VP of Sales Alan Payne to Leave IDW Publishing   San Diego, CA (October 30, 2015) – After nine years with the Publisher, IDW VP of Sales Alan Payne will step down, effective immediately. Alan spearheaded IDW’s presence in the highly competitive bookstore market starting in 2007, and during his tenure the company achieved significant growth.  “It has been a great and rewarding nine years at IDW,” said Payne. “IDW has the best staff in the business, and I was privileged to be a part of it. I’ve made lifelong relationships, and will always value the time I spent there.” “Alan has been a big part of our success in recent years,” said IDW CEO & Publisher Ted Adams. “We truly appreciate all of his efforts during his time here, and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.” Alan has 23 years of experience in the comic industry, and spent 6 years as the head of the book trade at TokyoPop, prior to his stint at IDW.

About IDW IDW Publishing is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE, MY LITTLE PONY and JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS; Paramount/CBS’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Toho’s Godzilla; Twentieth Century Fox’s The X-Files; Sony’s Ghostbusters, Temple Street Productions’ Orphan Black; multiple monthly DISNEY titles; and many more licensed and creator-driven titles. IDW Publishing is also home to acclaimed imprints such as; The Library of American Comics, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio; and the multiple award-winning IDW Artist’s Edition line. In 2015, IDW acquired Top Shelf Productions, an award-winning publisher of graphic novels. Top Shelf is known for publishing works of literary sophistication, including the #1 New York Times and Washington Post Best Seller March by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell and the authorized graphic-novel adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. IDW Games publishes both creator-owned and licensed tabletop games. The division was launched in 2014 and has quickly found success with one of the top-selling card games of the year with the Award-Winning Japanese import card game, Machi Koro. IDW Entertainment was started in 2013 to fund, develop, and produce television series based on IDW properties. IDW Entertainment is currently in development with a slate of properties for television including Wynonna Earp, licensed to Syfy and premiering in early 2016; Brooklyn Animal Control, sold to USA Network with executive producers David Goyer (DaVinci’s Demons, Dark Knight Rises) and Circle of Confusion (Walking Dead); and Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, sold to BBC America with writer/executive producer Max Landis (Chronicle). IDW Entertainment also has several active theatrical projects in development, including Zombies vs. Robots, which is in development as a major motion picture with Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes and Sony.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

The Wattersons Get Medieval in the First 'Amazing World of Gumball' Original Graphic Novel, 'Fairy Tale Trouble'

The Amazing World of Gumball: Fairy Tale Trouble OGN Cover by Katy Farina

October 29, 2015 (Los Angeles, Calif.) - Hear ye, hear ye! The town of Elmore has always been home to wacky adventures, but this November, things get downright magical in The Amazing World of Gumball: Fairy Tale Trouble, the very first original graphic novel about Gumball and his pals coming from KaBOOM!, the award-winning all-ages imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, and Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of the network. The creative team of Megan Brennan (Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz) and Katy Farina (Adventure Time) dive into the mixed-media world of The Amazing World of Gumball for this full-length story starring Gumball, Darwin, and Anais, with a back-up story by Jeremy Lawson (Prez).

 

“We’ve had such a great time with the Wattersons in comics, and now we’re very excited to present the first original graphic novel for The Amazing World of Gumball,” said BOOM! Studios President of Publishing and Marketing Filip Sablik. “Gumball has always had a penchant for getting into mischief, and Megan and Katy are the perfect team to capture that with a dash of magic.”

 

It’s a beautiful day for a Renaissance Faire, and the Watterson family is having a blast taking in ye olde fun and games...until a magician’s illusion turns into a real spell, and all of Elmore is cast into a fairy-tale world of quests, danger, and magical adventures! Can Wizard Darwin, Knight Anais, and Jester Gumball save Richard from his everlasting, turkey-leg-induced sleep, or will the citizens of Elmore remain trapped in the Middle Ages forever?

 

Created by Ben Bocquelet and produced by Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe, The Amazing World of Gumball has received high critical praise since its debut in 2011, having won several British Academy Children’s Awards and earning nominations in the Annie Awards.

 

The Amazing World of Gumball: Fairy Tale Trouble original graphic novel (6" x 9", 160 pages, full color, softcover) arrives in comic shops on November 25th and in bookstores December 1st with a cover by Katy Farina for the price of $14.99 under Diamond order code SEP151123 and ISBN 978-1-60886-744-8.

The Final Order Cutoff deadline for comic shop retailers is November 2nd. Not sure where to find your nearest one? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.

 

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS

Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates New York Times best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic books and graphic novels. BOOM! Studios is comprised of four distinct imprints: the "Studios" imprint is home to The Woods, Grant Morrison's Klaus, and Big Trouble in Little China; imprint "BOOM! Box" publishes Lumberjanes, Steve Jackson Games' Munchkin, and Giant Days; All-Ages imprint "KaBOOM!" publishes Charles Schulz’ Peanuts; Jim Davis’ Garfield; and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time. And the "Archaia" imprint is home to Mouse Guard, Cow Boy, and numerous Jim Henson Company properties. Since 2013, BOOM! Studios has had a unique first-look feature film relationship with 20th Century Fox and since August 2014 BOOM! has had a similar first-look relationship with Fox' television studio to develop properties for the small screen.

ABOUT CARTOON NETWORK ENTERPRISES

Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) is responsible for building consumer products and merchandising programs for a wide range of brands by securing and supporting long-term licensing partnerships across all categories. As the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, the division manages the consumer product programs for the networks’ award-winning original programming, brands and characters including Ben 10, Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, The Powerpuff Girls, Adult Swim and more. CNE also serves as the exclusive global licensing agent for LazyTown Entertainment and the PGA of America for the youth marketplace.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com) is regularly the #1 U.S. television network in primetime among boys 6-11 & 9-14. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 194 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement.

Celebrate 'The Peanuts Movie' with the Oversized 'Peanuts: The Snoopy Special'

Peanuts: The Snoopy Special Main Cover by Charles M. Schulz

Peanuts: The Snoopy Special Incentive Cover by Charles M. Schulz
(full wraparound image shown)
 

October 29, 2015 (Los Angeles, Calif.) - The most famous beagle in history takes the spotlight this November as KaBOOM!, the award-winning all-ages imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, in partnership with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates and Peanuts Worldwide, present two Snoopy-centric short stories in the oversized, 48-page original Peanuts: The Snoopy Special #1. The special is written and illustrated by Peanuts veterans Jason Cooper and Vicki Scott.

 

“With over four years of publishing Peanuts comics, original graphic novels, and the hardcover Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz, it’s pretty obvious that Charlie Brown and Snoopy occupy a special spot in our hearts,” said BOOM! Studios President of Publishing and Marketing Filip Sablik. “Snoopy is always having exciting adventures, and he’ll embark on one of his biggest to date this November, so this one-shot should be a delight to Peanuts fans everywhere.”

 

Celebrate the Nov. 6 release of The Peanuts Movie starring Charles M. Schulz’s beloved characters with Peanuts: The Snoopy Special #1 one-shot comic book featuring Snoopy, the World Famous Sergeant-Major of the Foreign Legion, on the mission of a lifetime to save his dear brother Spike, encountering adventure in every corner of the neighborhood—from Lucy’s Psychiatric Booth to Schroeder’s piano. Then, Snoopy and Linus investigate the mysterious creature growing in Woodstock’s nest!

 

Peanuts: The Snoopy Special #1 (48 pages, standard comic book size, full color) arrives in comic shops from KaBOOM! on November 25th with a main cover by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz for the price of $4.99 under Diamond order code SEP151110. Also available in limited quantities is a retailer incentive cover by Charles M. Schulz, which features Snoopy’s first appearance as the Legionnaire.

The Final Order Cutoff deadline for comic book shops is November 2nd. Not sure where to find your nearest one? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.

 

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS

Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates New York Times best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic books and graphic novels. BOOM! Studios is comprised of four distinct imprints: the "Studios" imprint is home to The Woods, Grant Morrison's Klaus, and Big Trouble in Little China; imprint "BOOM! Box" publishes Lumberjanes, Steve Jackson Games' Munchkin, and Giant Days; All-Ages imprint "KaBOOM!" publishes Charles Schulz’ Peanuts; Jim Davis’ Garfield; and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time. And the "Archaia" imprint is home to Mouse Guard, Cow Boy, and numerous Jim Henson Company properties. Since 2013, BOOM! Studios has had a unique first-look feature film relationship with 20th Century Fox and since August 2014 BOOM! has had a similar first-look relationship with Fox' television studio to develop properties for the small screen.

 

About Peanuts Worldwide

The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family.

HUMBLE BUNDLE AND DYNAMITE LAUNCH ARMY OF DARKNESS COMICS BUNDLE

Pay what you want for Army of Darkness comics and help benefit great causes

San Francisco, Calif. - MT. Laurel, NJ - October 28, 2015 - Dynamite Entertainment has unleashed the Army of Darkness comics into one giant-size Humble Bundle featuring more issues than you can shake a boomstick at. Based on the 1992 cult classic movie from visionary director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man) starring Bruce Campbell as "Ash," this collection of comics continues the adventures of Ash, the "chosen one," as he does battle with the deadites possessed by the Necronomicon, the Book of the Dead. 

The stories bundled here feature legendary crossovers with other icons of the horror genre including Re-Animator, Dracula, and Hack/Slash - not to mention a groovy guest spot as Ash saves President Barack Obama. When he's not bailing out the commander in chief, follow Ash on his many misadventures as he goes from ancient Egypt to entering a video game, blasts off into SPAAAACE, not to mention his scariest destination of all - the altar.

This bundle is also packed with star power featuring some of comics' biggest names including Cullen Bunn (Deadpool), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Nick Bradshaw (Wolverine), Sanford Greene (Uncanny Avengers), Andy Hartnell (Danger Girl), and even The Walking Dead co-creator Robert Kirkman, plus many more.

Check out the "dynamite" comics in this bundle at each threshold!

Customers can name their price for: 

• Army Of Darkness: Ashes 2 Ashes

• Army Of Darkness Vs. Re-Animator

• Army Of Darkness: Old School

• Army Of Darkness: Ash Vs. The Classic Monsters

• Ash And The Army Of Darkness

Those who pay more than the average price will also receive:

• Army Of Darkness Vs. Hack/Slash

• Army Of Darkness: Ash Saves Obama

• Army Of Darkness: From The Ashes

• Army Of Darkness: The Long Road Home

• Army Of Darkness: Home Sweet Hell

• Army Of Darkness: Hellbillies And Deadnecks

• Army Of Darkness: Ash Gets Hitched

Customers who pay $15 or more will receive all of the above plus: 

• Army Of Darkness: League Of Light, Assemble!

• Army Of Darkness: Movie Adaptation

• Army Of Darkness Vol. 1: Hail To The Queen, Baby

• Army Of Darkness Vol. 2: The King Is Dead, Long Live The Queen

• Army Of Darkness: Ash In Space.

In total, there are 92 comics bundled here to help commemorate 1992 - the year that the Army of Darkness movie first hit theaters!  

The first taste is free as each day throughout the promotion, fans can sample the content as Ash brings some "sugar" with a new FREE comic at 2 p.m. Pacific time daily.

To check out the full bundle, head to: https://www.humblebundle.com/books/armyofdarknesscomic_bookbundle

"Army of Darkness was our first title at Dynamite and we've loved Ash since day one!" said Nick Barrucci, CEO/Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. "Combining his eleven year of adventures with Humble Bundle to bring to a new audience is fantastic as it will help create awareness and bring more fans into the comics market. We've had great success with Humble Bundle, and are excited to create new opportunities for fans to come aboard and read more Dynamite Comics. In addition, we are able to help three incredibly important charities including Make-A-Wish, Doctors Without Borders, and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. This bundle is "groovy!"

As with all Humble Bundles, customers can choose how their purchase dollars are allocated, between the publisher and charity. Humble Comics Bundle: Army of Darkness supports three worthy causes:

• Doctors Without Borders/MSF

• Make-A-Wish International

• Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Humble Comics Bundle: Army of Darkness runs for two weeks and ends Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 11 a.m. Pacific time.

About Humble Bundle

Humble Bundle sells digital content through its pay-what-you-want bundle promotions and the Humble Store. When purchasing a bundle, customers choose how much they want to pay and decide where their money goes -- between the content creators, charity, and Humble Bundle. Since the company's launch in 2010, Humble Bundle has raised more than $65 million through the support of its community for a wide range of charities, providing aid for people across the world. For more information, please visit https://www.humblebundle.com

About Dynamite Entertainment

Dynamite was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling properties, including James Bond, Game of Thrones, The Boys, Bob's Burgers, Grumpy Cat, The Shadow, Vampirella, John Carter, Warlord of Mars, SEAL Team Six, and more! Dynamite owns and controls an extensive library with over 3,000 characters (which includes Warren, Harris Comics, Charlton, and Chaos Comics properties), such as Vampirella, Pantha, Evil Ernie, Smiley the Pychotic Button, Chastity, Purgatori, and Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt.

In addition to their critically-acclaimed titles and best-selling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Kevin Smith, Alex Ross, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Jae Lee, Marc Guggenheim, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Matt Wagner and a host of up and coming new talent!

Dynamite is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their titles - including Alex Ross and Jim Krueger's Project Superpowers - have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors. In 2005 Diamond awarded the company a GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%) and again in 2011. The company has also been nominated for several industry awards, including the prestigious Eisner Award. http://www.dynamite.com/

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES TWO FREE MANGA SAMPLERS FOR HALLOWEEN COMICFEST 2015

Fans Are Invited To Visit Their Local Participating Comic Shop For Special Samplers Featuring Excerpts From FRAGMENTS OF HORROR And YO-KAI WATCH Manga

VIZ Media invites readers to celebrate Halloween – manga style – as the company announces its participation in Halloween ComicFest 2015 with two special FREE samplers featuring an excerpt from Junji Ito’s critically acclaimed manga short story anthology, FRAGMENTS OF HORROR, and a preview of the just-released new All-Ages supernatural adventure series, YO-KAI WATCH.

Held each year, Halloween ComicFest is celebrated at scores of comic shops and retailers nationwide on the Saturday before Halloween. On this day, participating shops offer fans and visitors FREE Halloween ComicFest samplers filled with previews of exciting upcoming titles. For additional information and a list of participating retailers, please visit: www.halloweencomicfest.com.

FRAGMENTS OF HORROR (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) contains a unique collection of delightfully macabre tales from the master of horror manga. An old wooden mansion that turns on its inhabitants. A dissection class with a most unusual subject. A funeral where the dead are definitely not laid to rest. Ranging from the terrifying to the comedic, from the erotic to the loathsome, these stories showcase Junji Ito’s long-awaited return to the world of horror.

YO-KAI WATCH (rated ‘A’ for All Ages) is a supernatural comedy adventure series is inspired by the explosively popular YOKAI WATCH video game created by LEVEL-5 for the Nintendo 3DS. The YO-KAI WATCH manga is published under the company’s Perfect Square imprint, written and drawn by Noriyuki Konishi under the guidance of the LEVEL-5 team. In the series, Nate Adams is just an average kid until the mysterious Whisper gives him a device that allows him to see what others cannot, Yo-kai of all shapes and forms!  Now, armed with the Yo-kai Watch, Nate, Whisper and their new invisible friends embark on an all new supernatural adventure!

For more information on FRAGMENTS OF HORROR, YO-KAI WATCH, or other manga and/or anime titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

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Fragments of Horror © Junji Ito 2014/Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

YO-KAI WATCH © 2013 Noriyuki KONISHI/SHOGAKUKAN ©LEVEL-5 Inc.  

BLUEFIN WELCOMES NEW PARTNER STORM COLLECTIBLES AND ANNOUNCES HYPER DETAILED 1/6 FIGURES FOR MIKE TYSON AND DENNIS RODMAN

New Dennis Rodman “Bad Boy” Special Edition Available Now; Mike Tyson “Olympic” Figure Debuts Early Next Year!!

Irvine, CA, October 26, 2015 – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, is proud to welcome its newest partner – Hong Kong-based Storm Collectibles – and the debut of a pair of new, realistic 1/6 scale collectible figures.

New from Storm Collectibles and available now for purchase and Bluefin pre-order are realistic 1/6 scale pose-able figures of basketball legend and pop culture provocateur, Dennis Rodman, depicted in his “Bad Boy” wrestling attire, and heavyweight boxing champ, Mike Tyson, depicted in his early years when he fought for the U.S. Junior Olympic team. The Mike Tyson “Olympic” figure will be a limited edition product and a Bluefin exclusive.

Each Storm Collectibles 1/6 figure features a lifelike, extremely accurate facial design, capturing all the nuances and expressions of these legendary pop culture personalities. The figures are also fully articulated with moveable arms and legs and each set comes with a variety of alternate hands, feet and other accessories to create endless posing possibilities.

Dennis Rodman is available now with Mike Tyson coming out in February of 2016. They can be purchased through various retailers.

Mike Tyson 1/6 “Olympic” Edition

Height: Approx. 12 inches · MSRP: $255.00 · Available: February 2016

Mike Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles at the age of 20. Tyson won gold medals at the 1981 and 1982 Junior Olympics and holds the Junior Olympic record for the fastest knockout ever (8 seconds). Tyson also won every bout at the Junior Olympics by knockout. This new exclusive figure captures Tyson’s outfit from the Junior Olympics, just as he was ready to explode onto the international stage, and comes with a variety accessories to recreate all of his iconic moments.

Dennis Rodman 1/6 “Bad Boy” Special Edition

Height: Approx. 13 inches · MSRP: $250.00 · Available Now

The Dennis Rodman “Bad Boy” Special Edition captures Dennis Rodman in his “baddest” look yet, as seen when he took to professional wrestling! During this period he teamed up with Hollywood Hogan to create one of the most memorable and wildest tag team moments in pro wrestling history and shocked the world!

About Storm Collectibles:

Storm Collectibles, a Hong Kong based company, was established in 2007 as a one-stop-source for action figures – we design, produce and distribute high quality, collectible 1/12th, 1/6th and 1/4th scale action figures and statues. We have a great passion for collectibles and our vision is focused on creating authentic, fully realized likenesses for each collectible figure. Storm Collectibles's official licensing partners are; Warner Bros., Capcom USA / Japan, Bruce Lee Enterprise, Mike Tyson, and Hulk Hogan. We simply give collectors what they’re looking for. Additional information is available at: www.stormco.com.hk 

About Bluefin:

Based in Irvine, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Kotobukiya and Capcom, is the sole provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products, and is also the exclusive and official distributor for Beast Kingdom, Comicave, Mr. Hobby, Groove’s Pullip dolls, SEN-TI-NEL and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

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Wizard World Comic Con Louisville Attendees to Receive 'The Walking Dead #1' Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Cover By James O'Barr, November 6-8

‘The Crow’ Creator Has Drawn 22nd Cover In 2015 Series Available At Kentucky International Convention Center For Full-Price Attendees; VIP Fans Get Additional B&W Sketch Cover At Registration

LOUISVILLE, Ky., October 26, 2015 -- Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and Skybound, Robert Kirkman 's imprint at Image Comics, today announced that ‘The Crow’ creator James O'Barr has drawn the 22nd in a yearlong series of Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Covers of The Walking Dead #1 comic, to be provided free to all full-price attendees at Wizard World Comic Con Louisville, November 6-8. Skybound’s The Walking Dead created by Kirkman, the groundbreaking, Eisner Award winning comic book series, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

The exclusive The Walking Dead #1 edition will be produced in extremely limited quantities and is available at registration to fans at the Kentucky International Convention Center only while supplies last. VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version of the comic.

While stationed in Berlin, in the late 70’s O’Barr created The Crow as an attempt to deal with the death of his fiance at the hands of a drunk driver. It took nearly ten years to finish and no publisher was interested in it (“too gloomy, too confusing…”) until, on a whim, Caliber published the first issue in 1989. It is currently the best-selling independent graphic novel of all time at over 1 million copies sold.

In 1993 his book was adapted into the cult film of the same name starring Brandon Lee. O’Barr would like you to know that nearly all of the money made from the film was donated to children’s charities and he had nothing to do with the subsequent 3 sequels or TV show, but he will be a consultant on the new Crow movie that goes into production in 2014.

The artists for future books will be announced as they are selected. A similar series in 2013 featuring exclusives of The Walking Dead #1 proved to be wildly popular with fans. The full schedule of 2015-16 Wizard World shows is available at http://www.wizardworld.com/wizcon.html.

“The Walking Dead” stars on the Wizard World Comic Con Louisville celebrity roster are Sonequa Martin-Green and Tyler James Williams . Other top guests include “Arrow” stars Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey and Paul Blackthorne; Ben McKenzie (“Gotham,” “The O.C.”); John Barrowman (“Torchwood,” “Arrow”); Bruce Campbell (Army of Darkness , The Evil Dead); Jason Isaacs ( Harry Potter) and J. August Richards (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”).

In addition to O'Barr, Artist Alley in Louisville will feature Billy Martin (“TMNT New Animated Adventures,” also lead guitarist/keyboardist, Good Charlotte), Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons,” “Muppet Babies”), Tom Cook (“He-Man,” “Superfriends”), Michael Golden (“Batman,” “Spider-Man”), Ken Kelly (KISS album covers, “Micronauts”), Renee Witterstaetter (“She Hulk,” “Avengers”), Victor Dandridge (“Vantage: Inhouse”), Genese Davis (Author - “The Holder’s Dominion”) and more.

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. The 23nd of 24 events on the 2015 Wizard World calendar, Louisville show hours are Friday, November 6, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, November 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more on the 2015 Wizard World Comic Con Louisville, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-louisville.html.

 

About Robert Kirkman

Robert Kirkman is the creator of many popular comic books, including the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible , all-ages Super Dinosaur, and the new exorcism comic, Outcast which was released in June 2014 and recently received a pilot pickup for CINEMAX with Fox International.

Since entering the comics scene with his self-published cult-hit Battle Pope in 2000, the Kentucky native has risen to fame as one of the most successful names in comics and entertainment. In 2008, Kirkman became a partner at Image Comics, and in 2010, he opened Skybound, his own imprint at Image, which publishes his titles as well as other original work.

That same year, Kirkman continued to expand his presence in the entertainment industry, becoming a creator, executive producer and writer on The Walking Dead television show. The show is in production on its fifth season and has become the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo.

Kirkman is also slated to executive produce AMC’s upcoming The Walking Dead companion series.

Under the Skybound Entertainment umbrella Kirkman wrapped production on his first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.

About Skybound Entertainment

Since opening its doors in 2010, Skybound Entertainment has grown into a multiplatform entertainment company. Skybound CEO Robert Kirkman is creator of the award-winning The Walking Dead comic book series, the inspiration for the hit TV show of the same name where he serves as creator and executive producer. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo.

Skybound Entertainment and Kirkman just wrapped production on their first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. The film is slated to be released in the spring of 2015.

Skybound released Kirkman’s new exorcism comic, Outcast, in June 2014 which recently got the green light for a television pilot with CINEMAX and Fox International. Kirkman will serve as creator and executive producer of the series.

Skybound Entertainment and digital entertainment company Maker Studios recently announced a deal for the studio to produce and air four digital series based off Skybound IPs.

Comic book titles published by Skybound include The Walking Dead, the superhero-comic Invincible , all-ages comic Super Dinosaur, the revenge drama Dead Body Road, and heist comic Thief of Thieves.

Skybound also creates a wide range of merchandise, including video games, apparel, board games, and action figures.

For more information, please visit Skybound online at www.skybound.com and www.thewalkingdead.com.

About Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD)

Wizard World, Inc. (http://www.wizardworld.com ) 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, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also launched CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM), and ComicConBox™, a premium subscription-based monthly box service. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

The 2015 Wizard World Comic Con schedule is available at: www.wizardworld.com/wizcon.html