Angeles Convention Center
Location(s) California
Country United States
Inaugurated 1987
Most recent Present
Attendance 60,000 (2014)[1]
Organized by Comic-Con International
Filing status Nonprofit
Website
http://www.comic-con.org/wca/

WonderCon is an annual comic book, science fiction, and motion picture convention, held in the San Francisco Bay Area (1987–2011) then, under the name WonderCon Anaheim, in Anaheim, California (2012-2015), and most recently WonderCon Los Angeles starting in 2016.[2]

The convention was conceived by retailer John Barrett (a founder of the retail chain Comics and Comix) and originally held in the Oakland Convention Center. In 2003, it moved to San Francisco's Moscone Center.[3] The show's original name was the Wonderful World of Comics Convention. The WonderCon logo was designed by Richard Bruning and Tim Zach.

History

Retailer Joe Field (of Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff) and his partner Mike Friedrich owned and operated the convention for fifteen years. In 2001, they brokered a deal with the management team that runs the San Diego Comic-Con International to make it part of the Comic-Con International convention family.[4] This gave the San Francisco show a wider audience and has made it a venue for previews and early screenings of major motion pictures, in particular ones based on comic books. These have included Spider-Man 2 in 2004, Batman Begins and Fantastic Four in 2005, Superman Returns in 2006, 300 in 2007, Watchmen in 2009, and Kick-Ass in 2010. All of these events featured the stars of the films fielding questions from the audience.

WonderCon had 34,000 attendees in 2009,[5] 39,000 in 2010, and 49,500 in 2011.[6]

The show moved to Anaheim in 2012 because the Moscone Center was being remodeled and was rebranded WonderCon Anaheim.[2] Originally Comic-Con International stated they would be returning to San Francisco after renovations were complete, however the convention ultimately stayed in Southern California with the Bay Area receiving a new convention in the form of Silicon Valley Comic Con in 2016.[7] In 2016 WonderCon relocated from Anaheim to Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Convention Center.[8]

Features and events

The Nickelodeon booth at WonderCon.

While the main attraction of WonderCon has always been various retailers selling back issues of comic books and action figures, the exhibitor list has grown to include retailers of specialty DVDs. There is also an "Artists Alley" featuring mainly comic book artists selling artwork, signing books, and doing sketches; and mainstream celebrities signing autographed pictures.

WonderCon hosted the Harvey Award ceremonies from 1997–1999.[9] Since 2007, academicians and comic industry professionals have held the Comics Arts Conference in conjunction with WonderCon.

In addition, WonderCon features an event called "Trailer Park," where trailers for upcoming films are shown.

The WonderCon masquerade competition usually takes place on Saturday after the convention closes. Awards are given to those with the most creative performances, though anyone can participate.[citation needed]

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "WonderCon Moves To Anaheim With Costumed Avengers In Tow," CBS 2 San Francisco (March 17, 2012).
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Albert, Aaron. "Wondercon Profile", About.com.
  5. ↑ Boucher, Geoff. "WonderCon shows the comic convention circuit's power is growing". Los Angeles Times. April 6, 2010
  6. ↑ MacDonald, Heidi. "WonderCon Brings Fans, Publishers, Excitement to San Francisco", Publishers Weekly. April 4, 2011
  7. ↑ http://venturebeat.com/2015/04/17/steve-wozniak-and-stan-lee-are-bringing-silicon-valley-its-own-comic-con/
  8. ↑ http://variety.com/2015/biz/news/wondercon-moving-los-angeles-2016-leaving-anaheim-1201466860/
  9. ↑ Press release. "2003 Harvey Awards Banquet Cancelled, Awards Unaffected, Comic Book Resources (January 24, 2003).

External links

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