March 2, 2004 - Coinciding with DC Comics & MAD Magazine's sponsorship of the Philips U.S. Open Snowboarding Festival in March, fans across the country will be able to enter the Wicked Winter Sweepstakes 2004, hosted by DC Comics and MAD Magazine. Guaranteeing to thrill readers everywhere, comic book fans will be able to enter for a chance to win four grand prizes from the following categories: home entertainment, action sports, PC gaming and trading cards.

The Wicked Winter Sweepstakes has four sponsors who are presenting the prize list: Philips U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships (who are presenting a Snowboard, Snowdeck, and R.E.D. Helmet courtesy of Burton); Warner Home Video (a DC Comics' super-hero DVD prize package); NCSoft City of Heroes (and Alienware providing an Area-51m Mobile Gaming System); and Magic: The Gathering Trading Card Game by Wizards of the Coast (A Magic: The Gathering Trading Card Game Starter Kit plus a snowboard featuring Magic artwork.)

David McKillips, Vice President of Advertising for DC Comics and MAD Magazine said, "Mirroring the format of our successful summertime promotions, we're giving our readers an opportunity to win some of the most exciting winter-themed prize packages, and strengthening our brand among active teens with our presence at the Philips U.S. Open Snowboarding Champs. At the same time, we're providing another creative vehicle for our advertisers to extend their marketing message above and beyond a simple ad page."

The Wicked Winter Sweepstakes 2004 will be supported by print advertising in DC Comics teen-targeted comics books and MAD Magazine throughout the winter, a mini-site at www.dccomics.com/wws, and posters at the top 250 comics book retailers. Entry period for The Wicked Winter Sweepstakes runs through March 31, 2004.