WonderCon 2010

My family and I attended WonderCon 2010 yesterday and it was a blast! The first "real" comic book convention I've ever attended, WonderCon 2010 took place April 2-4 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. It was insanely packed on Saturday April 3rd, the day I attended. I estimate there were about 300 million people there:


There were a lot of artists and vendors and stars signing autographs, but WAY too many people for the space alotted, and moving through the aisles was more like riding the rushing rapids of the Rio Grande than perusing a comic book store. I didn't buy anything and an attempt by my entire party to get tickets to buy the exclusive DC Direct action figures failed, so I spent little time perusing the wares and more time checking out the awesome people dressed up as movie, comic and cartoon characters!


The 501st Legion were there in full force. And I have to admit, a fully functional Stormtrooper is an imposing thing to behold in person! I wouldn't want to face down a whole squadron of these guys no matter how bad their aim!


My mom wasn't the droid he was looking for. He was willing to let us go if I promised to help look for a small silver/white R2 unit with blue trim accompanied by a tall gold robot.


I found the R2 unit first...


...but when we returned with the tall gold one, he simply ran away! Some people! You try and help them out and you get no appreciation!


We saw a lot more familiar faces too, like Joker, Black Canary and Green Arrow.


Baroness also showed up for the festivities.


As did a couple 1930s era heroes, The Rocketeer and The Shadow.


Harley Quinn was there too...


...along with Angel and Nightcrawler...


...and Vixen!


And here is old chrome dome himself, Cobra Commander. I tell you, it was very surreal to say "Hey Cobra Commander, can I take your picture?" and to get a response just as if you yelled out "Hey Tim," or "Hey Raul." These folks take their cosplay seriously. They are their characters!

Besides my mom, I was the only other one of all of us willing to get a picture with these costumed folks. For me it was better than Disneyland! Here I am with Captain America.

And here's the main man himself, Batman. (Oh, in case you couldn't tell, I'm the one on the right.)

Nurse Joker wanted to get in on the action as well.

The highlight of the convention for me was the surprise guest during the Warner Brothers panel. After listening to the actors from The Losers (which included the past Human Torch/future Captain America Chris Evans and The Comedian himself Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Nightmare on Elm Street (which included Jackie Earle Haley of Rorschach and soon to be Freddy Krueger fame) and the director of the upcoming movie Splice (which looks pretty freaky! The movie that is, not the director,) we were treated to a glimpse at Christopher Nolan's upcoming Inception...presented by the man himself, Christopher Nolan!

Yeah, that's Cobra Commander's helmet blocking my view. Asshole! Hey, down in front!

Sure...I was like, a half a mile away...but I was in the same room as Christopher Nolan!

Nolan was joined by his wife, Producer Emma Thomas, and they talked about their new movie and film in general. Later everyone who sat through the WB presentation got a bag of goodies that included a cool Inception t shirt and a metal top. How that plays into the movie, I do not know. Also included were shirts for Splice and A Nightmare on Elm Street. DC Comics also gave away a ton of free comics and pins and stuff. In fact I got some extra stuff which I will be giving away here so stay tuned to Toyriffic for an upcoming contest!

All in all the convention was a ton of fun. I would have liked to have been able to see more, which I guess is why they hold it over three days. There's just too much to take in during one day. Oh well, there's always next year!