Tag Archives: wizard world ohio

Urban, Reedus, Yeun, Kinney Top Wizard World Ohio Comic Con Roster

Posted on by

Emily KinneySteven Yeun, Norman Reedus, Emily Kinney, Alanna Masterson, Andrew J. West and Jon Bernthal of The Walking Dead, Karl Urban, Robert Englund and WWE Superstars The Wyatt Family are among the celebrities scheduled to attend Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, October 31-November 2 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. It is the 14th of 16 events scheduled in the 2014 series produced by Wizard World and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known comics artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

Yeun, Reedus, Kinney, Masterson, West, Urban and Englund will appear on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2; the WWE stars (Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan, Luke Harper) will attend on Saturday only; Bernthal is scheduled for all three days.

Other notables scheduled include Sean Astin, Giancarlo Esposito, the Charmed trio of Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Brian Krause, Manu Bennett, Eric Roberts, Jason David Frank, Josh Gates, Verne Troyer and Steve Gonsalves.

Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend include Patrick and Shelly Block, Michael Golden, Kevin Maguire, James O’Barr, Barry Kitson, Joanna Estep, Renee Witterstaetter and Rob Prior.

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, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World Ohio Comic Con show hours are Friday, Oct. 31, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place all three days at the event, with celebrity Q&A’s, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contest, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Sunday, Nov. 2, is also Kids Day, with an array of activities and programming specially designed for the younger Wizard World fans.

Ohio Comic Con is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor, often stopping by the Show Stage, the ideal place to see and be seen.

Fan Communities at Wizard World Ohio Comic Con

Posted on by

Many of the most avid fans of popular cult movies, TV shows, comics and other characters will be roaming the floor as members of fan communities during Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, Sept. 20-22 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.  Followers of Harry Potter, Star Wars, Star Trek, and others will join famed cosplayers Eric “The Smoke” Moran and Ivy Doomkitty in a celebration of ultimate fandom all weekend.

Additionally, replicas of the famous Batmobile from the 1966 TV series and the DeLorean Time Machine from the hit movie Back to the Future will be on hand for photo ops for fans, along with the “Zombie Killer Motorcycle,” when fans are ready to battle zombies (or at least look that way).

Groups scheduled to show their devotion at Wizard World Ohio Comic Con include:

  • Ohio 501st Legion, a regional chapter of the 501st Legion, a worldwide Star Wars costuming club, with over 5,000 members in 21 countries, and six continents. The 501st wears the costumes of the “bad guys” from the Star Wars movies.
  • Airship Archon, a diverse group of entertainers, tinkerers, and business people hailing from Columbus, who focus on fashion, character creation, prop building, sewing and being thrifty.
  • Heroes Alliance, an all volunteer group of superhero costumers for charity which has chapters in 10 states, often making appearances at community and children-oriented charity events.
  • International Quidditch Association (IQA), dedicated to governing the sport of quidditch and inspiring young people to lead physically active and socially engaged lives.
  • Jedi Knights of Columbus, dedicated to all Science Fiction & Fantasy. This “merry band of misfits” discuss all things fiction and fantasy and organize viewing parties for favorite films and TV shows.
  • Local cosplayers like Chelsea Cosplay and Michael Maurice “Knightmage” who will both wear a variety of costumes all weekend.
  • Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, the world’s premier custom Mandalorian costume organization, with 35 chapters in 7 countries around the world.  Members attend conventions, charity events and fan gatherings.
  • Ohio Star Wars Collectors Club, a resource to discuss new items that are arriving, toy and collectible show dates and generally anything else Star Wars related.
  • Rebel Legion, the premiere Heroes costuming group of the Star Wars Galaxy, with 2400 active members. It accepts over 200 hero costumes; from Han Solo and Princess Leia to the Imperial Knights and Deliah Blue.
  • USS Asgard, a chapter of Starfleet International. Members go to movies, museums, restaurants, cookoffs, murder mysteries, picnics, and other fun events, and participate in community events.
  • USS Columbus has been a member of Starfleet International for the past 22 years. It conducts an annual school supply drive for a local school, helps in the Firefighters Toy Drive, and collects food for Mid Ohio Food Bank along with other local clubs.
  • USS Lagrange, an important chapter in Starfleet for 29 years, has raised hundreds of dollars for the Akron Children’s Hospital and for various food banks in the state and has made numerous appearances in parades throughout the year in a “shuttlecraft” built by the club.

Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee, pop culture icon William Shatner, Summer Glau and WWE Superstar Sheamus are among the top celebrities scheduled to attend Wizard World Ohio Comic Con.  The standout roster will also include Michael Rooker, Laurie Holden, Steven Yeun and Chandler Riggs of The Walking Dead and Ernie Hudson of Ghostbusters.

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

Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend include Zeck, CAFU, Eisner Award Hall of Famer Neal Adams and Eisner Award Nominees Darick Robertson and David Marquez.

Wizard World Ohio Comic Con show hours are Friday, Sept. 20, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wizard World Ohio Comic Con Art Contest Winner Announced

Posted on by

William Grapes of Cincinnati wasn’t trying to make a political statement with “Sam,” a hybrid digital/drawing depicting two “fat cat” types with full plates flanking a destitute Uncle Sam on a bread line.  Instead, he was inspired by Norman Rockwell and early 20th-century art – and a musical album cover.  Grapes’ work is the winning entry in the 2012 Wizard World Ohio Comic Con Amateur Art Contest, announced today.

Grapes’ piece was the unanimous choice of the blue-ribbon panel of artists who judged the contest, Greg Horn, Tyler Kirkham and Alan Davis.  For his efforts, Grapes will be among those superstars and the dozens of other creators in Artist Alley at the event, Friday through Sunday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

“A friend’s band’s last disk had a picture of Uncle Sam sitting on a mound of cash as a cover illustration,” said Grapes, a typesetter for a pharmaceutical journal.  “Someone joked that if they did another release it would have to be Uncle Sam in a bread line.  The picture popped in my head and I knew I had to do this piece because it was too good of an idea to let go.”

Grapes will display “Sam” as well as examples of other work he has done, including a comic book he has been working on.

To qualify, amateur artists were asked to submit original works, in virtually any medium, consistent with the pop culture/comic con theme and

Three additional finalists were selected, with those artists receiving two tickets each to the event.  They included William Black of Columbus, Ohio; Travis Scott John Campbell of Louisville, Ohio; and Blake Wheeler of Sumerco, W. Va.  The work of all four can be seen at www.wizardworlddigital.com.

Stan Lee Cancels Appearances

Posted on by

Stan LeeThrough a press release from Wizard World, we’ve learned Stan Lee is cancelling numerous upcoming appearances and won’t have any more for the near future.  The press release…

Last night, we were informed by Stan Lee’s management that Stan would be unable to attend any upcoming appearances for the near future, including the Ohio Comic Con, as well as the “Authors Authors” Toledo-Lucas County Public Library appearance set for this Thursday, September 27th. We will let fans know more as we know more details. Refunds will be issued starting Monday for all VIP, Photo Ops and Autograph Tickets. We hope to have Stan back again soon at our New Orleans event.

There hasn’t been word of the reason, but the legendary comic creator turns 90 in December and was recently at Baltimore Comic Con which I attended. Whatever the reason, we hope everything is ok.

Wizard World Ohio Comic Con Programming

Posted on by

Interactive Q&A discussions with all the event’s top celebrities, superstar artist sessions and costume contests for adults and children are among the highlights on the special programming schedule at Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, set for Sept. 28-30, 2012, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Patrick Stewart, Eliza Dushku, Stan Lee, Val Kilmer, WWE® Superstar CM Punk® and others will answer fans’ questions in panels that are often surprising and always entertaining.

Some of the most interesting scheduled sessions include:

  • Celebrity Q&A’s featuring Stewart, Dushku, Lee, Val Kilmer, Punk, Dean Cain, and Boondock Saints actors Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco
  • Artist sessions focusing on various facets of the industry: breaking into the industry by Neal Adams; pitching publishers by Tyler Kirkham; crafting stories by Michael Golden; reflecting on Spider-Man with Humberto Ramos and Paul Jenkins
  • Kids Day on Sunday, with a full slate of activities specially designed for the youngsters
  • “Drink and Draw” event featuring many of the top artists in a more casual setting
  • Music, prizes and fun at the always unpredictable Wizard World Masquerade Party
  • It wouldn’t be Wizard World Comic Con without cosplay and costume contests – adults on Saturday night, kids on Sunday

Unless noted, programming events take place in the designated Programming Room (Room E172) at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Many are included as part of standard Wizard World Ohio Comic Con admission; VIP tickets or additional costs may apply to ensure access to select activities. Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first come first serve basis and each room will be cleared between panels. Programming subject to change; attendees should check the schedule board on site for updates.

Programming at Wizard World Ohio Comic Con is available in detail at http://www.wizardworld.com/programming-ohio.html, and scheduled as follows:

Friday, September 28

9-11:00 p.m., Wizard World Drink & Draw (Ballroom Foyer, 2nd level)

Saturday, September 29

11 – 11:45 a.m., Storytelling With Michael Golden: Taking It To The Next Level (Room E172)

12 – 12:45 p.m., Eliza Dushku Q&A (Room E172)

1 – 1:45 p.m., Humberto Ramos & Paul Jenkins (Room E172)

1 – 1:45 p.m., Stan Lee Meet & Greet – Paid Event (Room E160b)

2 – 2:45 p.m., Star Trek Panel W/ Patrick Stewart & John De Lancie (Room E172)

3 – 3:45 p.m., Alan Davis Q&A (Room E172)

4 – 4:45 p.m., The Boondock Saints Q&A (Room E172)

5 – 5:45 p.m., Val Kilmer Q&A (Room E172)

6 – 6:30 p.m., WWE® Superstar CM Punk® Q&A (Room E172)

7 – 9 p.m., Wizard World Adult Costume Contest (Room E172)

9 p.m. – 12 a.m. – Wizard World Masquerade Party (Tavern on Front)

Sunday, September 30

11 – 11:45 a.m., Stan Lee Q&A (Room E172)

12 – 12:45 p.m., Neal Adams Q&A (Room E172)

1 – 1:45 p.m., Dean Cain Q&A (Room E172)

2 – 2:45 p.m., Wizard World Kids Costume Contest (Room E172)

3 – 3:45 p.m., Stan Lee Meet & Greet – Paid Event (Room E160b)

4 – 4:45 p.m., Jorge Molina Q&A (Room E172)

Lee, Stewart, Punk®, Dushku and Cain headline the Wizard World Ohio Comic Con celebrity roster. They will be joined by many of the world’s greatest comics creators, exhibitors and thousands of fans in a celebration of all things pop culture in an expanded format, which now includes a preview on Friday evening and two full weekend days.

Top creators include Eisner Award Hall of Famer Adams, Alan Davis, Eisner Award nominee Ramos, Eisner Award winner Jenkins and many others.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ohio.html.

Val Kilmer To Attend Wizard World Ohio

Posted on by

With memorable, starring roles in such films as Batman Forever, Top Gun and Tombstone, Val Kilmer has been one of the most prolific, successful actors of the past quarter century.  Now his legions of fans will have a chance to meet this megastar when he attends Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, set for Sept. 28-30 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Kilmer, who will be making his first Wizard World appearance, will meet fans, sign autographs, pose for photo ops and conduct an interactive Q&A session.  He will attend on Saturday, Sept. 29, and Sunday, Sept. 30.

Moviegoers were first introduced to Kilmer en masse when he portrayed “Iceman,” opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun in 1986.  He went on to secure top billing in such blockbusters as The Doors, Tombstone, Batman Forever and The Saint.  His other starring roles include Michael Mann’s Heat with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, True Romance directed by Tony Scott, Ron Howard’s Willow, At First Sight and Thunderheart.  He won the 2003 Prism Award for his work in The Salton Sea, and appeared in the 3-D epic Wings of Courage as well as voicing the character of Moses in the animated film The Prince of Egypt.

He has since regularly appeared in movies and television series and recently announced that he will produce, direct and star in the title role in Mark Twain and Mary Baker Eddy.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ohio.html.

Patrick Stewart, John de Lancie Added to Wizard World Ohio Comic Con

Posted on by

Patrick Stewart has had the roles of a lifetime by portraying numerous popular culture icons. He is known to millions of fans as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series. John de Lancie played Q in the Star Trek. Both will be attending Wizard World Ohio Comic Con.  They will be joined by headliners Stan Lee, Eliza Dushku, WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, Dean Cain and other special guests at the event, held Sept. 28-30 at Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Stewart will appear on Saturday, Sept. 29, and Sunday, Sept. 30, when he will meet fans, sign autographs, pose for photo ops and lead an interactive Q&A panel. He has been a popular guest at Wizard World events, most recently at Philadelphia Comic Con, where he was joined by the other four Star Trek captains.  Next month, Stewart will also anchor the 25-year reunion of the cast of “TNG,” with all seven primary stars gathering at Wizard World Austin Comic Con running October 26-28.

Wizard World also announced that William Shatner, originally on the celebrity roster, will not attend Wizard World Ohio Comic Con.

The Emmy-nominated Stewart, who has performed in more than 100 television and film roles, is one of several actors to appear in all three “X-Men” films: X-Men (2000), X2 (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). His role as Picard, which started on “Next Generation,” placed him in four Star Trek films: Generations (1994), First Contact (1996), Insurrection (1998) and Nemesis (2002). He also served as the voice of numerous animated characters in movies like Chicken Little and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, as well as popular TV shows such as “Family Guy” and “American Dad.”

De Lancie is best known as a regular guest star on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as the iconic all-powerful “Q.”  He also holds the distinction of being one of the few characters to appear in three separate shows in the franchise (“TNG”, “Deep Space 9” and “Voyager”).

VIP tickets are available now for fans who want to secure their opportunity to meet many of the stars at the event, including Stewart.  Fans can also visit http://www.wizardworld.com/ohio.html for links to VIP packages for Lee, Punk, Dushku and a group experience with Boondock Saints actors Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco.

Additionally, Neal Adams, Alan Davis , Humberto Ramos and Paul Jenkins are among the more than 80 top comics creators scheduled for Artist Alley at Wizard World Ohio Comic Con.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ohio.html.

***** SAVE THE 2012-13 DATES *****
September 28-30, 2012 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28, 2012 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
November 30 – December 2, 2012 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
February 22-24, 2013 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
May 30 – June 2, 2013 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 8-11, 2013 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

Wizard World Ohio Comic Con Art Contest

Posted on by

Wizard World has opened up a contest where aspiring artists in Ohio and beyond will have the opportunity to show their best work and even win an Artist Alley table next month as the Wizard World Ohio Comic Con Art Contest officially begins today.

Submissions will be accepted through noon ET on Sept. 17, 2012, with the event set for the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Sept. 28-30.

Greg Horn, Tyler Kirkham or Alan Davis will judge entries on creativity and innovation, within the following themes, consistent with the Wizard World theme:  pop culture, science fiction, comics, movies, television, gaming, technology, toys, graphic novels.  The top entry will have use of an Artist Alley table for the full three days in Columbus, and an additional pass for a guest to work the table.

Each finalist will be provided passes for himself/herself and a guest to attend Wizard World Ohio Comic Con.  Selected works, including all finalists, will also be displayed on the WizardWorld.com Web site and other outlets.

Emerging artists who have not earned payment for submitted artwork by a studio, licensing company, comic or other professional entity are eligible. Students enrolled full time in high schools, colleges, community colleges, universities, trade schools, or professional schools (Design, Architecture, etc.) are also eligible to enter.

Full details and forms are available at the Wizard World Ohio Art Contest Web page at http://www.wizardworld.com/2012ohioartcontest.html.  All two- and three-dimensional art, regardless of media, will initially be submitted electronically via email at contests@WizardWorld.com (subject: Wizard World Ohio Comic Con Art Contest Entry) as .JPG images (max file size 2 MB).

Eligibility and prize evaluation is at the sole discretion of Wizard World, Inc., and all decisions of judges are final.

Adams, Davis, 80 Comic Creators at Wizard World Ohio Comic Con

Posted on by

Neal Adams, Alan Davis, Humberto Ramos and Paul Jenkins are among the top comics creators scheduled to populate Artist Alley at Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, Sept. 28-30 at Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Eisner Award Hall of Famer Adams (Batman, Green Lantern), Special Guest Davis (Captain America, Thor) and Eisner nominee Ramos (Amazing Spider-Man, Impulse) and Eisner winner Jenkins (Spider-Man, Batman) headline the nearly 80 creators on the roster.  Comics legend Stan Lee is one of the headliners in the celebrity area as well.

Other Special Guests in Artist Alley include Tyler Kirkham (Green Lantern Corps, Amazing Spider-Man), Jorge Molina (X-Men, Fear Itself), Greg Horn (Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, X-Force), Arthur Suydam (Marvel Zombies, Army of Darkness), Mike McKone (X-Men, Avengers), Michael Golden (Daredevil, Star Wars) and Lee Weeks (Astonishing Spider-Man, Hulk).

In addition to the superstar creator lineup, the expanded, three-day event features headline celebrities Eliza Dushku (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel), William Shatner (Star Trek, T.J. Hooker), WWE® Superstar CM Punk® and Dean Cain (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, 90210).

Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, 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 Ohio Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ohio.html.

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

***** SAVE THE 2012-13 DATES *****
September 28-30, 2012 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28, 2012 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
November 30 – December 2, 2012 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
May 30 – June 2, 2013 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 8-11, 2013 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

Lee, Shatner, CM Punk Among Wizard World Ohio Celebrity Guests

Posted on by

Stan Lee, William Shatner, WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, Eliza Dushku Among Stars At Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, Sept. 28-30

Cain, Ferrigno, ‘Boondock Saints’ Della Rocco, Flanery, Reedus Also Join Neal Adams, Alan Davis, Other Superstar Artists In Wizard World’s Expanded Return To Greater Columbus Convention Center

NEW YORK and COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 18, 2012 – Comics legend Stan Lee, pop culture icon William Shatner, WWE® Superstar CM Punk® and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Eliza Dushku headline the celebrity roster as Wizard World Ohio Comic Con returns to the Greater Columbus Convention Center, September 28-30.  They will be joined by many of the world’s greatest comics creators, exhibitors and thousands of fans in a celebration of all things pop culture in an expanded format, which now includes a preview on Friday evening and two full weekend days.

Lee, creator of “Spider-Man,” “X-Men” and dozens of the world’s most popular characters and titles, will appear on both Saturday and Sunday, while Shatner (“Star Trek,” “T.J. Hooker”) and WWE® Superstar CM Punk™ will all attend on Saturday.

Fans will also be excited to meet popular actors like Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “90210”), Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk”) and The Boondock Saints trio of David Della Rocco, Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus.

Wizard World Ohio Comic Con Artist Alley will burst with internationally-acclaimed and top local talent, including Eisner Award Hall of Famer Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”), Alan Davis (“Captain America,” “Thor”), Eisner Award nominee Humberto Ramos (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Impulse”), Eisner Award winner Paul Jenkins (“Spider-Man,” “Hulk”) and many others.

Wizard World Ohio 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.  Show hours are Friday, Sept. 28, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ohio.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

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

***** SAVE THE 2012-13 DATES *****
August 9-12, 2012 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 28-30, 2012 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28, 2012 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
November 30 – December 2, 2012 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
TBD, 2013 – Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
May 30 – June 2, 2013 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con