It’s sad, in a lot of ways, to be typing this. I’m happy about the general quality of the videos that Comic Con International has been able to put out, sharing with more and more people the joys of panels and Q&As at WonderCon and ComicCon, but I also really want to be there. I live relatively close to WonderCon, to the point that I usually only grab a hotel for Friday night since I’m going to be ‘on the job’ late into the night and early again the next morning. I love hanging out with everyone, seeing the costumes, sharing stories, and all the delightful things that make up a convention. I miss ending Friday night with Gaaays in Spaaace (who technically still have my spare flash card).
Celebrating it, for the second year in a row, from my home-office is not the same thing. Heck, as Press I don’t even get a fake badge to wear (I did make one you’re welcome to use). But yet, here we are, doing WonderCon@Home for 2021. And the good news here is there are still things to look forward too! Bonus? You won’t have to worry about bag checks and weapons approval for your cosplay.
What Are the Deets?
WonderCon@Home is this weekend! That’s right, the 26th and 27th of March is WonderCon! Starting at 10am (Pacific) there will be up to ten separate panels per hour, every hour, until 10pm, two days in a row! That’s an insane amount of content, which can be daunting. The great news is that while everything is released at a set time, you can actually watch it later. At least it should. It did last year, which was great for needing a break.
There is a detailed program guide up already, but like I do every year, I’m going to break down what’s here, queer, and dear to us.
What to Watch
I’m breaking down the panels to watch in two groups based on content and subjects. Basically comics and TV. All times are Pacific. The links on the titles will get you to the Eventeny page with more information and (when they air) links to watch.
Queer TV
Obviously this is the big one for us. I’m giving this group a special ‘Queer?’ column, as there are some shows that are probably going to have at least one queer character but it’s either not official confirmed or unknown if they’re queer female.
| Day | Time | Content | Queer? |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 26 | 3pm | Kung Fu Sneak Peek and Q&A – Meet the amazing ensemble cast of The CW’s brand-new series, Kung Fu! Get to know the cast and producers at WonderCon with a sneak peek into this action-packed and culturally groundbreaking series. From Berlanti Productions and Quinn’s House in association with Warner Bros. Television, Kung Fu premieres April 7 at 8/7c on The CW. | Likely |
| March 27 | 10am | Charmed Season 3 – “The Power of Three Against the Powers That Be” The current third season of Charmed finds Mel, Macy, Sarah, and Harry challenged in new ways romantically, personally, and professionally, as they face battles in both the magical and human world. Stars Melonie Diaz, Madeleine Mantock, Sarah Jeffery, and Rupert Evans have an in-depth conversation with co-showrunner and executive producer Liz Kruger about the compelling events of the season. Charmed airs Sundays at 9/8c on The CW through April and will air Fridays at 8/7c from May. Based on the original series, Charmed is from CBS Studios in association with Propagate Content. | Yes |
| March 27 | 1pm | Manifest Season 3 Sneak Peek and Q&A – NBC’s hit series returns for a third season of action-packed drama, shocking revelations, and the answer to the show’s biggest mystery—what happened to the passengers of Flight 828? Over a year has passed since the miraculous homecoming of Flight 828 and the discovery of others who have mysteriously returned. While the Stone family struggles to keep their friends safe and make their enemies believe the unbelievable, new challenges will test their trust of the callings and each other. But sticking together is more important than ever because no matter what happens, it’s all connected. Series stars Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, Athena Karkanis, J.R. Ramirez, Luna Blaise, Jack Messina, Parveen Kaur, Matt Long, and Holly Taylor alongside executive producer/showrunner Jeff Rake, chat with TVLine.com’s editor-in-chief, Matt Mitovich, along with an exclusive sneak peek at the first five minutes of the season premiere! From executive producers Jeff Rake, Jack Rapke, Jackie Levine, Len Goldstein, and Robert Zemeckis, Manifest is produced by Compari Entertainment and Jeff Rake Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television. Don’t miss Manifest’s third season premiere on Thursday, April 1 at 8/7c on NBC! | Yes |
| March 27 | 2pm | Batwoman Cast and Producer Q&A – Gotham has a new hero! On a personal journey that has taken her from fledgling substitute to confident Caped Crusader, from living in her van with her plant to chasing villains in the Batmobile, Ryan Wilder has become her own Batwoman. Series stars Javicia Leslie, Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy, Nicole Kang, Camrus Johnson, and executive producer/showrunner Caroline Dries, for a revealing chat with TVLine.com’s staff editor, Keisha Hatchett, as well as a fun round of Batwoman-themed trivia and behind-the-scenes looks at the show’s costumes and the Batmobile! From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Batwoman airs Sundays at 8/7c on The CW. | Yes |
Generally Queer
The rest of the panels are pretty queer, but not as much about TV.
| Date | Time | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| March 26 | 5pm | Gay Geeks and Where To Find Them – Dylan Carter (host, House of X Podcast), Jeff Brutlag (Twitch partner/streamer), Dr. Darcie Little Badger (writer, Elatsoe), Amanda Deibert (writer, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe), and SuperXLuigi (premiere cosplayer) gather to discuss how to turn your favorite geeky fandom’s into flourishing careers, the challenges and rewards of growing up LGBTQIA+, seeking diversity and representation, and how being a member of the community influenced their work. Moderated by Julian Jetson (stylist and host). |
| March 27 | 11am | LGBTQ+ Comics and Social Activism – Are comics mightier than the sword? Can comics change hearts and minds and entertain at the same time? Now more than ever, LQBTQ+ comic artists and writers are claiming their diverse identities, writing their own stories, and using the art form to build empathy and inclusion. Prism Comics moderator Justin Hall (No Straight Lines; professor, California College of the Arts) along with a diverse panel of queer comics creators explore comics as a source of social power and community. Panelists include Tara Madison Avery (We’re Still Here,Alphabet; publisher, Stacked Deck Press), Trinidad Escobar (Of Sea and Venom, Tryst), Jennifer Camper (Juicy Mother; founder, Queers & Comics conference), Lawrence Lindell (From Truth with Truth, Still, Couldn’t Afford Therapy, So I Made This Again; co-founder, TheBAYlies), and Anand Vedawala (100 Years From Now Our Bones Will Be Different; executive director, San Francisco Zine Fest). |
What Will You Watch?
I know it’s a short list, and I suspect most people are saving up for ComicCon, like last year. But what’s got your eye? What else do you want to watch at WonderCon and what should we be watching with you?
