WWC 2007 Preview

Wizard World Chicago is here! The second biggest con in the country kicks off this Friday, and I’ve got a preview of the event.  Let’s start off with Wizard’s press release…………

   

   WIZARD WORLD RETURNS TO CHICAGO AUGUST 9-12
 
Congers, NY (July 19, 2007) – Wizard World returns to the Windy City August 9-12 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont where over 60,000 fans are expected to visit the three and a half day family-friendly event to explore comic books, toys, anime, movies, manga and video games, and meet some of the biggest stars in comics, film and television.    

Wizard World Chicago will give fans the chance to meet and interact with entertainment and comic industry luminaries, including: Actress Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica); Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics Joe Quesada; DC Comics Executive Editor Dan Didio; Aspen Comics Founder Michael Turner; Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs,
Kill Bill 1 & 2, Sin City) and more to be announced.

Autograph signings: actor Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk); actress Noel Neill (The Adventures of Superman); Bobby “The Brain” Heenan (WWE Wrestling Legend), Ted “The Million Dollar Man” BiBiase and Virgil (WWE Wrestling Legends) Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica); Suicide Girls; Dazza, among others.

“Wizard World Chicago, will be our biggest con of the year without a doubt,” said VP and Associate Publisher, Rob Felton.  “Our amazing guest list and schedule of events, has the potential to make this year’s event the best we have ever put together.”

The Wizard Fan Awards, the only awards show decided by the fans of comic books and all of pop culture will be held Friday night August 10  Go online to www.wizardworld.com, vote and join the biggest names in comics, from Joe Quesada to Mark Millar, to find out who takes home your top honors!

Many notable comic book artists, writers and creators, including: Sal Abbinanti (Atomika Artist); Jeff Balke (Foxwood Falcons Colorist); Joe Benitez (Top Cow & Detective Comics Artist); Mitch Breitweiser (Captain America: The Chosen Artist); Jim Calafiore (DC's Countdown Artist); John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men Artist); DJ Coffman (Artist/Writer Hero By Night); Tony Daniel (Flash Artist); Patrick Gleason (Green Lantern Recorps Artist); Paul Jenkins (World War Hulk Writer); Alex Maleev (Daredevil: End of Days Artist); Mark Millar (Civil War & Ultimates Writer); John Russo (Writer Escape of the Living Dead Co-Writer Night Of The Living Dead film); Matthew Tow (Foxwood Falcons, Impossible Tales Artist); Matt Wagner (Grendel & Mage Creator, Batman Artist/Writer); among others.

In addition to the stars of comic books, television and films, almost 800 exhibitors will be on hand to showcase their latest products to an eager audience of comic and pop-culture fans of all ages.

For a complete list of events, guests, activities, ticket prices and times go to www.wizardworld.com

   

Now, here’s my rundown of the events, and creators that you need to check out…….

·     DC Nation Panel: This takes place on Friday at 2 PM.  DC didn’t divulge a whole lot at San Diego, so look for them (hopefully) to bring out some big announcements here. 

·        Mondo Marvel Panel: This takes place right after the DC Nation panel at 3:30 PM Friday. Marvel has stated that they want to have a bigger presence this year at Chicago, so it’s a good bet that they’ll announce something big here. 

·       Wizard Fan Awards: This is the last event of the day, at 6 PM on Friday. This was pretty awesome last year, and the stars all assemble in one room, which is pretty cool.  This is kind of like the red carpet of comic con. 

·       DCU New World Order Panel: This one launches at 11 AM on Saturday.  Like I said, I have a feeling that DC is going to be bringing the heat at their panels this year.  Be there or be square. 

·        Marvel Civil War and Remembrance: 12:30 PM on Saturday! So, if you want to go and listen to a topic being beaten like a dead horse, then this is the panel for you!  Hey, you never know though, it could hold some hidden secrets that nobody is expecting……..

·        Marvel Cup o’ Joe: 3:30 PM on Saturday is when this one goes live.  Get up close and personal with Marvel EiC Joe Quesada.  This one might not be important if you’re looking for real big announcements, but it is always entertaining in some way or another. 

·        CBLDF Sketch Duel: This one closes out Saturday’s events, and it sounds like it’s going to be fun.  See guys like Matt Wagner and Phil Hester fight……..by using pencils……on paper……..Maybe they’ll fist fight too……who know.

There are a couple events on Sunday, but after hitting all those panels and things, you’ll be dragging, so you’ll just float from one edge of the con floor to the other.  Plus, Sunday is the best day to shop, because many retailers will be cutting prices to lighten the load they have to carry home.     

     

So, what creators should you be looking for in artist’s alley or on the con floor?  Glad you asked…….

The official guest list includes……….

*Dan Didio: EiC of DC Comics, and the only guy who truly knows what is to come in the DC Universe.  Definitely hit up the big DC panels to see him, and he’s known to wander the con floor quite a bit too.

*Joe Quesada: Marvel EiC, and just a downright jolly guy.  However, this time when you’re looking for him, look for a much skinnier man than before.  Quesada has been dropping pounds for quite awhile now.

*Michael Turner: Mr. Turner is the EiC of Aspen comics, and he does covers for all kinds of books.  However, do be warned that the line you will have to stand in to get something signed will be enormous.  Be sure to wish him good luck with his fight against cancer too. 

*John Cassaday: Here’s another line that will be extremely long.  Cassaday recently drew the final issue of the Fallen Son miniseries, and he’s the regular artist on Astonishing X-Men. 

*Tony Daniel: Mr. Daniel is going to be the regular artist on Batman coming up pretty soon, and he just finished his run on Flash: The Fastest Man Alive by killing Bart Allen.  This is a real good chance to meet him before he becomes really really famous.  Believe me, this guy can draw, and he’s going to be one of DC’s biggest stars really soon. 

*David Finch: He’s drawn Avengers Disassembled, New Avengers, Moon Knight, and now he’s doing a whole lot of cover work.  This is another guy whose line might not be as overwhelming, so go say hi, and get some of your World War Hulk comics signed. 

*Gene Ha: Mr. Ha will only be attending on Saturday.  He’s pretty much a living legend in the comic book industry, and this will be a great chance to get that copy of JLA #11 signed.

*Jamal Igle: He’s currently the artist on Nightwing, and he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll meet at the con.  Go check out his sketchbook, and ask him what it’s like working alongside Marv Wolfman.

      
*Paul Jenkins: He is almost as jolly as Joe Quesada, and he has a British accent! What’s not to love?

*Mark Millar: Good luck trying to get to see him.  The line will be long, but it’s worth it.  The guy has a wicked sense of humor, so don’t be mad if he pokes fun at you.

*Arthur Suydam: The guy who draws all those zombie covers for Marvel?  Yeah, this is him!  Go get all your copies of Marvel Zombies signed.

*Ethan Van Sciver: One of the most in demand artists in the biz right now. This is your chance to get your Sinestro Corps one shot signed, and to meet the guy who is the best Green Lantern artist of this generation. 

That’s not even the tip of the ice berg, so to see the full guest list, check out www.Wizarduniverse.com.

To check out the artist’s alley lineup as well, go here: http://www.wizarduniverse.com/conventions/chicago/aa.cfm

Now, when WWC is all said and done, you need to check my site, because I’m going to have some rad/killer/groovy content!  Interviews, pictures, videos, and lots and lots of thoughts on how things went!