WonderCon 2025 - Day One Recap
WonderCon 2025 is officially underway, and the energy on Day One did not disappoint. As always, it brings that perfect blend of big fandom vibes and a more personal, laid-back space to connect with creators and fellow fans alike.
The day started strong with a hotel buffet breakfast (never underestimate the power of bottomless bacon and a custom omelet), and then I was off to the show floor with one goal in mind: Silver Surfer. Volume 1. I've been slowly rebuilding my collection, and today I struck gold…or chrome, I guess? Five issues, in the bag! Still chasing a few minor grails from within the run including issue #3 (Mephisto’s first appearance) and that stunning Thor vs. Surfer cover on issue #4, but scoring five in one day? I’ll take that win.
My next stop was a personal must-see: Dustin Nguyen’s table in Artist Alley. Dustin is a master of visual storytelling, best known for Descender and Ascender with Jeff Lemire, and a long list of gorgeous Batman work. His watercolor style is instantly recognizable—dreamlike, precise, and always full of heart. I’ve admired his work for years, so getting a Storm Eagle commission for my Mega Man X themed collection was a dream come true. He’s also been part of some recent, important conversations online about how artists are treated by major publishers, particularly Marvel. It’s a conversation we need to keep having, and I respect him for speaking out.
After that, I swung by to see Dan Slott, get my Silver Surfer omnibus signed, and sit in on his spotlight panel. The discussion centered around long-form storytelling and what it takes to keep a vision intact across years in a collaborative medium like comics. Dan didn’t shy away from the challenges—and he didn’t hold back on the humor, either. One highlight: how during Superior Spider-Man, he kept up the narrative that Peter Parker was truly gone. Only two people knew otherwise: Stan Lee and Andrew Garfield. And both kept the secret!
I also had a great chat with David Pepose about what’s next for Space Ghost, and got to reiterate just how much I’ve loved that series so far. If you're a fan of classic properties being treated with real heart and narrative weight, Pepose has been knocking it out of the park. On that note—just a reminder that Captain Planet Final Order Cutoff (FOC) is this Monday, and you should absolutely get those pre-orders in. Based on his work so far, it’s clear this story’s in good hands.
Not long after, I swung by David Mack’s table to get a Daredevil book signed and catch up with him a bit. David is genuinely one of the nicest guys in the business: gracious, present, and incredibly kind with fans. He’s getting some extra attention right now thanks to the new season of Daredevil streaming, and it's well deserved. His painterly, mixed-media style remains one of the most unique voices in comics.
The day rolled right into another legend’s panel: Todd McFarlane. Say what you want, the man knows how to tell a story, both on the page and on the stage. He shared memories of submitting early work, the rocky start to his career, and the moment he thought he’d hit a dead end: “I got fired from G.I. Joe at 12:07. By 12:15, I had a call asking if I wanted to draw Batman: Year Two. That’s how fast it changed. Eight minutes unemployed. I don’t think I can claim unemployment for that!” From Infinity Watch to Spawn and beyond, Todd’s journey is one of hustle, timing, and knowing when to bet on yourself, while also providing valuable insight and transparency on the pitfalls that can trip up creators.
After all that, I was ready for something a little more chill, and the Funko rooftop mixer (which I was able to attend thanks to my buddy Weston of Arcane Anthems) was just the thing. Good vibes, great people, and an unbeatable view of the Disneyland fireworks to cap off a stellar first day.
Day One of WonderCon 2025? A total success. Here’s to whatever surprises Day Two has in store!
