Adam Adler Brings Legal Insight to WonderCon 2026
When we think of comic books, we picture caped crusaders, time-traveling villains, and epic battles for the universe. But beneath these stories lie fascinating legal puzzles—questions about courtrooms, statutes of limitations, and the rule of law—waiting to be explored.
RJLF partner Adam Adler—an IP and trial lawyer—takes the stage at WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Adam will participate in three engaging sessions, illustrating how comic books provide a powerful lens to examine and challenge real-world legal systems.
Session Spotlights
Comics and the Presidency
How have comics responded to the current political era? Adam (Super Babies v. DC Comics) and Peter Coogan (Institute for Comics Studies) explore how comics use metaphor, abstraction, and larger-than-life characters to express controversial or politically charged ideas and show how the response to the President (and past Presidents) is the latest in a long line of comics-based activism.
Date: March 27, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM PDT
The Trial of Thanos
How would real-world courts handle the trial of Thanos? How would statutes of limitations work in a world of time travel? Could the Joker really obtain early release? Adam (Superbabies v. DC Comics) explores the strange legal puzzles hiding inside comic capers and shows how lawyers can use comics to pressure-test and improve the law.
Date: March 27, 2026
Time: 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM PDT
All Batmen Are Batman
Who is Batman? Bruce Wayne. But which one? Earth-1 or Earth-2, New 52 or Rebirth? Dick Grayson in Batman R.I.P. or James Gordon in the Rookie suit? Or Adam West or Batfleck or Pattinson's Emo-Batman? Or the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh? Or Absolute Batman? Every version of Batman is equally Batman. Jim Thompson (Eisner Awards judge), attorney Adam Adler (Super Babies v. DC Comics), and Peter Coogan (Comics Arts Conference) examine how repetition, imitation, and variation of the core brand encode the mythic nature of the superhero genre, are uniquely expressed in the iterations of Batman (including trademark and merch), and are tied to the core conventions of the genre—mission, powers, and identity. When Batman says, "Because I'm Batman," he is, no matter which Batman says it.
Date: March 29, 2026
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Why Comic Books Matter in Legal Practice
You might wonder why a partner at a premier trial boutique spends time analyzing the crimes of fictional villains. The answer lies in the nature of modern law. We face rapidly changing technology, unprecedented global events, and shifting societal norms. To navigate these challenges, lawyers must think creatively. Hypothetical scenarios involving time travel, mind control, or alternate dimensions push legal reasoning to its absolute limits. If a lawyer can build a coherent legal argument for or against a cosmic entity, they can certainly handle the most complex commercial disputes, intellectual property, trademark, and copyright challenges. Adam uses these creative avenues to stay sharp, view problems from unexpected angles, and deliver innovative solutions for his clients.