DC Fandome - A Virtual Convention Experience

Over the weekend, I, like many others, attended DC's first virtual convention separate from the larger Comic-Con experiences. While the prerecorded panels and interludes with the hosts came across as awkward, DC succeeded in its mission to make a wholesome experience for fans by hosting Q&As based on various different projects, displaying various fan art and cosplay (including pets), and most importantly, debuting new content. The latter is what I'm excited to discuss. The release dates I'm including below are all tentative because of the chaotic world we live in.

FILMS

Wonder Woman 1984 (October 2, 2020)

• This poor film was supposed to be released on November 1, 2019 (my wife's and my favorite weekend of all time) before being pushed back to June 5, 2020 due to re-shoots and back a couple times more to its current date due to COVID-19.

• Inclusions of cast-against-type Kristin Wiig as the Cheetah & Pedro Pascal, already known for his roles as Oberyn Martell and The Mandalorian, as Maxwell Lord.

• After an underwhelming panel and Q&A, we were treated to a second trailer.

• I missed the Blue Monday overlay from the first trailer.

• The Amazonians of Themyscria have there own Olympic Games? (They are Greek)

• Maxwell Lord appears to tap into magic as well as everyone's TVs (shades of Zod).

• Is Steve Trevor Diana's wish?

• Cheetah is revealed - I am worried about the CGI here, just watch Cats. Or don't.

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021 on HBO Max)

• No official release date yet for this director's cut of the 2017 film (I thought it was okay, but not too memorable).

• Zack Snyder led the segment with fan questions read by the cast before interviewing two fans who helped spur a movement to see his vision released for all.

• The non-canon cut will be released in four one hour long episodes and a four hour bundle thereafter.

• A trailer dropped showcasing some of footage we can expect and how much Zack loves the songs of Leonard Cohen.

The Suicide Squad (August 6, 2021)

• In my personal favorite segment, James Gunn (director - Guardians of the Galaxy) brings in an almost completely new assembly of Task Force X after the financially successful but hated first installment.

• Holdovers from the 2016 film include Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), and fan favorite Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie).

• Remainder of new cast, including Idris Elba's and John Cena's roles, revealed as well as a behind the scenes featurette.

• Weasel (Sean Gunn) may be my new favorite assuming he survives ten minutes into the film.

• In James Gunn fashion, this squad is mostly filled with characters largely unknown to mainstream audiences, including me.

• Love the inclusion of James Gunn regulars: Michael Rooker (Savant) and Nathan Fillion (TDK).

• Faith restored after watching how much fun the cast had making this film.

The Batman (October 1, 2021)

• Matt Reeves (director - Planet of the Apes series) unveiled his new version of Batman, akin to gritty, street-level crime films of the 1970s (French Connection, Chinatown).

• Like Joker in 2019, this film will be part of its own continuity and is expected to be the start of a new trilogy (so no Battinson hangouts with Gal Gadot and the Justice League -- how Batman of him).

• This will be a Year 2 Batman, who is not fully versed in his craft yet, nor are his allies (Jim Gordon) or rogues (Riddler, Penguin, Catwoman).

• This Batman will explore how the corruption of Gotham ties to his family and utilize his detective skills.

• Of course, the first trailer also dropped.

Black Adam (December 22, 2021)

• The last DC film to be released next year featured a short panel of Dwayne Johnson, who has waited over a decade to make this film.

• Johnson hints at meetings with other Justice League members, including Wonder Woman and Superman.

• This movie will introduce the Justice Society (Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Cyclone, and Atom Smasher) and tie in to 2019's Shazam!

• Two videos displaying concept art and Black Adam's backstory also shown here.

The Flash (June 3, 2022)

• The segment for the Flash included Andy Muschietti (director - IT), Barbara Muschietti (producer), Christina Hodson (writer), and Ezra Miller as the Scarlet Speedster himself.

• Will include elements of the Flashpoint comic story-line and introduce the multiverse (same year as the MCU's Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness - March 22, 2022)

• Flash will have a new suit courtesy of Batman (concept art looks like Michael Keaton's version, not seen since 1992) -- both Keaton and Ben Affleck appear to be confirmed as different multiverse Batmans in this movie.

Shazam! - Fury of the Gods (November 4, 2022)

• Not much revealed for this sequel except the title! The first Shazam film is one the best DCEU entries (my opinion, of course).

• How are they going handle the growth of the child actors in the Shazam family?

• Will Sinbad actually appear in the film?

Aquaman 2 (December 16, 2022)

• Technically the DC Fandome panel was on the first Aquaman in 2018, but James Wan (director) stated the sequel would be serious and relevant to what's happening in the world.

GAMES

Gotham Knights (2021)

• This WB Games Montreal video game starts following the deaths of Commissioner Jim Gordon and Batman! -- Is this a sequel to Arkham Knight (2015)?

• Playable Characters: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), Dick Grayson (Nightwing / Robin #1), Jason Todd (Red Hood / Robin #2), and Tim Drake (Robin #3)

• Allies include Alfred and Renee Montoya; Villains include the Court of Owls and Mr. Freeze.

• There will be the option to switch the playable character and to play co-op.

• Both a trailer and game-play were revealed during this segment

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2022)

• Set in the same universe as the Batman Arkham games, Rocksteady's next game will be set in Metropolis (given a different feel than Gotham).

• Playable Characters: Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Capt. Boomerang, and King Shark

• Other featured characters include Amanda Waller and villains such as Brainiac and a brainwashed Justice League (targets of Suicide Squad).

• One side note, I love that the panel referenced Will Arnett's (host) shows of Arrested Development and BoJack Horsemen.

• Like in so many other segments, a trailer was revealed here as well.

Aside from some technical difficulties, I was able to watch most of the panels offered on Saturday. I do believe DC could benefit from having their own virtual convention annually instead of just being part of a larger convention. I'm interested to see what other companies follow this example.