WonderCon is an annual comic book, sci-fi, and pop culture convention held in Anaheim, California, organized by Comic-Con International.

The convention is traditionally an exciting and engaging event, with panels, workshops, screenings, and much more, attracting fans of all ages.  This year’s WonderCon was no exception. 

Here’s an overview of WonderCon.

@justjeanine1

Sights and sounds from the 2023 #WonderCon including the #Disneybounding panelists Leslie Kay, Tiffany Sutton, Erika Kurzawa, Domonique Brown, Pernell Langhorne III, Logan Allison, Lauren, and Kelsey Walmer; @ashleyeckstein ; #KaitlynRobrock ; @OriginalFunko ; and the cosplay #masquerade [ @AllEarsNet ]

♬ original sound – JustJeanine

One of the panels sure to excite many Disney fans was  “Celebrating 100 Years of Disney with The Disneybound.”  Disneybounding is a fashion trend that involves dressing up in clothing inspired by Disney characters, but not necessarily wearing a full-on costume. The panel recounted the history of Disneybounding from its Tumblr origins and provides tips and tricks for fans who want to try it out for themselves.  To commemorate the 100 years of Disney, the panelists each chose a decade, film, and character, and then dressed as that character from that time period:  1930s–Snow White; 1940s–Fantasia, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice; 1950s–Alice in Wonderland, the White Rabbit; 1960s–Mary Poppins, Bert; 1970s–Pete’s Dragon, Elliot; 1980s–Oliver & Company, Dodger; 1990s–Aladdin; and 2000s–Cheetah Girls.

Some Disneybounding tips from the panelists:

• • Create your own vision
  • Consider comfort
  • Work backward from what you have in your closet
  • Browse Disneybounding blogs for inspiration
  • Use it as an opportunity to hang out with friends
  • Don’t let who you look like limit who you bound

Another highlight of WonderCon is the Her Universe Fashion Show, which showcases designs inspired by popular franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, and Doctor Who. The show features both established and emerging designers, and it celebrates the creativity and talent of fans who are passionate about fashion and fandom.

Last year’s Her Universe Fashion Show winners Cindy Guillermo Heselton and Michael Burson spoke about how they were given the opportunity to design a clothing collection for Hot Topic based on the upcoming film The Marvels.

One of the challenges they had was dealing with the extreme secrecy with which everything connected with the film was held.  In some cases, they were only given one quick look at some visual assets via Zoom, and then had to design off of that.  WonderCon guests were given a sneak peek at some of the exciting items from the future collection, including a Ms. Marvel cardigan, a track-suit-inspired Photon hoodie, and a Captain Marvel jacket updated from an earlier Her Universe version.

Submissions for the Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 are open now, and for the first time, this year’s show will be presented by Disney as part of their 100-year anniversary celebration.

Voice acting is an important part of the entertainment industry, and WonderCon offers fans a chance to get up close and personal with some of their favorite voice actors.  One of the panels focused on character voice-over and featured a diverse group of voice actors discussing some of their experiences in the industry and providing insights into the craft of voice acting.

A highlight was the traditional improv interpretation of a fairy tale script.  The panel had such a good time with Rapunzel, they had to leave it “to be continued” at the next voice-over panel when they ran out of time.

Finally, WonderCon’s Masquerade is a costume contest and a highlight of the convention.  Participants show off their cosplay skills and creativity, with awards given for the best costumes in a variety of categories.  The Masquerade is always a popular event, and it provides a chance for fans to showcase their love of pop culture and fandom.

Intermission (required for the judges to have deliberation time) featured performances by The Corps Dance Crew and The Sabre Guild.

Despite still feeling a bit smaller than its pre-COVID days, WonderCon continues to be an exciting and engaging convention that offers something for everyone.  There is no shortage of exciting events and activities to enjoy for both people looking to become professional creators or continue as happy consumers.  Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just looking to explore the world of pop culture and entertainment, WonderCon, as always, is the place to be.

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