Legend Neal Adams's Variant Cover of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead #1 Debuts at Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience

Skybound and Wizard World's Fourth Limited Edition Cover in the Wizard World Series Free to Full-Price Attendees

NEW YORK, June 13, 2013 – Eisner Award Hall of Famer Neal Adams will create the fourth in a series of exclusive Wizard World variant covers of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead #1 comic, provided for free to all full-price attendees at Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience, June 28-30 at Basketball City (Pier 36) in Manhattan.  Wizard World and Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, have teamed to produce the line.
Adams will be on hand at Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience to sign copies of the limited-edition comic,  produced in extremely limited quantities and available to fans only while supplies last.  The first three covers, illustrated by superstar artists Michael Golden, “Zombie King” Arthur Suydam and Julian Totino Tedesco, respectively, were huge hits at Wizard World events in Portland (February, Golden), St. Louis (March, Suydam) and Philadelphia (June, Tedesco).  A different creator will draw the variant cover art for each of the remaining scheduled Wizard World shows this year.

Adams has also drawn a second, sketch Black & White cover, which will be provided to VIP guests at the event.

Independent third-party comic book grading service CGC, a leader in the industry, will accept TWD #1 variant and Signature Series submissions at its Wizard World NYC Experience exhibitor booth.

The Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience will be a bonanza for fans of the AMC series based upon The Walking Dead, as headliners Norman Reedus (“Daryl Dixon”), Laurie Holden (“Andrea”), Michael Rooker (“Merle Dixon”), Jon Bernthal (“Shane Walsh”) and Chandler Riggs (“Carl Grimes”) will appear at the event. They will be joined by other well-known celebrities, including Stan Lee, Patrick Stewart and WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, as well as a top-drawer collection of well-known artists, a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the fourth event on Wizard World’s 2013 calendar and the promotion's first at Basketball City.

The Walking Dead graphic novels accounted for seven of the 10 bestselling titles of the year and were #1 overall for both 2011 and 2012.

Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Admission is free for kids 10 and under. Event hours are Friday, June 28, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, June 30, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

About Robert Kirkman

Robert Kirkman's success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company's inception twenty-one years ago. Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur and Thief of Thieves. In 2010, Kirkman formed his own Image imprint, Skybound, which publishes his own work and Clone, Ghosted, Invincible Universe and Witch Doctor. Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and 2012. In April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. He's the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com.

About Skybound

Skybound is Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics and home to his creator-owned works including his Eisner Award-winning comic book series, The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur and Thief of Thieves. Skybound also develops and fosters other talented writers, creators and artists and publishes their comic book series and graphic novels: Clone, Ghosted, Invincible Universe and Witch Doctor. Since its inception, Skybound has created television shows, merchandise, games (The Walking Dead: Assault iOS app), and entertainment events (The Walking Dead Escape). Skybound's successes include the comic behind the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S., where Kirkman serves as Executive Producer/writer. Kirkman is also developing a new show with FOX International Channels based on his upcoming comic book series set in the world of exorcism. Skybound/Kirkman frequently top the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are 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 graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The 2013 event schedule to date can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****
June 28-30 – Wizard World Comic Con New York City Experience
August 8-11 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
January 24-26, 2014 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
April 4-6, 2014 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
June 19-22, 2014 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con