Wizard World Miami Comic Con to Launch in 2011 with Over 150 Guests
January 14, 2011 by Brian Pate
Filed under Collectibles, Comic Books, Convention News, Florida, Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Top Stories
Press Release:
Billy Dee Williams, Julie Benz, Adam West, Burt Ward, Ray Park, Scott Thompson Among Headliners At Wizard World Miami Comic Con, February 26-27 At Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC)
Nicholas Brendon, Clare Kramer, Claudia Christian, Ernie Hudson Among 150+ Celebrity Guests, Leading Comics Artists, Creative Directors
NEW YORK and MIAMI, January 13, 2011 – North America’s largest pop-culture tour continues as Wizard World Miami Comic Con debuts at the newly-refurbished Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC), with superstar guests Billy Dee Williams, Julie Benz, Adam West, Burt Ward, Ray Park 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 and BRIAN’S SONG, will be joined in Miami by other popular STAR WARS guests Logan (“Boba Fett”) and Prowse (“Darth Vader”).
Fans are also greatly anticipating the appearances of “Batman” stars West and Ward, Benz, who has starred in “Dexter,” “No Ordinary Family,” “Desperate Housewives,” and “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” Park (“Darth Maul” in STAR WARS: EPISODE 1) and Thompson (“Kids in the Hall,” “Star Trek: Voyager”).
“¡Bienvenido A Miami! We are thrilled to bring the Wizard World tour to South Florida,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO. “We know the fans will come out and support this great event!”
Other popular Miami Comic Con celebrity guests include Claudia Christian (“Look”; “Babylon 5”), Nicholas Brendon and Clare Kramer (“Buffy: The Vampire Slayer”), Ernie Hudson (GHOSTBUSTERS) and Gena Lee Nolin (“Baywatch,” “Sheena”).
Fans can also meet their favorite comic creators and artists, including Michael Golden (“Wolverine: First Class,” “New Exiles”), Phil Jimenez (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Astonishing X-Men”), Rob Liefeld (“Deadpool,” “Youngblood”), David Mack (“Kabuki,” “Daredevil”) and Alé Garza (“Superman/Batman,” “Batgirl”).
The Miami Comic Con Wrestling section includes the popular Kevin “Big Sexy” Nash and Former WWE Divas Angela Fong “Savannah,” Candice Michelle and Torrie Wilson.
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 Miami Comic Con include the “Magic: The Gathering” card game tournament, professional photo opportunities (Photo Ops), movie screenings with celebrities and others.
Miami Comic Con is the second stop on Wizard’s 2011 North American tour, which to date has 13 events scheduled. Hours are Saturday, February 26, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, February 27, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.. Tickets are available in advance online at www.wizardworld.com/miami.html at up to a 20% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25 ($30 on site); two-day weekend tickets are $40 ($45 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.
The newly redesigned MACC will feature 172,000 square feet of luxurious, state-of-the-art meeting, social function and exhibition space. The adjacent 334-room Doubletree Hotel is also newly updated, with remodeled guest rooms, and new signature restaurant, lobby and lounge. The Doubletree is situated just three miles south of Miami International Airport (MIA), adjacent the Waterford Blue Lagoon Business District and seven miles from the Miami City Center, Bayside Marketplace and the Port of Miami, as well as just minutes away from Miami’s Internationally famous South Beach.
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!
For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become a New Orleans Comic Con Fan on Facebook.
Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con Lines Up Headliners for 2011
December 22, 2010 by Brian Pate
Filed under Collectibles, Comic Books, Convention News, Louisiana, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Top Stories
Press Release:
James Marsters, Julie Benz, Louis Gossett Jr., Ray Park, Adam West, Burt Ward, Billy Dee Williams, Peter Tork Among Headliners At Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, January 29-30 At New Orleans Morial Convention Center
Nicholas Brendon, Clare Kramer, Kelly Donovon Add to “Buffyfest New Orleans”; Ernie Hudson, Robyn Griggs, Claudia Christian, Walter Koenig Among 150+ Celebrity Guests, Leading Comics Artists, Creative Directors
NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, December 2010 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con opens the 2011 season for North America’s largest pop-culture tour, January 29-30 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in grand style, with superstar guests James Marsters, Julie Benz, Louis Gossett Jr., Ray Park, Adam West, Burt Ward, Billy Dee Williams and Peter Tork headlining the stellar list. 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.
Benz, who has also starred in “Dexter,” “No Ordinary Family,” and “Desperate Housewives,” and Marsters will be part of a “Buffyfest,” which has proven popular at other Wizard World shows and will include other “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” stars Nicholas Brendon, Clare Kramer, James Leary and Kelly Donovan in New Orleans.
“We are excited to be bringing all these stars and the best comic creators to New Orleans,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO. “We feel like fans there have been waiting for an event like New Orleans Comic Con to come to their backyard, and we are ready for a big first year.”
Other popular New Orleans Comic Con celebrity guests include Ernie Hudson (GHOSTBUSTERS), Walter Koenig (“Star Trek”), Robyn Griggs (“Another World,” “One Life to Live”), Claudia Christian (“Look”; “Babylon 5”), Mark Ryan ( TRANSFORMERS 1 and 2) and Cynthia Scott (ALIENS).
Fans can also meet their favorite comic creators and artists, including Kaare Andrews (“Astonishing X-Men”, “Iron Man”), Kody Chamberlain (“Sweets,” “Punks”), John Dell (“JLA,” “Adventure Comics”), Michael Golden (“Wolverine: First Class,” “New Exiles”), Mike Grell (“Green Lantern,” “Green Arrow”), Rob Guillory (“Chew”), Phil Jimenez (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Astonishing X-Men”), John Layman (“Chew,” “Puffed”), Rob Liefeld (“Deadpool,” “Youngblood”), David Mack (“Kabuki,” “Daredevil”), Joe Madureira (“Darksiders,” “Uncanny X-Men”), Kevin Maguire (“Justice League,” “Batman Confidential”), Terry Moore (“Strangers in Paradise,” “Echo”), Yanick Paquette (“Batman,” “Superman”), Steve Scott (“X-Men Forever,” “Wolverine”) Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra,” “Assassin”), Cameron Stewart (“Batman & Robin,” “Catwoman”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Batman”), Mark Texeira (“Wolverine,” “Spider-Man”), Renee Witterstaetter (“She Hulk,” “Avengers”) and Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Superman/Batman”).
The New Orleans Comic Con Wrestling section includes the popular Kevin Nash and Booker T.
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 New Orleans Comic Con include the “Magic: The Gathering” and Yu-Gi-Oh card game tournaments, professional photo opportunities (Photo Ops), movie screenings with celebrities and others.
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is located at 900 Convention Center Blvd. in New Orleans. New Orleans Comic Con is the first stop on Wizard’s 2011 North American tour, which to date has 13 events scheduled. Hours are Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.. Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/neworleans.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25 ($30 on site); two-day weekend tickets are $40 ($45 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.
The freshly renovated New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is an essential component of what makes the city’s major business events so successful. With 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, the Convention Center is the sixth largest convention facility in the nation, and it consistently ranks in the country’s top ten of facilities that hold the most conventions and trade shows annually.
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!
BuffyFest Reunites Stars for New England Comic Con 2010
October 11, 2010 by Brian Pate
Filed under Collectibles, Comic Books, Convention News, Massachusetts, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Top Stories
Press Release:
Six “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” Stars Among Headliners at Wizard World New England Comic Con, Oct. 15-17 in Boston
Clare Kramer, Amber Benson, Mercedes McNab Join “Buffyfest;” Fantastic Four’s Doug Jones, “Antique Roadshow” Appraiser Gary Sohmers And 100+ Celebrity Guests, Leading Comics Artists, Creative Directors To Attend
NEW YORK and BOSTON – Wizard World New England Comic Con, part of North America’s largest pop-culture tour, is set for Friday through Sunday, October 15-17, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. The event will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and plenty 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.
Six actors who have portrayed beloved characters in “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” will appear at the event. James Marsters, Charisma Carpenter, Nicholas Brendon, Amber Benson, Clare Kramer and Mercedes McNab are all scheduled to appear at the “BuffyFest” festival being done in partnership with CineQuest.com. The six guests will greet fans, sign autographs, take photographs and participate in panels and discussions that highlight their roles in the popular Joss Whedon television series.
“This is one of the biggest collections of ‘Buffy’ stars in one place,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO. “New England Comic Con appeals to fans of all aspects of pop culture, from comics to television to movies to music to toys to video games and more.”
Other popular New England Comic Con celebrity guests include Ernie Hudson (GHOSTBUSTERS), Luciana Carro (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Caprica”), Doug Jones (FANTASTIC FOUR, HELLBOY) and Gary Sohmers (appraiser, “Antique Roadshow”).
Fans can also meet their favorite comic creators and artists, including Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Superman/Batman”), Greg Horn (“Blackest Night,” “Elektra,” “Ms. Marvel”), Michael Golden (“Wolverine: First Class,” “New Exiles”), Mark Texeira (“Moon Knight,” “Ghost Rider”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Batman”), Alé Garza (“Fathom,” “Cable,” “Batgirl”), Renee Witterstaetter (Editor – “She Hulk,” Colorist – “Avengers”) and many other national and local creators.
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 New England Comic Con include the “Magic: The Gathering” card game tournament, professional photo opportunities (Photo Ops) with celebrities and others to be announced.
The Hynes Convention Center is located at 900 Boylston Street in the Back Bay section of Boston. New England Comic Con is the sixth stop on Wizard’s eight-city 2010 North American tour. Hours are Friday, Oct. 15, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (all times Eastern). Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/newengland.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25; three-day weekend tickets are $45, and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.
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!
For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become a New England Comic Con Fan on Facebook.
Michael Golden Print Exclusive at Wizard World Chicago
August 18, 2010 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Convention News, Illinois, Movies, Other, Television
Press Release:
Exclusives Abound at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con! And for the first time EVER, Michael Golden’s artwork will be featured as part of the VIP Package for the premiere upcoming pop-culture event!
Wizard World Chicago Comic Con is the place to be to collect exclusive prints, books, die cast cars, toys and other items, as more than 30 different pieces will be available only at the event, August 19-22 at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill.
But this eye-catching Power Girl piece by the co-creator of X-Men’s Rogue, is available ONLY as part of the VIP exclusives. And it’s certainly no mystery why Mr. G. was picked as part of this special promotion for the show.
During his career, Golden has been an editor at DC Comics as well as senior art director at Marvel Comics, and has worked on numerous movie production projects, including some currently in development. His art has been the focus of gallery shows in places as diverse as New York, Gijon and Barcelona, Antwerp and Brussels, and his class on storytelling has been conducted in Spain, Brussels, Canada, and the United States.
In addition to his groundbreaking art on titles such as “The ‘Nam,” “Micronauts,” “G.I. Joe Yearbook,” “The Avengers,” “Batman,” and “Dr. Strange,” Golden’s recent work can be seen on the covers of “Heroes for Hire,” “Exiles,” “Nightwing,” “Uncanny X-Men,” “Hulk Team-Up,” “Wonder Woman,” and “Spiderman 1602,” among much more! Books on his work include the recent publications “Excess: The Art of Michael Golden,” “Modern Masters: Michael Golden,” “Heroes and Villains,” and “MORE Heroes and Villains,” most of which will be available from Michael in artist’s alley while supplies last.
Chicago Comic Con will easily be one of the top conventions of the year. And joining Golden at the event will be Eva Ink Artist Group contemporaries Mark Texeira and Steve Scott.
Currently Texeira is finishing up a Punisher limited series for Marvel Comics, and you no doubt know him from his stunning work on Ghost Rider, Moon Knight, Black Panther, Conan, and much more. Mark will have copies of his books “Babes and Brawn,” and “Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira,” at the show.
Artist Steve Scott recently completed stints X-Men Forever, a Green Lantern special project and is currently working on a Batman story at DC Comics as well. At Wizard Chicago, Steve will be offering copies of his new sketchbook, “Steve Scott Sketches,” while supplies last, as well as some exclusive prints!
This year’s WWC also includes an impressive line-up from Hollywood including William Shatner, Linda Hamilton, James Marsters, Adam West, the Final Five Cylons from Battlestar Galactica, Linda Blair, Nicholas Brendon, Clare Kramer, Claudia Christian, Richard Roundtree, Julia Jones and many many more!
The line-up from the world of illustration and comics is also pretty amazing, and includes, along with Golden, Texeira, and Scott: Joe Madureira, Arthur Suydam, Brian Pulido, J. Scott Campbell, Jim Calafiore, William Christensen, Bill Sienkiewicz, Greg Horn, Stuart Sayger, Jill Thompson, Billy Tucci, Ethan Van Sciver, Leo Leibelman, James O’Barr, Mike McKone, Geof Darrow, Gary Friedrich, David Mack, Renee Witterstaetter, Mike Grell, and tons more! It can certainly be said that Chicago Comic Con boasts one of the largest Artist Alley in the country!
In fact, this amazing event features over 500 special guests and celebrities from the world of comic books, film & television, wrestling, pop culture and more will be in attendance, and you will not want to miss out! And don’t forget to sign up for the VIP package featuring that fantastic Michael Golden Power Girl print as well!
Chicago Comic Con runs from August 19-22, 2010 at the Rosemont Convention Center. For more information, go to: http://www.wizardworld.com
For more information on commissions, and appearances of artists Michael Golden, Mark Texeira, Steve Scott and Eva Ink Artist Group, contact Renee at: evaink@aol.com
OH – FCBD: Xander Signing
March 30, 2010 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Horror, Ohio, Other, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Signing and Appearance Profiles, Television
Nicholas Brendon of Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer makes a special guest appearance at Packrat Comics for Free Comic Book Day. An Exclusive Xander Action Figure is available in limited supply and a free Buffy comic for the first 100 people in line. Free Concert with stand up comedians to follow during annual Nerd Night. Check out the website to stay informed of all the upcoming events at Packrat Comics!
Free Comic Book Day
Saturday May 1, 2010 beginning at 10am
Industry Professionals – Chris Sprouse, Darryl Banks, Josh Medors, Uko Smith and more!
Bouncy Castle for the kiddies!
Video Game Tournament
Costume Contest
Nerd Night begins at 5pm
Free Concert
Stand Up Comics
Comic Book Trivia Contest
Charity Comic Book Poker
And Much More!
Join us for an afternoon of Free Fun for All Ages!
Packrat Comics, 3864 Lattimer Street, Hilliard, OH 43026
