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WonderCon

4.5 star rating
based on 23 reviews

Category: Arts & Entertainment  [Edit]

Moscone Center West
800 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94101
  • Good for Kids: Yes
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23 Reviews for WonderCon

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Photo of Ranier B.

 

7

47

Ranier B.

Hayward, CA

5 star rating
08/20/2008

I've been going to this event for nearly 8 years now.  This was the first comic convention I ever attended in the Bay Area.  This is the largest comic convention in northern California.  I attended Wonder Con when it was previously held at the Oakland Convention Center.  Since it was purchased by Comic Con, it is now held in San Francisco at the Moscone Center.  Although the venue is larger, they still don't make full use of the Moscone Center's size.  I'm not sure why not considering how crowded it gets on Saturday.  However crowded it gets, it doesn't compare to the masses that go to Comic Con, which is nice. It's conveniently located near public transportation and there are a lot of places to eat nearby so you're not stuck eating convention food.  I attend this convention every year and it's always a good time.

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Photo of Eric P.

Elite '08

25

185

Eric P.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
06/18/2008

Total Nerdsville. It was awesome. Got to listen to the creators of Sam & Max talk about the new games, and some of the challenges they went through, which was in and of itself worth the ticket. Had a blast looking over all the stuph there, and picked me up a copy of the comic books. Got the inside scoop on the new Star Trek Movie, the new X-Files movie, and tons of free schwag. Gotta love free schwag!

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Photo of robert s.

 

7

22

robert s.

El Cajon, CA

4 star rating
02/29/2008

2008 was my first year at wondercon. I'm a regular at comicon and i love it. I get here knowing it is going to be much smaller and that i can only spend a few hours here. It was much smaller but much more intimate. You could get up close with some of the artist and it was much less crowded. I could not attend the entire event as i do with comic con because i was visiting in laws.  Next year i will be attending the entire event, I am officially a fan

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Photo of Mikey U.

Elite '08

203

294

Mikey U.

San Jose, CA

5 star rating
01/09/2008

"Hi, my name's Mikey.  And... and I'm a geek..."

Wondercon, for all intents and purposes, is Mecca (or "Mecha", horrible fanboyish wordplay intended!) to Northern California's legions of geeky masses.

Feb 22-24, '08 http://www.yelp.com/ev...

Whether your intent is to obtain issues missing from your collection, hunt down sought after or hard to get toys and figures, or simply meet or see a creator that you've been a fan of, Wondercon is your best bet, outside of the "Big Show" (Comic Con International, San Diego!)  The breadth of the showroom will host the countless wares of vendors selling everything from comic books to toys to foreign films to apparel.  Some of today's niche-hipster brands often made an early appearance at these shows on their way to mainstream success... "Urban Vinyl" collectibles (a la Kid Robot) are often premiere'd or even limited to availability at conventions (with the creators sometimes on hand for autographs!).  And pre-Le Sports Sac, Tokidoki developed huge followings at conventions like this...

Just as opportune (and of personal interests to me!) is the Artist's Alley!.  Some of the industry's biggest names and established legends can be found here greeting fans and signing autographs, neighbored by some ingenious and talented upstarts and unknowns who very well may become tomorrow's stars.

*cough*..come see me at the Iron Umbrella Media table in Artist's Alley, if I can put the drink down long enough to write and draw something in time for the show... *cough*

The people watching here cannot be beat!  For 3 days, throngs of people from all walks descend upon Moscone Center, musing about this-n-that, capes and magic, art vs. writing, Hulk vs. Thor, etc., etc.  All the while, a battalion of StormTroopers and Jedi in nigh-authentic garb will likely gather for photo-ops as casually as a family picture at a picnic... (keep an eye out for the Elvis Storm Trooper!).  And though this convention doesn't have the draw of CCI, San Diego, it isn't unusual for [movie] celebrities to make appearances as a promotion for upcoming comicbook/sci-fi films; this year's ('08) possibilities being someone from Iron Man and/or Speed Racer.

Recommendation?  This show's not for everyone, but I can almost guarantee you know someone who'd like it... and geeks need love too!

So, go'head, yo.  Get yer geek'on!!!

... seriously.  
No, c'mon.  
Someone call me...

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Photo of Walter P.

Elite '08

510

398

Walter P.

San Jose, CA

4 star rating
03/10/2008

First off...  JIM LEE ... you're such an a-hole for walking away from your fans that lined up for your ass at the Artist Alley.   Comic celebrity or not.   That's hella f**ked up for just showing up for a few minutes then walking away so you can socialize with your buddies at DC Comics.      That just changed my impression about you!     I couldn't believe what he just did in front of me and your fans.    I didn't want your autograph!   Just a picture to share and put on Yelp or Myspace - Hey I met Jim Lee!    But nope.  What I was so disgusted!     Anyway....

This was my first event ever.   For years, I've missed this show.   My college buddies and I would make plans then forget about the event.      If I had the time and money back in the 90's, this would be a shopping spree for me.   Yes, I was much into comics and toys in elementary and middle school.   When I reached high school, my interested changed (music and girls were my point of interest).   It wasn't until college when my buddies Omar, Richard, and I dropped into a comic shop in Hayward and picked up the Superman Doomsday storyline.   All of a sudden I was hooked again.      Finally after two years of collecting comics and toys, I stopped and stayed with authentic artist prints.      I've adored the beauty of artwork in the form of posters or canvas print.     Thanks to Joe Jusko and his Marvel Masterpieces* from 1992, I always keep an eye out for artist renditions of my favorite superheroes and celebrities.   On this visit, I was able to pick two astonishing prints:    Philip Tan's masterpiece of Batgirl and Jason Palmers's canvas print of "River" from the Serenity TV series.   Both awesome artworks that are well worthy to be in my home as inspiring decorations.    I was so happy to meet these artists in person and have their personalized autographs on their works.    

* Marvel Masterpieces:
http://www.mrcollector...
http://en.wikipedia.or...

In addition, I want to give out a special shout out to fellow Yelper, Mikey U, for inviting us to his artist table - Iron Umbrella and sharing his private collection and artwork.   I do have plans to have him draw an artist rendition of one my favorite superheroes.     Great job Mikey!   Stay with your plans...someday you'll live your dreams.    Just make one big note.     Don't ever be like Jim Lee!   Otherwise, I'll drive down to your crib and kick yo ass in person if you diss me at a comic show!   LOL!

Celebrity Appearances on this day (02/23/08) -  The ones I had to meet and see in person:
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca from Star Wars) - I had to get his autograph, but dayam he's freakin tall and does have a monster hand shake!
Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk TV Series) - This dude is still in great shape!
Chase Masterson (Star Trek Deep Space Nine) - I can still see the sexy Dabo Girl in her.
Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica - Dash)
Herbert Jefferson (Battlestar Galactica - Lt. Boomer)

Highlights:
- Meet up with Tiffany T and the Capcom mega display.    Cute outfit Tiffany!    
- Vader's Fist 501st Legion.  I didn't realize that this group took Star Wars so seriously!    Bad ass costumes and detail to the weaponry.  
- Best Costumes:  Boba Fett and Jango Fett
- Admission:  $12.00 (includes everything...the show, artist alley, movie previews, and nighttime gala of all the costumes.   I missed the nighttime gala this year - I started to run a fever and cold.
- What I Missed:   The following day (Sunday) they were going to have the entire cast of "Serenity" signing autographs.    Dammit!   I really wanted to ask Morena Baccarin and Summer Glau to be my hot dates to any Yelp Elite Event!  Dammit!
http://browncoats.com/...
http://www.wallpaperba...

Tips for next year:
- Parking is hell.    I would suggest carpooling.   Thanks Ed H for driving this year.    We ended up parking at the Museum PARC garage on 3rd and Folsom.
- If you're going to purchase prints, I would bring your own poster tube with carrying case.  These can be found at Michael's or your local art store.     I had some trouble securing my prints during the event.   I didn't want any creases or damages.
- Have lunch outside the event.   There's a bunch of Yelp worthy restaurants in the Moscone area.    I missed lunch and ended up starving throughout the show.
- If you're going to wait in line for Jim Lee, be ready to get dissed.   Yes, I'm still bitter about it.    LOL!

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Photo of Dulce L.

 

17

13

Dulce L.

Albany, CA

5 star rating
09/14/2007

A three-day event that takes place in the heart of SF in late winter, WonderCon is chock-full of comic vendors, artists booths, and soooo much more. A lot of people who attend these conventions might say that WonderCon is "weak" compared to ComicCon, but after frequenting both, you start to realize that WonderCon is the place where you hit all the vendors, blow ridiculous amounts of money on back issues, toys/action figures/articulated miniatures, and hoard as much free swag as you can get your hands on. It's also the eye-opening teaser that begins the countdown to ComicCon at the end of July... It's basically where you get your "fix" that's supposed to tide you over until summer rolls around.

Now and then, a Stormtrooper will pass you by and you can't help but do a double-take. But when you're totally unphased by the extravagant costumes that surround you, you know you're in the zone. The buzz in the air creates an atmosphere that draws you into a childlike sense of wonder and excitement, and for four or five hours, you happily trot from one booth to another and get sucked into the world of comics and/or anime - a world that you lost touch with after you graduated from sixth grade and moved on to more mind-numbing things like clothes, hair, and boys. Oh wait, I'm recounting my personal experience now. I digress.

Anyhow, my thoughts? Do all those things that I mentioned above. If you can squeeze in a panel - great! But if not, don't worry... because that's what ComicCon is for.

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Photo of andy r.

Elite '08

206

288

andy r.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
03/04/2007

We have this thing. It happens every year when WonderCon is announced.

1) White Hot Wife with gigantor X-Men collection leaves announcement in conspicuous location. (Did he just 'out' her secret identity? Aw, no he di-in't!)

2) Clueless Hubby is supposed to feign great interest in attending, even though his interest is pretty much limited to Krazy Kat, a few Acmes and "Reid Fleming--World's Toughest Milkman".

3) WHW agrees that we can go and tears through that place like a whirling drum of 'Stop-Leak' plugging the tiniest holes in her collection.

4) CH wanders about, aimlessly at first, picking up a bitchin' Mach 5 tee. Checks out tables of talented artists sketching everything from courageous to cute to cutting edge, right there on the spot. Unexpectedly meets the artist who did an amazing print he saw and loved months ago and thought he'd never find again.

5) WHW, with her mission completed, attempts to drag CH out of the show. She succeeds only after he purchases the very print he missed out on months ago:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...

6) Fast forward to next February. Clueless Hubby leaves WonderCon announcement in conspicuous location...

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Photo of Kristina R.

Elite '08

946

1968

Kristina R.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
03/04/2007

The only big event I've ever been to where there was no wait for the Ladies Room.  

That, and at lunchtime I ate a sandwich while sitting next to a Wookie.  

FIVE GEEKOID STARS!!

(SOMEONE just reminded me that Wookie is actually spelled W-O-O-K-I-E-E...which means I have discovered another species of geekoid...THE UBER-GEEK!!  Amazing!)

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Photo of sandy t.

Elite '08

25

247

sandy t.

Berkeley, CA

4 star rating
03/06/2007

Boba Fett JR.

is

20 years old.

He was very enthusiastic and friendly and loved to pose for pictures...not the evil little clone bounty hunter we all know from Star Wars.  Also saw Chewbaca (the guy who wears his costume in the movie) and he really is that tall in person....

Despite the crowdedness between the booths and the lingering cloud of B.O. that seemed to follow you everywhere you went...it was pretty damn cool.  My very first convention!

Loved the costume get ups... There were plenty of Trekkies everywhere pushing their baby strollers, cool Storm Troopers hanging out and a very short Alien (from the movie, Alien) standing around.

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Photo of Mister J.

 

86

214

Mister J.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
03/27/2007

Am I a geek? Yes. Yes I am.

I'll admit that I've dressed up as a comic book character or movie character at least once or twice in my life....but usually for Halloween. I just can't see being burdened with a costume when I'm at an event to either see clips from the latest new flick, or walking around the floor looking for something unusual to buy. But other people *do* like to dress up, and that's okay...as long as you're not obnoxious about it, and use deodorant (I'll have to save that for another story).

$10 to get in to see actors hauk their movies like a Hollywood press junket is kind of fun. You also get the occassional freebie or three (1 out of every 10-15 freebies is usually a keeper) just for walking through the doors or past some booths.

While it's definitely tamer than its big brother, Comic Con, Wonder Con isn't exactly as lame as it used to be. Instead of the obscure inkers and artists that used to head the panels of years past, we now get actors and writers and directors that are internationally known. The inkers and artists are still there as well, but now there's a bit more to choose from in what used to be a very limited venue.

I've got to give minus one star to the bait-and-switch Spidey 3 panel though. If you say in advertisement that people from the movie are going to be there, you better damn well have them there.

Anyway, I walked away from this one with some good stuff...original art by Mike Mignola, a Venture Bros. hoodie, a CBDL t-shirt (with Hellboy on it), and a signed lithograph from an independent artist (Sean "Cheeks" Galloway). All in all, not a bad haul.

.

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Photo of patrick o.

Elite '08

88

196

patrick o.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
06/18/2007

Anybody else like Halloween in Feb, March or April?  Here it is people!  

I have gone the last three years and while I can't say I've ever bought more than $100 of anything there, I love just walking around!  One year they had a bunch of Aliens/Predator fans fighting on the floor!  Then there's always porn alley in the back back back corner of this place, with always parents keeping their sons eyes off of the boobage at a young age.  Then there are the occasional stars here like Elisha Cuthbert, Christian Bale, Superman, George Lucas sometimes walks around and of course all of the artists!

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Photo of Wilhelm Y.

Elite '08

108

433

Wilhelm Y.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
03/11/2007

I had a good time at the 2007 WonderCon.  In most years I'll attend the show on a day or two, but I took in all three days this year.  I checked out the exhibit hall on Friday collecting free stuff and movie posters then I waited in lines and visited with a few of my favorite comic book artists.  The Friday night programming which featured winning films from the 2006 Comic Con International's Indie Film Festival was very entertaining; "Zombie Prom" a comic book-turn-reality film starring RuPaul as Ms. Strict was well created and absolutely fun to watch.

I spent most of my Saturday in the Esplanade Ballroom watching movie clips of upcoming features and listening to panel discussions from the creators and stars of some of those soon to be released movies.  Trailer Park which is a half hour presentation of upcoming movie trailers is always a favorite of mine.  The panel discussions with Hilary Swank (The Reaping) and Gerard Butler (300) were tops in my opinion and I never expected Mr. Butler to be as hysterically funny as he was.  I was disappointed that Sony Pictures decided to do an in-depth look at "Surf's Up" (another stupid animated penguin movie!) instead of  "Spider Man 3"; Venom looked pretty cool in the Spidey 3 trailer.

I hardly watch any prime time television anymore because I work nights, but the Sunday panels were quite interesting too.  When they aired the entire episode 14 of Jericho I had no idea what this series was about, but with that slick ending I was curious as to what would happen in episode 15.  I guess I'll have to check out the dvd when it becomes available.  Oh those marketing people are good!  I think I might have been the only person sitting in the front row who had no clue of who Skeet Ulrich, Nathan Fillion and Kristin Lehman were, but Ms. Lehman was kinda hot and Mr. Fillion was very entertaining himself.  Both of the latter stars were there to promote their new Fox series "Drive".

If I were not satisfied with my WonderCon weekend yet, I went home with the coveted full-size movie poster for "300" so I was very pleased.  Great show!

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Elite '08

60

250

jubi l.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
03/06/2007

In Addition to Bucky K.

Mr & I checked this event past Saturday morning. My first time, it was an experience but for some odd reason I felt it's lacking something. I can't quite put my finger on it.

The line was long but the organizers are efficient in making it tolerable. Mr bought a book for $20, retail for $60 from this guy who created most of the characters at Lucas Arts (Sorry, can't remember the name).

I'm irritated with Arthur Adams though....there's line of people paying him to draw something who's been waiting for a long time & all he does is YAP to his friend. Grrrr Talk about Ego (do what you're supposed to do or else go to Starbucks & to talk to your friend there).

Mr had fun testing the Cintiq 21UX, retail $2,499 (maybe if I get promoted I can surprised him with Cintiq this year).

Like that some people dress up....Fee was $12 (next time to avoid long line, buy tickets on will call)

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Elite '08

133

483

Tiffany T.

Beaverton, OR

4 star rating
03/03/2007

Went there this weekend and was impressed by the content, crowd and the line. It took us about 20 to 30 minutes to get in, the line was very long but thankfully the weather made standing outside in the sunshine not so bad. People who bought their tickets online seemed to get in faster so we may do that next year.

I wish I hadn't forgotten my camera. The storm troopers, villains, heroes, and she-devils in costume were pretty trippy. I saw some amazing creative stuff; people put a lot of hard work into their costumes. I loved how much hard work and detail they put in.

I did see some men wearing kilts who shouldn't have been though, and listen guys if it's a black kilt with no plaid it's just a skirt! If Vin Diesel can't pull off the black kilt what makes you think you can. Come on!

We got some freebies. Which were cool. I now have a lot of buttons I don't know what to do with. I have some posters and some bookmarks too. They had a lot of "300" stuff there, and at the Dark Horse booth. Anyone else dying to see that movie?! Is it just me or are the Dark Horse movies cooler then most of the other super hero movies out there. I thought Sin City was a shocking and amazing flick.

Some of my favorite stores had booths there to like Lee's comics and A-1! There were t-shirts, toys, movies, figures, statues, action figures, anime, comics, and so much more to buy! Also Christopher Moore the author was doing a panel today. I missed the actual event (I was stuck in line) however I have read tons of his books, like "Island of the sequined love nun" or "Coyote Blue" or  "A Dirty Job: a novel" or "Fluke". He's an amazing writer and it was so awesome he was there. The also have lots of comic book artists and authors signing items and talking to fans. And they had Elvira mistress of the dark signing autographs.

Fun event, a lot of people took their kids and got their pictures taken with those in costume. A must for any comicbook or superhero junkie!

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Photo of Kim A.

 

2

33

Kim A.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
03/11/2007

WonderCon is awesome. I was manning the Brand Fury booth this year, which made it even more uber cool because I got in free. Whee!
Selling things and passing out postcards is a small price to pay for that.
There was a huge selection of dealers and artists (which were the people I had mot contact with). The best advice i can give you is to guard your wallet, not because someone will steal it, but because you may end up spending every last ounce of cash you have. You can probably find any, and I mean any, type of comic that you want. Get into specifics if you want, and you'll be bale to find it and get it cheaper than you would find it anywhere else. Because dealers generally bump the prices down a little or cut of tax if you pay with cash. Heck, practically everyone ONLY takes cash.

I recommend using an ATM OUTSIDE of the convention as well. The one or two that they have within the center are always mobbed.

WonderCon has this really good vibe that I just adored. You can meet all sorts of cool people, and if you are an artist then you can get good advice from the professionals and amateurs that are there and have booths.

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Photo of Divya R.

 

15

43

Divya R.

Fremont, CA

5 star rating
06/08/2007

WonderCon this year was pretty cool. The costumes and makeup as usual awesome. Hilary Swank was there to promote "The Reaping". There was a preview of "300" for the first 300 folk who registered I think. I missed Zack Snyder, Gerard Butler and Lena Headey, but that's ok, I was at the anime room where the panel was talking about Kindaichi, Death Note, Naruto, Monster etc.

There is always something for everyone, so don't miss it the next time.

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Photo of Linda B.

Elite '08

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Linda B.

Oakland, CA

5 star rating
02/25/2007

WonderCon (San Francisco) has been called a miniature Comic Con (San Diego).  It is that, but it is much more:  it's accessbile.

I have been to Comic Con three times, and each year it gets more difficult to navigate, find a hotel room, get into the programming rooms, just walk around.  WonderCon is terrifically easy to do all those things.

Last year, however, they closed down the main dealer room because there were too many people in it on Saturday morning.  The show keeps getting larger and larger.  It's nice to see Metreon planners recognize this, and move to larger space each of the past three years.

I am not into comics.  I am not into acquiring toys.  I'm there for the movie and T.V. promos, for the freebies, and to see what Hollywood producers and actors will show up.  If there's at all a problem with WonderCon, it's that you don't know who's going to show up.  The year we were there for Spider-Man 2 and Tobey Maguire showed up, there was some advance notice (about two days).  (And it was soo cute when the little boy asked him how that web stuff worked.  Tobey tried to keep the "magic" surrounding that, but it was difficult.)

So I'll be there again this year (the beginning of March), running back and forth between the dealer room (where the freebies and the autographing stars are) and the big programming room.  Whew.

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Photo of elrod m.

 

42

311

elrod m.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
12/22/2007

one of actually the few places on this planet, where the guys have bigger boobs than the girls.  nerds unite!

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Elite '08

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jessica m.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
02/25/2006

This is an Event.  Not an event, but an Event.  Oh Lord, where do I start?  I've had a comic collection since I was six.  And I've played games since Colecovision and Atari were cutting edge.  AND... I enjoy (or have enjoyed) Star Trek, Star Wars, D&D, Troma movies, porn, men in costume, women in costume, alien culture, superheroes, fantasy... (big, deep breath) ... geeks, dorks, goths, ninjas, holographs, refurbished fairy tales, B to Q-List celebrities, and nachos.

Well, friends, WonderCon had all of the above.  2006 was my first comic convention and there were some standards (Kevin Smith) and greats (Frank Miller) and obvious brilliance (the East Bay Star Wars FanClub).  Call me sheltered, but I didn't know that Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were really storm troopers.  Nice costumes, boys.

The lectures ran long and got a bit off schedule, but the Q&A to Superman's Brandon Routh and Bryan Singer was high entertainment, particularly when someone that I couldn't see (imagining a Jar Jar Binks costume) asked if he could hand Singer a business card because he writes scripts.  Most people booed, a couple cheered.  Someone also asked him about the allegation that he likes young boys and another asked Routh about the codpiece fitting.  

Some good trailers and teasers.  "One Man Band" is the best film short I've seen.  Ever.  Lots of bootleg stuff to buy, lots of artists to watch, soo many people to laugh at (in good nature, of course - I admire their gusto and creativity).  Go go go to WonderCons of the future!!!!  And if you see Mr. Lobo, pet his houseplant for me... and then run very fast.

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Elite '08

315

322

Bucky K.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
03/05/2007

Announcement in the main hall:
"Before the presentation starts we would like to remind all attendees to turn off cell phones and lightsabers."
Only at WonderCon. For the uninitiated, the Con is a three-day weekend event where the primary focus is on comic-books but branches out into all things geek. Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, etc. The convention has two areas. First, the exhibition hall where the booths are located. This is where you see big companies like DC, Image, and even movie studios giving out swag. Marvel was a noticeably absent presence this year. This is also where you can meet "celebrities" and pay for their autograph. At the booths I saw Richard Hatch (from BSG not Survivor), Peter Mayhew, Ray Park, Timmie from the old Lassie TV show(on and on)... Weird... The second area of the convention is the presentation rooms. Talks, lectures, Q and A's. Hollywood has realized how much money this community likes to spend so they bring stars and directors for their dog and pony show. We sat through the Q & A for 300 and Spider-Man 3. The Spider-Man slot was a bait and switch. What should have been 45 mins about the Spider-Man film was actually 40 mins on other Sony products and then a new Spider-Man trailer that they showed twice. There wasn't that many huge "names" here this year and not a whole lot to get overly excited about. But, even if you aren't into this type of thing it is an experience just to head down and take in the crowd. The geeks shall inherit the earth...

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Elite '08

35

961

charlotte s.

Oakland, CA

4 star rating
03/05/2007

in the end, it seems like the problem of parking will always be the main downer in san francisco...

i was waiting for months for this event... we tried going on saturday, but traffic and parking in the vicinity was too chaotic.
why did the parking structure on mission between 4th and 5th st think it was a good idea to close the entrance to it on the minna st. side??
that's pretty lame.  don't you want to distribute the traffic evenly so it doesn't all bottle up on the mission st. entrances?  apparently people who run the parking structure aren't very smart...
since we didn't have very much time as it was, we gave up in the end and left to finish the errands we had to run...
sandy t. and her husband were lucky enough to make it and got to see some 'celebrities'...
hopefully next year we'll have more time to try and go...
but then as we left, husband did tell me he'd take me to ComicCon instead!!! :D

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Gary B.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
03/27/2007

I'm glad I waited on this review to allow some perspective. Having just returned from Wizard World LA a 3 to 4 star review just became a 5 star review. We should be grateful that the fine folks of Comic Con International (producers of the San Diego comic con) took over Wonder Con. It could have gone to the soulless bastards of Wizard Entertainment. Having lived in San Francisco for five years and attending Wonder Con all five of them it has improved every time. Although some may say this year lacked the star power of years before it still retained its essence. It feels a lot like the San Diego Comic Cons of ten years ago. Yes there are the continual gripes of no comics at the comic convention, but I disagree. I have an extensive collection and have found some rare and bizarre items here. The panels are still far superior, more informative than any other con in the world. One must remember Comic Con International is a non-profit organization. Every dollar it makes gets sunk back into the convention. There organization is second to none, but they do make mistakes, who doesn't? This years big one was the non-excitant Spider-Man 3 panel.
So it's not a perfect convention, but it is getting there and I'm damn glad we have it and I thank all there is geeky that Wizard Entertainment doesn't run it. See you in July at San Diego!

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JEANNIE L.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
03/08/2007

where else can you go in san francisco and see people dressed up like it's halloween all over again?  took some pictures with storm troopers, alien (from the alien movies), and mighty mouse and his entourage ! i liked seeing young children dressed up in their costumes and how they're getting into reading comics and star wars.  i always have fun at wondercon (even though i'm working there for the weekend), but for some reason this year, it was lacking something for me.  was it because there weren't enough freebies as years passed? or was it the fact that it felt so small compared to san diego comicon? *shrug* i don't think anything really will compare to san diego comicon, but wondercon is a good start to the convention season for me.

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