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Review: Robin, Son of Batman #4

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Robin Son of Batman #4It’s Robin vs. Deathstroke! The troubles in Maya’s past come back to haunt her. Will Damian and Goliath be forced to leave her to fend for herself, or can they find a way to help their new ally?

Robin, Son of Batman #4 really feels like two totally different comics melded together, and yet, it somehow still works in a very entertaining way.

Written by Patrick Gleason, this issue has Damian continuing his mission to right the wrongs of the past. This one has him heading to a mystical hospital where he stole some stuff and took away the good karma.

The first half of the comic feels like an adventure befitting Indiana Jones, and the comic would have been amazing if it went this route for its entire length. Instead about a quarter of it is interrupted with a battle against Deathstroke, something that we knew was coming at the end of the previous issue.

The fight is entertaining, I won’t knock it at all. It’s also pretty vital as the fight is a mechanism to not only show more redemption for Damian, but also move his relationship with Maya forward. The comic might just have Robin in the title, but it’s very much about the sins of the past and being bogged by them, and that applies to Damian as well as Maya. Gleason clearly has that as a focus and he moves that theme along masterfully here.

Gleason also handles art along with Mick Gray, and the art is kinetic fun seamlessly blending the fight and the Indiana Jones type aspects. It’s beautiful to look at actually and I’d expect to see this art on some higher profile books at some point, it could be fantastic on Batman for instance. The two also do a great job fitting in a hell of a lot of text into the art. The beginning has Damian rambling about the facility their going in to, and it takes some serious amounts of text to do that.

The comic is fun. That’s the best way to put it. It’s not deep, but it’s a buddy adventure with kids learning who they are. And Gleason remember to infuse that with fun throughout. The comic is an entertaining read, which at times is all we really want or need. The reason this is a “read” instead of a “buy” is just the fact isn’t some vital issue, or the best of the best type of issue. But, it’d be a comic I’d absolutely be happy with in my weekly pull list, and for folks who want to check out this series, this is a solid issue to hop on with.

Story: Patrick Gleason Art: Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Robin: Son of Batman #2

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ROBIN_SON_2_552eb921acb415.64093102In the second issue of Robin: Son of Batman, Damian Wayne dives into his new path focused on making amends for the crimes he’s committed during a time period called the “Year of Blood.” Up first, return the head of a stone guardian that was swiped.

The story bounces seamlessly back and forth between the present and the past, giving us the duality of Damian, a character who has done some pretty heinous acts over the years. He’s attempting to do good, but, with a character that has been so unlikable for me, its a tough one to sit through. I have disliked the character for so long (as one is supposed to), that I can’t help carry that feeling over into this series. As part of a team, his attitude is played off by other characters, here he’s full and center.

Patrick Gleason does double duty on art and story, and the art is the draw here. He’s helped by Mick Gray. The trippy action is impressive and that to me was what I really liked about the issue. Action scenes play with perspective and outright hallucinations, and that’s enhanced by the coloring of the issue. For as much as I dislike Damian, I like the art of the issue.

Two issues in, the series hasn’t quite hooked me yet, but it’s showing interesting promise in a redemption tale of a character we love to hate. Whether this series dives deeper into Damian’s history and messed up past will be key. There is lots that hasn’t been discussed and examined about the character (such as his birth), that if we see that, the series may be fantastic. Right now though, it’s reading something featuring a character I just don’t personally like, and that’s something I haven’t gotten past…. yet.

Story: Patrick Gleason Art: Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Story: 7 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Robin: Son of Batman #1

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ROBIN_SON_1_54fdfe5815b287.56402866“I am Robin… Son of Batman.”

With Eisner Award winning opening dialogue there, I knew this would be a bumpy ride. Yeesh. Comic book reading to me, should be a labor of love. This just felt like labor. Truth be told, you will not find a bigger fan of Damian Wayne (aka Robin), than I. (Something about that smug little brat that just lights up my world, he’s the son of Batman and one of Batman’s greatest enemies for crying out loud!) Unfortunately I did not find this to be the most auspicious outing for him in his first singles title adventure. We open our tale in Bialya (A fictional country in the Middle East) where an overzealous sultan named Abushi has taken Damien’s Giant pet Man-Bat: Goliath, captive. Abushi threatens to destroy Goliath unless Damien agrees to become his adoptive son.

Naturally asking a nigh powerful ten year old, (and son of Batman to boot) to cooperate isn’t going to go over well. Damien basically tells the sultan his counter proposal and..

Robin-Son-of-Batman-1-6-600x922Pow! down he goes! We then switch to a quick flashback of a time when his dad Batman (Bruce Wayne) gave him an involuntary night off of crime fighting by leaving a towering hot fudge sundae in his room. I’ll admit that was a cool little moment because you never see Batman show much emotion. Little caveats like that tend to humanize the characters more. At that moment Damien receives a panicked call from someone who calls him “Lord Damien”, that Goliath is loose. However, before we can deal with that, the scene switches yet again to Gotham Harbor. In the harbor deep below the surface, there appears to be a helmet with a recording device. The helmet belongs to the deceased villain called Nobody who is really Morgan Ducard.  He is the son of Henri Ducard who trained Bruce Wayne many moons ago. There seems to be a recording that is playing of his and Damien’s last encounter with each other (Which took place in the pages of Batman and Robin by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason a few years back, a great story btw). It is then revealed that a women in a high-tech wetsuit was listening to this recording. Our sole clue to who she may be as that as the recording finishes, is she says the word Daddy.

Robin2The Gotham Coast Guard comes to investigate and she turns invisible and brutally injures the two officers before taking to the shadows. The guard asks “Who’s there?” as she beats him and says “Nobody, you want to know.” Well that made things a little clearer. Looks like this little lady is taking up the family business. Only time will tell.

The scene then switches to Al Ghul Island, where Damien crash lands a jet (In a world where ten-year old caped badasses fly jets) and he sees his trusted council Ravi for information. Ravi updates Damien that Goliath has flown the coop and Damien demands to know where the whistle is.

Once again the scene switches back to present time in Bialya where Damien (now in possession of the sacred whistle) summons Goliath to break free and they fight their way through a horde of enemy forces. It is here that we see the best splash page in the book (I won’t ruin it here, see it for yourself) of a flying Goliath with Damien mounted firmly on his back making their daring escape. (Although he’s riding a flying Giant Man-Bat, who’s going to stop him?) The rest of the book is rounded out with a dream sequence showcasing a few guest stars stating that Damien needs to atone for the “Year of Blood”. I sure hope whatever that is, it doesn’t take a year to find out. I don’t know if I can stay on this crazy ride that long.

Overall: I wanted to like this book, I truly did. It had one of my favorite characters ever, Damien Wayne and his Giant Pet Man-Bat, this was destined to be awesome! However it felt slapped together too quickly, and it just didn’t grab me the way it should have. This is my opinion but very rarely when an artist tries to wear too many hats (I.E. be the writer and handle the art) most of the time it comes up short. (cough Tony Daniel, cough) I am a sucker for the creative collaboration process. The balance of art and story is a delicate dance and when handled right it becomes a breathtaking, eye popping spectacle. This was not that. I was a very big fan of Mr. Patrick Gleason’s art when he and Peter Tomasi were at the helm for Batman and Robin for a few years. They had a tremendous run too. I just feel that without Tomasi’s careful handling and crafting of the story this one missed quite a bit. When this was first announced I was promised by DC some “Punch you in the face fun with a dash of aww” and this was barely “A love tap on the nose with a small sigh of …really?” Here’s hoping the next installment has me pulling a barrage of Batarangs out of my petard on the way back to the Batcave and proves me wrong. That’s all for now. I think I will go sip on some of Alfred’s special Earl Grey tea to ease my reading woes. Catch you on the flip, folks!

Story: Patrick Gleason Art: Patrick Gleason
Story: 7 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Pass

DC Comics Announces Robin Rises: Omega

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The hunt for Robin is over, but Batman and Ra’s al Ghul continue the family feud.

Batman isn’t quite the same without his sidekick Robin, the last being Damian Wayne who was killed off in the series Batman Inc. in 2013. It looks like it’ll only be a few more months for Batman to be Robin-less, as a new Robin will be taking his side. Who that Robin is, isn’t being said.

Since Damian’s demise, the series Batman and Robin has turned into Batman and... featuring numerous different individuals. The series has featured a “Hunt for Robin” storyline as Batman has being trying to figure out how to revive the boy, while his grandfather, the villain Ra’s al Ghul, has stolen the body as well as his daughter (Damian’s mother) Talia al Ghul’s body.

In July, we get the one-shot Robin Rises: Omega which sees the struggle between Batman and Ra’s al Ghul becoming something bigger with the involvement of forces from Darkseid’s world, Apokolips. One we later DC’s Batman and Robin returns with issue 33 which picks up right after the one-shot and finds Batman in conflict with the Justice League as he decides to pursue the Chaos Shard back to Apokolips. Both are written by Peter Tomasi.

Look for Robin Rises: Omega #1 with art by Andy Kubert and Jonathan Glapion on July 16 and Batman and Robin with art by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray on July 23.

ROBIN RISES OMEGA #1 ROBIN RISES OMEGA #1 2

NYCC 2013: DC Announces Weekly Batman Eternal and Detective Comics #27 Details

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DTC_Cv27Launching next spring, Batman Eternal is an all-new weekly series that comes to you from “showrunner” and Batman writer, Scott Snyder, along with writers James Tynion IV, John Layman, Ray Fawkes, and Tim Seeley, and artist Jason Fabok.

Snyder in a release gave some details about Batman Eternal will “set the stage for a new Gotham and new characters and a new set of stories that will take Batman into 2015.

We want this to be a place where you get to tell a story about anything you want in Gotham, so long as we’re also moving this big story forward in the background. You’ll see bombastic arcs as well but there’ll be plenty of room for Ray to explore some of the darker, more mystical aspects of Gotham that he loves or Tim to explore some of the crime we haven’t seen before. We’re five guys doing our best to give you an exciting Gotham that’s changing under the feet of its characters.

But Batman Eternal is not the only Batman news revealed this morning. DC Comics also announced that next year’s Detective Comics #27 will be a mega-sized anniversary spectacular! Spanning 104 pages, Detective Comics #27 serves as an homage to the original Detective Comics #27, which marked Batman’s comic debut in 1939, and features an all-star roster of Batman creators past and present!

In stores January 8, the issue includes a modern-day retelling of the Dark Knight’s origin by the incredible team of writer Brad Meltzer and artist Bryan Hitch! Plus, all-new stories by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy, Peter J. Tomasi and Guillem March, Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen, Gregg Hurwitz and Neal Adams, new art by legendary Batman writer/artist Frank Miller, and more! This issue – which will include variant covers by Neal Adams, Jim Lee, Greg Capullo, Chris Burnham, Kelley Jones, Patrick Gleason and Mike Allred – also includes John Layman and Jason Fabok’s final storyline, “Gothtopia,” before the new creative team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato take over writing duties for the series in the spring.

Manupal said about their plans:

We want to bring him closer to his roots and be more of a street-level type of hero. His superheroics will still be present, but the investigative part of Batman will be at the forefront …We’ve always written stories about hope, and it will be very interesting to see what comes out when we walk through the sullen streets of Gotham City.

Buccellato added:

Stylistically, we will use the tools in our toolbox to capture what we think the Bat-universe looks and feels like. Gotham won’t look like Central City, so you won’t be seeing all the bright reds, oranges and yellows that defined Flash’s world.

Batman_final BM_WK_Cv1_color_rev2[1]

Geoff Johns’ Final Green Lantern

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DC Comics has released some details on writer Geoff Johns‘ final Green Lantern issue. For nearly a decade, #1 New York Times best-selling writer Johns has been telling unforgettable stories that have forever changed the Green Lantern universe.

This spring, Johns’ acclaimed run on Green Lantern comes to an epic conclusion with the release of Green Lantern #20. This special oversized issue will feature a sweeping 66-page story, including 55 pages of art by series artist Doug Mahnke and special guest appearances by fan-favorite artists Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, Cully Hamner, Aaron Kuder, Jerry Ordway, and more! Plus, DC has promised that the final four story pages will make your head explode!

In a discussion with DC’s The Source, Johns said:

I’m extremely grateful for being able to conclude our run on Green Lantern with this monster of an issue. I’m moving on feeling very proud of what my creative collaborators and I have done over the years with the Green Lantern universe. Thanks to all the readers out there who’ve been with us for this adventure. I can’t wait until #20 is in your hands — the last several pages in particular.

Green Lantern #20, in stores May 22, will also include a look back and farewell from Johns, as he reminisces on his extraordinary work from the last nine years.

GL_Cv20

Review – DC Comics’ Katana #1, Batman #17 and Batman: The Night of Owls

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Katana #1

Katana_1From the pages of Justice League of America and Birds of Prey, Katana gets her own ongoing series! Katana is a former assassin on a noble quest to restore the Outsiders to their former glory. Will she succeed, or will she be overcome by the power of her sword, the SoulTaker?

As a new series from DC Comics, I was very interested in seeing what the first issue would be like, I was very intrigued. Part of that came from the fact that I was completely blank as to who this character is and any of her history. I read some of Birds of Prey, but not enough that I know really anything about Katana and her backstory. With that being the case, one would hope a new series would be new reader friendly, even with a character established in another comic. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case here.

We’re dropped into he story with Katana on a mission. We’re given hints as to all of this, something about a sword, something about honor but it’s not really explained. The sword part is clear enough, but not the whole Outsiders thing.

Then there’s the story itself which attempts to have an Far Eastern style to it. Instead it comes off as choppy and at parts incoherent. It’s a good effort, but falls flat for me. And, we’re given little about the character. There’s not much there to get me to connect with her or care about her journey.

Add in some strange events, a trip to a madam and looking at some girl’s tattoos, a fight at the end which seems out of place. It’s a bit muddled and a mess.

The series tries to do some interesting things, but falls flat for me. Maybe it’s better for fans of the character, but as someone who is essentially a new reader, it fails in the first issue’s two objectives, to get me interested and caught up.

Story: Ann Nocenti Art: Alex Sanchez

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.5 Recommendation: Pass

Batman #17

BM_Cv17This is it: The stunning conclusion to “Death of the Family”! Who lives? Who dies? Who laughs last? Find out as Batman and The Joker face off one last time!

Scott Snyder has given the Batman franchise energy that’s been missing from the comics for some time. Not only do we have his brilliant introduction of new villains (see below), but there’s also the return of the Joker and his trail of destruction to get at Batman and his family.

Many have suspected that this issue would see the “death” of a character, but they seem to have taken the title of the story arc a bit too literal, not to reveal anything with that. Instead, this latest scheme by the Joker is to attack Batman by driving a wedge between him and the members of his family, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, etc. That’s the “death” Snyder is focused on.

Snyder takes on a topic that’s long debated, and so much more. How interconnected are Batman and the Joker? Does Batman need him more so than his allies? And why hasn’t he killed the Joker by this point?

This isn’t the drag out battle you’d expect. There is that, but this is much more about the relationship and dynamic between the hero and his arch-nemesis foe as well as that same hero and his friends and allies.

As we see in the final pages there’ll be a lot coming down the road as Batman and his family must recover and deal with the Joker’s latest scheme. The Joker’s return kicked the series into an even higher gear, just as Snyder has done for the entire Batman franchise.

With art by Greg Capullo, it’s not just the story that’s the draw. The art is stunning as expected with small details and scenes that just make you linger on the page. It’s an amazing pairing for the finale of what might be one of Batman’s best battles yet with the Joker.

Story: Scott Snyder Art: Greg Capullo

Story: 8.5 Art: 9 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Batman: The Night of Owls

BM_NOWLSIn this new hardcover, evil spreads across Gotham City as Batman’s allies, including Red Robin, Batwing, Robin, Batgirl, the Birds of Prey, Nightwing and even Catwoman find themselves in a battle coming from all sides. The Court of Owls makes its move against justice in this sprawling tale of corruption and violence.

I’ve always been an off and on Batman fan. I’ve never been a huge fan, but I’ve enjoyed reading some of the various runs or story arcs over the years. Lately though, I’ve been a fan, as Batman has been on a roll lately facing amazing villains and giving us classic stories like this one.

The Court of Owls and their assassins, the Talons, have presented a foe for Batman and his allies that feels like their match if not betters. We have an actual challenge that tests the groups’ abilities and in many cases leaves the group hobbling and on the run.

And behind it all the Court of Owls feel like proper Batman villains, manipulating Gotham from the shadows and directing it’s destiny without the citizens knowing. It’s part psychological thriller, part action story.

I fully expected the series to suffer, by being wedged into continuity, but the writers and team have somehow held that issue off, and actually enhanced the Batman mythos.

Before the New 52, I felt a lot of the recent Batman stories haven’t lived up to the hype, here though, it’s as good as they say if not more so. Great villains, great story, great addition to the Batman corner of the DCU.

Collects Batman #8-9, Batman Annual #1, Detective Comics #9, Batman: The Dark Knight #9, Batwing #9, Batman and Robin #9, Red Hood and the Outlaws #9, Birds of Prey #9, Batgirl #9, Nightwing #8-9 and All-Star Western #9.

Story:  Scott Snyder, James T Tynion IV, Tony S. Daniel, Judd Winick, Peter J. Tomasi, Duane Swierczynski, Gail Simone, Scott Lobdell, Kyle Higgins, Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti Art: Greg Capullo, Jason Fabok, Tony S. Daniel, David Finch, Marcus To, Patrick Gleason, Travel Foreman, Ardian Syaf, Kenneth Rocafort, Guillem March, Eddy Barrows, Moritat

Story: 8.25 Art: 8 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review

Eisner Nominees, DCnU Artists to attend Austin Comic Con

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Official Press Release

Ten Eisner Award Winners and Nominees, Seven ‘DCnU’ Artists To Attend Wizard World Austin Comic Con, November 11-13

Ten Eisner Award winners and nominees, including Hall of Famer Marv Wolfman, and seven DC Relaunch artists are among 210+ top creators scheduled to attend Austin Comic Con, Nov. 11-13

NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas, October 17, 2011 – A total of 10 Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards winners and nominees and seven artists from the DC relaunch “DCnU” are among the more than 210 comic creators scheduled to attend Wizard World Austin Comic Con, part of North America’s largest pop-culture tour, Nov. 11-13 at the Austin Convention Center.  Eisner Hall of Famer Marv Wolfman (“DCU Online,” “Crisis on Infinite Earths”) joins winners Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra,” “Assassin”), Kevin Maguire (“Justice League,” “Batman Confidential and Rob Guillory (“Chew”).

The six Eisner nominees scheduled to attend are Jo Chen (“Superman,” “Buffy”), Matthew Sturges (“Jack of Fables,” “JSA All-Stars”), David Mack (“Kabuki,” “Daredevil”), Eliza Frye (“The Lady’s Murder,” “Lucky House”), David Marquez (“Fantastic Four: Season One,” “Pilot Season: The Asset”) and Billy Tucci (“Sgt. Rock,” “Shi”).

DCnU creators include Greg Capullo (“Thor,” “Asgard’s Avenger”), Patrick Gleason (“Batman & Robin,” “Brightest Day”), Yanick Paquette (“Swamp Thing,” “Batman,” “Superman”), Tyler Kirkham (“Green Lantern: New Guardians,” “Amazing Spider-Man”), Nathan Edmondson (“Grifter,” Who Is Jake Ellis”), Freddie Williams II (“Captain Atom,” “JSA All-Stars,” “Batman”) and John Tyler Christopher (“Voodoo”).

The creators will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and sketch.  Many Greater Austin-based artists will be in attendance as well.

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are considered the “Oscars” of the comic book industry. Established in 1987, they are named for renowned cartoonist Will Eisner (creator of “The Spirit” and several award-winning graphic novels).

Other superstar creators scheduled to attend include Michael Golden (“Batman,” “Spider-Man”), Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “X-Force”), Clayburn Moore (The CS Moore Studio Ltd.), Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons,” “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe”), Stéphane Roux (“Zatanna,” “Star Wars”), Mark Texeira (“Wolverine,” “Spider-Man”) and dozens of others.

Austin Comic Con will also feature popular celebrities such as Hayden Panettiere, Adam Baldwin, ACADEMY AWARD WINNER Louis Gossett Jr., James Marsters, Juliet Landau, Charisma Carpenter, Diora Baird, Julia Benson, Michael Biehn, Alaina Huffman and Kevin Sorbo.

Austin Comic Con is the ninth and final stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour.  Hours are Friday, November 11, 4 – 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 12, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, November 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/austin.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door.  Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); weekend all-session tickets are $45 ($55 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 on a limited basis.

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. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

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

***** SAVE THE 2011/12 DATES *****
October 22-23 – Mid-Ohio Comic Con
November 11-13 – Austin Comic Con
January 28-29, 2012 – New Orleans Comic Con
March 24-25, 2012 – Toronto Comic Con
May 19-20, 2012 – Big Apple Comic Con
June 1-3, 2012 – Philadelphia Comic Con
August 9-12, 2012 – Chicago Comic Con

Austin Comic Con 2011 – Panettieri, Baldwin, Gossett Among Headliners

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Official Press Release

Hayden Panettiere, Adam Baldwin, Louis Gossett Jr., James Marsters, Juliet Landau, Charisma Carpenter Among Headliners At Wizard World Austin Comic Con, November 11-13 At Austin Convention Center

Superstar Artists Greg Capullo, Patrick Gleason, Tyler Kirkham, Yanick Paquette, Jo Chen, Michael Golden, Greg Horn, Bill Sienkiewicz, And Many Others Scheduled To Appear

credit: Raven Underwood

NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas, September 21, 2011 – North America’s largest pop-culture tour continues as Wizard World Austin Comic Con returns to the Austin Convention Center, November 11-13, with standout guests Hayden Panettiere, Adam Baldwin, ACADEMY AWARD WINNER Louis Gossett Jr., James Marsters, Juliet Landau and Charisma Carpenter headlining the list of celebrity attendees.  The event, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK) will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals 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.

Panettieri (“Heroes,” BRING IT ON) will appear on Saturday only, Baldwin (FULL METAL JACKET, “Serenity”) is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, and Gossett (AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, ENEMY MINE), Marsters (“Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” “Caprica”), Landau (“Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” “Angel”) and Carpenter (“Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” “Veronica Mars”) will attend all three days.

“Wizard World Austin Comic Con’s inaugural event was a huge success, and we look forward to a major expansion this year,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO.  “We have a a fresh and new guest celebrity list, as well as a massive increase in comic creators, including seven creators involved in the DCnU relaunch!”

DCnU creators include Greg Capullo (“Thor,” “Asgard’s Avenger”), Patrick Gleason (“Batman & Robin,” “Brightest Day”), Yanick Paquette (“Swamp Thing,” “Batman,” “Superman”), Tyler Kirkham (“Green Lantern: New Guardians,” “Amazing Spider-Man”), Nathan Edmondson (“Grifter,” Who Is Jake Ellis”), Freddie Williams II (“Captain Atom,” “JSA All-Stars,” “Batman”) and John Tyler Christopher (“Voodoo”).

The lineup of superstar artists at Wizard World Austin Comic Con is also impressive, including Jo Chen (“Superman,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), Matthew Sturges (“Jack of Fables,” “JSA All-Stars”), Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “X-Force”), Mark Texeira (“Wolverine,” “Spider-Man”), Michael Golden (“Batman,” “Spider-Man”), Stéphane Roux (“Zatanna,” “Star Wars”), Marv Wolfman “DCU Online,” “Crisis on Infinite Earths”), Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra: Assassin,” “Moon Knight”) and dozens of others.

The five kids from the original WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY will also reunite at Austin Comic Con, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the film’s release.   Peter Ostrum (“Charlie Bucket”), Paris Themmen (“Mike Tee Vee”), Julie Dawn Cole (“Veruca Salt”), Denise Nickerson (“Violet Beauregard”) and Michael Boellner (“Augustus Gloop”) will appear together for an extremely rare reunion.

Other popular celebrity guests scheduled to be on hand in Austin include Chandler Riggs (“The Walking Dead,” Barbara Nedeljáková (HOSTEL, SHANGHAI KNIGHTS), Electra and Elise Avellan (MACHETE, GRINDHOUSE) and Gena Lee Nolin (“Baywatch,” “Sheena”).

STAR WARS fans can meet special guests Daniel Logan (“Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Clone Wars”), Jake Lloyd (“Episode I – The Phantom Menace”), Adrienne Wilkinson (“The Clone Wars,” “The Force Unleashed”), Bonnie Piesse (“Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”) and Orli Shoshan (“Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”).

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 scores of dealer booths.

And Sunday, Nov. 13, is Kids Day at Austin Comic Con, with face painting, balloons, a “passport” treasure hunt and other activities designed especially for kids!  Other special events include card gaming tournaments, professional photo opportunities (Photo Ops) and more.

Austin Comic Con is the ninth and final stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour.  Hours are Friday, November 11, 4 – 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 12, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, November 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/austin.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door.  Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); weekend all-session tickets are $45 ($55 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 on a limited basis.

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. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

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

***** SAVE THE 2011/12 DATES *****
October 22-23 – Mid-Ohio Comic Con
November 11-13 – Austin Comic Con
January 28-29, 2012 – New Orleans Comic Con
March 24-25, 2012 – Toronto Comic Con
May 19-20, 2012 – Big Apple Comic Con
June 1-3, 2012 – Philadelphia Comic Con
August 9-12, 2012 – Chicago Comic Con

Stewart, Campbell, Lloyd, Baccarin Headline Chicago Comic Con Aug. 11-14

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Official Press Release

Patrick Stewart, Bruce Campbell, Christopher Lloyd, Morena Baccarin, Felicia Day, James Marsters Among Headliners At Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 11-12-13-14 At Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

Ray Park, Julie Benz, Charisma Carpenter, Colin Ferguson, Lou Gossett Jr., Vivica A. Fox, Mimi Rogers, Among 500+ Celebrity Guests, Leading Comics Artists & Creators Scheduled To Appear

NEW YORK and ROSEMONT, Ill., June 22, 2011 – North America’s largest pop-culture tour continues as Wizard World Chicago Comic Con returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, August 11-14, with superstar guests Patrick Stewart, Bruce Campbell, Christopher Lloyd, Morena Baccarin, Felicia Day, Academy Award Winner® Lou Gossett Jr. and James Marsters 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-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

Stewart (X-MEN, “Star Trek: The Next Generation”) will attend on Friday and Saturday only.  Campbell (“Burn Notice,” ARMY OF DARKNESS) and Day (“The Guild,” “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”) are scheduled to appear on Saturday and Sunday.  The three-time Emmy Award winner Lloyd (BACK TO THE FUTURE, “Taxi”) and Baccarin (“V,” “Stargate SG-1”) will be available on Saturday only.  Marsters (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Caprica”) is scheduled for Friday through Sunday.

Morena Baccarin (photo: Adriana Piltz)“Wizard World Chicago Comic Con is our longest running event, and we are excited to be bringing our most star-studded field of celebrities and artists ever to the Stephens Convention Center,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO.  “The show has huge stars like Patrick Stewart and Christopher Lloyd who are known all over the world, and, as always, features guests from some of the most popular film, TV and comics franchises like Star Wars, Buffy and Spider-Man.  This is by far the largest pop-culture event in the region, and the fans, vendors, guests and other attendees have rewarded us by coming in more record numbers every year.”

Wizard World Chicago is also an incredible place to meet and get sketches and autographs from some of the top international creators, many of whom rarely, if ever, appear in the U.S. This includes Mike Deodato Jr. (Brazil), Eduardo Risso (Argentina), Humberto Ramos (Mexico), Mico Suayan (Phillipines), Will Conrad (Brazil), Ariel Olivetti (Argentina), Pia Guerra (Canada) and more.

Wizard World also has a massive number of top comics creators scheduled for Artist Alley, such as Jim Cheung (“Avengers,” “Uncanny X-Men”), Brian Azzarello (writer, “Flashpoint: Batman – Knight of Vengeance,” “100 Bullets”), Dave Johnson (“Flashpoint: Batman – Knight of Vengeance, 100 Bullets”), Patrick Gleason (“Batman and Robin”), Michael Golden (“Spider-Man,” “Hulk”), William Stout (Paleontological Artist), Larry Elmore (“Magic: The Gathering”), Ben Templesmith (“30 Days of Night”), Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “Hero For Hire”), Freddie Williams II (“JSA All-Stars”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”) and hundreds of others.

In addition to Gossett Jr., the Chicago Comic Con celebrity roster includes a bevy of major award winners and nominees, including Emmy Award Winners LeVar Burton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation,” ROOTS), Peter Tork (“The Monkees”) and Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons”), Emmy Award Nominees Mimi Rogers (AUSTIN POWERS, “The X-Files,”) and Pam Grier (“Smallville,” “The L Word”), Grammy Award Winner Tia Carrere (WAYNE’S WORLD, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Tony Award Honoree Dan Fogler (BALLS OF FURY, GOOD LUCK CHUCK).

Other popular celebrity guests scheduled to be on hand at the event include Julie Benz (“Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” “Desperate Housewives”), Charisma Carpenter (“Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” “Angel”), Colin Ferguson (“Eureka,” THE OPPOSITE OF SEX), Vivica A. Fox (KILL BILL VOL. 1 and VOL. 2, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Kai Owen (“Torchwood,” “Fun at the Funeral Parlour”), Ray Park (STAR WARS: EPISODE 1, X-MEN), Gareth David-Lloyd (“Torchwood,” SHERLOCK HOLMES), Alaina Huffman (“Smallville,” “SGU Stargate Universe”), Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk,” “The King of Queens,”) and James C. Burns (voice actor, “Call of Duty: Black Ops”).  BOONDOCK SAINTS co-stars Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery will also reunite at the event.

The convention center floor will also feature several famous TV and movie vehicles for fans to pose with, including the Batmobile (original “Batman” series), DeLorean Time Machine (BACK TO THE FUTURE), The Mystery Machine (SCOOBY DOO) and Ecto-1 (GHOSTBUSTERS).

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 200 dealer booths.

And Sunday, August 14, is Kids Day at Chicago Comic Con, with face painting, balloons, a “passport” treasure hunt and other activities designed especially for kids!  Other special events include card gaming tournaments, professional photo opportunities (Photo Ops) and more.

Chicago Comic Con is the seventh stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour.  Hours are Thursday, August 11, 5 – 9 p.m.; Friday, August 12, noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 13, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, August 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/chicago.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door.  Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); four-day all-session tickets are $50 ($60 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 on a limited basis.

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. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

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

***** SAVE THE 2011/12 DATES *****
August 11-14 – Chicago Comic Con
September 17-18  – New England Comic Con
September 24-25 – Los Angeles Comic Con
October 22-23 – Mid-Ohio Comic Con
October 28-30 – Central Canada Comic Con (C4)
November 11-13 – Austin Comic Con
January 28-29, 2012 – New Orleans Comic Con
March 23-25, 2012 – Toronto Comic Con
April 27-29, 2012 – Anaheim Comic Con
May 19-20, 2012 – Big Apple Comic Con
June 1-3, 2012 – Philadelphia Comic Con
December 8-9, 2012 – Miami Comic Con

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