‘Die Hard’ Screenwriter Steve E. de Souza, GoBots and Popular Animated Super Hero TV series Spotlight Warner Archive panels at WonderCon
By Staff Reports
Warner Archive Collection presents an incredibly eclectic quartet of panels at WonderCon this coming weekend, April 18-20, spotlighting everything from popular animated super hero TV series and kooky cartoon music to real-life heroes in animation (and back again) and the original transforming toy robots, The GoBots.
The talent on these four panels also covers the entertainment gamut, highlighted by the appearance of renowned screenwriter Steven E. de Souza (Die Hard, 48 HRS.) discussing his 1987 cult classic TV movie, “The Spirit”; beloved animation creators Alan Burnett, Kelly Ward, Giancarlo Volpe and James Tucker; popular voice actor Josh Keaton; and making his first-ever Con appearance, the heralded voice of the GoBots’ Leader-1, Lou Richards.T
Also notable amongst the panel presentations will be the exhibition of unaired, never-before-seen footage from the animated series, “Beware the Batman” during the “Popular TV Super Heroes Look Better in Blu” panel on Saturday from 11:30am-12:30pm in Room 300DE.
In addition to the four panels, Warner Archive Collection will have an action-packed, informative booth presence on the convention floor of WonderCon. And immediately following the Saturday afternoon panel, the Warner Archive booth will host an autograph signing with Steven E. de Souza starting at approximately 1:15pm.
The Warner Archive Collection panels for WonderCon include:
Saturday, 4/19/14
11:30am–12:30pm Popular TV Super Heroes Look Better in Blu – Warner Archive Collection continues to thrill fans with Blu-ray presentations of some of the popular, recent DC-based animated TV series. Revisit Green Lantern: The Animated Series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Beware the Batman with producers, directors, writers and voice talent, and discuss WAC’s potential future offerings. WAC podcast hosts DW Ferranti and Matthew Patterson lead a panel that features GL:TAS producer Giancarlo Volpe and actor Josh Keaton, BTBATB producer James Tucker, and other surprise guests – not to mention unaired, never-before-seen footage of Beware the Batman! Room 300DE
Saturday, 4/19/14
7:00–8:00pm Toonstock with Warner Archive Collection – There’s no better way to start WonderCon’s Saturday night than with a spotlight on toe-tapping, music-themed animated TV series from the past 50 years, including Josie and Pussycats in Outer Space, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids, The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan, Jabberjaw and more. Warner Archive Collection podcast hosts Matt Patterson and DW Ferranti – and a few surprises – offer a fun look/listen to great themes songs from 1960-1990s. Might even Room 300AB
Sunday, 4/20/14
Noon–1:00pm From Chuck Norris to Mr. T: Real-Life Toons and Back Again! – Not only have a bevy of live-action stars like Chuck Norris, Mr. T and the Globetrotters played huge roles in nearly forgotten cartoons, but many popular ‘toon heroes – like The Spirit, Captain Marvel and Steel – have made the journey from four-color panels to live-action film. Warner Archive Collection podcast hosts DW Ferranti and Matthew Patterson – and a few surprise guests, like renowned screenwriter Steve E. de Souza (Die Hard, 48 HRS.) – celebrate these luminaries and more in their favorite, sometimes-forgotten adaptations in an undoubtedly hilarious hour-long panel. Room 300AB
Sunday, 4/20/14
3:00–4:00pm GoBots, Warner Archive Collection and beyond! – There are morphing robots and then there’s the GoBots! Warner Archive Collection puts a spotlight on the ultimate transforming robots with a release of the entire series on DVD, and a panel that features the voice of Leader1 himself, Lou Richards; story editor/writer Alan Burnett; writer Kelly Ward; and all-knowing WAC podcast hosts Matthew Patterson and DW Ferranti. Come for the GoBots, stay for all kinds of fun WAC information, including a hearty shout-out to Jonny Quest on his 50th Anniversary. Room 300AB