‘Gotham’ Star Ben McKenzie To Attend Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia, Chicago For North American Exclusive Signings, Photo Ops

‘James Gordon’ Of Smash Fox Hit To Make First Wizard World Appearances Saturday and Sunday, May 9-10 at Pennsylvania Convention Center, August 22-23 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center; Also Featured in ‘Southland,’ ‘The O.C.’

NEW YORK, January 19, 2015 - Ben McKenzie, who plays the lead character “James Gordon” in the hit Fox TV show “Gotham,” will make his first two Wizard World Comic Con appearances in Philadelphia (May 9-10) and Chicago (August 22-23). Also well-known for his portrayals of “Officer Ben Sherman” in NBC’s “Southland” and, earlier, as “Ryan Atwood” in the teen favorite “The O.C.” on Fox, McKenzie will greet fans will sign autographs, pose for photo ops and conduct interactive Q&A sessions at the two flagship shows on the 2015 Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) calendar.

McKenzie’s appearances at the two events will be the only ones in North America in which fans can get autographs and photo ops.

McKenzie, 36, was born in Austin, Texas, appearing in theater productions and a few TV shows including “The District,” “JAG” and “Mad TV” before the success of “The O.C.” launched him into stardom. His film roles have included Junebug opposite Amy Adams and 88 Minutes with Al Pacino. The University of Virginia graduate’s current starring role in “Gotham,” which has regularly hit nearly seven million weekly viewers, follows the Commissioner’s life before Batman came onto the scene.

“Ben McKenzie is the one of today’s hottest stars on one of the most popular and successful shows on TV,” said Wizard World CEO John Macaluso. “Our fans have immediately made ‘Gotham’ one of their favorites and we know they can’t wait to meet him at our two most successful and longest-running Wizard World Comic Cons.”

In Philadelphia, he will be joined by fellow “Gotham” star Robin Lord Taylor (“Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin”), along with Penn Badgley (“Gossip Girl,” Easy A), Karl Urban (Star Trek, The Bourne Supremacy), Kelly Frye (“The Flash,” Roommates) and many others at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. In Rosemont, Ill., top guests currently scheduled to attend alongside McKenzie include Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead,” Boondock Saints), Toby Kebbell (Fantastic Four, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), and “The Walking Dead” duo of Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Seth Gilliam (“Teen Wolf”) at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia (http://www.wizd.me/PhiladelphiaPR) show hours are Thursday, May 7, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 8, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, May 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wizard World Comic Con Chicago (http://www.wizd.me/ChicagoPR) will be held Thursday, August 20, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, August 21, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, August 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wizard World Comic Con is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor.

For more on the Wizard World Comic Cons, visit http://wizd.me/PR.

About Wizard World

Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World also produces socialcon featuring social media stars and will be launching ConTV, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM).

Wizard World 2015 schedule available at: http://wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.