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Expos and Conventions

Visual Character Re-defined Through This Weekend and Beyond

Sometimes the visual dynamic of New York, and Manhattan in particular, can be too much --icf-logo2 too much a jumble, or a clash of priorities and styles, a cavalcade of dissonance. But sometimes, something comes into view that re-orders the environment so much that it both jars the visual ecology and redefines it.

That happened yesterday when I saw three large brightly colored metal shipping containers stamped CHARACTER PROJECT on the front and back sitting in various public spaces in Manhattan.

Plopped down into high-traffic public pavilions, these boxes captured the attention and altered the impact of the space they occupied. But because they were there as pop-up movie theaters, meant to feature eight shorts commissioned by the USA Network and RSA Films (Ridley and Tony Scott's company), they did more than visually affect the street dynamic -- they became site-specific gallery spaces as well.

Read more: Visual Character Re-defined...

Los Angeles Comic Con

Wizard World Inc. announces the Los Angeles Comic Con held between September 24 - 25, 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The famed Brazilian Artist Mike Deodato Jr. is featured as the premier Guest of Honor.  The Brazilian artist, well known for his work on The Amazing Spider-Man, Captain America, The Mighty Thor, Wolverine, X-Men, The Avengers, and Batman, will be making a rare U.S. appearance.

Gareb Shamus, the President and CEO of Wizard World, Inc., shows his excitement: "We are ecstatic to come to the rejuvenated downtown area of Los Angeles to celebrate the best of pop culture - graphic novels, TV, movies, toys, games, genre properties and of course, comic books. You can always trust Wizard World to bring the most diverse and robust collection of artists, writers, creators and celebrities anywhere.”

Clare Kramer, of Buffy: The Vampire fame, will also be in attendance. A popular guest at several of the Wizard World Tour stops, Kramer will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and take photos. "When I found out that Wizard World was coming to Los Angeles, I was so excited. They are one of the most professionally run organizations out there, and I just love every minute of it," said Clare Kramer. "The fans, Wizard World, guests and vendors always have a blast at these shows, which is why I keep coming back for more!"

This event brings more of what the fans love about the Wizard World Tour. "There is a real need for a Fall event that encompasses all the best that pop culture has to offer," said Mike Mathews, Chairman of Wizard World Inc. "We’re listening to our customers and giving them the show they’re asking for located in the entertainment mecca."

The Big Apple Comic Con, which had been previously scheduled on those dates, will be permanently moved to the Spring.  The 2011 Big Apple Comic Con Spring Edition remains set for May 21-22 at Penn Plaza Pavilion. As part of the realignment, Wizard World is also rescheduling the planned 2011 Atlanta Comic Con, with dates to be announced. The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.


About Wizard World:
Wizard World, Inc. produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers and events such as premiers, gaming tournaments, exhibitors, retailers, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World, Inc. also produces Wizard World Digital an influential online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.


Contact: Public Relations:
Jerry Milani, 646-380-2479, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con 2011

Atlanta Comic Con logoWizard World Atlanta Comic Con today announced its rich, diverse programming schedule, featuring exclusive TV and movie previews and screenings, unique celebrity Q&A's, movie screenings, game shows, artist schools and more for the event, set for Saturday December 3rd and Sunday December 4th at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

Some of the highlights include:

  • Preview of the hot new AMC series The Walking Dead, including a Q&A with several of the stars featured in this week's issue of Entertainment Weekly (Sunday, 2 p.m.)
  • Exclusive extended nine-minute preview of It's A Trap, the third installment of the Family Guy Star Wars Saga video, introduced by Billy Dee Williams, who will also conduct a Q&A panel (Saturday, noon)
  • Rare Q&A panels with Henry WinklerPam Grier and Mimi Rogers, as well as popular Comic Con guests Ernie Hudson, Adam West and Burt Ward
  • New Trivia Game Show hosted by Coolwaters Productions' Derek Maki and starring Tom Woodruff Jr., Robert Maillet and Mike Grell (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)
  • Screenings of three full feature films: Hysterical Psycho, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale and The Last Lovecraft: Relic Of Cthulhu
  • Wizard Art School and Q&A's featuring leading artists like Greg Horn, Bill Sinkiewicz, Ethan Van Sciver, Cully Hamner, Michael Golden and others
  • The popular adult costume contest and fun kids costume contest with great prizes

Atlanta Comic Con programming will take place in Room 103 and Room 104 of the Cobb Galleria Centre, and is included with admission to the event.  Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first come first serve basis and each room will be cleared between panels. 

About Wizard Entertainment:
Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes consumer magazines Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys. Shamus also produces a North American Comic Con tour.  Wizard World Comic Con – The Pop-Culture Capital of the World!

Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
December 3 & 4, 2011
Cobb Galleria Centre
2 Galleria Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339
770-955-8000

Big Names Headline Wizard World Toronto Comic Con

Billy Dee WilliamsNorth America’s largest pop-culture tour continues as Wizard World Toronto Comic Con returns to the Direct Energy Centre, March 18-20, with superstar guests Billy Dee Williams, Julie Benz, David Prowse, Daniel Logan, John Schneider and Scott Thompson headlining the list of celebrity attendees.  The event will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, comics, toys, video gaming, television, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

The iconic Williams, known to millions as Lando Calrissian in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and for memorable roles in Batman (1989) and Brian's Song, will be joined in Toronto by other popular Star Wars guests Logan (“Boba Fett”) and Prowse (“Darth Vader”).

Fans are also greatly anticipating the appearances of Benz, who has starred in Dexter, No Ordinary Family, Desperate Housewives, and Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Schneider (Dukes of Hazzard, Smallville, Desperate Housewives) and Thompson (Kids in the Hall, Star Trek: Voyager).

“We are looking forward to following up last year's hugely successful debut in Toronto with an array of exciting new guests,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO. “Fans from across the region embraced Toronto Comic Con and we're confident that even more will be on hand this March.”

Other popular Toronto Comic Con celebrity guests include Claudia Christian (Look; Babylon 5), Nicholas Brendon and Clare Kramer (Buffy: The Vampire Slayer), Kate Vernon (Battlestar Galactica, Pretty In Pink), Academy Award Winner© (special effects) Tom Woodruff Jr. (The Terminator, Spider-Man), Daniel Kash (Aliens, Robocop), Robert Maillet (300, Sherlock Holmes) and Chandler Riggs (The Walking Dead).

Fans can also meet their favorite comic creators and artists, including Carlos Pacheco (X-Men, Green Lantern), Mike Grell (Green Lantern, Green Arrow), Yanick Paquette (Batman, Superman), Mitch Breitweiser (Captain America, Deadpool), Jeff Parker (Hulk, Spider-Man: 1602), Gabriel Hardman (Hulk, X-Men), Bruce Jones (Incredible Hulk, Nightwing), Phil Jimenez (Amazing Spider-Man, Astonishing X-Men), Greg Horn (Daredevil, Green Lantern) and Michael Golden (Wolverine: First Class, New Exiles).

The Toronto Comic Con Wrestling section includes the popular Ted “The Million Dollar Man” DiBiase and diva Lisa Marie “Tara” Varon.

Children and adult attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite villain, superhero or pop culture personality for the chance to win special prizes in costume contests.  Event-goers may also try their hand interactive product exhibits and shop for collectible comics, movie and television memorabilia, toys and games at more than 100 dealer booths.

Special events at Toronto Comic Con include the “Magic: The Gathering” card game tournament, professional photo opportunities (Photo Ops), movie screenings with celebrities and others.

Toronto Comic Con is the third stop on Wizard’s 2011 North American tour, which to date has 13 events scheduled.  Hours are Friday, March 18, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday, March 20, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The Direct Energy Centre is located at Exhibition Place in Toronto.  It is Canada’s largest facility for conventions, exhibitions and events. Exhibition Place, a 192 acre waterfront campus located in downtown Toronto, is home to a variety of venues including Direct Energy Centre, Allstream Centre, Better Living Centre and the Queen Elizabeth building among various other tenant properties.

About Wizard Entertainment:
Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes consumer magazines Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys. Shamus also produces a North American Comic Con tour.  Wizard World Comic Con – The Pop-Culture Capital of the World!

Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
March 18-20, 2001
Direct Energy Centre
100 Princes' Boulevard
Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
CANADA
416-263-3000
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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