WonderCon 2025: Fans Celebrate Fandom with Colorful Cosplay and Unique Merch

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The excitement at WonderCon 2025 was palpable on Friday morning as fans from all walks of life descended upon the Anaheim Convention Center to celebrate comics, movies, anime, and pop culture. Among them was Noah Kluball, who made a quick costume change upon spotting fellow attendee Michael Bigay, dressed as Jamie Tartt from the popular series “Ted Lasso.”

After a hurried trip back to his hotel, Kluball transformed from a Wall-E costume into Ted Lasso, complete with a fake mustache and a blue V-neck sweater. “It was a happy accident,” Kluball said, standing alongside Bigay. “I saw Jamie Tartt and said, ‘I have to change!’”

Bigay, who donned Tartt’s AFC Richmond jersey, expressed his fondness for the character, explaining that it symbolizes a transformation from a self-centered individual to someone more virtuous. “I love the show, and I’m celebrating it like this,” he said.

The convention was alive with an array of colorful characters, including superheroes and fantastical creatures. One of the innovative vendors, Nathanael Alessandroni, co-founder of The Rabbits Los Angeles clothing company, captured attendees’ attention with his unique merchandise that pays homage to Disney. “Originally, we didn’t see stuff we wanted to wear to Disneyland, so we made our own,” Alessandroni stated while discussing fan-favorite T-shirts featuring Disney characters.

Skeptical of the legalities, he noted that Disney officials advised them to redesign at least 60 percent of their character graphics for their burgeoning brand to comply with copyright laws. “We really just make what’s popular in pop culture,” he clarified.

Families were in attendance as well, with Tony Nevarez and his 12-year-old daughter Alyssa exploring the nostalgic world of pinball machines. “I’m their Uber and their ATM,” Nevarez humorously remarked about taking his kids to WonderCon for the fourth year in a row.

Meanwhile, Robert and Wyatt Drake from Tustin bonded over the classic pinball experience, with Robert sharing his long history with the game. “Pinball’s old school, but it’s lots of fun,” he said, having introduced his son to the “Dungeons & Dragons” machines.

Elsewhere, the creative duo of Shaunt Sulahian and Anna Gevorkian showcased their hard rock band Satellite Citi alongside their comic, “Spacewalker.” The couple, who write and perform their music wearing spaceman suits, shared their enthusiasm for the comic book industry. “We’re just having fun with it,” Sulahian said, acknowledging the steep learning curve that comes with entering a new field.

“WonderCon is our second comics convention,” he added, reflecting on their experiences thus far. “I gave away a lot of things, which she scolded me about,” he chuckled, pointing to Gevorkian.

At another booth, the artists’ collective, The Tomb, displayed works celebrating LGBTQ themes. Ren Strapp, one of the members, emphasized the importance of inclusivity within the convention space, contrasting it with her experiences in Baltimore’s comic scene. “I don’t feel as out of place now as I did,” Strapp remarked.

In the outdoor area, Lucius Washington, portrayed by cosplayer Sherman “Tank” Blakeley, intrigued passersby with his enthusiastic search for the character Ricky Bobby. Dressed in a Wonder Bread shirt reminiscent of his character from a 2006 film, Blakeley detailed his journey as a Michael Clarke Duncan look-alike, reminiscent of the actor’s iconic roles, particularly as John Coffey in “The Green Mile.”

“It’s gonna be all right,” Blakeley said with a heartfelt delivery, channeling one of Coffey’s memorable quotes. His passion for cosplay stemmed from meaningful interactions with fans, delivering an emotional experience that resonates deeply with attendees.

WonderCon continues to provide a platform for creativity, self-expression, and community, bringing together fans and creators to share their love for the vast universe of pop culture.