More Than 270 Superstar Creators Making Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con Their Canvas This Weekend

Ramos, Cheung, Suydam, Sienkiewicz, Horn, Jimenez, Jones, Grell Among 270+ International, National and Local Artists and Writers On Hand Friday Through Sunday At Pennsylvania Convention Center

NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA, June 15, 2011 – More than 270 comics creators from around the world – and across the City of Brotherly Love – will be taking their talents to Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, part of North America’s largest pop-culture tour, Friday through Sunday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. From Will Eisner Industry Award winners like Kevin Maguire (“Justice League,” “Batman Confidential”) and Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra”) to popular creators Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “Hero For Hire”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”) to J.G. Jones (“Final Crisis,” “Wanted”).

What makes this gathering especially unique for Comic Con fans is the massive international presence, unmatched by any previous events. These include extremely rare U.S. appearances from greats like Carlos Pacheco (Spain), Mick Oosterveer (Denmark), Humberto Ramos (Mexico), Doug Braithwaite (England), Edgar Delgado “Pato” (Mexico), Francisco Herrera (Mexico) and more.

“Zombie” Bruce Philadelphia Comic Con Exclusive Lithograph by Arthur SuydamThe creators will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and sketch. Many Greater Philadelphia-based artists will be in attendance, as well as a total of 13 Eisner Comics winners or nominees, including honorees Franco Aureliani (“Billy Batson And The Magic Of Shazam!,” “Tiny Titans”) and Todd Klein (“Green Lantern,” “New Talent Showcase”).

“This weekend we have gathered Philadelphia Comic Con’s most diverse and talented group of creators ever,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO. “It’s another example of how Wizard World continues to bring the best and brightest in the comics industry to the fans.”

Among the other popular artists fans will want to meet are Jim Cheung (“Avengers,” “Uncanny X-Men”), Phil Jimenez (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Astonishing X-Men”), Mike Grell (“Green Arrow,” “Green Lantern”) and Tom Raney (“Avengers Academy,” “Incredible Hulks”).

In all, more than 20 artists who have worked on the “Green Lantern” franchise are scheduled to appear, This Green Lantern Celebration includes such greats as Ethan Van Sciver, Tyler Kirkham and Shane Davis – perfect timing with the feature film releasing in theaters this weekend. Philadelphia Comic Con programming includes two “Green Lantern” themed panels as well as several “Wizard Art School” sessions featuring top creators and others highlighting various aspects of the industry.

Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, now in its 11th year, will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, comics, toys, video gaming, television, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Among the most popular celebrities scheduled to attend are Bruce Campbell, Adam Baldwin, Bill Goldberg, Pam Grier, Vivica A. Fox, Julie Benz and Billy Dee Williams.

Philadelphia Comic Con is the sixth stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour. Hours are Friday, noon – 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/philadelphia.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); three-day weekend 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.

For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become a Philadelphia Comic Con Fan on Facebook.

***** SAVE THE 2011/12 DATES *****
June 17-19 – Philadelphia Comic Con
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
December 8-9, 2012 – Miami Comic Con