Comic Book Guy: The Weekend That Was WonderCon 2011
The organisers of WonderCon are no fools and on 1 April they celebrated their 25th anniversary as one of the leading comic book and arts conventions. The 2011 expo took place at the Moscone Centre South in San Francisco and was a feast for all superhero (and villain) worshippers alike.
When each Con kicks into gear, the internet is a buzz with all the news that’s fit to print from each panel, program or big PR stunt; this year’s event was no different. Friday started out with DC’s Green Lantern unearthing a lengthy new four minute trailer with enough cosmic green CGI to give Avatar’s blue spectrum a run for its money. Not content with live action, there was also a trailer for its animated counterpart Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.
These announcements are now a fixed agenda for industry showcases and with summer just a few brisk months away, all the studios were hawking their wares and Saturday belonged to Cowboys & Aliens. Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford using six shooters to take down Alien mother ships, what’s not to like?
These were just the big fish in a pond brimming with panels for not just the latest movie releases, but the core of these festivals, comic book panels - with big announcements like Warren Ellis taking over Marvel’s Secret Avengers. Not to be forgotten were the exhibitors selling every bit of fan merchandise available; there was the chance to get these collectables up in value with an authentic signature!
Of course no Con would be complete without a serious amount of Cosplay action and many a die hard fan took the opportunity to dress as his or her favourite character, some exuding elaborate quality and some, well, just doing it for fun.