The comics world is still disappointed at the necessary cancellation of an entire year of conventions due to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak in the United States. While more than half the fun of the comic con experience was being part of the joyful, sweaty mass of people wandering the floor and feeding off of each other’s excitement, a good chunk of that feeling was the hype of new movies, panels with beloved creators, and the flood of breaking news hurtling out of them. DC Entertainment is trying to capture some of that magic on August 22 with DC FanDome.
Announced this morning, DC FanDome is a 24 hour digital event that tries to wrap up every part of the convention experience except tripping over someone’s cardboard buster sword and bring it into living rooms around the world. The event will feature news and announcements, exclusive footage, and interactive presentations for every time zone, in multiple languages. It will include announcements from Warner Bros’ Pictures, TV, Games, and DC Comics, and promises to have new information and creators from some of the biggest deals in DC Entertainment.
By accessing the official site, DCFanDome.com, viewers will be taken into the Hall of Heroes, the main hub for all of the big news. From there, they can head to one of five satellite “worlds”, leaning heavily into the Multiverse theme.
- DC WatchVerse is the home for panels, screenings, footage, and behind the scenes details from DC Films, TV, home video and games.
- DC YouVerse has fan-created content that Warner Brothers licenses into infinity if a fan signs up to create for them. DC KidsVerse will have family-friendly content for all ages.
- DC InsiderVerse is the con panel experience, with introductions to all of the various spheres of DC content, and behind the scenes looks at the making of DC comics, games, TV shows, movies, parks and toys.
- DC FunVerse has the con shopping experience – digital giveaways, comics, model kits, and some exclusives.
- The Blerd and Boujee House promises “a celebration of Black nerd culture…bringing Blerds, LatinxGeeks and all nerds ‘party-with-a-purpose’ vibes.”
Check out the “map” to the DC FanDome…
Fans will also be encouraged to submit their own DC art and fandom displays, with the press release asking fans to “show us your cosplay, makeup, tattoos and even your own Batcave!”
But DC has also promised the opportunity to hear from “the casts and creators behind your favorite feature films and TV series.” And from the looks of it, we’re going to get a ton of new information about upcoming projects.
Called out by name are Aquaman, The Batman (could we get more teaser footage?), Batwoman (maybe this is where we learn more about the mysterious “Ryan Wilder”), Black Adam, Black Lightning, DC Super Hero Girls, Legends of Tomorrow, Stargirl (this had better mean we’re getting a season 2 announcement, Doom Patrol, The Flash, Harley Quinn (give us a season three confirmation, please!), The Snyder Cut of Justice League, Lucifer, Pennyworth, Shazam!, The Suicide Squad, Supergirl, Superman and Lois, Teen Titans GO!, Titans, Watchmen, Wonder Woman 1984, and Young Justice: Outsiders.
That’s…a lot of cool DC live action and animation projects. The Wonder Woman 1984 focus is entirely predictable – with the movie being pushed back to the fall, this is an easy way to keep people excited for that, assuming theaters continue to exist in October.
The Suicide Squad is one of the post Wonder Woman 1984 movies we know more about, but it’s still a little too far out for the hype to be oppressive. Likewise for Superman & Lois and season 4 of Young Justice. And Black Adam is an almost completely blank slate – we know nothing about it besides that The Rock is really excited for it to eventually happen. So it will be very interesting to see what comes of it.
“There is no fan like a DC fan,” Ann Sarnoff, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros. said in a statement. “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.”
DC FanDome will take place on August 22.
For more on DC FanDome, including breaking news and footage, stick with Den of Geek!