Features

Line Up for Wizard World Madison Announced

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MADISON, Wis. – Wizard World, Inc. continues its 2015 schedule with its first trip to the Alliant Energy Center at Wizard World Madison Comic Con, February 6-8. William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”), Brett Dalton (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Emily Kinney (“The Walking Dead,” Concussion), Josh McDermitt (“The Walking Dead,” “Retired at 35”), Kristin Bauer (“True Blood,” “Once Upon a Time”), Eliza Dushku (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” True Lies) and George Wendt (“Cheers”) headline the roster of celebrity guests scheduled to attend the pop culture extravaganza.Shatner will attend on Friday and Saturday, February 6-7; Dalton, Kinney, McDermitt, Bauer and Dushku will appear on Saturday and Sunday, February 7-8; Wendt is scheduled for all three days of the event.Other well-known Wizard World Madison Comic Con guests include Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy, “The Walking Dead”), Adam West and Burt Ward (“Batman”), Jason Mewes (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Clerks), Adrian Paul (“Highlander”), Billy Dee Williams (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Brian’s Song), Edward James Olmos (“Battlestar Galactica,” Stand and Deliver), Cassandra Peterson (“Elvira, Mistress of the Dark”), Scott Wilson (“The Walking Dead,” “CSI”), William Kircher (The Hobbittrilogy), James Marsters (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Caprica”), Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk”), Jason David Frank (“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”) and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, “Heroes”).Wizard World is also the home of the most creative comics artists and writers on the planet. Artist Alley at Madison Comic Con will feature Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons,” “Muppet Babies”), Mike Grell (“Green Arrow,” “Green Lantern”), Valerio Schiti (“Mighty Avengers,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”), Joanna Estep (“The Fantastic Four,” “Bravest Warriors”) and many others.In addition, all full-price Wizard World Madison Comic Con attendees will receive a limited edition exclusive variant cover “The Walking Dead” comic, drawn by one of Wizard World’s talented artist guests (to be announced shortly). Comics will be issued at registration while supplies last and VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version.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, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

convention

Dan Con Welcomes. . . Kevin Harrell (Spring)

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Dan ConKevin Harrell is a humble pupil, teetering on the prefaces of stardom. He is an accomplished illustration shogun with a hidden animation dagger that strikes down the competition with the most jaw dropping and beautiful precision.And while the history tome of this man is still in its first few pages, his work and dedication shows the wisdom and power of a long time veteran novella. Kevin builds his nest in the north west burbs of Illinois, with his wife and two kids.Experience his work at http://kevinharrell.deviantart.com/

Features

Neal Adams, Rick Burchett Among Top Artists At Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con

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ST. LOUIS – Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”, Rick Burchett (“Wonder Woman,” “The Flash”), Cullen Bunn (“Wolverine,” “Avenging Spider-Man”), Jorge Molina (“X-Men,” “Fear Itself”) and Chris Samnee (“Daredevil,” “Before Watchmen”) are among the leading comics creators scheduled to attend the inaugural Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, March 22-24 at America’s Center. The collection of more than 85 talented artists and writers will also feature such luminaries as Tyler Kirkham (“Superboy,” “Teen Titans”), Gary Friedrich (“Ghost Rider,” “Monster of Frankenstein”), Freddie Williams II (“Green Arrow,” “Captain Atom”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”) and Michael Golden (“Hulk,” “Star Wars”).Two Eisner Award Hall of Famers in Adams and legend Stan Lee, two other Eisner winners (Burchett, Freidrich) and four nominees (Bunn, Samnee, Chris Grine (“Chickenhare”) and Matt Kindt (“JLA,” Agent of S.H.A.D.E.”) will be on hand.The stellar roster complements a celebrity lineup with Laurie Holden, Billy Dee Williams, WWE® Superstar Randy Orton®, Henry Winkler, James Marsters and Dean Cain headlining. The event also features a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the second event on Wizard World’s expanded 2013 calendar.Additionally, all full price attendees will receive a free copy of the Exclusive Variant Cover of ‘The Walking Dead #1 comic, illustrated by Suydam, available only at Wizard World St.

Features

Chicon 7 Unites the Past and Future of Electronic Gaming

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Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), is bringing together a unique pairing of historic and contemporary electronic games with free access for all convention members.Historic games will be provided through Star Worlds Arcade (www.starworldsarcade.com) of DeKalb, Illinois. Star Worlds is widely recognized as one of the last arcades with coin-operated games in the US, and takes particular pride in maintaining and refurbishing historic arcade games from the 1980s. Star Worlds will be bringing no fewer than 15 of these machines to the Chicon 7 concourse for exclusive use by Chicon 7 members throughout the convention. Games on offer are expected to include such classics as Space Invaders, Missile Command and Robotron. Showing the huge developments in arcade games of the last 30 years, the concourse will also host six BattleTech Cockpit Simulator Pods.

Chicago

Chicon 7 Announces At-Con Membership and Day Admission Rates

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Chicon 7Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), has set the attending membership rates that will apply from August 1 onwards for both online and at-the-door sales, and determined its Day Admission rates.The following attending membership rate changes for Chicon 7 will go into effect on August 1, 2012:- The Adult Attending membership rate will increase from $215 to $230- Converting a Supporting membership to an Attending membership will be $180As part of the convention’s policy to encourage families and children to attend Chicon 7 the following attending membership rates for Children (0-16 years old) and Young Adults (17-21) will remain unchanged:- Children (0-16 years old) at $75- Young Adults (17-21 years old) at $100.The Family Rate (2 adults plus 2 or more dependent children) will increase from $540 to $560.Day Admissions can be purchased online via the Chicon 7 website from August 1, 2012, or in person at the door. Day Admissions are priced according to the day being purchased and the age of the purchaser. (Quoted figures are for Thursday 30 / Friday 31 August / Saturday 1 / Sunday 2 / Monday 3 September respectively).Adult $50 / $70 / $70 / $70 / $40Young Adult $30 / $40 / $40 / $40 / $20Child $20 / $30 / $30 / $30 / $15Chicon 7 memberships are available for immediate purchase at various conventions, at www.chicon.org, and by postal mail. Full information on all registration and payment options, along with the current rates which are good through July 31, 2012, are available at www.chicon.org/membership.php.Chicon 7 is the 2012 World Science Fiction Convention (“Worldcon”). The first Worldcon occurred in New York City in 1939 and Worldcons have been held annually since then except for 1942-45 when there was no event due to World War II.

Features

J. Scott Campbell Among Superstar Creators To Attend 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

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Wizard WorldAn All-Star lineup of comic and toy creators, including notables Carlos Pacheco, George Pérez, Greg Capullo, J. Scott Campbell and many others from around the world will populate Artist Alley at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 9-12 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.  Among the special guests are five Eisner Award winners, including Hall of Famer Stan Lee, and eight nominees of the prestigious honor.In addition to Pacheco (“X-Men,” “Green Lantern”), Pérez (“Superman,” “JSA”), Capullo (“Batman,” “Spawn”) and Campbell (“Avengers vs. X-Men,” “Spider-Man”), the head of the roster includes Daniel Acuña (“Wolverine,” “Avengers”), Rodolfo Migliari (“Green Arrow,” “Green Lantern”), Brom (“Dungeons & Dragons,” “The Plucker”), “CAFU” (Carlos Alberto Fernandez Urbano) (“Superboy,” “X-Men”), Humberto Ramos (“Amazing Spider-Man,” Impulse”), Paul Jenkins (“Batman,” “Hulk”), Ken Kelly (“Star Wars,” “Star Trek), Pat Lee (“Iron Man,” “Wolverine”), Mahmud A. Asrar (“Supergirl,” “Adventure Comics”), Budd Root (“Cavewoman”), Shane Davis (“Superboy,” “Bruce Wayne – The Road Home”), Rob Lean (“Superboy,” “Lady Death”), R.B. Silva (“Superboy,” “Supergirl”), Barry Kitson (“Uncanny X-Force,” “Avengers”), Clay Mann (“Gambit,” “Dark Reign: Elektra”), Mike McKone (“Green Lantern,” “Spider-Man”), Yanick Paquette (“Wolverine: Weapon X,” “Wonder Woman), Michael Golden (“Daredevil,” “The Punisher”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”), Doug Wheatley (“Aliens,” “Conan”), Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “X-Force”), Chris Burnham (“Batman Incorporated,” “The Amory Wars”), Mark Texeira (“Wolverine,” “Black Panther”) and David Mack (“Kabuki,” “Daredevil”).Many top local Chicagoland artists such as Burnham and Eisner Award Winner Art Baltazar (“Superman Family Adventures,” “Tiny Titans”) will also be on hand.Eisner winners scheduled to attend the show are Lee, Baltazar, Pérez, Paul Jenkins (“Hulk,” “Origin”) and Dave Dorman (“G.I. Joe,” “Indiana Jones”).  Nominees include Pacheco, Ramos, Mack, Eliza Frye (“The Lady’s Murder,” “Lucky House”), Phil Hester (“Wonder Woman,” “Daredevil”), Rafael Nieves (“The Apocalypse Plan,” “Bob Howard: Plumber Of The Unknown”), Ben Templesmith (“Wasteland, “Buffy”) and Billy Tucci (“Birds of Prey,” “Sgt. Rock).As the impressive list of creators shows, Artist Alley at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con covers virtually every popular character ever seen in comics, movies and other media.In addition to the superstar creator lineup, the expanded, four-day event features more than 50 celebrities, including headliners like William Shatner, Scott Bakula, Tom Felton, Jon Bernthal, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and WWE® Superstars CM Punk™ and John Cena®, in what is shaping up as the biggest Wizard World show ever and the Midwest’s No. 1 Pop Culture Convention.Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will 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. For more on the 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ch.html.

Features

Anime Midwest Announces Greg Ayres

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Anime MidwestAnime Midwest is extremely excited to announce that popular anime voice actor Greg Ayres will be attending Anime Midwest 2012 this summer in Chicago! Anime Midwest will be held July 6-8, 2012 at the Wyndham Executive Conference Center in Lisle, Illinois, approximately 25 minutes from the heart of Chicago.Greg Ayres can usually be found rockin’ out somewhere, whether animated or not. From the loud-mouthed Hideki in Nerima Daikon Brothers, to Koyuki, singing with the the band in Beck:Mongolian Chop Squad, he’s always glad to shake things up a bit. Uesugi Kenshin in Sengoku Basara, Seikechi Tayama in Oh Edo Rocket, and Abe in Big Windup are some of his most recent roles. He can also be head as Son Goku in Saiyuki, Chrono in Chrono Crusade, Kaoru Hitachiin in Ouran High School Host Club, Yuki in The Wallflower, Leo in Ghost Stories, Satoshi Hiwatari in DNAngel, Kaworu Nagisa in the Director’s Cut of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Negi Springfield in Negima, Heihachi in Samurai 7, Jr. in Xenosaga:The Animation, Tsujido in Speed Grapher, Roan in Ragnorok The Animation, Yamazaki in Welcome to the NHK, Nowy in Glass Fleet, Gau Ban in Shadow Skill, Pope Alessandro XVIII in Trinity Blood, and a bunch of other titles he’ll probably forget to mention.

Features

Kevin Sorbo to Appear at Wizard World Chicago

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Wizard WorldKevin Sorbo as HerculesKevin Sorbo, known across the globe for his portrayal of the title character in the popular “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” series, will appear as a special guest at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 9-12 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.  Sorbo, who has enjoyed continuous success on television for the past 20 years, will meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photos at Wizard World’s longest running and highest-attended show.The immense popularity of five initial two-hour “Hercules” telefilms in 1993 resulted in the launch of a weekly series by 1994 and helped launch Sorbo’s path to stardom. The series not only became a breakout hit by becoming the number one first-run program in syndication, it also passed “Baywatch” as the most watched TV show in the world.  The innovative action hour revitalized the entire action/adventure genre on television and fostered two spin-off series, “Xena, Warrior Princess”, and “Young Hercules”.  Sorbo also directed two episodes of the show, and co-wrote one installment.Following the success of “Hercules,” Sorbo went on to star in the lead role of “Captain Dylan Hunt” in “Gene Roddenberry’s, Andromeda.” The series, based upon writings from the late “Star Trek” creator’s archives, debuted as the number one hour show in first run syndication and held that spot throughout it’s five year run from 2000-2005.Sorbo will join other headliners like William Shatner, Stan Lee, Tom Felton, Scott Bakula, Jon Bernthal, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and WWE® Superstars CM Punk™ and John Cena®, notable artists Carlos Pacheco, George Pérez, Greg Capullo at the Midwest’s No. 1 Pop Culture Convention.Wizard World Chicago Comic Con (August 9-12), produced by Wizard World, Inc., will 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. For more on the 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ch.html

Features

John Cena To Appear at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

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Wizard WorldWWE® Superstar John Cena® will appear as a special guest on Thursday, August 9, Opening Day at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, it was announced today by Wizard World.  Cena will be on hand at the event from 4-8 p.m., and will meet fans, sign autographs and pose for professional photo ops.Cena’s appearance kicks off an expanded, full four-day Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 9-12, in what is shaping up as the biggest Wizard World show ever and the Midwest’s No. 1 Pop Culture Convention.  One of the most popular WWE Superstars since his debut in 2002, Cena combines his athleticism, charisma, strong work ethic and genuine personality to make him one of the brightest stars in WWE and its hit cable program, Monday Night RAW on the USA Network.“I am looking forward to meeting the enthusiastic fans at my first Wizard World event,” said Cena. “I have heard a lot about the charged-up atmosphere, and I can’t wait to experience it for myself.”A powerful marketing force with outsized personality and charm, Cena has had numerous Hollywood roles, including The Marine, 12 Rounds, Legendary, The Reunion and Nickelodeon’s teen comedy trilogy Fred: The Movie.“We are excited to welcome WWE Superstar John Cena to the Wizard World family to help us kick off our longest-running and largest show, Wizard World Chicago Comic Con,” said John Macaluso, CEO, Wizard World.  “His addition continues our commitment to providing fans with an outstanding experience.”The announcement follows the hugely successful Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con event which featured WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, all five “Star Trek” captains and one of Hollywood’s fastest-risers, Chris Hemsworth (Thor, The Avengers), earlier this month.WWE® Superstar John Cena® VIP Experience @ Chicago Comic Con Tickets are available at http://wizardworld.ticketleap.com/johncenavip/#.For more on the 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ch.html.