The year 2021 starting off to be more like a nightmarish sequel to 2020 rather than the year to normalcy.

Although the vaccine rollouts started across the nation, the path is relatively slow with numerous logistic problems nationwide and overseas. Without the world fully vaccinated, the comic-con convention season may once again disappear for 2021.

The first casualty is with WonderCon Anaheim. Recently, the annual comic book convention in Anaheim announced its conversion to a two-day online convention rather than a three-day physical convention. The convention was attended by more than 60,000 attendees back in 2019.

Last year, the Comic-Con committee battled itself on whether to postpone or have the convention physically take place. With the virus raging, WonderCon had to convert to an online format, which was something new for organizers and participants.

Once again, the committee announced early to have WonderCon as a virtual event rather than leaving fans wondering if the event is going to take place.

In a letter on its site, WonderCon@Home celebration takes place on Friday, and Saturday, March 26 and 27. This celebration is a free event, but reduced days due to constrained financial resources from the lack of ticket sales.

In the next few weeks, the lineup of guests and panels will be announced for WonderCon@Home.

Here’s the full message:

2020 was a difficult year all around. For the first time in the history of our organization, we were unable to have in-person events for WonderCon or Comic-Con. We have hoped that by now, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic might have subsided enough that we could once again come together in person for a traditional WonderCon event. Sadly, as we continue to monitor the latest information from healthcare officials, we have determined the interest of public safety will prevent this spring’s WonderCon from moving forward as an in-person convention.

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.

While we may be limited in days, we will not be limited in scope. 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. We sincerely hope that you will join us for the WonderCon@Home celebration on Friday, and Saturday, March 26 and 27, 2021.

We would like to thank everyone for your continued support as we anxiously look forward to a time when we can once again meet in person to celebrate comics, popular art, and spend time with our dedicated community of fans.

Despite moving WonderCon virtually, the key part is the Comic-Con staff remains optimistic about San Diego Comic-Con International taking place over the summer. With recent government announcements, it is expected that a majority of the nation will be vaccinated by early summer.

Source: Comic-Con International