Meet The Creators Of Teddy Scares At Wizard World Chicago!

The Innovative Creators Will Hold A Toy Design Discussion From 4-5 P.M. On Friday, June 27th.

Congers, NY (June 23, 2008) – Have you had a killer toy idea in your head for years, but don’t have the know-how to make it a reality? Does the idea of it leave you awake at night with a gnawing, burning desire in your gut to turn your dream into a toy?

Well, after you’ve been to your doctor to rule out an ulcer, get on over to the Wizard World Chicago Convention Friday, June 27th from 4-5 p.m., because we’ve got the cure for what ails ya! Two of the demented minds behind the Teddy Scares toy line, co-creator, Joe DiDomenico and Chris “Patch”ell, Teddy Scares artist extraordinaire, will discuss the “how tos” of designing your very own toy! These guys know their stuff and have mentored others through this process including William Vaughan, creator of the vinyl toy line, Tofu the Vegan Zombie! Now they want to give you their years and years of expertise FOR FREE!

Still not motivated to come out and listen to these toy gurus answer questions and offer insights into the making of the hit toy line Teddy Scares? Well, they will also be giving away some awesome, scary swag INCLUDING Japanese Teddy Scares merchandise that isn’t even available in the United States!

The dates for the entire Wizard World Chicago show are June 26th-29th and the show is chock full of all kinds of celebrity appearances and exclusive merchandise.

All the vital info can be found at www.teddyscares.com

Yours Ghouly,
The Gang at Teddy Scares
www.teddyscares.com
www.tofutheveganzombie.com

For tickets and more information about the 2008 Wizard World Chicago show and about registration for the 2009 Wizard World Chicago show, please visit www.wizardworld.com. The Wizard World comic convention is coming to Chicago from June 26th to June 29th.

WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO SELLS OUT FLOOR!

WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO SELLS OUT FLOOR!

The Pop Culture Extravaganza Is Packed With A Record-Breaking
Number Of Exhibitors, Retailers and Creators.

Congers, NY (June 23, 2008) – Wizard World Chicago’s floor has sold out. All 614 exhibitor, retailer and signing booths and all 312 tables in Artist Alley have been taken, leading to 250,000 completely sold out square feet of floor space. Even though the floor is completely sold out, there is a first-come first-serve waiting list for those still itching to get in on the biggest Wizard World Chicago in history. To get on the waiting list, contact James Ross at 917-270-0121.

“This year’s Wizard World Chicago will feature more exclusives, top-flight guests and panels, retailers and exhibitors than ever before,” said Wizard Vice President of Business Development Stephen Shamus. Guests and events at Wizard World Chicago include Missy Peregrym from “Reaper,” Guest of Honor Warren Ellis, special guest Todd McFarlane and six of the founders of Image Comics, comic creators Alex Ross, Brian Michael Bendis and Geoff Johns, the world premiere of the animated film “Batman: Gotham Knight” and a concert by J-pop sensation ORESKABAND. Shamus added, “More so than ever before, consumers can look forward to exclusive products on the show floor from Alex Ross, Todd McFarlane, Warren Ellis, ‘Heroes’ and other creators and properties.”

For tickets and more information about the 2008 Wizard World Chicago show and about registration for the 2009 Wizard World Chicago show, please visit www.wizardworld.com. The Wizard World comic convention is coming to Chicago from June 26th to June 29th.

DC UNIVERSE ANIMATED ORIGINAL MOVIE BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT WORLD PREMIERE & PANEL SET FOR JUNE 28, 2008 AT WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO

DC UNIVERSE ANIMATED ORIGINAL MOVIE BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT WORLD PREMIERE & PANEL SET FOR JUNE 28, 2008 AT WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO
Executive Producer Bruce Timm & Award-Winning Writers Josh Olson, Brian Azzarello, Greg Rucka and Alan Burnett Headline Panel following 7:00 pm Premiere of Third DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie; Filmmakers Slated for Autograph Session on June 29 at Popular Comics Convention

BURBANK, CA, (June 19, 2008) – Animation legend Bruce Timm and award-winning writers Josh Olson, Brian Azzarello, Greg Rucka and Alan Burnett will be the featured panelists when DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. Animation present the World Premiere of the DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie, Batman Gotham Knight, at Wizard World Chicago on June 28, 2008, it was announced today.

The Batman Gotham Knight premiere will commence at 7:00 p.m. in the 1,500-seat hall within the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, and the screening will be followed immediately by a panel featuring executive producer Bruce Timm (Superman Doomsday, Justice League: The New Frontier) and a quartet of the film’s writers: Academy Award nominee Josh Olson (A History of Violence), Eisner Award-winning writers Brian Azzarello & Greg Rucka, and five-time Emmy Award-winner Alan Burnett. The film will be introduced by DC Comics President and Publisher Paul Levitz, and DC Comics Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs Gregory Noveck will moderate the panel.

As a capacity crowd is anticipated, the premiere is a ticketed event. Free tickets for convention attendees will be distributed starting at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 28 in the Wizard World Chicago ticketing area.

The panelists will be available for a 90-minute autograph session on Sunday beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Fountain Area. An encore presentation of the film will screen Sunday at 2:00 p.m., and seating will be allotted on an un-ticketed, first-come, first-served basis.

Batman Gotham Knight is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman mythos, spinning out of a 40-year history in animation including the Emmy®-winning Batman: The Animated Series, widely considered a pivotal moment in American animation. A cross section of distinguished creators, award winning producers, and acclaimed writers weave six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne’s journey to The Dark Knight, each with stylish art from some of the world’s most revered animation visionaries.

Batman Gotham Knight will arrive July 8, 2008 on DVD and Blu-Ray disc, and will also be available On Demand via digital cable and for download through broadband sites.

BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS TO MAKE RARE APPEARANCE AT WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO

BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS TO MAKE RARE APPEARANCE AT WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO

The ‘Secret Invasion’ Superstar Will Be Involved In
A Host Of Exciting Events All Weekend

Congers, NY (June 19, 2008) – The architect behind Marvel’s massive and thrilling storyline “Secret Invasion” will be descending upon Wizard World Chicago to inform and entertain fans in a variety of panels. These panels include:

• Friday’s Daredevil Retrospective with Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev. The creators will discuss their five-year run that put the man without fear through the wringer and turned Daredevil into one of the most critically-acclaimed Marvel comics in history.
• Friday’s Marvel: Ultimate Universe panel. Bendis and line editor Bill Rosemann reveal how the Ultimate Universe, which Bendis launched with the historic Ultimate Spider-Man #1, has been connected since the beginning and why that means the end is near.
• Friday’s A&E/History Present The Great Debate: Brian Michael Bendis vs. Geoff Johns. Two of the hottest writers in comics, Marvel heavyweight Brian Michael Bendis and DC titan Geoff Johns, debate some of the most controversial topics in the industry from Superman’s mullet to Spider-Man’s organic web shooters.
• Saturday’s Marvel: Secret Invasion panel. This is the only panel you can come to and hear directly from Bendis, the man who’s been building this event for five years, as he discusses his plans for the biggest event of 2008, what secrets already lay hidden and how it will impact the Marvel Universe for years to come.
• Saturday’s Marvel: Cup O’ Bendis panel. Bendis along with special guests take on any and all questions from attendees. This informal and fun panel is one you will not want to miss.

Through his work on House Of M and Secret Invasion, Special Guest Brian Michael Bendis has reshaped the Earth that Marvel’s great heroes call home. Lengthy runs on critically acclaimed titles with character-driven stories have also been Bendis’ trademark. His five-year run with fellow Wizard World Chicago guest Alex Maleev on Daredevil earned the duo unprecedented critical and fan acclaim. Along with Mark Bagley, Bendis broke the record for the longest continual run on a Marvel-owned series by two people by creating the first 111 issues of Ultimate Spider-Man together. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s work on Fantastic Four previously held the honor.

Wizard World, the largest family-friendly comics and pop culture convention in the central US, returns to Chicago June 26-29 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, please visit www.wizardworld.com.

CREATORS OF ADULT SWIM SERIES “MORAL OREL” TO APPEAR AT WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO!

Dino Stamatopoulos, Scott Adsit And Chris McKay From The Emmy Award-Winning Series To Participate In Panel

Congers, NY (June 17, 2008) – The creators of the hilariously offensive Adult Swim series “Moral Orel” will make their Wizard World debut at the Chicago convention. During their appearance on Saturday, June 28th, Dino Stamatopoulos, Scott Adsit and Chris McKay will participate in a special panel with everything from a question and answer session and clips from upcoming episodes to insights on how the dirtiest stop-motion animation series ever is made.

A stylistic send-up of the morally sound 1960s series “Davey and Goliath,” “Moral Orel” stars 11-year-old Orel Puppington in his quest to live his life by a strict a moral code. The misadventures that happen after Orel acts out the church sermons he hears have filled two seasons worth of episodes for Cartoon Network’s outrageously popular Adult Swim programming block. The series begins its third season on August 17, 2008.

Aside from creating and working on “Moral Orel,” guests Dino Stamatopoulos, Scott Adsit and Chris McKay all have some of the funniest shows in television on their resumes. Dino Stamatopoulos, creator of “Moral Orel,” has written for “Mr. Show” and “Late Night With Conan O’Brien.” Frequent “Moral Orel” writer and director and regular voice actor Scott Adsit can be seen playing Pete Hornberger on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning series “30 Rock.” Chris McKay is no stranger to Adult Swim after having served as a producer, director and editor on both “Moral Orel” and “Robot Chicken.”

Wizard World, the largest family-friendly comics and pop culture convention in the central US, returns to Chicago June 26-29 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, please visit www.wizardworld.com.

STARS FROM NBC’S “AMERICAN GLADIATORS” TO APPEAR AT WW CHICAGO

STARS FROM NBC’S “AMERICAN GLADIATORS” TO
APPEAR AT WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO!

The Gladiators Venom And Phoenix Will Be Answering Questions
And Giving A Behind The Scenes Look At The Hit Show

Congers, NY (June 17, 2008) – If you thought She-Hulk and Wonder Woman were impressive, just wait until you meet the real-life powerhouses Venom and Phoenix from NBC’s “American Gladiators” at Wizard World Chicago.

During their Friday-only appearance, the tough twosome will be signing autographs in the autograph area and will take part in a special question and answer panel at 2 p.m. During this panel, Venom and Phoenix will give the inside scoop on everything from how they became Gladiators to what it’s really like to Hang Tough.

Beth Horn shed her skin to become one of the most feared warriors in Gladiator Arena. Now as Venom, she stalks her prey with caution and strikes when it is least expected. Any opponent that faces her had better come prepared because there is no known antidote for Venom, who is lethal in any dose.

Making her debut this season, the beautiful and bewitching Jennifer “Phoenix” Widerstrom is as impossible to defeat as her mythical namesake. And just when a competitor has fooled herself into believing she’s got a chance, this dangerous bird of prey rises with talons fully extended to shred anyone into submission.

“American Gladiators” debuted in January of 2008 and was an instant success. Hosted by legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan and professional boxer Laila Ali, the show matches amateur athletes against each other and the show’s gladiators in contests of strength, agility and endurance. The competitive program, now in its second season, is a revival of the immensely popular original series that ran from 1989 to 1996 in syndication.

Wizard World, the largest family-friendly comics and pop culture convention in the central US, returns to Chicago June 26-29 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, please visit www.wizardworld.com.

TONNER DIGS ITS WAY INTO THE GAMING WORLD WITH THE LAUNCH OF A NEW TCF AT WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO

Hurley, NY (June 16, 2008) – TONNER today announced the world premier launch of one of the gaming industry’s most recognized personality as a TONNER CHARACTER FIGURE at Wizard World Chicago in TONNER booth #1012.

The newest TONNER CHARACTER FIGURE will debut on June 26, 2008 at Wizard World Chicago to an audience of approximately 68,000 attendees. “I am sworn to secrecy,” insists Robert Tonner, CEO of TONNER. “I will not reveal what we are about to release but I will tell you it is very exciting! And it’s a new direction for us in terms of the type of character!”

“Not only are we launching a new character with a unique head sculpt, we’re also introducing a new body sculpt as well,” Tonner added.

The initial 100 pieces of the premier edition have been rushed in for the show according to Tonner. “They are the first pieces from our first ever production run of this new character,” Tonner explained. “We wanted to do something special for the Wizard World attendees by making this character available to them before anyone else could get their hands on her.”

“I can say this,” Tonner continued. “We did everything we could to capture the spirit and essence of one of most adventurous and well-known characters in the gaming world; a powerfully independent heroine, and a true legend.”

The unnamed character will be exclusively available via TONNERDirect.com this summer.

About Tonner Company
Headquartered in Hurley, New York, Tonner Doll Company, Inc. develops and markets high quality collectible Character Figures such as HARRY POTTER, DC STARS and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.
TONNER CHARACTER FIGURES is a trademark of the Tonner Doll Company, Inc.

LEGENDARY PAINTER ALEX ROSS TO MAKE

The Project Superpowers Artist Will Be Appearing
Courtesy Of Dynamite Entertainment

Congers, NY (June 6, 2008) – Few artists have created as many iconic and breathtakingly realistic images as Alex Ross. His powerful depictions of the titans of the comic industry have entertained and inspired many. The comic company behind his current title Project Superpowers, Dynamite Entertainment, will be bringing Alex Ross to Wizard World Chicago for his Saturday appearance.

The Project Superpowers series resurrects a number of Golden Age superheroes that have fallen into the public domain. These long forgotten heroes are now being given the respect and attention they deserve. Along with writer Jim Krueger, Ross is reinventing classic characters like Fighting Yank, Green Lama, The Death Defying ‘Devil and Masquerade.

In 1994, Ross made his mainstream debut and forever changed the way superheroes are depicted with his landmark run on Marvels. The four-issue limited series examined key moments in the formation of the Marvel Comics Universe from the point of view of everyman photographer Phil Sheldon. Ross’ retelling of the coming of Galactus and death of Gwen Stacy added new emotional depth to moments already beloved by fans. With 1996’s Kingdom Come miniseries, Ross began a highly successful partnership with DC Comics that still continues to this day. Set twenty years in the future, Kingdom Come deals with a growing conflict between traditional superheroes and a growing population of largely amoral and dangerously irresponsible new vigilantes.

With his collaboration with Kurt Busiek on Astro City, Ross proved that he was also able to create compelling original characters. Centered around the fictional American city of the same name, Astro City takes a look at the real impact costumed crime-fighting has on the lives of the participants and civilians. Ross went on to create a new universe with his frequent collaborator Jim Krueger in Marvel’s Earth X trilogy, which featured a dystopian alternate future for the Marvel Universe. The countless paintings, posters and covers Ross has done for DC Comics were collected into a special collection called “Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross” in 2005.

Wizard World Chicago will feature a very rare appearance by Alex Ross on Saturday. Wizard World, the largest family-friendly comics and pop culture convention in the central US, returns to Chicago June 26-29 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, please visit www.wizardworld.com.

Q&A WITH WW CHICAGO GUEST ETHAN VAN SCIVER!

By Brett White

Q&A WITH WW CHICAGO GUEST ETHAN VAN SCIVER!Ethan Van Sciver has become one of the most successful artists in comics thanks in equal part to his immeasurable talent and good-natured personality. His work on Green Lantern and New X-Men has ensured that fans will be lining up at his Artist Alley table for years to come! We caught up with this fan-favorite artist at Wizard World Philadelphia.

How is Wizard World Philadelphia going for you so far?
So far it’s going pretty well. Every time I come to a Wizard World show I’m mobbed with rabid Wizard fans and readers. They’re all Green Lantern fans, which I love to see. Then I go back to my hotel room, gorge myself, eat like Orson Welles and pass out in a stupor. It’s good to be back here. This is my hometown, really. I lived over the bridge in Camden, New Jersey. That’s where I grew up. But yeah, I spent many weekends on South Street with some friends. It’s kind of nice to be back.

You do many commissions at conventions. Do you get off the wall requests often?
Yeah, well, lately because I think [the upcoming Green Lantern storyline] “Blackest Night” and anticipation for “Blackest Night” has really inspired a lot of people to be imaginative and think of possibilities, because of the idea that there are seven Lantern Corps, seven different colors and seven different religions out there that perhaps DC characters could choose from and thus alter their costume and the way they look. I think it’s really turned a lot of people’s imaginations on. Not only that, don’t tell Joe Quesada, but I’ve been drawing Marvel characters as Green Lantern and Blue Lantern and Yellow Lantern. I just drew Spider-Lantern and the Yellow Goblin for somebody which was tons of fun. It beats just having to draw another picture of Batman.

What are you working on right now?
I cannot tell you but Wizard magazine will know before anyone else does. I’m working on something big with Geoff Johns right now that is the project that…you know, in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” when Indiana Jones is told he’s going to go find the Ark of the Covenant, he’s being commissioned to go find that ark, a friend says to him, “The Ark of the Covenant, this is why we got into archaeology to begin with.” Well, this project that I’m working on with Geoff Johns is the reason I got into comics to begin with. It’s the reason I work at DC and it’s something I’ve wanted to do forever. Now, finally, they’ve turned me loose. I can’t tell you how good it is. I’m going to be taking more of a limited role in “Blackest Night,” but it’s worth it.

Are there any characters that you want to draw that you haven’t been able to yet?
Tons of them, all of them. You know, I’ve drawn everybody I guess. Not Doom Patrol or Sgt. Rock or Jonah Hex, but it seems like I’ve drawn just about all of the big superheroes in some capacity. I want to own all of them. I want to really work on them for long extended periods of time and reimagine them and put my heart into them. You know, I’ll work at DC Comics until I’m 75 years old, God willing, and still not feel like I’m finished.

Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to plug?
No, I don’t want anyone to know anything. Honestly, we’re keeping things so secret right now, which is fun but no fun. I would like to stand on a pulpit somewhere and yell and scream about my new project with Geoff. Unfortunately I’m muzzled by DC brass.

It looks like if you want some information about this top secret project from Wizard World Chicago guests Ethan Van Sciver and Geoff Johns you’re just going to have to buy a ticket and ask both of them yourself! Get your tickets to Wizard World Chicago today!

SECRET INVASION SCRIBE BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS JOINS THE MIGHTY WW CHICAGO LINE-UP!

Brian Michael Bendis, the architect behind Marvel’s biggest project of ‘08 makes a rare con appearance at this year’s Wizard World Chicago!

The statement “Who Do You Trust?” fits perfectly as the landscape of the Marvel Universe will be forever changed by Bendis and crew’s eagerly anticipated Secret Invasion. Fans will be treated to surprises galore as nothing is what it appears when the Skrulls plan to infiltrate the Earth comes to fruition. Heroes who appeared benevolent are exposed and some classic characters long missing return to the forefront.

Taking part in panels, Q&As, signings and more – Bendis will be on hand to discuss all things Skrully going on in the Marvel Universe and give you the 411 on what fans can expect during Secret Invasion.