Wizard World in the ATX
Austin gets on the comics convention circuit
By Richard Whittaker, 5:00PM, Wed. Jan. 6, 2010
Best new comics day ever! First the big-screen adaptation of Kick-Ass is booked for SXSW, then we heard that 30 Days of Night creator Steve Niles will be in town in May 2011 for the World Horror Convention. Now the Wizard World pop culture convention confirms it's coming to the capital of Texas this November.
For those of you not in the know, the Wizard World convention circuit is one of the biggest touring shows for fans of all things sci-fi, fantasy, Anime, manga, space operafied, horrific and genre friendly (plus there's normally a good showing of pro-wrestling legends). Think of it as a smaller, more nimble Comic-Con.
It's a double big win for Austin because there was a Wizard World in Dallas from 2003 until 2008, when it was canceled as the recession first started to bite. Not only is it back in Texas, but Austin beat out the Big D for the honor.
No word on guests for the Austin leg yet, but considering that fan-friendly actors like Erin Gray (Buck Rogers), Elisa Dushku (Doll House, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and Saul Rubinek (Warehouse 13), comics artists Tim Bradstreet (Punisher), Mark Texiera (Moon Knight, Ghost Rider) and Ty Templeton (She-Hulk) and big, bad Bill Shatner are on other dates in the seven-city rolling convention, that bodes well for some major names from your comics and DVD collection getting off the plane at Bergstrom.
Full press release below:
Don't miss Austin Comic Con
Back by popular demand Wizard World returns to TexasGAREB SHAMUS, WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT CEO ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF AUSTIN COMIC CON
Austin Convention Center FRI-SAT-SUN November 12-13-14, 2010, 500 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78701
Gareb Shamus, CEO of New York based Wizard Entertainment, today announced the launch of Austin Comic Con 2010 Wizard World Convention, to be held at the Austin Convention Center from November 12-14, 2010.
Fans have been asking for this event for some time.
In an e-mail to Shamus, Larry Nickels Jr. wrote, "There are many people that I know of personally who would love to attend the convention if it is returned to our great state."
Another fan, Matthew Adamic put it more succinctly with, "Bring back Wizard World Texas."
"The fans have spoken and they want us back in Texas. We previously had a great experience here and are thrilled to be back," said Shamus. "It's a great city with a top-notch convention center and we're really looking forward to seeing our fans at the type of pop-culture festival only we can bring."
Austin is now the seventh city in the Wizard World Comic Con tour. Attendees can anticipate the strong caliber lineup of stars and exhibitors that fans across the nation have come to expect.
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Wizard World Comic Con Tour:
Toronto Comic Con, Direct Energy Centre, March 26-28, 2010
Anaheim Comic Con, Anaheim Convention Center, April 16-18, 2010
Philadelphia Comic Con, Philadelphia Convention Center June 11-13, 2010
Chicago Comic Con, Donald E. Stephens (Rosemont) Convention Center, August 19-22, 2010
Big Apple Comic Con, Pier 94, October 7-10, 2010
Austin Comic Con, Austin Convention Center, November 12-14, 2010
New England Comic Con, TBD
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
Wayne Alan Brenner, April 27, 2011
Richard Whittaker, April 27, 2011
World Horror Convention, Comics, Wizard World, Convention Center
