WonderCon 2022 returns to in-person events this weekend! Here is a WonderCon panels list for the panels happening on Sunday, April 3rd that shine a light on diverse voices and representation.
Since 2012, WonderCon Anaheim—now called Comic-Con International Presents WonderCon Anaheim—has been held in southern California at the Anaheim Convention Center. WonderCon is the sister show to Comic-Con, embracing all of the main aspects of SDCC, including comics, movies, TV, animation, cosplay, and more. WonderCon 2022 will take place this weekend, April 1-3rd.
List of WonderCon 2022 Panels that feature Diverse Voices and Representation
We strive to provide the most inclusive list possible. If you know of any panels or events we may have missed, then let us know in the comments.
The Women’s Color Code
Sunday, April 3, 2022
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Room 300B
The Women’s Color Code is two women of color in video games who are excited to talk to you and answer your questions about the game industry. They share their experiences working on titles big and small, from Race with Ryan Road Trip and The Arcslinger to DreamWorks’s Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia and Pac-Man: Mega Tunnel Battle. Game designer Alissa Smith (Heavy Iron Studios) and licensing producer Cheyenne Shotton hope to inspire game lovers, women, and people of color to pursue their dreams of creating video games.
Woke
Sunday, April 3, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
North 200A
See an advance screening of the Hulu original comedy series Woke season 2 premiere episode, followed by a Q&A with the cast and executive producers. Inspired by the life and work of artist Keith Knight, Woke continues to upend Black nerd and activist culture, deftly satirizing with a wink and a smile. The screening will be followed by a conversation with series stars Larmone Morris, T. Murph, Blake Anderson, and co-creators/executive producers Keith Knight and Marshall Todd, along with executive producer/showrunner Anthony King. A co-production between Sony Pictures Television and ABC Signature, season 2 of Woke premieres with all eight episodes Friday, April 8 on Hulu.
Kung Fu Special Video Presentation and Q&A
Sunday, April 3, 2022
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
North 200A
A quarter-life crisis causes a young Chinese American woman, Nicky Shen, to drop out of college and go on a life-changing journey to an isolated monastery in China. But when she returns to San Francisco, she finds her hometown is overrun with crime and corruption. Nicky will rely on her family and friends, as well as her martial arts skills and Shaolin values, to protect her community and bring the criminals to justice—all while trying to take down tycoon Russell Tan. Join the cast (participants to be determined) for a special video presentation, followed by a Q&A as they discuss the thrilling new season. Christina M. Kim and Robert Berens are co-showrunners and serve as executive producers alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Martin Gero, and David Madden.
Kung Fu stars Olivia Liang, Tzi Ma, Kheng Hua Tan, Shannon Dang, Jon Prasida, Eddie Liu, Gavin Stenhouse, Vanessa Kai, Tony Chung, and Yvonne Chapman. From Berlanti Productions and Quinn’s House in association with Warner Bros. Television and inspired by the original series created by Ed Spielman, Kung Fu airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW or stream for free on The CW app. Catch up on season one on HBO Max.
LGBTQ+ Representation in Animation
Sunday, April 3, 2022
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Room 300D
Characters who speak to LGBTQ+ audiences have been appearing in popular animation more and more, and a new generation of queer creators is leading the way. From reboots of beloved classic cartoons such as My Little Pony, She-Ra, and Masters of The Universe to all-new offerings such as Q-Force and The Legend of Vox Machina, queer sensibilities and representation have been blazing new trails. Prism Comics and moderator Tara Madison Avery (We’re Still Here; Publisher, Stacked Deck Press) are joined by panelists Cort Lane (My Little Pony, Marvel Super Hero Adventures), Mae Catt (Young Justice, Transformers: Cyberverse), Brad Rader (Batman: The Animated Series; Bob’s Burgers), David Reddish (entertainment editor, Queerty; author, Sex, Drugs, and Superheroes), and Tim Sheridan (Masters of the Universe: Revelation; Batman: The Long Halloween).
Comics Arts Conference Session #9: Comics Reflecting and Refracting Culture
Sunday, April 3, 2022
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Room 210
Shane Gomes (Tennessee State University) looks at how “graphic novels” have pushed “comics” out of the field of Comics Studies, arguing that the goal of the field should be to strive for the legitimization of comics in general. Shelly Clevenger (Sam Houston State University) presents the results of a content analysis of 248 issues of The Incredible Hulk, asking how violent the Hulk really is and what his violence means for readers. Dwaipayan Roy (National Institute of Technology, Mizoram, India) examines how Raj Comics character Nagraj engages with Indian mythology and folk horror, and Justine Mastin (Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota) unpacks Alison Bechdel’s The Secret to Superhuman Strength and the resonant psychological and philosophical themes that permeate every page.
Meet the Extraordinary POC Taking Over the TTRPG World
Sunday, April 3, 2022
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Room 300D
Tabletop role-playing games are taking center stage in the entertainment sphere, showing that everyone is welcome to the gaming table. This panel highlights some of the extraordinary people of color in TTRPGs, giving you a look into their background in gaming, how they are making moves in the RPG space, tips for aspiring creators, and more. Featuring Michelle Nguyen Bradley (actor, Critical Role, Outbreak Undead: United States of the Dead), B. Dave Walters (GM, G4TV’s Invitation to Party; actor, Vampire the Masquerade: LA by Night), Carlos Luna (creative director, Roll20; actor, Dimension20), Makenzie De Armas (associate game designer, D&D Studio/Wizards of the Coast, credited on Critical Role Presents: Call of the Netherdeep, The Islands of Sina Una), Alicia Marie (costume artist, actor, Demiplane: Children of Éarte), Noura Ibrahim (actor, D&D’s Black Dice Society), and Markeia McCarty (host/producer, marketing manager, Hunters Entertainment).
The Enduring Appeal of the Alien Franchise and How Ripley Set The Standard for Strong Female Characters
Sunday, April 3, 2022
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Room 207
Gareth Von Kallenbach (Skewed and Reviewed) along with Victor and Juliette Calderon look at the enduring appeal of the Alien franchise and how Ripley set the standard for strong female characters. They will explore Ripley and her impact on those who followed, from Amanda to those in the pending television series.
For More WonderCon Panels and Convention Coverage check out:
Friday’s list of panels with Diverse Voices at WonderCon 2022
Saturday’s list of panels with Diverse Voices at WonderCon 2022
Things cosplayers should consider as conventions open up again
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