Commemorative Bob Wilkins poster by Mr. Lobo.
WonderCon returns to the Moscone Center in San Francisco, brought to you by the madmen behind the massive San Diego Comic Con International! This year, I will be hosting my usual Japanese Superheroes Now! presentation, as well as a behind-the-scenes journey to the Golden Age of Toho's kaiju eiga with Godzilla and the Master of Monsters. I also will be sitting in on a presentation on the late Horror Host Bob Wilkins, and there will be a special screening of the documentary Watch Horror Films, Keep America Strong. Hopefully I can squeeze a book signing in, too!
• Friday, February 27th
5:30-7:00 WATCH HORROR FILMS, KEEP AMERICA STRONG
For 14 years (1971-1984) Creature Features was one of the most popular programs in San Francisco Bay Area television history, hosted by the late Bob Wilkins for eight years (followed by John Stanley for another six). Wilkins' sharp wit and unusually droll humor and Stanley's celebrity interviews and encyclopedic knowledge are all part of Watch Horror Films, Keep America Strong, a feature-length documentary illuminating a bygone era of local television. Watch Horror Films also features interviews with Wilkins, Stanley, and other key figures — not to mention classic clips from the show! Room 220
• Saturday, February 28th
2:30-3:30 JAPANESE SUPERHEROES NOW: 2009!
Author August Ragone (Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters) returns for his 15th anniversary roundup of the latest superhero and kaiju productions from Japan: Kamen Rider Decade, Samurai Task Force: Shinkenger, Superior 8 Ultra Brothers and Ultra Galaxy: Giant Monster Battle Neo. Plus, see clips from recent stateside DVD releases, including Gamera the Brave, Inazuman, Super Robot: Red Baron, Kitaro, and more! Room 236/238
• Sunday, March 1st
3:00-4:00 A TRIBUTE TO BOB WILKINS
Join John Stanley, Bob Shaw, Rob Wilkins, Mr. Lobo, Ernie Fosselius, Tom Wyrsch and August Ragone for an information-packed journey through the life and career of the late Bob Wilkins, host of the Bay Area's mega-popular Creature Features horror movie show (1971-1979). The panel will share personal memories about Wilkins and show rare video clips and photos, as well as introduce scenes from the newly released DVD documentary, Watch Horror Films, Keep America Strong, which examines the history of one of the Bay Area's most beloved television legends. Room 220
4:00-5:00 GODZILLA AND THE MASTER OF MONSTERS
Author August Ragone (Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters) presents a visual tribute to Japan's Master of Monsters, Eiji Tsuburaya, the man who created the special effects for Godzilla and invented the kaiju eiga (giant monster movie) genre. See over a hundred rare, behind-the-scenes photographs from some of his major films, such as Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra, all in one big presentation! Room 220
Check out the WonderCon link for a full listing of their guests, events and programs.
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