Rob Guillory Variant Cover of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead #1 Debuts at Wizard World Austin Comic Con

Skybound and Wizard World's Final 2013 Limited Edition Cover in the Wizard World series Free to Full-Price Attendees; VIPs To Receive Additional B&W Sketch Cover

NEW YORK, November 7, 2013 – Eisner Award-winning artist Rob Guillory will create the eighth 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 Austin Comic Con, November 22-24 at the Austin Convention Center. Wizard World and Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, have teamed to produce the line based upon the Eisner Award-winning groundbreaking comic book series and best-selling graphic novels written and created by Robert Kirkman.

Guillory will be on hand at Wizard World Austin Comic Con to sign copies of the limited-edition comic, produced in extremely limited quantities and available to fans only while supplies last, and representing the final of eight covers produced in 2013. The first seven covers, illustrated by superstar artists Michael Golden, Arthur Suydam, Julian Totino Tedesco, Neal Adams, Ethan Van Sciver, Mike Zeck and Mico Suayan, respectively, were huge hits at Wizard World events in Portland (February, Golden), St. Louis (March, Suydam), Philadelphia (June, Tedesco), New York (June, Adams), Chicago (August, Van Sciver), Columbus, Ohio (September, Zeck) and Nashville, Tenn. (October, Suayan).

Guillory is the co-creator and artist for the New York Times Best-Selling Chew, which won the Eisner Award for Best New Series in 2010 and for continuing series in 2011. The Lafayette, La., native, has also worked on popular independent projects such as Teddy Scares and Popgun Anthology and is a favorite at Wizard World events.

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 Austin Comic Con exhibitor booth (location TBD).

The 2013 Wizard World Austin Comic Con will also feature Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee; Norman Reedus, Laurie Holden, Michael Rooker and Chandler Riggs of “The Walking Dead”; WWE® Superstar John Cena® and pop culture icons William Shatner and Ralph Macchio among a standout roster of top celebrities. The event also hosts an array of superstar comics creators including Guillory, Adams, Greg Capullo, Mark Bagley, Kenneth Rocafort, David Marquez and many others.

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 Austin Comic Con, 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, Nov. 22, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24, 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 event schedule for 2013 and for 2014 to date can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

Wizard World 2013 Schedule
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con

Wizard World 2014 Schedule
January 24-26 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
March 7-9 – Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con
March 28-30 – Wizard World Louisville Comic Con
April 4-6 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 2-4 – Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con
May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
June 19-22 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 1-3 – Wizard World San Antonio Comic Con
August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond Comic Con
September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
October 11-12 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con