Comic lovers unite at WonderCon

March 21, 2009February 25, 2020 The Guardsman

The fighting 501st Legion of Stormtroopers pose for the fans at WonderCon on Friday, by the main entrance of the Moscone South lobby. SOPHIA HERNANDEZ / THE GUARDSMAN

By Sophia Hernandez
PHOTO EDITOR

Arch-nemeses Batman and the Joker were spotted… laughing together? The Green Goblin gave Spider Man a… high five?

For the 23rd year, WonderCon, the Bay Area’s annual comic book celebration, united fellow enemies under the roof of Moscone Convention Center in downtown San Francisco. Comic book readers, video gamers, science-fiction and fantasy lovers gathered from all over the country to enjoy the event.

“My wife and I are here from Boston [Massachusetts],” Star Wars fan Richard Gill said. “It’s fun to follow conventions when we have the time.”
“Watchmen,” the graphic novel-turned-film, was the theme of the three-day event. A special panel of cast members joined by the director, Zach Snyder, and book co-creator, Dave Gibbons, in the Esplanade Ballroom was so popular that fans had to be sent away due to full capacity of the venue.

Additional panels and workshops were offered in other conference rooms. People lined up for hours just to make sure they had a seat to catch a glimpse of the new Star Trek movie trailer and wait for surprise guests.

While the mainstream media was featured, small press was not forgotten. Fifty exhibitors had the opportunity to showcase their work; for some, such as City College of San Francisco student Desmond Miller, it was the first time.

“I’ve always wanted to make comics,” he said. After seven years of hard work, Miller, along with Slumberland Press, released “Hansel and Gretel,” the first issue of his fantasy comic.

The second issue will be available in March at Whatever… comic shop in the Castro. He has also written two other comics, “Foxhunters” and “Go Getters,” both displaying his talents in a variety of manga and superhero genres. “I try to include everybody. I didn’t do it because I’m a black gay male. I do it for everyone,” Miller said.

David Mcneal, left, from Manhattan, N.Y. faces off against Oakland, Calif. resident Kevin Chan at Capcom's Street Fighter IV booth during Wondercon 2009 at the Moscone Center Feb. 28 in San Francisco. Chan drew a crowd to the Capcom booth with a 53 match winning streak, broken only by the closing of the convention for the evening. ALEX LUTHI / THE GUARDSMAN

Comics were the main attraction for thousands of people drawn to the convention. However WonderCon had something in store for all ages: The San Francisco Bay Area International Children’s Film Festival featured more than 130 films for children and young adults, while Japanese animation was presented at the event east of the Moscone South lobby.

A blood drive was sponsored by the Heinlein Society and brought the masses together for a worthy cause. Last year, blood donations totaled up to 72 pints!

Blood donor Phillipe Morone said, “It’s awesome how people are willing to help those in need. Things like this often get forgotten about. It’s a wonderful sight to see.”

WonderCon 2009 was a rousing success that encompassed everything from a blood drive, to panel discussions, book signings, and countless comic-centric activities in between. As comic book culture and the number of attendees continues to grow, WonderCon 2010 promises to be an even greater industry extravaganza.