And we're back! Just over two weeks and counting as we prepare for WonderCon 2026! Final preparations are already being made because if this year is anything like last year, I really don't wanna be packing the morning I leave again! What can I say? I was REALLY busy last March. WonderCon came at just the right time! Anyway, enough of that hoo haw! You want pics! I want to show you pics! Supply and demand folks, so cap up those Code Red Mountain Dews and brace yourselves as we head back to the year 2022 and a rather unique convention experience as the CRAZY WonderCon Countdown sails on! Enjoy...
We've entered a post-pandemic world folks, and that meant masks were still required for very large gatherings. That didn't mean we couldn't have some fun with it still. Why, Jack Sparrow here just made it part of the costume! Sometimes you just need a little ingenuity!
Well these folks look like a wholesome couple!
Not sure that passed for an adequate face covering.
Bounty Hunters were hired to make sure the rules were followed. Most complied with few incidents.
These R2 Units look like they are about to charge into battle!
Some rogue Cosplayers, including a couple of Kamen Riders, were ready for some Uptown Funk!
As you might've guessed, attendance at WonderCon at 2022 wasn't huge that year. It certainly made for an easier experience as far as walking the aisles and getting some good booth scores went. Things had actually improved drastically in California by that point, but it was largely up to the venues and the shows themselves if they wanted to implement mask policies. WonderCon took the safe-than-sorry approach and I think it was the right call.
Ursula was looking for some poor unfortunate souls to make a deal with. My voice wasn't very desirable apparently.
He's his own best friend!
Hard to believe this year marks a full decade since we lost the Starman himself, David Bowie. This Ziggy Stardust Cosplay seemed appropriate for this week's post. It should also be noted that mask policies were largely indoors only that year, hence the reason you'll notice a lot of unmasked Cosplayers in outdoor shots.
If that weapon ain't allowed in the Mist Village, then it ain't gonna be allowed here too!
I forget what this was for, but the mural was really cool. They'd had it at Comic Con Special Edition the previous November as well. Also, the creator of Rainbow Brite passed away recently, so kudos to giving a nod to one of the 1980's most iconic characters.
With most of Cobra's soldiers having moved on, Cobra Commander decided to try and persuade the Rescue Rangers into joining his fold! Needless to say, Gadget wasn't interested!
Finally, we end this week's post with some killer Kamen Rider Cosplay! In recent years, the property's had a really big signal boost here in the States, which is wild as the original attempt at bringing it here, 1995's Masked Rider, was a HUGE flop. So much so that the property's creator refused to let Saban Productions make further adaptations of it and even had it in his will when he passed away! Talk about holding a grudge? He was right to be mad though. The American version was barely recognizable to its more action packed Japanese predecessor. Luckily, thanks to a more open digital world, Western fans are starting to learn more about these awesome Tokusatsu shows without having to watch dumbed down localized versions of them.
And that was WonderCon 2022! Certainly a very different show than what we had grown accustomed to, but that was the state of the world we were living in at the time. Hopefully, we'll never have to go through something like that ever again... And be much better prepared if we do. As for the actual show, it was a lot of fun, with the real highlight being the awesome Tiki themed booth that Funko hosted! It felt so good to get back out there and see folks again and connect with old friends. It was like coming back to high school after the summer; just a bunch of catching up.
Well, another week down as we get closer to the big dance! But fear not! We got plenty of pics left, so be sure to come back next week and see where WonderCon 2023 takes us! Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!
