Wonder what? Wondercon!

Last Tuesday evening as I waited for Marc to come home from class, I was plopped down in front of the TV. All of a sudden, a commercial for Wondercon comes on. Mind you, I have no clue what it was but the fact that Zachary Levi was going to be there was enough to trigger me to impulsively buy tickets that instant. I immediately went on the website, searched the schedule and bought tickets to the convention for Sunday. When Marc came home a few minutes later, I asked him what we were doing for easter and the conversation went like this:

A: What are we doing this weekend?

M: I want to go to the church events on Friday and Saturday.

A: And Sunday?

M: I need to study.

A: I bought tickets to Wondercon!

M: You did what?!

A: Wondercon! Wondercon! Wondercon!

By this time, Marc is suspicious (and elated) as he explains to me that Wondercon is the small-scale version and sister event to ComicCon in San Diego which he has been trying to get me to go to since we've been dating. To me, it seemed to be a 'kiddy' event so I found every excuse not to go each year. So the conversation continues:

M: Ok, why did you buy tickets?

A: To surprise you!

M: The real reason, please.

A: CHUCK! (i've been a Chuck fan since day 1!)

M: It takes Zachary Levi for you to go to something like this with me?

A: No? Yes!?

I honestly had no idea what to expect other than a bunch of children running around. My instincts proved me wrong as I looked at the line of attendees-95% adults, dressed up in their favorite characters. I even landed my eyes on a husband-wife couple suited up as Batman and Cat Woman. Wow! I instantly felt out of place and kind of wish that I had dressed up too! Hahaha! I surprisingly had a fun time, mostly gawking at the artists as they sketched. While drawing may be a skill that could be learned, I truly feel that these people are indeed gifted as the things they drew were evidence of their vivid imaginations.

Green Lantern and Flash were on the cover of this year's Wondercon program.

p.s. I had no idea who they were!

Marc at the Dante's Inferno (some video game) circle.

I am buying this for the Wii! But first, I must go home to So-Cal and acquire my Wii from my sister.

Lou Ferrigno! Ella, you can tell Shelb that Marc has come face to face with The Incredible Hulk!

Mark Valley, the star of Human Target along with exec producer, Jonathan Steinberg.

Another Human Target star, Jackie Earle Haley. I'm not so much a fan of the show but I was willing enough to sit through their preview and Q&A to stake out seats for the next panel. Apparently, they don't clear out the rooms so people stay plastered in their seats for hours on end.

Finally, the moment I've been waiting for-Chuck panel! The best part was that we got to watch tonight's episode before anyone else and it was spectacular! Go watch it at 8pm tonight!

Pictured above are Chris Fedak and Josh Schwartz-the geniuses (writers) behind the show.

Adam Baldwin (John Casey) and Joshua Gomez (Morgan Grimes) were hilarious!

Zachary Levi (Chuck)-highlight of my day! It's funny how closely his personality resembles his character. That cheesy laugh we hear and the sly smirk he makes on the show seem to be part of his mannerisms in real life.

Zachary made so many weird faces during the Q&A. It was hard not to take pictures.

Overall, Wondercon was fantastic! I met artists, writers, devoted fans, and a few stars. I learned a lot about comics, shows and cartoons-not just the writing and drawing but even the music, costuming and make-up as well. Apparently, Jake Gyllenhaal was on a panel on Saturday! Ah!!

As we drove home through stormy San Francisco at the end of the day, Marc asked, "So will you finally go to ComiCon with me?" I happily said "Yes."