SAN FRANCISCO - WonderCon, the sister-show to mega blockbuster Comic-Con in San Diego, recently announced its impressive line-up of comics related programming for the three-day weekend from Friday, February 27 though Sunday, March 1, in San Francisco, California.

WonderCon features the best in a variety of specialty programming including the very best from Hollywood film and television, but comics are the core of the 23-year-old event. "Like Comic-Con in San Diego, we go out of our way to include the most acclaimed professionals in the comics industry when presenting panels and programs," commented David Glanzer, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for both WonderCon and Comic-Con. "Those professionals include past and present superstars of the industry, as well as newer talent who are carrying this great medium well into the 21st century."

Special guests for the three-day event will be featured prominently in spotlight panels and other programs and includes Sergio Aragonés, Brian Azzarello, Ed Brubaker, Mark Evanier, Matt Fraction, Gary Friedrich, Dave Johnson, Jim Lee, Aaron Lopresti, Wendy Pini, Trina Robbins, Alex Robinson, James Robinson, Stan Sakai, Roy Thomas, and Jill Thompson. Click here for bios for all of our Special Guests.

These guest appearances include unique opportunities for professionals to appear on stage together including Jim Lee interviewing Brian Azzarello, Mike Mignola interviewing Jill Thompson, Howard Chaykin interviewing Dave Johnson, Ed Brubaker with Matt Fraction, and Matt Fraction with Michael Chabon.

The special guests will also take part on panels about graphic novels (Wendy Pini, Alex Robinson, Stan Sakai, along with David Petersen), comic book couples (Brian Azzarello and Jill Thompson, Wendy and Richard Pini, Trina Robbins and Steve Leialoha, along with Jackie Estrada and Batton Lash), and a look at the creation of comic book covers (Dave Johnson, Jim Lee, Aaron Lopresti, and Wendy Pini), to name just a few.

The Comics Arts Conference returns to WonderCon with a full weekend of academic-themed programming, including looks at such topics as the science of superheroes, comic art in the gallery, the power of comics, and much more. Additional education-oriented programs include "Secret Origin of Good Readers," "Graphic Novels in Libraries," "Comics for Middle Schoolers," and more. Click here for in-depth information about The Comics Arts Conference.

Bay Area cartoonists figure prominently into the schedule with program appearances by Keith Knight, Gene Yang, Paige Braddock, Lee Marrs, Justin Hall and more, talking about everything from comics storytelling to the birth of Gay Comix.

Additionally major comic book publishers such as DC, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Oni Press, BOOM! Studios, SLG Publishing, Aspen, Top Cow, and - for the first time in many years - Marvel, will present panels and sneak peeks at new titles at the convention.

WonderCon remains true to its 23-year history as one of the leading comics and popular arts conventions in the country with another great line-up of comics-oriented programs and events.

WonderCon is operated by Comic-Con International, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.