Con News: Full Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con Schedule

Stan Lee, William Shatner, 'Charmed' and 'Firefly' Reunion Q&As, Comics Panels, Evening Parties, Movies Fuel Largest Programming Schedule At Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2

Henry Winkler, Manu Bennett, James Marsters, Ray Park Among Stars Conducting Q&As; Marvel Sessions Lead Four Days Packed With Comic-Themed Programming At Pennsylvania Convention Center

NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA, May 21, 2013 – Interactive Q&A sessions featuring celebrities Stan Lee, William Shatner, Henry Winkler, John Barrowman, Manu Bennett and stars of “Charmed” and “Firefly,” a full slate of comics-themed panels, evening parties and movie screenings are some of the highlights of a comprehensive schedule of programming at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Standout programming at the event includes:
· Q&As with Lee, Shatner, Winkler, Barrowman, Bennett, James Marsters, Ray Park, Michael Rooker and other stars
· Reunions of “Firefly” headliners Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau, Jewel Staite and Gina Torres; the “Charmed” trio of Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Brian Krause; and the pairing of two “Supermans” in Dean Cain and Brandon Routh; and the tag-team of WWE® Superstar Daniel Bryan® and WWE® Hall Of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat™
· Two Marvel Comics panels, “Breaking Into Comics The Marvel Way” and “From Now! To Infinity”
· Evening parties on Thursday, May 30 (Con Bro Chill concert for VIP badgeholders, Trocadero Theatre), Friday, May 31 (Super Art Fight, Tavern on Broad) and Saturday, June 1 (After Party, Field House)
· Screenings of Weekend at Bernie's with Andrew McCarthy (Friday 7 p.m., Terrace Ballroom) and Police Academy with Steve Guttenberg (Saturday 7 p.m., Room 108) sponsored by The Awesome Fest, and Skull World (Thursday, 6 p.m., Room 111)
· Dozens of comics-themed panels with industry leaders with advice on how to break into the field, get work seen, etc., plus portfolio reviews by Marvel and Zenescope
· Costume contests for adults (Saturday) and Kids (Sunday)
· Kids Day (Sunday) with an array of panels and events designed especially for children

Thursday, May 30
4:00 – 4:45pm One Small Step For Fans: Browncoats In Space (Room 109)
4:00 – 4:45pm Creating A Web-Series In Today’s Market Place: Simply, Crest (Room 111)
5:00 – 5:45pm Getting Your Comic Books Signed And Protecting Your Investment (Room 109)
5:00 – 5:45pm Drawing Cult-Classics To Fairytales To Old School Comic Books (Room 111)
6:00 – 6:45pm Creativity That Lasts (Room 109)
6:00 – 8:00pm Skull World Screening (Room 111)
7:00 – 7:45pm The Return Of Audio Drama (Room 109)
8:00 – 10:30pm Con Bro Chill VIP Concert – VIP Badge Holders Only – All Ages (Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.)

Friday, May 31
1:00 – 1:45pm Gam3r: Be As Famous As The Games You Play (Room 108)
1:00 – 1:45pm Writing Captivating Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Comics & Novels (Room 109)
1:00 – 1:45pm Teen Manga: New Era G (Room 111)
1:00 – 3:00pm Sci-Fi Speed Dating (Room 112)
1:00 – 1:45pm Linda Blair Q&A (Room 113)
1:00 – 1:30pm Alliance Larp Combat Demo (Cosplay Stage)
1:00 – 2:45pm Zenescope Portfolio Review (Booth 417)
2:00 – 2:45pm Hollywood And Comics (Room 108)
2:00 – 2:45pm How We Got Here (Room 109)
2:00 – 2:45pm Wanna Make Your Own Toy? (Room 111)
2:00 – 2:45pm Wibbly Wobbly Time: A Doctor Who Panel (Room 113)
2:00 – 2:30pm Imperial Klingon Forces Photo Ops (Cosplay Stage)
2:30 – 3:00pm Spawn Photo Ops (Cosplay Stage)
3:00 – 3:45pm Kevin Sorbo Q&A (Room 108)
3:00 – 3:45pm Pen And Ink: Making An Old Style New Again (Room 109)
3:00 – 3:45pm Stan Lee Meet And Greet – Paid Event (Room 110)
3:00 – 3:45pm Creating Characters That Readers Love To Hate (Room 111)
3:00 – 3:45pm Basic Costuming, Fx Makeup & Armor-Like Creation (Room 113)
3:00 – 3:30pm Rob Prior: Two Handed Art Demo (Cosplay Stage)
4:00 – 4:45pm The Fun Side Of Comics And Graphic Novels (Room 108)
4:00 – 4:45pm Jason David Frank Meet And Greet – Paid Event (Room 110)
4:00 – 4:45pm Topps In 2013: The Year Of Sci-Fi (Room 111)
4:00 – 4:45pm Ray Park Q&A (Room 113)
4:00 – 5:00pm Superhero Photoshoot (Cosplay Stage)
5:00 – 6:00pm Marvel: Breaking Into Comics The Marvel Way (Room 108)
5:00 – 6:30pm Webcomics Bootcamp (Room 109)
5:00 – 5:45pm Animation In Today’s Industry (Room 111)
5:00 – 7:00pm Sci-Fi Speed Dating (Room 112)
5:00 – 5:45pm James Marsters Q&A (Room 113)
5:00 – 5:45pm Michael Rooker Q&A (Terrace Ballroom)
6:00 – 6:45pm Movie And Puppet Improv With Deleted Scenes! (Room 108)
6:00 – 6:45pm Flashfall/The Joe Files Cosplay And Fanfilms Panel (Room 111)
6:00 – 6:45pm Stan “the Man” Lee Q&A (Terrace Ballroom)
6:00 – 7:00pm Barbizon Models Fashion Show (Cosplay Stage)
7:00 – 9:00pm 80’s Night With Andrew McCarthy: Presented By Awesomefest (Terrace Ballroom)
8:30 –11:00pm Wizard World Presents Super Art Fight – 21 And Over (Tavern On Broad, 200 S Broad St)

Saturday, June 1
11:00 – 11:45am Vampire Lore And Other Urban Myths And Legends With Dr. Rebecca Housel (Room 108)
11:00 – 11:45am Cheap And Dirty Cosplay: Lessons From Shewolf Cosplays (Room 109)
11:00 – 11:45am Jason David Frank Meet And Greet – Paid Event (Room 110)
11:00 – 11:45am Curtis Sliwa Q&A (Room 111)
11:00 – 11:45am Philly Geek: What To Do In Philadelphia Area Fandom The Other 363 Days Of The Year! (Room 113)
11:00 – 12:00pm Star Trek Photo Ops W/ USS Sovereign NCC-75000 And The Imperial Klingon Forces (Cosplay Stage)
12:00 – 12:45pm Grimm Fairy Tales Animated (Room 108)
12:00 – 12:45pm Storytelling With Michael Golden: Taking It To The Next Level (Room 109)
12:00 – 12:45pm The Next Evolution Of Zombie: Romper Zombie! (Room 111)
12:00 – 12:45pm Kris Holden-Ried Q&A (Room 113)
12:00 – 12:45pm Zenescope Portfolio Review (Booth 417)
12:30 – 1:15pm William Shatner Q&A (Terrace Ballroom)
1:00 – 1:45pm Costumes + Playing = Cosplay! So What Does That Actually Mean? (Room 108)
1:00 – 1:45pm Creator Spotlight: Doug Sneyd (Room 109)
1:00 – 1:45pm Stan Lee Meet And Greet – Paid Event (Room 110)
1:00 – 1:45pm Building Fantasy Worlds (Room 111)
1:00 – 3:00pm Sci-Fi Speed Dating (Room 112)
1:00 – 1:45pm Henry Winkler Q&A (Room 113)
1:30 – 2:15pm Charmed Reunion With Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs & Brian Krause (Terrace Ballroom
1:00 – 2:00pm Saber Academy Lightsaber Fight Demo (Cosplay Stage)
2:00 – 2:45pm Lauren Holly Q&A (Room 108)
2:00 – 2:45pm Getting Your Comic Books Signed And Protecting Your Investment - Part Ii (Room 109)
2:00 – 3:30pm Marvel Portfolio Review
2:00 – 2:45pm Hip-Hop & Comics: Cultures Combining (Room 111)
2:00 – 2:45pm Superhero Battle Royale (Room 113)
2:00 – 3:00pm Dragonsong Forge Swordsmanship Demo (Cosplay Stage)
2:30 – 3:15pm Buffyfest! With James Marsters, Charisma Carpenter And Juliet Landau (Terrace Ballroom)
3:00 – 3:45pm Aaron & Shawn Ashmore Q&A (Room 108)
3:00 – 3:45pm Wonder Women For The 21st Century (Room 109)
3:00 – 3:45pm Head Smash, The Biggest Graphic Novel Release Of 2013! With Creator Vlad Yudin And Producer Edwin Mejia (Room 111)
3:00 – 3:45pm WWE® Superstar Daniel Bryan® And Wwe® Hall Of Famer Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat™ Q&A (Room 113)
3:00 – 4:30pm Marvel vs DC Photoshoot (Cosplay Stage)
3:45 – 4:30pm The Walking Dead With Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker And Jon Bernthal (Terrace Ballroom)
4:00 – 5:00pm Marvel: From Now! To Infinity (Room 108)
4:00 – 5:30pm Artist Alley 101 With Interrobang Studios (Room 109)
4:00 – 4:45pm U Cre-8 Comics Presents: Character Crafters (Room 111)
4:00 – 4:45pm Giancarlo Esposito Q&A (Room 113)
4:30 – 5:00pm Rob Prior: Two Handed Art Demo (Cosplay Stage)
5:00 – 5:45pm Kickstarting Your Own Project (Room 108)
5:00 – 5:45pm Id Comics Studios - How To Be A Functioning Studio (Room 111)
5:00 – 7:00pm Sci-Fi Speed Dating (Room 112)
5:00 – 5:45pm Jason David Frank: Power Ranger Q&A (Room 113)
5:00 – 5:45pm Firefly With Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau, Jewel Staite, & Gina Torres (Terrace Ballroom)
5:00 – 5:30pm Alliance Larp Combat Demo (Cosplay Stage)
5:30 – 6:00pm Imperial Klingon Forces Photo Ops (Cosplay Stage)
6:00 – 6:45pm An Evening With Steve Guttenberg (Room 108)
6:00 – 6:45pm My Grandmother Wants To Fly Jets (Room 109)
6:00 – 6:45pm Dr. How/Torchwood Cosplay And Fanfilms Panel (Room 111)
6:00 – 6:45pm Artists United (Room 113)
6:00 – 7:00pm Barbizon Models Fashion Show (Cosplay Stage)
7:00 – 9:00pm Police Academy Screening Sponsored By Awesomefest (Room 108)
7:00 – 7:45pm How I Switched From Print To Webcomics And Why (Room 109)
7:00pm – 9:00pm Wizard World Adult Costume Contest (Terrace Ballroom)
9:00pm – 2:00am Official Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con After Party - 21 And Over (Field House, 1150 Filbert St.)

Sunday, June 2
11:00 – 11:45am From The Microscope To The Big Screen: Creepy Crawlies In Pop Culture (Room 109)
11:00 – 11:45am Why Do They Call Them That? How Mlb Teams Got Their Names And Other Fun Facts (Room 111)
11:00 – 1:00pm LGBT Sci-Fi Speed Dating (Room 112)
11:00 – 11:45am John Barrowman Q&A (Room 113)
11:00 – 12:00pm Junior Saber Training (Cosplay Stage)
12:00 – 12:45pm Compelling Storytelling (Room 109)
12:00 – 12:45pm Jason David Frank Meet And Greet – Paid Event (Room 110)
12:00 – 12:45pm Digital Age (Room 111)
12:00 – 12:45pm Manu Bennett Q&A (Room 113)
12:00 – 12:30pm 66 Batman & Batgirl Photo Ops (Cosplay Stage)
1:00 – 1:45pm Independent Writing And Publishing (Room 109)
1:00 – 1:45pm Doodle! Scribble! Draw! (Room 111)
1:00 – 1:45pm What’s Better Then Superman? Supermen! With Dean Cain & Brandon Routh (Room 113)
1:00 – 2:00pm Whovian/Torchwood Photoshoot (Cosplay Stage)
2:00 – 2:45pm The Geek Culture: We’ve Taken Our First Step Into A Larger World (Room 109)
2:00 – 3:30pm Marvel Portfolio Review
2:00 – 4:00pm Super Art Fight (Room 111)
2:00 – 3:00pm The Green Power Ranger Power Hour (Room 113)
3:00 – 3:45pm Wizard World Kids Costume Contest (Room 113)
3:00 – 4:00pm Junior Saber Training (Cosplay Stage)

*Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first served basis. Wizard World does not clear all panel rooms unless attendees are seated in a section that is marked with a sign at the end of the row reading: Row will be cleared at the end of each panel.

Terrace Ballroom will cleared after each panel.

Unless noted, programming events take place in the designated General Programming Rooms at Pennsylvania Convention Center.  Most are included as part of standard Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con admission; VIP tickets or additional costs may apply to ensure access to select activities, as noted.

A full list of Wizard World Philadelphia programming is below; further details on each at http://www.wizardworld.com/programming-pa.html (subjects, guests, times and rooms subject to change):

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon – 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World 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 often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****
May 30 - June 2 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
June 28-30 – Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience
August 8-11 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
January 24-26, 2014 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
April 4-6, 2014 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con

Con News: Gina Torres to Appear in Wizard World Philadelphia

The fans asked... and Wizard World has answered.  Actress Gina Torres, who played "Zoë Washburne" in "Firefly," and Serenity, will attend Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, joining fellow cast members Summer Glau, Adam Baldwin, and Jewel Staite at the event, set for May 30 - June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Torres, a New York native, made her TV debut on "One Live to Live," and later played "Jasmine" in the series "Angel" before landing the strong role as the First Officer "Zoë."  She also appeared in The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix: Revolutions and the 2006 political thriller Five Fingers.  Torres won the 2001 ALMA Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Syndicated Drama Series for "Cleopatra 2525" and has done voice work including "Vixen" on the Cartoon Network's "Justice League Unlimited," "Airachnid" on "Transformers: Prime" and "Niobe" in the computer game "The Matrix Online."

Torres, who has also had roles in "Xena," "Hercules" and "Alias," has been married to veteran actor Laurence Fishburne since 2002.

At Philadelphia Comic Con, Torres will greet fans, sign autographs, pose for photo ops (solo and with fellow crewmembers) and take part in a Q&A panel with other Serenity stars.

Other headliners attending include William Shatner ("Star Trek," "Boston Legal"), Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee, "The Walking Dead" trio of Michael Rooker, Norman Reedus and Jon Bernthal, Manu Bennett ("Arrow," The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey), "Torchwood" and Zero Dark Thirty star John Barrowman and WWE® Superstars John Cena® and Daniel Bryan®. Philadelphia Comic Con is the third in the 2013 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend include Salvador Larroca ("Avengers vs. X-Men," "Captain America"), Leinil Yu ("Hulk," "Fantastic Four"), Bob Layton ("Iron Man," "Uncanny X-Men; Avengers"), Yildiray Cinar ("The Fury of Firestorm," "Legion of Super-Heroes") and Barry Kitson("Thor," "Spider-Man").

Additionally, all full price attendees will receive a free copy of the Exclusive Variant Cover of The Walking Dead #1 comic, available only at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.

 

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon - 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.,Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html.

About Wizard World:

Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) 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 often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****

May 30 - June 2 - Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con

June 28-30 - Wizard World New York City Experience

August 8-11 - Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

September 20-22 - Wizard World Ohio Comic Con

October 18-20 - Wizard World Nashville Comic Con

November 22-24 - Wizard World Austin Comic Con

January 24-26, 2014 - Wizard World Portland Comic Con

February 7-9, 2014 - Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con

April 4-6, 2014 - Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con

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Con News: Fan Communities Invade Wizard World World Philadelphia comic Con

Fan-Demonium! 'Star Wars,' 'Star Trek,' 'Firefly/Serenity,' Cosplay Groups At Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2

'Ghostbusters,' LEGO Enthusiasts Also Add To The Festivites At Pennsylvania Convention Center

NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA, April 23, 2013 –  Wizard World shows are all about the fan experience.  Attendees needn't be shocked if they run into scores of Wookiees, Captain Kirks, Kaylee Fryes or any other costumed characters, as enthusiasts of Star Wars, “Star Trek,” “Firefly”/Serenity and other cosplay groups are among the more than a dozen fan communities that will be roaming the floor at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Organizations representing fans of the Ghostbusters franchise and LEGO will also attend, along with noted cosplayers like Eric “The Smoke” Moran, Ivy Doomkitty, David Santiago and many others.  The Wizard World Cosplay Stage will be the focal point for members of these groups and thousands of other fans who will get their cosplay on over the four days.  Flashes will be popping, with fans of all ages and costumes of all types strutting their stuff.

Some of the highlight groups setting up at the event include:

• 501st Garrison Carida, a Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia based Star Wars costuming group that is part of the world’s definitive Imperial costuming organization.
• Alliance Live Action Role Playing, dedicated to recreating the Days of Legend as we would like them to be. Around since 1989, Alliance LARP is one of the largest live action fantasy medieval games with over a dozen active chapters in the United States and Canada.
• DelVaLUG, the Delaware Valley LEGO Users Group, consisting of Adult Fans of LEGO® (AFOLs) dedicated to the infinite imaginative possibilities of the iconic interlocking plastic building brick.
• Imperial Klingon Forces NasToj, the world's leading resource for Klingon costuming and culture. Through its website and Facebook page, the Imperial Klingon Forces (IKF) foster a community of Warriors to portray the Klingon lifestyle.
• Mav Oya’la Clan of the Mandalorian Mercs, whose goal is to provide a nexus for Mandalorian costumers, giving them a collective identity and representation within the Star Wars costuming community.
• NY Jedi, a community of sci-fi fans, actors, martial artists, costumers and performers who share a particular passion for Saber fight choreography.
• NYC Cosplayer Network, a multi-genre cosplay group, where many design and create their own costumes and props. The group conducts workshops on costuming, makes convention appearances, volunteers, hosts costumed themed affairs and more.
• Pennsylvania Browncoats, a group of several hundred “Firefly”/Serenity fans located in or near Pennslvania, which organizes social events like camping and TV nights, as well as “Can’t Stop the Serenity (CSTS),” a screening of Serenity to raise money for charity.
• Pennsylvania Star Wars Collecting Society, whose goals are to enhance the collecting experience of members, share information to become better collectors, create a network for valuable items, interact and socialize in appreciation of Star Wars collectibles and culture.
• Philadelphia Ghostbusters, a local Ghostbusters franchise that helps to raise money for various charities and makes special appearances at events.  Who ya' gonna call?
• Saber Guild, a voluntary non-profit costumed performance group of Star Wars enthusiasts, appearing in various events as a way of helping non-profit organizations and spread the joy of Star Wars to others.
• "Star Wars: In Character," a podcast that takes a closer look at some of the more obscure characters in the Star Wars universe. Backstories, histories, and details fans never knew, wanted to know, or ever needed to know about some of the saga's most overlooked characters.
• Take Back the Sky, a public outreach initiative to educate science fiction fans and other passionate, naturally curious people about the issues impacting manned spaceflight.
• U.S.S. Iwo Jima, an independent science fiction fan group based on a Star Trek theme, located in the Greater New York City Area which includes the five boroughs, Northern New Jersey, lower Westchester, southern Rockland and lower Fairfield counties.
• U.S.S. Moebius, NCC 4744393, a chapter of STARFLEET, International, representing a fictional Starfleet vessel, specifically a Wells Class Timeship, in the Star Trek universe. Its members assume the role of various personnel serving as crew aboard the starship.
• U.S.S. Navras, a correspondence chapter of STARFLEET, The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc., meaning that men, women, and children from all over the world can actively join and participate in what the organization has to offer.
• U.S.S. Sovereign, NCC-75000, the local ship chapter affiliated with Star Fleet International in Philly for 23 years. A Star Trek club which costumes and celebrate many scifi genres, Trek being the favorite. USS Sovereign also raises funds for various charities.
• Cosplayers including Eric “The Smoke” Moran, Ivy Doomkitty, David Santiago, AllieCat Cosplay, Soni Aralynn, Brian Gregory, Brin Londo, Ruby Rinekso, Brian A. Terranova and Michael “Knightmage” Wilson.

“Castle” star Nathan Fillion, fellow “Serenity” and Firefly headliner Summer Glau, Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee and WWE® Superstars John Cena® and Daniel Bryan® are at the top of a standout roster of celebrity guests scheduled to appear at the event.  It is the third in the 2013 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend include Bryan Hitch (“America's Got Powers,” “Wolverine”), Salvador Larroca(“Avengers vs. X-Men,” “Captain America”), Leinil Yu (“Hulk,” “Fantastic Four”), Howard Chaykin (“New Avengers,” “Iron Man”) and Barry Kitson (“Thor,” “Spider-Man”).

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon – 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) 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 often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****
May 30 - June 2 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
June 28-30 – Wizard World New York City Experience
August 8-11 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
January 24-26, 2014 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
April 4-6, 2014 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con

Laid Back Comics OP/ED: Kickstarters and Animation

Kickstarter and comics may have had a short relationship together but it has become one of the main places creators both in art and writing have gone to try and get personal projects off the ground.  Something they can do without higher up companies taking too much from them or just out right rejecting ideas leaving them to never been seen by the public.  I have given to some of these Kickstarts, All right I have given it to one, but it was an awesome one done by MST3K star Bill Corbett. Then something happened just the other day which has raised everyone eyebrows just a little bit more.

We really need to let this show go.

Creators of the Veronica Mars TV show set up a Kickstarter asking for two million dollars to make a Veronica Mars movie.  It sounds like a lot of money to gather for a movie based on a show last seen in 2007. But, low and behold not only did they hit their mark; they did so in less than a single day. It took me by surprise for the most part and I am sure it took fan of the show and possible the creators by surprise. And this has suddenly turned from what could be just little blip of news story into a whole other topic of discussion all together. I mean once we get over the ‘Hey this can work for Firefly too!’ fans coming out of the wood work. Sorry guys but it got a movie and still didn't really do much to help return it to the screen, nor will the success of the Avengers under Joss Whedon help return it to the screen. You all are starting to sound a tad cultist.

By this being completely interesting is more to the business side of Hollywood. How often have you heard of something failing because for some reason it didn't make enough money, despite the quality of what is involved. Or how many projects go under funded because a studio didn't want to take the risk of spending the money and then losing it ‘if’ it wasn't to succeed. But, here there was this new step not taken into account before. Now I don’t know any of the details of how this came about, but I am sure that a studio has to be involved in some way, Veronica Mars is not an independent franchise. A studio must be helping this project in some way or fashion. The Kickstarter might just be a way to build up some of the budget and show it to them to remove a set of the risk involved in just making it. It is a clever way to try and get over that very first hurtle. If creators can get the money to help invest it removes the amount of risk and the studios easily take up some of the funding and get a bigger payout. Now this is all well and good but, what does this have to do with comics or as my title implied comic book animation?

Well, this past weekend saw the finale episodes of well-regarded shows of Young Justice as well as Green Lantern the Animated series. What killed these shows? Answer;  same thing that kills a lot of animated shows from the early days to today, the dreaded double edge sword that is toy sales. Seems there wasn't enough revenue on that end to keep the higher ups of Cartoon Network happy to keep the show going, Green Lantern especially with the expensive CGI. On one hand relaying on mostly toy sales to drive a show has always felt short sighted, but at the same the success of shows solely based on those sales is staggering at times, which is why many want to repeat it. But, with this new idea in Kickstarter one can wonder if that can change?

In the news the shows were not going to be picked up again, there was a lot of sadness and anger (Lots of anger, maybe too much) and of course groups started to form and turn to the one thing they think can help. Petitions, mostly online ones now and not so much pin and paper. The thing is you have to look at this through the eyes of executives, if you show up with a piece of paper with let say, 60,000 signatures they will only see the paper and a ‘maybe’ we can get those 60,000 to actually watched the show.  But, with Kickstarter those names could be added with dollars amounts next to them. 60,000 people donating $10 a person, suddenly you are looking at $600,000 dollars now. The executive’s eyes might clear up a little bit more.

Now, I am not saying this is something the producers of the show SHOULD do, there is a lot I am not familiar with in both how Kickstarter works or how the Veronica Mars one works as well, there are some cons I now for a fact I am overlooking mainly because I don’t know them yet. But, I do like this alternate way of funding for shows, comics, and movies like this. We are always asked when we see a show failing or about to be axed to try this reactionary save it at the last moment routine to be heroes, we rarely that ever works out.  But, here we are putting money directly into something we want to see, doing this at the start can possible boost these projects, remove a lot of the risk, make them last maybe a tiny bit longer because more of the sales of merchandise makes it to studio/creators.  If anything this opens up a new possible road for people to look to in trying to get something they love made. This to me feels like a win-win for both parties.

Bryan "BAC" Clendening
Twitter @BAClend

Con News: Fillion, Glau, Cena,Bryan, Lee, Reedus & More in Wizard World Philly 2013

Nathan Fillion, Stan Lee, Summer Glau, WWE® Superstars John Cena® And Daniel Bryan® Among Celebrity Guests At Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2

Pop Culture Festival At Pa. Convention Center Also To Feature 'The Walking Dead' Stars Michael Rooker and Norman Reedus, William Shatner, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Superstar Comics Creators

NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA, March 19, 2013 – “Castle” Star Nathan Fillion, fellow “Serenity” andFirefly headliner Summer Glau, Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee and WWE® Superstars John Cena®and Daniel Bryan® are at the top of a standout roster of celebrity guests scheduled to appear at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  It is the third in the 2013 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

Fillion and Lee will appear on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2; Cena is scheduled for Thursday, May 30; and Bryan will be on site on Saturday, June 1 only.  Other standout celebrities attending include William Shatner(“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”), “The Walking Dead” duo of Michael Rooker and Norman Reedus, Adam Baldwin (“Serenity,” Firefly), Jewel Staite (“Serenity,”Firefly), Manu Bennett (“Arrow,” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) and many others.

Additionally, all full price attendees will receive a free copy of the Exclusive Variant Cover of The Walking Dead #1 comic, available only at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.

Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend includeBryan Hitch (“America's Got Powers,” “Wolverine”),Salvador Larroca (“Avengers vs. X-Men,” “Captain America”), Leinil Yu (“Hulk,” “Fantastic Four”),Howard Chaykin (“New Avengers,” “Iron Man”) and Barry Kitson (“Thor,” “Spider-Man”).

Also featured in the autograph area are the “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” trio of James Marsters, Charisma Carpenter and Juliet Landau, the “Charmed” threesome of Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Brian Krause, “The Fonz” Henry Winkler, “Brat Packer”Andrew McCarthy and “NCIS” star Lauren Holly, among dozens of popular celebrities.

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon – 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World 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 often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****
March 22-24 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 30 - June 2 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
June 28-30 – Wizard World New York City Experience
August 8-11 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
January 24-26, 2014 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con

Con News: Castle/Firefly Star Nathan Fillion to Attend Wizard World Philly

Nathan Fillion Of 'Serenity,' 'Firefly,' 'Castle,' To Attend Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, June 1-2

Joins Stan Lee, Summer Glau, William Shatner, WWE® Superstars John Cena® And Daniel Bryan® At Pennsylvania Convention Center

NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA, March 7, 2013 – Nathan Fillion, star of the hit ABC-TV series “Castle” and well-known to fans for his iconic roles in the series “Firefly” and film Serenity, will make his first Wizard World appearance at Philadelphia Comic Con on Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, native portrayed “Captain Malcolm Reynolds” in “Firefly” and its continuation Serenity, vaulting him into the spotlight.  After a few other well-received appearances, the Emmy Award nominee landed the title role in the hugely popular “Castle,” as the quirky writer “Richard Castle,” who helps New York detective “Kate Beckett” (Stana Katic) solve crimes.  Fillion will also appear in the feature film Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, due out this summer.

Fillion will meet Wizard World fans, pose for photo ops, sign autographs and conduct an interactive Q&A at Philadelphia Comic Con.  He will join comics legend Stan Lee, Summer Glau (Serenity, “Firefly”), William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”), WWE® Superstars John Cena® and Daniel Bryan®, “The Walking Dead” duo of Michael Rooker and Norman Reedus, and Manu Bennett (“Arrow,” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, “Spartacus: Vengeance”) as headliners scheduled at the event, held May 30 – June 2.

Fans will also be able to purchase “Nathan Fillion VIP” tickets, for the full experience including photos, autographs and reserved seating at the Fillion programming panel, sure to be an extremely popular event.

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon - 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World 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 often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****
March 22-24 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 30 - June 2 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
June 28-30 – Wizard World New York City Experience
August 8-11 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
January 24-26, 2014 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con