Bringing the Conversation of Animation to WonderCon
There’s a difference between attending a convention and actually helping shape what happens there.
This weekend, I’ll be at WonderCon 2026 in Anaheim, California—one of the largest pop culture conventions in the U.S., bringing together fans and creators across comics, film, television, and animation.
I’ll be there as Vice President of ASIFA-Hollywood, and for me, the goal isn’t just to show up—it’s to help bring the conversation of animation into the room in a meaningful way.
That means creating space for real discussions about where animation is, where it’s going, and who is helping push it forward.
It Starts With the People
One of the things I’m most excited about this year is the group of people we’ve brought together.
A number of the panelists are people I know personally—friends, collaborators, and artists I deeply respect. Many of them have generously agreed to be part of these panels, and that means a lot to me.
Because when you know the people behind the work, you understand the level of care, craft, and innovation they bring to it. These aren’t just names on a schedule. These are individuals actively shaping what animation looks like today.
And getting to see them on stage, talking openly about their process and ideas, is something I genuinely appreciate.
Jorge Gutierrez and the Power of a Clear Voice
One of the highlights for me is the panel with Jorge R. Gutierrez, a director, writer, and artist known for The Book of Life, Maya and the Three, and El Tigre.
Jorge’s work stands out immediately. It’s bold, it’s specific, and it feels authored in an increasingly rare way. His use of Lucha Libre imagery, mythology, and what he calls “Meximalism” isn’t just visual—it’s cultural storytelling at a very intentional level.
That kind of clarity of voice is something I think the industry needs more of right now.
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Looking Back Still Matters
We’re also taking time to look at classic animation—not just for nostalgia, but to understand why it still works.
Working with Jerry Beck, we’re presenting theatrical shorts that remain incredibly effective. When you watch work from Chuck Jones or Tex Avery, you’re reminded that great animation isn’t about trends. It’s about fundamentals—timing, character, and clarity of storytelling.
That foundation continues to influence everything being made today, whether people realize it or not.
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Animation Is Expanding—And So Are the Voices
Another conversation I’m really interested in focuses on how animation moves across formats.
Presented in collaboration with LXiA, this panel looks at how a story evolves from animation into comics and beyond, featuring Rey Mysterio and Hermanos Calavera.
We’re seeing more voices come forward, more ownership of storytelling, and more cultural identity embedded directly into the work. That’s not a side conversation anymore—that’s central to where animation is heading.
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This Is Where Animation Grew Up
The prime-time animation panel is another one I’m looking forward to.
This panel brings together creators including Cecilia Aranovich (Harley Quinn, Bob’s Burgers), Mike Hollingsworth (BoJack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie), Monica Mitchell (Rick and Morty, South Park), John Semper (Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Static Shock), and Carol Wyatt (The Simpsons, Rick and Morty).
Shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy didn’t just succeed—they changed how audiences and the industry viewed animation.
They represent the moment animation stopped asking for permission.
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On Stage with Floyd Norman: A Living Link to Animation History
On Sunday at 2 p.m. in room 211, I’ll also be moderating a conversation with Floyd Norman, a Disney legend whose career spans some of the most important chapters in animation history.
Floyd Norman started at Disney in 1959 on Sleeping Beauty and helped shape classics like 101 Dalmatians and The Jungle Book. Later, he moved to Pixar, contributing to Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc.—a career that uniquely spans both the golden age of animation and its digital evolution.
For me, this panel is especially meaningful. Floyd represents a direct connection to the history of animation and to its evolution. Having the opportunity to sit with him and talk about that journey—where the medium has been and where it’s going—is something I’m genuinely looking forward to.
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Where the Conversation Actually Happens
At the end of the day, what I care about most isn’t just the panels themselves. It’s what comes out of them.
It’s the unexpected insight. The moment when someone on stage says something that reframes how you see the work. Or the moment offstage where two people connect and something new starts to take shape.
That’s what we’re trying to create space for.
Not just panels. Not just appearances. But conversations that actually reflect where animation is and where it’s going.
And if we’ve done it right, those conversations don’t end when the panel does. They move somewhere else.
