Congers, NY (June 6, 2005) - Continuing the positive momentum and growth of its convention business, Wizard Conventions, the country's foremost authority on everything related to comic books, gaming, anime, toys, collectibles and pop-culture, announced today that its Wizard World Philadelphia pop culture extravaganza attracted 27,000 attendees during its fourth annual visit to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, marking a five percent increase from the previous year. Guest of Honor J. Michael Straczynski (Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-man and Rising Stars) presided over the event that saw fan turnout top last year's 25,500 attendees - growth attributed to Wizard's ongoing commitment to providing fans with the ability to get up-close-and-personal with today's hottest pop culture celebrities and talent.
During the weekend, Wizard - in cooperation with Warner Brothers Studios, DC Comics and IMAX - provided a limited-admission, special advance screening of this summer's upcoming blockbuster hit, Batman Begins, which had fans buzzing all weekend long. Adding to the excitement of the three-day event, actor Seth Green (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Austin Powers) and colleague Hugh Sterbakov were on hand for a panel and autograph signing session to launch their new Top Cow comic, The Freshman.
Wizard continued to round out its all-star cast with celebrities that included: Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica), Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel), Lou Ferrigno (TV's Incredible Hulk), Peter Mayhew (Star Wars/Chewbacca), Kenny Baker (Star Wars/R2-D2), Jeremy Bulloch (Star Wars/Boba Fett), as well as Chris Claremont (writer, Uncanny X-Men, Excalibur), Steranko (Comic Revolutionary) and Carmine Infantino (creator, Batgirl, Silver Age Flash), among others.
"Whether it's the Batman Begins screening or our Seth Green signing, we believe 'access' is the key to keeping fans happy and coming back year after year," said Gareb Shamus, chairman and CEO of Wizard Conventions. "Considering that attendance has been growing consistently, providing these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities is the least we can do for our devoted fans that have helped to make Wizard World Philadelphia the premiere pop culture event on the east coast."
Philadelphia's world famous Geno's Cheese Steaks donated fifty of their famous sandwiches for Wizard World Philadelphia's second annual "Captain Cheese Steak" contest. Pennsylvania native Kevin Pasquarelli was crowned 2005's Captain Cheese Steak, beating out seven other costumed contestants by consuming the most cheese steaks in five minutes to win a custom illustration from famed artist, Skottie Young (Marvel's Human Touch and Venom books).
Wizard Conventions recently attracted 24,500 to its second-annual Wizard World Los Angeles event, prompting the event's move to a much larger venue in 2006, the Los Angeles Convention Center. In 2004, Wizard World events drew more than 110,000 attendees, making it the undisputed pop culture draw of its kind in the country.
For more information about Wizard, visit the company online at www.wizarduniverse.com
About Wizard World
Wizard World Los Angeles, Wizard World Philadelphia, Wizard World Chicago, Wizard World Texas and Wizard World Boston are produced by Wizard Conventions Inc. Wizard Conventions is a sister company of Wizard Entertainment, the industry leader in the comic book and collectibles market that publishes four magazines, Wizard: The Comics Magazine, InQuest Gamer: The Gaming Magazine, ToyFare: The Toy Magazine and Anime Insider, as well as co-publisher of Toy Wishes: The Ultimate Guide to Family Entertainment. Wizard's publications have a monthly national readership of more than 2 million and are currently sold in 25 countries and five languages. Wizard can be found online at www.wizarduniverse.com.
