When San Diego’s hallowed geckaphile convention, Comic-Con, canceled because of COVID-19 (and later made into a virtual experience, Comic-Con @ Home, in July), there was weeping and gnashing of nerd teeth, but leave it to DC Comics to fix all that with its first-ever DC FanDome this August!
Save the date and prep your cosplay! On Saturday, August 22, starting at 10 a.m. PDT, Warner Bros. will welcome fans everywhere into the DC FanDome—a free virtual fan experience where no badge is required.
DC Comics release
The DC FanDome is breaking the Internet at the time of this posting, probably because most geckaphiles, comic enthusiasts, and misanthrope DCEU fan club don’t expect DC Comics to do the right thing. (Well, there is that loud hoopla still coming from the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut posse.) But this could change everything…
According to the DC FanDome website, this will be “a free, global, 24-hour virtual convention” that is certain to blow our leotard-wearing minds away. Here’s what we know so far:
DC FanDome Map
Apparently, there are several “verses” in this holy writ for the DC Comics faithful. Just look at that!
The epicenter of the DC FanDome is the Hall of Heroes, where you can experience special programming, panels and content reveals from a wide variety of films, TV series and games, available in several languages
DCCOMICS/DCFANDOME
Among those verses will be the popular panels we have come to expect at various Comic-Cons and nerd gatherings across the nation. They have already promised chats on upcoming (and other delayed) DC/WB films like The Suicide Squad, The Batman, The Snyder Cut, and Wonder Woman 1984. We even have art:
This, of course, is from the eagerly anticipated James Gunn re-whatever of David Ayer’s Suicide Squad. (And yes, we can talk about #ReleaseTheAyerCut later.) There will also be other announcements from WB Games, film, TV, comics, and a few other things DC fans will wet their pants upon discovery.
Here is a breakdown of those verses, taken from the website and press release:
DC WatchVerse: Here’s where you grab a seat, sit back and join our virtual audience and become completely engrossed in hours of must-see content from around the world. Everything from panels and exclusive screenings to never-before-seen footage, featuring cast, creators and behind-the-scenes crew from across DC Films, TV, Home Entertainment and Games.
DC YouVerse: Venture into this world where the FANS are the stars to see the most amazing user-generated content, cosplay and fan art from around the world, including, perhaps, your own.
DC KidsVerse: Need a way to entertain your kids for hours on end? We’ve got you covered inside a special world, which can be accessed directly at DCKidsFanDome.com. This area features a broad range of family-friendly activations for our younger fans.
DC InsiderVerse: This creativity-based world contains a centerpiece video featuring legendary artist and DC CCO/Publisher Jim Lee, President of DC-Based Film Production Walter Hamada, and creator of the DC TV Arrowverse, Executive Producer Greg Berlanti, welcoming fans with a 101-style introduction to the DC Multiverse. From there, go behind the scenes with the master artisans who bring DC to life in all its forms, from comic books to games, TV, movies, theme parks, consumer products and more.
DC FunVerse: Take your DC FanDome experience and gather cool shareables; check out our comic book reader; DIY cool WW84 Golden Armor and Batmobile kits; plus digital giveaways and a store filled with merchandise, including some limited-edition exclusives.
DC FanDome Cosplay
If this is your thing, they want all cosplay artists to strut their stuff and put it all on full display. As the DC FanDome website shares, “there’s nothing more important to DC than our fans.” If you have makeup, tattoos, setup, storyboards, homemade mystiques, and “even your own Batcave.” If you really want to gawk at the originality of fans, there is no other way than with cosplay.
Be sure to submit your best at create.DCFanDome.com for a chance to be featured inside this virtual world event, and demonstrate to people across the globe that you are the ultimate DC Super Fan. Selected artists on the day of our event will be voted on by the community in each of our two competitions in order to help our judges pick selected artist winners. Selected artist winners will receive part of a cash prize pool courtesy of DC and Talenthouse.
DC FANDOME WEBSITE
If you want to position your suck-up prowess, plan some cosplay around what DC Comics has already discussed featuring among its vast library of DC films and TV series, including: Aquaman, The Batman, Batwoman, Black Adam, Black Lightning, DC Super Hero Girls, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, DC’s Stargirl, Doom Patrol, The Flash, Harley Quinn, Lucifer, Pennyworth, Shazam!, The Suicide Squad, Supergirl, Superman & Lois, Teen Titans GO!, Titans, Watchmen and Young Justice: Outsiders.
Literally, time to get your freak on!
DC FanDome Promises
Okay, the boss is speaking. Silence please…
“There is no fan like a DC fan. For more than 85 years, the world has turned to DC’s inspiring heroes and stories to lift us up and entertain us, and this massive, immersive digital event will give everyone new ways to personalize their journey through the DC Universe without lines, without tickets and without boundaries. With DC FanDome, we’re able to give fans from around the world an exciting and unparalleled way to connect with all their favorite DC characters, as well as the incredible talent who bring them to life on the page and screen.”
Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO, Warner Bros.
That one note is interesting: “The DC Universe without…boundaries.”
Ann’s play-on-words did not go unnoticed, with that and the fact the word is so close to “fandom.” People are already speculating on boundaries will be bent, twisted, or broken. DC Comics needs to bring it strong with this event after all the foibles they’ve given fans. The list is long and dubious, but this may be the make-good that make fans stop hating and start hoping.
There are plenty of boundaries to explore within the DC Universe and a cornucopia of announcements and speculation. If this is promoted, marketed, and handled correctly, DC will be back. And, candidly, it’s about damn time.
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