San Francisco WonderCon 2010 Review

Here it is folks, my epic review of the 2010 WonderCon in San Francisco! My friend and co-worker Josep Blas signed up for a table at the con to promote his comic book Space Punks. So he and I flew all the way from Chicago to San Francisco, and it was quite an adventure. I had never been to a comic book convention before so I was very excited. Sadly I had a very bad cold including laryngitis the whole trip. So not only was I exhausted and couldn't do as much exploring of the area as I had hoped, I also couldn't talk. Nevertheless, we had a great time and I have here tons of pictures, stories and even a few surprises. This article is divided into three parts. Part 1 is an intro to Wondercon and a look at it's big name exhibitors and attractions. Part 2, I have a few highlights of my exploring outside the convention including a look at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. I also show some amazing costumes worn by the Wondercon attendees. Part 3, I show some of the best venders selling comics, toys and other cools stuff. For all this and much much more, continue reading my epic review of Wondercon 2010!

Introducing Wondercon

Wondercon 2010 was held April 2–4 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco California. We stayed at the Marriott hotel nearby which was pretty much the official lodgings for the convention's exhibitors. In fact, walking through the hotel lobby or bar was like seeing a who's who crowd of famous comic creators. We were also within walking distance of Market street, the famous shopping district.

As we neared the Moscone Center we saw these street banners announcing the show. Buzz Lightyear and the Prince of Persia were both hangin' out to plug their new movies. It was also quite common that weekend for me to see Stormtroopers, Batman or The Flash walking the sidewalks or in line next to me at Starbucks.

Here is the outside of the Moscone Center where Wondercon was held. Each day of the con there were huge crowds waiting to get in. Guards directed regular attendees to the side entrance where they had to wait in long lines till the con opened. Luckily Josep and I each had exhibitor badges that let us walk right in! It was sweet. We got to look around at everything before the public rushed in. And oh boy, do they ever rush in. When the doors opened for them it was like a literal wave of people that just flooded in the aisles. You also quickly discover which ones don't believe in using deodorant. For real, Speedstick should have had a booth at Wondercon preaching the gospel of goodsmell!

As I mentioned, my friend Josep Blas (seen above battling a bunny) had a table promoting his hilariously funny comic book called Space Punks. (Click the name to read his online strip.) He did well with selling his books. He also got a lot of positive feedback and interest in his work. The people really responded to his booth and were drawn to his colorful characters and iconic style.

Here I am manning his Space Punks display. Josep was at the table most of the time. We only had one chair at the table, plus most days I was so wiped-out from my cold that I wasn't able to stay too long anyway. Josep said "I'll just tell everyone you didn't help me cuz you were out partying all night!" Hehe. Gee thanks man.

This above is the floor of Wondercon 2010. Click on each of the five thumbnails above to see the larger images. It was a sizable show. I took these shots on a walkway that overlooked the convention center floor. From there I could only see most of the show. The far left shot you can see the rail maze where the public who waited to get in were corralled. On the far right side the convention extended even further than I could photograph. That's where Josep's Space Punks table was located at, in the Artist Ally section. I found the floor plan map of the Wondercon website and included it here if you'd like to see it. Wondercon floorplan map.

Main Exhibitors and Attractions

Most of the big name comic publishers had large booths at Wondercon. (I don't think Marvel was there though.) There were also numerous movies, TV shows and video game related displays. Here are some of the choice displays they had set up.

The DC booth wasn't too visually impressive but they had some big names there doing signings and speaking at panels over the weekend.

Here's the Dark Horse booth. They had some nice banners. I like some of the art in the new Aliens series but the first few issues were mostly about the marines and hardly had any Xenomorph action going on. I guess I'll have to check out the trade paperback and see if the complete story arch is any better.

Personally I haven't been following any Image titles recently. Here is a nice sculpture they had on display no doubt promoting their Elephantmen series.

Here is the booth promoting the new movie Kick Ass. And I must say it was a pretty kick ass setup. Posters and multiple flat screens showing clips of the film drew a lot of attention. It got me interested in seeing it. Probably on Netflix though. Kick Ass started out as a graphic novel of course and the film looks fun. I just feel a little apprehension about Nick Cage being in it. I'm not a big fan of his. Sorry Nick. Who knows maybe his contribution to Kick Ass will make up for his less than stellar job in making the Ghost Rider movie. hehe.

G4 had a nice Attack of the Show booth at Wondercon. Sadly Kevin Pereira and the lovely Olivia Munn were not in attendance. I am sure they will be at Comicon though. Everyone at the convention was carrying around the plastic bags they gave out with the Attack of the Show logo on it. Advertising win!

The kid in me was flipping out over the Nickelodeon booth! It was one of the best graphically designed booths at the show.

They were not really there to promote the network but more to just fish for interns. Didn't ask if it was paid internships but I doubt it. Signs of the time I guess. Companies are looking for some good free labor.

Overall you could tell most of the exhibitors at Wondercon had pretty tight budgets. At least Nick here had some nice displays made. Check it, even their stools where orange with the logo painted on them. The little details are what make the big difference. (I so wanted to nab one of those stools. hehe.)

Video Games

There were also a number of video game makers with memorable booths at Wondercon. Here is Nintendo's interactive stage near the center of the con.

Attendees could play the new Wii game Just Dance on this stage. The large hanging flatscreens showed the game play screen to the players and the audience.

I love this guy! He was really getting into it. "Just dance, gonna be okay. da da doo doo!"

Capcom also had a booth. Pretty straight forward with interactive game stations and more flatscreen displays.

They had nice big banners too. Here's the Monster Hunter 3 game stations. The controllers were three kinds of sticky and two kinds of grimey by the end of the convention. Hope you brought some Purell along. :-)

And here is my winner for most creative and visually stunning display at Wondercon. The Dante's Inferno video game booth. This thing was amazing. As a graphic artist and designer myself I appreciated what must have gone into designing this bad boy. It's a circular temple made of printed cardboard containing some incredible and spooky looking art.

Inside the temple display is a slightly bigger-than-life-size statue of the game's main character , Dante. This thing knocked my socks off. He looked like he was about to leap down and start slaying my fellow nerds with his ten foot long bone scythe weapon.

Inside were also several interactive game stations where you could play the game. It was awesome. Though the creepy artwork was a bit distracting. All those poor suffering hellions. Here's a kid playing the game. But what is that Dante is fighting? Is that a giant turd? I didn't know hell had dookie monsters. I guess satan had PF Chang's for lunch cuz dang that's a big one.

Keep reading X-tropia's epic review of Wondercon 2010 in San Francisco. Part 2 and 3 has a bit of San Francisco color, plenty of fanboys and fangirls in skimpy costumes and plus shots of the venders, toys, comics and much more!

Continue to Part 2 of Wondercon Review

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