FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 26, 2015
Contact:
Jerry Milani, Wizard World, 646-512-5022, pr@wizardworld.com
Brian Lee, Revelation PR, 608-622-7767
Wizard World Comic Con Attendees to Receive ‘The Walking Dead #1’ Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Cover
‘Deadpool’ Creator to Draw Third Cover in 2015 Series Available at Alliant Energy Center for Full-Price Attendees; VIP Fans Get Additional B&W Sketch Cover at Registration
(MADISON, Wis.)— Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and Skybound, Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics, today announced that noted creator Rob Liefeld will draw the third in a yearlong series of Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Covers of “The Walking Dead #1” comic, to be provided free to all full-price attendees at the inaugural Wizard World Madison Comic Con Feb. 6-8 at the Alliant Energy Center.
The exclusive “The Walking Dead #1” edition will be produced in extremely limited quantities and is available at registration to fans only at the Alliant Energy Center while supplies last. VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version of the comic.
In the early 1990s, the self-taught artist Liefeld became prominent due to his work on Marvel Comics’ The New Mutants and later X-Force. Later he published Youngblood #1 by Image Comics. His creations Deadpool, Cable, Youngblood and X-Force helped change the comic book landscape and remain staples of both Marvel and Image comics.
“As the co-creator of Deadpool and one of the most influential and important artists of the past 25 years, Rob has cemented his place among the top talents,” John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO, said. “Rob was one of the earliest supporters of ‘The Walking Dead’ and Robert Kirkman, and we are thankful he did such an amazing cover for the fans of Madison.”
The artists for future books will be announced as they are selected. A similar series in 2013 featuring exclusives of “The Walking Dead #1” proved to be wildly popular with fans.
Stars of “The Walking Dead” TV series scheduled to attend Wizard World Madison Comic Con include Emily Kinney, Josh McDermitt and Michael Rooker. Other top celebrities on-hand include Ian Somerhalder (“The Vampire Diaries”), William Shatner (“Star Trek”), Bruce Campbell (“The Evil Dead”), Brett Dalton (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D”), Kristin Bauer (“True Blood”), WWE® Divas The Bella Twins™ and many others.
In addition to Liefeld, Artist Alley at Madison Comic Con will feature Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”), Mike Zeck (“Spider-Man,” “Punisher”), James O’Barr (Creator, “The Crow”), Michael Golden (“Hulk,” “X-Men”), Tom DeFalco (Marvel Comics), Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons,” “Muppet Babies”), Mike Grell (“Warlord,” “Action Comics”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”) and more.
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, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World Comic Con Madison show hours are 3-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7; and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. For more information, visit http://wizd.me/MadisonPR.
About Robert Kirkman
Robert Kirkman is the creator of many popular comic books, including the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, and the new exorcism comic, Outcast which was released in June 2014 and recently received a pilot pickup for CINEMAX with Fox International. Since entering the comics scene with his self-published cult-hit Battle Pope in 2000, the Kentucky native has risen to fame as one of the most successful names in comics and entertainment. In 2008, Kirkman became a partner at Image Comics, and in 2010, he opened Skybound, his own imprint at Image, which publishes his titles as well as other original work. That same year, Kirkman continued to expand his presence in the entertainment industry, becoming a creator, executive producer and writer on The Walking Dead television show. The show is in production on its fifth season and has become the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo. Kirkman is also slated to executive produce AMC’s upcoming The Walking Dead companion series. Under the Skybound Entertainment umbrella Kirkman wrapped production on his first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.
About Skybound Entertainment
Since opening its doors in 2010, Skybound Entertainment has grown into a multiplatform entertainment company. Skybound CEO Robert Kirkman is creator of the award-winning The Walking Dead comic book series, the inspiration for the hit TV show of the same name where he serves as creator and executive producer. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo. Skybound Entertainment and Kirkman just wrapped production on their first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. The film is slated to be released in the spring of 2015. Skybound released Kirkman’s new exorcism comic, Outcast, in June 2014 which recently got the green light for a television pilot with CINEMAX and Fox International. Kirkman will serve as creator and executive producer of the series. Skybound Entertainment and digital entertainment company Maker Studios recently announced a deal for the studio to produce and air four digital series based off Skybound IPs. Comic book titles published by Skybound include The Walking Dead, the superhero-comic Invincible, all-ages comic Super Dinosaur, the revenge drama Dead Body Road, and heist comic Thief of Thieves. Skybound also creates a wide range of merchandise, including video games, apparel, board games, and action figures. For more information, please visit Skybound online at www.skybound.com and www.thewalkingdead.com.
About Wizard World
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A’s, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World also produces socialcon featuring social media stars and will be launching ConTV, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM).
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