Social Commentary and Comics Panels at WonderCon 2024

Comic books have always been a point of social and political reflection. From the X-Men to Superman comics have always been a way to reflect and influence social change. WonderCon is a creative and comic book-oriented convention and their programming reflects that. This year we are greeted with panels that focus on important social issues and how comic books can help or hurt.

WonderCon 2023 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Social Commentary and Comics Panels at WonderCon 2024

Saturday, March 30 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Trans Masculine Representation in Entertainment

Tuck Dowery, Gabe Dunn, Avi Roque, Petey Gibson, Tony Zosherafatai, Maze Felix, and Yas Modares Ghasiri discuss the unique struggles trans masculine artists face in entertainment and the importance of trans masculine representation in the arts.

Sunday, March 31 • 11:30am – 1:00 pm Oppression, Representation, Action

Sierra Schiano, Daniel Ambord, Madeline De Aguero, and Yixuan Li talk about different characters in comic books and how their stories reflect different aspects of oppression and representation. There will even be a discussion on how fan reaction can impact the actual creation of these comics.

Sunday, March 31 • 11:30 am – 12:30 pm How Should Society Punish Supervillains

Academics and comics creators explore punishment/prisons in comics and connections to real-life carceral spaces. Dr. Sheri-Lynn Kurisu, Dr. Matthew Atherton, and Dr. Zachary Hays (associate professor of criminal justice, CSUB), along with creators Alex Antone, David M. Booher, and Jimmie Robinson will delve into the purpose of punishment, prisons, and rehabilitation. Come learn about what the real-world consequences for villainy are and how that is reflected in comics.

Sunday, March 31 • 10:00 am – 11:00 am Diverse Storytellers Empowering Inclusion and Equality

Andres Useche, Chantal Thuy, Nicole Maines, Thang Le, Zeke Alton, LeeAnn Patrick, Janina Scarlet, Emma Koh, and Daniela Munoz-Useche reveal how to make your way into filmmaking, comics, games, and transmedia and how to make these fields more inclusive, giving voice to underrepresented folks in the search of greater justice, empathy, and equality.

QUANTUM LEAP — “Quantum Leap at WonderCon — Pictured: (l-r) Jim Halterman, Moderator; Dean Georgaris, Executive Producer; Deborah Pratt, Executive Producer; Ernie Hudson, Raymond Lee, Caitlin Bassett, Nanrisa Lee, Mason Alexander Park — (Photo by: David Yeh/NBC)

There are so many great, diverse, and educational panels at WonderCon this year and attendees won’t want to miss any of them. So make sure that your schedules for the weekend are all in order and add some of these great discussions to your day!

For more information about WonderCon check out https://www.comic-con.org/wc/