WonderCon 2024: All the Animated Program Highlights

In celebration of all things comics, sci-fi, horror, cartoons and general genre entertainment geekery, WonderCon returns to the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California from Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31. Comic-Con San Diego’s more manageably-sized sibling event nevertheless has plenty to pack your schedule if you love all things animation.

Panel and presentations not to be missed include anniversary celebrations for The Iron Giant and Gargoyles; deep dives into The Dragon Prince, Smiling Friends and the upcoming The War of the Rohirrim; spotlights on animation and VFX talents, writing for animation and voice directing; and much more.

There are also screening opportunities thanks to the Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival, featuring animation, live action and documentary projects as well as filmmaker talks (multiple programs throughout the weekend, details here), a new batch of restored Fleischer Cartoons on Sunday and the Animation Show of Shows, which this year presented a kid-friendly focus on Friday.

Animation Highlights:

Friday, March 29

2-3 p.m. | Room 207 | Animation Superstars: Movers and Shakers

A dynamic group of movers and shakers engage in a spirited conversation about the ever-evolving global animation scene, driven by cutting-edge technologies and the transformation of the animation business landscape. Moderated by ASIFA-Hollywood’s VP Brooke Keesling, panelists include Mark Caballero (SpongeBob SquarePants, Robot Chicken: Star Wars), Miranda Dressler (Krapopolis, Bob’s Burgers), Alonso Ramirez Ramos (Mickey Mouse, Steven Universe: The Movie) and Dave Thomas (Wander Over Yonder, Kid Cosmic).

4:30-5:30 p.m. | North 200A | Robotech: Past Prologue

Robotech burst onto the scene in 1985 and helped usher in the age of modern anime fandom in North America. Since then, a lot has changed and fans have questions. Harmony Gold offers a presentation addressing the future of the franchise, including information about the series in HD, the impact of Sony’s acquisition of Crunchyroll, the new Robotech: Rick Hunter comics series, and more.

5-6 p.m. | Room 300A | FX Breakdown: The Artists Who Build Universes

Award-winning special and visual effects artists with decades of experience talk about the FX that blew you away, from the films and TV shows you love! Moderated by Geoffrey Mark (The Orville, Raised by Wolves), with Jim Davidson (Titanic, Terminator 2), Ian Hunter (Interstellar, Inception), Tom Griep (Independence Day, Armageddon), Chris Simmons (iRobot, Independence Day) and Chris Colquhoun (Galaxy Quest, Van Helsing).

5:30-6:30 p.m. | North 200A | 25 Years of Iron Giant: A Fan Appreciation

Brad Bird’s animated classic is beloved by fans around the world and still holds true today. Join this unforgettable film’s cast, crew and those lucky enough to be part of its history as they discuss why it has been able to capture the hearts of fans around the world for 25 years.

7-8 p.m. | Room 213CD | Writing for TV Animation: Myths and Realities

Craig Miller (The Real Ghostbusters, Beast Wars) leads a panel of experienced animation writers, including Charlotte Fullerton (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Ben 10: Omniverse), Robert N. Skir (X-Men: The Animated Series, Batman: The Animated Series) and Henry Gilroy (Star Wars: Rebels, G.I. Joe: Renegades), who will answer your questions.

Saturday, March 30

11 a.m.-12 p.m. | North 200A | The Dragon Prince: Blood and Stardust

The cast and crew of the Emmy–winning series screen and discuss the first episode of the upcoming Season 6, including never-before-seen footage. Fair warning: it is intense. The show’s themes are maturing, so children should not attend without a parent, guardian or a cool older friend. With Racquel Belmonte (voice actor, Claudia), Aaron Ehasz (co-creator), Justin Richmond (co-creator), Devon Giehl (lead writer) and Villads Spangsberg (executive producer).

2-3 p.m. | North 200A | Adult Swim’s Smiling Friends

Get ready for the return of Pim, Charlie and the rest of the gang dedicated to bringing happiness to their bizarre and colorful world in the second season of Smiling Friends. Series co-creators and stars Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel give a special look at the new season of the weirdly warm and oddly relatable workplace comedy that could only exist on Adult Swim.

2-3 p.m. | Room 213CD  | The Animation Guild: A-to-Z of Action Animation

The artists, writers, and producers of The Animation Guild, Local 839, host a panel on the ins and outs of action animation. The panel includes Vinton Heuck (Transformers: Prime, Harley Quinn), Colleen Evanson (DuckTales, DC Super Hero Girls), Mairghread Scott (Dragon Age: Absolution, Guardians of the Galaxy), Angela Entzminger (My Adventures with Superman, unannounced LEGO Adventure Series), Gavin Hignight (Gundam: Requiem For Vengeance, Tekken: Bloodline) and Ben Juwono (Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Big Hero 6: The Series). Moderated by Dan Salgarolo (Transformers: Cyberverse, Transformers: Robots in Disguise).

6-7 p.m. | Room 300E | Monsters of Adult Animation

Discover the unconventional creative geniuses behind the scenes bringing adult cartoons such as Big Mouth, Blood of Zeus, BoJack Horseman, Little Demon, Rick and Morty, South Park and more to life. Moderated by Bento Box talent recruiter Brooke Keesling, panelists will include Mike Hollingsworth, Monica Mitchell, Charley Parlapanides, Vlas Parlapanides, Alex Salyer and Amy Winfrey.

Sunday, March 31

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | North 200A | 30 Years of Gargoyles

Gargoyles, an animated series that mixed mythology, complex themes and Shakespearean storylines, instantly attracted viewers of all ages in its first season. Though betrayed by the very ones they have sworn to protect, Goliath, his family, and Eliza taught impressionable minds about trust and understanding the other side. A cartoon that stood out from its peers at the time, it spawned comics, video games, and a newly announced live-action reboot. Cast, crew, writers and others will discuss how Gargoyles has inspired fan conventions and why it’s been consistently named one of the best animated series for three decades.

12-1 p.m. | Room 211 | Fleischer Cartoons: The Art & Inventions of Max Fleischer

Fleischer Cartoons is back at WonderCon with a block of brand new 4K restorations of Koko the Clown, Betty Boop, Popeye, Superman and more from the legendary Fleischer Studios. Learn about the history and influence of this classic animation studio!

12:15-1:15 p.m. | North 200A | Dispatches from Middle-earth: The War of the Rohirrim

Join TheOneRing.net (TORn), to get the latest news about all things Middle-earth in 2024. Staff members Kristi Fojtik (founder, Tolkien Forever), Clifford Broadway (host, TORn Tuesday), Nicole Roberts (TORn outreach coordinator), Nancy Steinman (TORn designer and writer) and Cathy Udovch (TORn special events coordinator) will talk about new games set in Middle-earth and new books about Tolkien. They’ll share their thoughts, and any Greendragon gossip they have, on what to expect from season 2 of Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

But the really big next thing on the horizon is the Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim feature-length animated film, coming in December. Panelists will discuss the voice cast and probable storylines and share any images and rumors they have. Wear your Middle-earth costume at the panel, and then 45 minutes after the end of the panel everyone can gather at the fountain for a group Middle-earth cosplay. Moderated by Justin Sewell (producer, TORn Tuesday).

1-2 p.m. | Room 207 | The Art of Voice Directing

Fans know and love the voice actors responsible for playing their favorite characters, but just as important are the voice directors. Carrie Keranen (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Meredith Layne (Invincible) and Kristi Reed (The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy) are stepping out of the booth to discuss their craft in this panel moderated by journalist Taimur Dar (The Beat).

1:30-2:30 p.m. | 213AB | Character Design Journey with Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver (Kim Possible, Danny Phantom, Clerks: The Animated Series) shares what it takes to be a character designer in the animation industry and the steps he took to make it happen.

More information available at comic-con.org/wc.