Tag Archives: wizard

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Another day and a lot of news is out there.  Find out all the news other sites covered.

Around the Blogs:

Egyptian Uprising – Egypt’s banned graphic novel to be published in English – Look forward to reading this one.

Bleeding Cool – DC Expands Co-Op Advertising Scheme To Facebook And Will Pay Stores For “Featured” Titles – Where’s my money!?

Bleeding Cool – DC Nation Moves To Television – This one I look forward to, but it’s all in the execution.

The Beat – What does Avatar’s partnership with Boom! mean? – I’m biting my tongue to prevent the joke I want to say.

Comics Alliance – Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited to Stream Free at Starbucks Stores – Next thing you know hipsters will be reading comics and wearing t-shirts with comics… oh wait…

ICv2 – Kurt Busiek on ‘Kirby: Genesis’ – Nice interview, worth checking out.

The Beat – Best press release of the day: Wizard does something – I’ll have to re-read this press release.

C2e2 Coverage:

Platform Nation – News From C2E2 Part 1

Bleeding Cool – A Comic Shop – Back From C2E2 And Loving It!

CBLDF – CBLDF Sweeps Through the Windy City During C2E2

Around the Tubes Reviews:

Bleeding Cool – FF#1 and The Dark Knight #2

The Hub – Foiled

Comic Book Resources – Local

Bleeding Cool – Neonomicon #4 and Hellraiser Prelude And #1

Daily Titan – Watchmen

GeekWeek – Xombi #1

Complex – The Best Comic Books This Week: Green Lantern, Thor, Captain America and More!

Revolver – Anthrax Guitarist Scott Ian Shares Five Of His Favorite Comic Books

Kotaku – Week in Comics

Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD) Appoints Michael Mathews As Chairman Of The Board

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Official Press Release

Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD) Appoints Michael Mathews As Chairman Of The Board

Mathews Brings to Wizard World A Track Record of Multiple Private to Public Successes in the Digital Marketing Space


New York, NY (March 23, 2011) – Wizard World, Inc. (symbol: WIZD) today announced that Michael Mathews, former CEO of interclick, inc. (ICLK) and a successful entrepreneur in guiding hyper-growth for companies in the digital marketing space, has joined Wizard World as Chairman of the Board. Mathews will help facilitate the planned growth and strategic direction of Wizard World, with the goal of developing digital properties that become the leading destinations for Pop Culture enthusiasts. Mr. Mathews will begin his new position effective immediately.

“Michael is one of the most innovative, creative and accomplished executives in guiding young, private-to-public digital marketing businesses to the hundred million plus revenue mark,” Wizard World CEO Gareb Shamus said. “Given Michael’s success with digital marketing firms CKS Group and Agency.com and most recently at interclick the past 3 years, I’m excited that he will now bring his strategic and critical thinking skills and his institutional investor relationships to Wizard World. I’m looking forward to him guiding us through our planned hyper-growth over the coming few years.”

“Gareb Shamus and his team at Wizard World have built tremendous momentum as a leader in the pop culture space with fans, celebrities, media and entertainment firms, both in their ever-growing event business and in their new digital properties. I am excited to help accelerate this momentum and increase its velocity on the digital side,” Mathews said. I believe that the Company is poised to fuel that passion with its compelling and inclusive digital platforms and that the potential for growth is profound.”

Mathews joins the board of Wizard World after serving as Chief Executive Officer at interclick, inc., one of the leading technology companies in providing data-driven advertising solutions for major digital marketers. He served as CEO from August, 2007 through January, 2011, and remains as a Director on their board.  Mathews also serves as a Director at 5to1, Inc. (FTOH.OB). He helped grow digital businesses while holding senior management positions at Agency.com (President), World Avenue, CKS Group, and BBDO Worldwide. Mathews began his career in the 1980’s in Sales & Marketing at Intel Corporation, and is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a degree in Marketing. He also holds a Masters in Business Administration from Golden Gate University.
About Wizard World, Inc.

In addition to the new online publication Wizard World, the company Wizard World, Inc. (the “Company”) is a producer of Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America. These events feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists, writers and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, exhibitors, retailers, panels, and costume contests. The Company began its 2011 Comic Con Tour in New Orleans in January 2011, and has scheduled 10 additional Comic Cons in 2011 in large cities such as Anaheim, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Austin, and Boston.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release relating to Wizard World, Inc.’s future plans, expectations, beliefs, intentions and prospects are “forward-looking statements” and are subject to material risks and uncertainties. When used in this press release, the words “will”, “future”, “expect”, “look forward to”, similar expressions and any other statements that are not historical facts are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. Any such statement may be influenced by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of Wizard World that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected, described, expressed or implied in this press release due to a number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur. A detailed discussion of these factors and other risks that affect our business is contained in our SEC filings, including our reports on Form 8-K, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors.” Copies of these filings are available online from the SEC or by contacting Joe Favorito, Public Relations at (646) 308-1390. All information set forth in this press release is current as of March 23, 2011. Wizard World undertakes no duty to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

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I got my comics for the week, did you?  Reviews will be Sunday as usual, but they might be at a decent time (earlier in the day) than the 6ish time period like last week.  If you haven’t picked yours up yet, check out Takio, it looks pretty entertaining.

Other than that, the Emerald City Comicon is this weekend, which means expect to see other blogs’ coverage over the next day here (not like we’re there).

Around the Blogs:

Comicsbeat – Marvel Month-to-Month Sales: January 2011 -We don’t have the patience to go over the month to month sales, luckily others do!

ICv2 – First Look at Wizkids’ ‘Captain America Boosters’ – We love our Heroclix and ICv2 just happened to snap some photos of the upcoming Captain America line at Toy Fair.

Comics Alliance – 10 of “Wizard” Magazine’s Most Dubious Moments – Wizard is dead, but the bizarre reporting lives on.

Arts Beat – Even Superman had a Mom, and Diane Lane Will Play Her – Hmm, we love Diane Lane, but Superman’s mom should not be this hot.

Comic Book Resources Spinoff – Avengers To Shoot in Cleveland – A great excuse to visit where I was born and grab some good food.

Around the Tweets:

‘Buffyfest,’ ‘Batman,’ Julie Benz, Billy Dee Williams Panels Highlight Miami Comic Con Programming

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Official Press Release

‘Buffyfest,’ ‘Batman,’ Julie Benz, Billy Dee Williams, Scott Thompson Panels Plus Fan Groups Parade, ‘Are You Smarter Than A Ghostbuster?’ Highlight Miami Comic Con Programming

‘Secrets of Pro Wrestling,’ Wizard Spotlights, ‘Wizard School’ and Costume Contests Also On Tap February 26-27 at Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC)


MIAMI, February 10, 2011 – Wizard World Miami Comic Con today announced its diverse programming schedule, featuring unique celebrity Q&A’s, movie screenings, game shows, artist schools and more for the event, set for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 26-27 at the Miami Airport Convention Center.

Some of the highlights include:

  • Rare Q&A panels with Scott Thompson and Julie Benz , as well as popular Comic Con guests Billy Dee Williams, Adam West and Burt Ward
  • “Are You Smarter than a Ghostbuster” featuring Wizard World’s favorite Ghostbuster, Ernie Hudson
  • “Buffyfest” with Nicholas Brendon and “Vampire Diaries” with Clare Kramer and Mercedes McNab
  • Troopers, knights, Ghostbusters and other groups take over the Convention floor with a parade of fan groups
  • Saturday evening programming for adults only, 300 Brigade Villains Unite Show and the Bagged and Boarded “Smodcast”
  • Wizard Art School and Q&A’s featuring leading artists like Bill Sinkiewicz, Mike Grell, Phil Jimenez, Alé Garza, Michael Golden, Greg Horn and others
  • The popular adult costume contest and fun kids costume contest with great prizes

Miami Comic Con programming will take place in Room A and Room B at the Miami Airport Convention Center, 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.  The full schedule is below:

Saturday

11:30AM-12:00PM
Exposed: Secrets Of Professional Wrestling
Wrestlers Kevin Nash, Candice Michelle and Angela Fong give fans the low down on what’s real and what’s not in the world of professional wrestling. (Room B)

12:00-12:30PM
Julie Benz Q&A
As a star of hit shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Dexter” and “No Ordinary Family,” Benz talks to fans about her extensive career, ups and downs in the industry and her thoughts on the new generation of sci-fi and fantasy on television. (Room A)

1:00-1:45PM
Billy Dee Williams Q&A
Lando lands Miami Comic Con, as the coolest man in Star Wars history sits down to take fan questions. (Room A)

Filipe Andrade Unleashed
Andrade dishes on his new X-Men project: X-Men Unleashed, and offers tips about sustaining a career in comics whether you live in Manhattan or Siberia. (Room B)

2:00-2:15PM
Groups Of The Con Parade
Join troopers, knights, Ghostbusters and more, as they parade around the convention floor.

2:00-2:45PM
Buffyfest With Nicholas Brendon
Buffy’s “Xander Harris” sits down to take fan questions about life during and after the pop culture phenomenon. (Room A)

The Cutting Edge W/ Bill Sienkiewicz, David Mack And J. David Spurlock
Innovators Bill Sienkiewicz, David Mack, and J. David Spurlock discuss the wilder side of comics art. (Room B)

3:00-3:30PM
Are You Smarter Than A Ghostbuster? With Ernie Hudson
Think you know GHOSTBUSTERS? Go head-to-head with Mr. “Winston Zeddemore” himself, as the Orlando Ghostbusters test your movie knowledge of the 1984 classic. (Room A)

Tex: The Art Of Mark Texeira
The legendary Ghost Rider, Sabertooth, Wolverine artist talks with award-winning author J. David Spurlock (Room B)

4:00-4:45PM
Batman And Robin W/ Adam West And Burt Ward
The original ’60s Dynamic Duo reteams for this one-of-a-kind Q&A, where Batman and Robin drop their masks and talk about their lady co-stars, the villains they faced and the wild nights after the show!
(Room A)

Wizard Spotlight: Jim Starlin
Join award-winning Warlock and Captain Marvel writer-artist Jim Starlin, as he hosts a crash-course in comic writing. (Room B)

4:45-5:00PM
Miami Ballroom Dancers
Come watch this Miami dance troupe heat up the dance floor with an amazing cha-cha routine. (Room A)

5:00-5:45PM
Behind The Scenes Of “danny Husk: The Hollow Planet
Scott Thompson (“The Kids in the Hall”) and Stephan Nilson (President of Frozen Beach Studios) will take you behind the scenes and into the pages of their newest graphic novel “Danny Husk: The Hollow Planet.” At the Q&A panel, several lucky attendees will win an autographed copy of “Danny Husk: The Hollow Planet,” the signed CGC preview of the OGN and a CGC certified autographed photo of Scott Thompson.

Between The Lines W/ Alé Garza
Fan-favorite artist Alé Garza takes fans on an artistic tour of his style and storytelling. (Room B)

6:00-6:30PM
Kid’s Costume Contest
Bring any kids 10 and under for this special event with great prizes just for families and the youngsters. (Room B)

6:30-8:30PM
Costume Contest
Get your best costume together and come on down to Wizard’s Miami Comic Con costume contest for huge prizes and some of the craziest outfits you’ll see this weekend. (Room B)

9:00-9:45PM
The 3000 Brigade Presents: The Almost Got Em’ – Villains Unite Show!
This show is a parody of all aspects of convention, video game, comic, and anime fandom life. This time the 3000 Brigade will battle formidable foes, have sexy girls dances that interrupt everything, and of course ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF in their sixth Spectacular Show! So be prepared to have your eyes and ears assaulted by the finest bunch of Cosplay/Comic Entertainers this side of the Mississippi. WARNING: This show can be crude, rude, explicit, and just plain wrong, so if you are easily offended please find something else to do at this fantastically awesome convention! (Room A)

10:00-11:00PM
Bagged And Boarded Smodcast W/ Matt Cohen And Branden Creecy
Join Matt Cohen, his friend Brendan Creecy and a special celebrity guest host, as they ponder and pontificate the finer points of existence…and generally offend a whole bunch of people. WARNING: Leave the kiddies at home; this program contains explicit content and is for adult audiences only! (Room A)

Sunday

11:00-11:45AM
Wizard Spotlight: Denise Crosby
Starring as “Tasha Yar” on “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, Crosby dishes on her early exit from the series, her memories of the first episodes and how “Next Generation” continues to endure.

Who Wants To Be On A Reality Show?! Hosted By Jarrett “The Defuser” Crippen
Have you ever wanted to be on a reality show? Are you curious as to what the producers are looking for? Come get inside tips about reality shows and what it takes to win from the winner of Stan Lee’s “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” Season II. The Defuser (Jarrett Crippen) will talk about and answer questions regarding the audition process, competition, living conditions and other topics related to his show and reality shows in general. (Room B)

12:00-12:45PM
Buffyfest With Clare Kramer And Mercedes Mcnab
McNab and Kramer talk about their days as “Harmony” and “Glory” in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” (Room A)

Phil Jimenez: Breaking Into Comics
The School of Visual Arts instructor and long-time comic pro covers the dos and don’ts on pitching yourself to comic companies and editors. (Room B)

1:00-1:45PM
Ray Park Q&A
The “X-Men” and “Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace” star engages fans in this one-of-a-kind Q&A, where he discusses his extensive film biography and his evolution to genre icon. (Room A)

Storytelling With Michael Golden
No matter if you’re a writer, artist or a reader of comics, come for this sit-down with one of the most renowned storytellers in the business, Michael Golden, as he tells you a few tricks of the trade that will help you no matter what type of story you tell or enjoy, in whatever medium. It’s a rare opportunity to talk with the co-creator of X-Men Rogue, and groundbreaking penciler on such projects as Bucky O’Hare, The ’Nam, Micronauts, G.I. Joe, and much more. (Room B)

2:00-2:45PM
Between The Lines With Mike Grell
The legendary comics icon behind classic Legion of Super-Heroes Tales and Warlord talks about his tips of the trade and shares his secrets from making it in comics. (Room A)

3:00-3:45PM
Wizard’s Digital Art School With Greg Horn
Superstar Marvel and DC artist Greg Horn (Blackest Night covers) leads a discussion on digital art and takes you through his creative process. (Room A)

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.

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