WonderCon 2020 was among the first string of major events in the entertainment world preempted by the then-young COVID-19 pandemic. We’re approaching the one-year mark from when the pandemic first took hold of life in the United States; while the distribution of vaccines prompts hope, events like WonderCon remain unable to reopen in standard fashion. In step with last year’s protocol, 2021 WonderCon will operate in a strictly virtual capacity.
Though this might ring as an unsurprising decision, it represents a change of Comic-Con International’s original plans for WonderCon 2021. The organization had initially teased an in-person convention, set per recent tradition at the Anaheim Convention Center; these plans scheduled the con to run between March 26 and March 28.
However, on Thursday, Comic-Con International, announced the cancelation of the in-person event—news we caught via IGN. In lieu of the usual format, WonderCon will take virtual form, much as it did in 2020. The event will operate on March 26 and March 27. As part of its announcement on the matter, CCI noted the financial constraints it has faced thanks to COVID-19:
“Our commitment to the community of fans who enjoy WonderCon and the celebration of comics and related popular art remains an important part of who we are. It is because of that dedication that we are happy to announce that WonderCon will again be held as the virtual WonderCon@Home. The challenges of this past year and the postponement of our two largest events have left us with limited financial resources, therefore WonderCon@Home will be a two-day celebration instead of the usual three days as we continue to marshal our resources for Comic-Con this summer.”
A formal lineup for the event has yet to reveal; however, CCI added, “We are currently in the process of lining up great programming, amazing exhibitors, terrific gaming, and all of the many aspects that make WonderCon a fan-favorite event.” Further information will no doubt go public before long.
