NANCY DREW AND THE HARDY BOYS: THE BIG LIEFEATURES AMERICAN ICONS LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE!

An All-New Hardboiled Crime Series Casts Beloved Sleuth
Nancy Drew as a Femme Fatale Alongside the Hardy Brothers

December 20, 2016, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Earlier this year, Dynamite Entertainment further solidified claim to the industry's leading publisher of licensed comics with news of an exclusive arrangement with Simon & Schuster to bring the beloved characters Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys to comics with all-new adventures!

And with the 2017 release of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: The Big Lie, they are creating a Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery unlike any other you've ever read...

In this modern take, teenage brothers Frank and Joe Hardy are accused of the murder of their father - a detective in the small resort town of Bayport - and must team up with the femme fatale Nancy Drew to prove their innocence (and find the real guilty party in the process) in a twisting, hardboiled tale, complete with double-crosses, deceit, and dames.

Inspired by new crime classics like Ed Brubaker's Fatale and Darwyn Cooke's Parker series, writer Anthony Del Col (Assassin's Creed, Kill Shakespeare) and artist Werther Dell'Edera (Batman: Detective Comics, House of Mystery) bring the iconic teen detectives into the modern age, and redefine noir for a new generation of readers!

Writer Del Col, a big fan of the characters, conceived this unique take years ago and worked to find and secure the license with Dynamite to bring this tale to life.

"I often come up with a lot of bizarre ideas, and two years ago I had this vision of a modern-day noir story with femme fatale Nancy Drew aiding accusing criminals the Hardy Boys," says writer Anthony Del Col. "It was an idea that, upon further thought, actually wasn't that bizarre. And now Werther, Dynamite, and I are using it as a launching pad to examine who these characters really are, and why they're still so beloved."

"We wanted to do a take on the iconic characters the world grew up on unlike any that had come before," says Dynamite Entertainment CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci. "Anthony Del Col had a true passion for the source material that Werther Dell'Edera was able to bring through perfectly. This series does the characters justice, with a modern take that fits perfectly alongside Dynamite's other popular crime titles!"

Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys: The Big Lie will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in March. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies with their local comic book retailers. Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital.

About Dynamite Entertainment:
Dynamite was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including The Boys, The Shadow, Red Sonja, Warlord of Mars, Bionic Man, A Game of Thrones, and more.  Dynamite owns and controls an extensive library with over 3,000 characters (which includes the Harris Comics and Chaos Comics properties), such as Vampirella, Pantha, Evil Ernie, Smiley the Psychotic Button, Chastity, and Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt.  In addition to their critically-acclaimed titles and bestselling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Kevin Smith, Alex Ross, Neil Gaiman, Andy Diggle, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Jae Lee, Marc Guggenheim, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Matt Wagner, Gail Simone, Steve Niles, James Robinson, 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 and won several industry awards, including the prestigious Harvey and Eisner Awards.

Dynamite Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dynamitecomics
Dynamite Twitter: http://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
Dynamite Official Website: http://www.dynamite.com/
Comic Shop Locator Service: 1-888-comicbook, or visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com/

DARK HORSE HAS AN “INKLING” ABOUT SPLATOON FANS

Publisher to Release “The Art of Splatoon” in 2017

MILWAUKIE, Ore., (Dec. 20, 2016)—After the overwhelming success of 2013’s The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia and 2016’s The Art of Fire Emblem Awakening, Dark Horse is excited to expand their publishing partnership with Nintendo® to include an English-language edition of The Art of Splatoon™. The Art of Splatoon is based on Nintendo’s 2015 award-winning game for the Wii U console where players control squid-like characters called Inklings. Inklings have the ability to shift between humanoid and squid form and back again. Inklings shoot their team’s color to claim territory or “splat” opposing players. Ink supply is replenished by swimming through their respective team colors. Containing an “inkredible” 320 pages of artwork, including 2D and 3D illustrations of characters, maps, concept art, weapon and gear design, storyboards, sketches, hand-drawn comics, and more, The Art of Splatoon is sure to please Inklings and humanoids alike. Dark Horse will also publish The Legend of Zelda™: Art & Artifacts on February 21, 2017. The Art of Splatoon is slated to hit shelves June 13, 2017. Preorder The Art of Splatoon: Amazon Penguin Random House Preorder The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts:  Amazon Barnes & Noble Penguin Random House ### About Dark Horse For thirty years, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, the company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW OFFICIALLY LICENSED PRODUCT PARTNERS FOR NARUTO

Anime/Manga And Pop Culture Fans Can Look Forward To New NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Products In 2017 From McFarlane Toys, Zag Toys And CTC Food International

VIZ Media continues to expand consumer product licenses for its hit action adventure property, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN.

The newest products for the internationally renowned franchise are scheduled to be released in 2017 and will encompass a diverse array of consumer categories including collectible figures and ramen and assorted snack foods. The partners include McFarlane Toys, Zag Toys and CTC Food International.

McFarlane Toys

Product Description: NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Action Figures

Additional Info Available At: https://mcfarlane.com/toys/brands/naruto/

Zag Toys

Product Description: Original Mini’s Domez 2.5” Collectible Figures

Additional Info Available At: http://originalminis.com/

CTC Food International

Product Description: NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Instant Ramen, Ramune Soft Drinks and Do-It-Yourself Candies

Additional Info Available At: http://www.ctcfood.com/

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He’s got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world’s greatest ninja! He's done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi… well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

VIZ Media is the North American master licensor for NARUTO and publishes the bestselling NARUTO manga series in print and digital editions and also distributes the NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN anime series and feature films.

For more information on NARUTO, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN and other anime and manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

###

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES FUNKO AND THREEZERO AS OFFICIAL LICENSED PRODUCT PARTNERS FOR ONE-PUNCH MAN

Collectors And Fans Can Look Forward To New ONE-PUNCH MAN POP! Vinyl And Dorbz Figures From FUNKO And Stunning 1/6 Scale Action Figures From ThreeZero

VIZ Media continues to generate momentum for its smash hit anime and manga property, ONE-PUNCH MAN, as it announces a pair of key new consumer product license partners, FUNKO and ThreeZero.

The new partners each will develop and leverage a unique array of high quality collectibles, including vinyl figures and standard and special edition poseable 1/6 scale action figures.

Pop culture manufacturer FUNKO will add ONE-PUNCH MAN to its bestselling lines of

POP! Vinyl and Dorbz figures as well as develop a Mystery Mini (Blind Box) release and other accessories. Additional information is available at: https://funko.com/.

Renowned Hong Kong action figure company, ThreeZero, offers a high-end 1/6 scale rendition of Saitama, with Genos in development. The Saitama figure is available now in a standard as well as a special edition variant. The standard release features the lead character, Saitama, outfitted in his One-Punch Man costume and includes alternate heads with different facial expressions. The special edition depicts an alternate, “off-duty” version of Saitama outfitted in his “Oppai” hoodie. Additional information is available at: http://www.threezerostore.com/.

In ONE-PUNCH MAN, nothing about Saitama passes the eyeball test when it comes to superheroes, from his lifeless expression to his bald head to his unimpressive physique. However, this average-looking guy has a not-so-average problem – he just can’t seem to find an opponent strong enough to take on! Every time a promising villain appears, he beats the snot out of ’em with one punch! Can Saitama finally find an opponent who can go toe-to-toe with him and give his life some meaning? Or is he doomed to a life of super-powered boredom?

For additional information on ONE-PUNCH MAN and other anime and manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About Funko

Headquartered in Everett, WA, Funko is one of the leading creators and innovators of licensed pop culture products to a diverse range of connected consumers. Funko designs, sources and distributes high-velocity collectible products across multiple categories including vinyl figures, action toys, plush, apparel, housewares and accessories for consumers who seek tangible ways to connect with their favorite pop culture brands and characters. In 2015, Funko received a majority investment from ACON Investments, L.L.C, a diversified international private equity firm. As a leader in the large and growing $15 billion global licensed pop culture products market, Funko currently holds one of the largest portfolio of licenses and the rights to create tens of thousands of characters. Funko’s Pop! Vinyl is one of the most popular stylized vinyl collectibles on the market, selling millions of figures to collectors around the world. Learn more at https://funko.com/, and follow us on Twitter (@OriginalFunko) and Instagram (@OriginalFunko).

About ThreeZero

ThreeZero is a Hong Kong based producer and manufacturer of high-end collectible figures based on licensed intellectual properties from both Eastern and Western pop-culture. It has received worldwide recognition for its work with World of ThreeA and Playge's Squadts, as well as its own licensed projects, exhibiting a vast portfolio of 1/12, 1/6, and non-scale collectibles composed of ABS, PVC, and fabric materials. Known for their acute attention to detail, the company is dedicated to maintaining the high standards of quality engineering and paint technique that it has pioneered for over a decade. For additional information about Threezero, call (852) 2370 9693, email cody@three-zero.com, find us on social media @threezeroHK, or visitwww.threezerostore.com

About VIZ Media, LLC

Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.

Montel Williams, Kato Kaelin, ‘Chumlee’ Appearances, Live Magic, Dance, Music, Chalk Art Among New Entertainment Slate At Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans, January 6-8, 2017

Plethora Of Ongoing Live Shows On Show Stages & At Republic New Orleans Provide Wizard World Fans With Non-Stop Entertainment All Weekend Long

NEW ORLEANS, December 20, 2016 - From TV magicians “Masters of Illusion” to personalities Montel Williams, Kato Kaelin and “Chumlee” of “Pawn Stars” fame to a varied lineup of exciting dance, music, art and other options, Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) today announced the highlights of its new non-stop entertainment lineup at Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans, January 6-8, 2017, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The initiative, designed to keep the show floor buzzing throughout the weekend, will feature national and local acts of all kinds, allowing fans to enjoy more of the best of pop culture during the event and into the evenings.

"We want Wizard World New Orleans attendees to come away from our show with a full pop culture experience that goes beyond meeting celebrities and getting autographs and photographs," said John Maatta, Wizard World CEO. "Whether it’s world-class magicians, interactive Q&A’s with interesting personalities, live music, dance and art demonstrations, it will be wall-to-wall entertainment all weekend. These are in addition to the celebrity sessions, creator panels and other topical programming fans have come to expect at Wizard World events.”

In addition to appearing throughout the weekend on the Show Stages and other areas on the show floor at the Convention Center, several acts will also perform at Republic New Orleans (828 S. Peters St.), as part of Saturday evening activities connected with Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans. Admission to the Republic New Orleans events (10 a.m. - 2 a.m.) is free with Wizard World admission, or available for $10 at the door.

Among the highlights of the Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans entertainment lineup are:

• Interactive Q&A sessions with special guests Williams and “Chumlee” (note that Williams will not be signing autographs or posing for photo ops).
• Kaelin hosting many of the performances during the event and Saturday night Republic New Orleans event.
• “Masters of Illusion,”four of the CW television series stars Wayne Phelps, Adam Wylie, Chris Randall and Naathan Phan) dazzling fans with their own brand of magic.
• Angela Marie, who brings her awe-inspiring grinder and dance acts in an electrifying visual spectacle (also appearing at Republic).
• KillrKat, a futuristic dynamic duo comprised of two internationally established electronic musicians whose identities are a mystery, lending suspense and comic book appeal to their act (also appearing at Republic).
• The Purrfect Angelz, a finalist on “America's Got Talent,” as well as the dancers on ‘Nashville Star’ and “Jeff Foxworthy's Big Night Out” (also appearing at Republic and free demo dance Sunday for Kids Day).
• The Chalk Twins, twin, 17-time, award-winning chalk artists Devon and Lexi, interacting with fans while artwork comes alive at fans’ feet (also hosting free chalk art lesson Saturday and Sunday for kids).
• Stephany Nery, make up artist, for free make up all weekend near the cosplay booth.
• Irina Filatova, face painter appearing in the Kids Booth Saturday and Sunday

The entertainment offerings supplement a top-flite celebrity lineup which includes Carrie Fisher (Star Wars), Tom Felton (Harry Potter franchise), Christopher Lloyd and Tom Wilson (Back To The Future), Stephen Amell (“Arrow”), David Duchovny (“The X-Files,” “Californication”), Michael Rooker (“The Walking Dead,” Guardians of the Galaxy), WWE® Superstars Batista ™ (Dave Bautista) and Finn Bálor™, Nichelle Nichols (“Star Trek”) and David Ramsey (“Arrow”). The event marks Wizard World’s seventh annual show in New Orleans and the first on Wizard World’s 2017 calendar.

Wizard World Comic Cons bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans show hours are: Friday, January 6, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, January 7, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday, January 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Wizard World 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. The famed Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans Costume Contest will take place on Saturday night.

For more on the 2017 Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans, visit http://wizd.me/NewOrleansPR.

About Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD)

Wizard World, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com ) produces comic, gaming and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, gaming, graphic novels, toys, sci-fi, 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 ComicConBox™ (www.comicconbox.com ), a premium subscription-based monthly box service and Wizard World Rewards among its initiatives. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

The Wizard World 2017 schedule is available at: http://wizardworld.com/searchby/city/.

On March 29, 2017, Saban’s Power Rangers: Aftershock, a new, original graphic novel from BOOM! Studios and Saban Brands, will debut at comic book retailers and bookstores. Following the premiere of Saban’s Power Rangers feature film on March 24, 2017, Power Rangers: Aftershock picks up where the events in the film leave off to continue the adventures of main characters Jason, Kimberly, Trini, Zack, and Billy.

• Written by Ryan Parrott (Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Batman: Gates of Gotham) and illustrated by Lucas Werneck, Saban’s Power Rangers: Aftershock original graphic novel (ISBN 978-1-60886-937-4, trim size 6.625" x 10.1875", page count 96, retail price $14.99, full color) features two different covers: a movie cover that can be pre-ordered and purchased wherever books are sold, and an exclusive illustrated cover by Greg Smallwood (Moon Knight) that can only be pre-ordered and purchased through comic book shops. (To locate your nearest comic book shop, use findacomicshop.com.)
 

SABAN'S POWER RANGERS: AFTERSHOCK Movie Cover
 

SABAN'S POWER RANGERS: AFTERSHOCK Illustrated Cover by Greg Smallwood

• BOOM! Studios launched the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers ongoing comic book series in March 2016 and a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink limited series in May 2016, both to critical acclaim.

• This Spring, the highly anticipated and reimagined Saban’s Power Rangers feature film will hit the big screen in movie theaters worldwide, inspiring millions to believe that Together We Are More!

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES 2017 FREE COMIC BOOK DAY SILVER OFFERING

“Buffy: The High School Years” and “Plants vs. Zombies” Provide a Tale for All-Ages to Devour

MILWAUKIE, Ore., (Dec. 19, 2016)—Dark Horse Comics is excited to feature stories from Buffy: The High School Years and Plants vs. Zombies: Unrest in the Old West™ in our all-ages issue for Free Comic Book Day on May 6, 2017! Kel McDonald (Misfits of Avalon), Yishan Li (Buffy: The High School Years, Paradox Girl), Rod Espinosa (The Courageous Princess, Neotopia), and Tony Galvan (Gold Digger, Ghost Cop) show us that the #SlayerStruggleIsReal in a new Buffy: The High School Years story. The FCBD all-ages issue finds sixteen-year-old Buffy trying to reconcile her Slayer duties with typical teenage problems—bad luck and demon battling can really destroy a girl’s confidence. Eisner Award–winning writer Paul Tobin (Bandette, The Witcher) and Plants vs. Zombies senior artist Rachel Downing deliver another sidesplitting tale from the hit series Plants vs. Zombies! Our favorite characters take a time-traveling journey to the past, where they learn they must work together to defeat the devious Sheriff Tarnation. Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. Visit FreeComicBookDay.com to learn more! Last week, Dark Horse announced a Gold Free Comic Book Day offering featuring James Cameron’s Avatar and Brian Wood’s Briggs Land. ### About Dark Horse For thirty years, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, the company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers. Plants vs. Zombies © 2017 Electronic Arts Inc. Plants vs. Zombies and PopCap are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. All rights reserved.

 

Wizard World Partners With Front Gate Tickets for Its Pop Culture/Comic Con Shows

Austin’s Front Gate Tickets Adds Wizard World Comic Con, the Leading Pop Culture Convention, to its Ticketing Services Roster

LAS VEGAS, December 19, 2016 – Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD), North America’s largest producer of pop-culture and comic con events, and Front Gate Tickets, North America’s leading festival ticketing platform, today announced a long-term ticketing partnership. Front Gate Tickets will provide a full range of presale and onsite ticketing services for all Wizard World shows, beginning with the Wizard World Comic Con in Portland, running from February 17-19, 2017. Fans will be able to purchase tickets for that event and 14 other subsequent 2017 Wizard World comic cons.

"Wizard World is actively transforming itself into a significant force in the entertainment and live event space. We have worked very hard during the last number of months to enhance and professionalize our systems and operations. One of the ways that we are proceeding in that direction is to work with “best of breed” partners in our various endeavors, and we are thrilled about our new partnership with Front Gate Tickets," said John D. Maatta, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wizard World. “The Front Gate ticketing system delivers ease of use for our fans and will provide a data-rich suite of services that will allow us to sell, market, operate and analyze and we now have the ability to tap into the largest ticketing database in the world. Front Gate’s powerful platform will allow us to sell more tickets with the most trustworthy and robust commerce platform in the industry. Additionally because Front Gate Tickets is a part of the Ticketmaster family of companies, Wizard World will have the added benefit of accessing the marketing clout of Ticketmaster to promote its productions.

Maatta concluded: “Those who are paying attention are well aware that Wizard World has shed its small-minded mom and pop skin and is moving forward as a serious and professionally-run enterprise. The agreement with Front Gate Tickets is a material step forward.”

“Comic Con events are full of passionate fans and Wizard World is on the forefront of unlocking technology to better the fan experience and we couldn’t be happier to partner with them,” said Maura Gibson, President, Front Gate Tickets. “By leveraging RFID technology to utilize cashless payments and our Fan Engagement Suite for marketing sponsors, we’re able to create seamless, engaging experiences with the tap of a wristband while providing rich data to the Wizard World team.”

Front Gate Tickets was founded in 2003 as an alternative ticketing service for venues in Austin, Texas. Its clients include such top-tier partners as Electric Daisy Carnival, Austin City Limits, Electric Forest, Lollapalooza, RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest and X Games. Wizard World’s partnership with Front Gate Tickets brings a streamlined festival marketing and entry technology platform to the hundreds of thousands of fans that attend Wizard World shows in North America every year. Front Gate Tickets offers features specifically tailored to the festival and event market, including RFID powered access control, cashless POS systems, highly integrated data and analytics, and sponsorship activation and concession sales technology that benefit organizers, partners and fans alike. Front Gate Tickets was acquired by Ticketmaster in 2015, expanding Ticketmaster’s ticket offering to the festival vertical, and the partnership will leverage Ticketmaster’s vast distribution and fan marketing network.

Wizard World fans will have the ability to purchase tickets through its website (www.wizardworld.com), though other platforms may also be made available for a very limited time. Tickets for all 2017 shows are on sale now.

About Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD)

Wizard World, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com) produces comic, gaming and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, gaming, graphic novels, toys, sci-fi, 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 ComicConBox™ (www.comicconbox.com), a premium subscription-based monthly box service and Wizard World Rewards among its initiatives. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

About Ticketmaster

Ticketmaster is the global market leader in live event ticketing, digital marketing, and mobile fan engagement tools that drive over 530 million ticket transactions per year. Through exclusive partnerships with thousands of venues, artists, sports leagues, and arts and theater tours, Ticketmaster delivers unparalleled access to the most iconic live events to millions of fans worldwide. Ticketmaster is a division of Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company.

The Wizard World 2017 schedule is available at: http://wizardworld.com/searchby/city/.

VIZ MEDIA AND ELEVEN ARTS ANNOUNCE ADVANCE TICKETS AND THEATRE LOCATIONS FOR SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE U.S. PREMIERE

Tickets On Sale Now At First Set Of Theaters Across The U.S.

For January Debut Of The Legendary Anime Feature Film!

San Francisco, CA, December 15, 2016 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, and Los Angeles-based film distribution company, ELEVEN ARTS, have announced advance tickets and theatre locations for the U.S. premiere of SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE.

On January 20^th, audiences will have a very special opportunity to catch the film’s big-screen debut at more than 300 theaters in around the U.S. (select theaters screen the film starting January 19^th). Starting today, tickets at more than 50 theaters are available for sale, and more presales will continue to be added.

Screenings will be held in New York, Chicago, Dallas, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, and more! The exclusive event also features the North American theatrical debut of the original SAILOR MOON short, MAKE UP! SAILOR GUARDIANS. Both English language dubbed and Japanese audio with English subtitled showings will be offered. Fans attending a showing will get an exclusive Sailor Guardian character art board as a gift with ticket purchase, while supplies last. Those who attend the English language dubbed showings will also get to see an exclusive interview and introduction by the English voice cast!         

For the full theater listing, additional information and to purchase advance tickets, please visit: www.elevenarts.net/sailormoon.

To view a trailer for SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE, please visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX_lZ4kGRKQ.

Presented uncut and for the first time in North American theaters, SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE features a renowned English language cast already familiar to fans from the VIZ Media-distributed SAILOR MOON anime series. Voice actress Stephanie Sheh reprises her leading role of Usagi Tsukino / Sailor Moon along with actor Robbie Daymond as Mamoru Chiba / Tuxedo Mask. Ben Diskin will voice the role of the film’s villain, Fiore.  

In the film, long before Mamoru found his destiny with Usagi, he gave a single rose in thanks to a lonely boy who helped him recover from the crash that claimed his parents. This long-forgotten friend, Fiore, has been searching the galaxy for a flower worthy of that sweet gesture long ago. The mysterious flower he finds is beautiful, but has a dark side - it has the power to take over planets. To make matters worse, the strange plant is tied to an ominous new asteroid near Earth! Faced with an enemy blooming out of control, it’s up to Sailor Moon and the Sailor Guardians to band together, stop the impending destruction and save Mamoru! 

The SAILOR MOON anime series is inspired by the bestselling manga series created by Naoko Takeuchi. In the series, Usagi Tsukino is a clumsy but kindhearted teenage girl who transforms into the powerful guardian of love and justice, Sailor Moon. Meeting allies along the way who share similar fates, Usagi and her team of planetary Sailor Guardians fight to protect the universe from forces of evil and total annihilation!  

Enjoy the original, classic SAILOR MOON as well as the all-new SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL anime series, which are now available from VIZ Media as Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs as well as multi-disc Standard Edition Blu-ray and DVD Sets. SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE will be released on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and Standard DVD Sets in late Spring 2017.  

For more information on SAILOR MOON, SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL and other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About ELEVEN ARTS

ELEVEN ARTS is a Los Angeles based film production/distribution company known for distributing high quality Japanese films, both live-action and animation, to North American audiences. ELEVEN ARTS’s major live-action titles include: Japan Academy Awards winner Memories of Tomorrow (starring Ken Watanabe) and Oscar nominated director Yoji Yamada’s samurai film Love and Honor. ELEVEN ARTS' anime titles include: DIGIMON ADVENTURE tri, CHAPTER 1: REUNION, the Evangelion franchise, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, the Puella Magi Madoka Magica franchise, Blue Exorcist: The Movie, Expelled from Paradise, The Last: Naruto the Movie, Boruto: Naruto the Movie, and The Anthem of the Heart.

For additional information, visit: www.elevenarts.net https://www.facebook.com/elevenarts/  https://twitter.com/ELEVEN_ARTS  https://www.instagram.com/eleven_arts/

About VIZ Media, LLC

Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.

FUNCOM ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE "CONAN EXILES" DIGITAL COMIC BOOK AND LIVE GAMEPLAY STREAM THIS FRIDAY

Exclusive Dark Horse Comics digital comic book will provide fans with a unique look into the savage world in "Conan Exiles"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oslo, Norway (Dec.15, 2016)—Funcom and Dark Horse Comics, Inc., are thrilled to announce that creative teams in both companies are now working on a new Conan Exiles digital comic book that will be made available in January. Conan Exiles is an open-world survival game set in the brutal lands of Conan the Barbarian. By reading the comic, fans will get a unique glimpse into the events that take place in the savage exiled lands. The creative team includes Michael Moreci (script), José Luis (pencils), and Andy Owens (inks), as well as Gavin Whelan (art director) and Anders Finér (senior concept artist) on the Funcom team. “We are incredibly excited to work with Dark Horse Comics again,” says Funcom CEO Rui Casais. “Conan the Barbarian and the comic book format go hand in hand, and Dark Horse has brought the Conan stories to life for years. The Conan Exiles comic will give a unique context to what players themselves will be doing and the world they will explore in the game.” Funcom and Dark Horse previously worked together on the exclusive digital comic book for Funcom’s 2008 massive multiplayer game, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. The comic book was distributed to gamers and Conan fans worldwide and was a key piece in the company’s marketing campaign for the 2008 best-selling game. Funcom is also excited to announce that the studio will do a live gameplay stream on Twitch.tv/Funcom this Friday, December 16. Creative director Joel Bylos and community manager Jens Erik Vaaler will show the unique thrall gameplay live for the first time. Players will be able to capture enemy bandits, drag them back to their camp, and crush their will in the Wheel of Pain. Players can then place the thralls as guards, archers, and even special blacksmiths, tanners, and other craftsmen to unlock unique new recipes. Conan Exiles is an open-world survival game set in the brutal lands of Conan the Barbarian, the world’s greatest fantasy hero. The game can be played on private and public servers, in either multiplayer or local single player. In the world of Conan Exiles, survival is more than tracking down food and water. Journey through a vast, seamless world filled with the ruins of ancient civilizations, uncovering its dark history and buried secrets as you seek to conquer and dominate the exiled lands. Start with nothing but your bare hands and forge the legacy of your clan, from simple tools and weapons to gigantic fortresses and entire cities. Enslave the bandits of the exiled lands to do your bidding by breaking them on the grueling Wheel of Pain. Sacrifice the beating hearts of your enemies on the blood-soiled altars of your deity to seize true power and glory. Summon the colossal avatar of your god and see it lay waste to your enemies and their homes. Conan Exiles will be released into Early Access on the PC on January 31, 2017, and will hit the Xbox One Game Preview Program in spring 2017. Learn more about Conan Exiles on ConanExiles.com. Visit Blog.ConanExiles.com for the latest news and developer updates.  ### About Dark Horse For thirty years, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, the company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers. About FUNCOM Funcom is an independent developer and publisher of online games for PC, mobile, tablet and consoles. Funcom has provided outstanding entertainment since 1993 and continues to expand its track-record of more than twenty released games. Titles include ‘CONAN EXILES‘, ‘The Secret World’, 'LEGO® Minifigures Online', ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’, ‘The Longest Journey', 'Anarchy Online', 'The Park', and 'Dreamfall: The Longest Journey'. For corporate information please visit www.funcom.com. For information about Funcom games visit www.conanexiles.com,  www.playminifigures.com, www.thesecretworld.com, www.anarchy-online.com, www.dreamfall.com, www.theparkgame.com, www.conanexiles.com, or www.ageofconan.com. Funcom is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker FUNCOM. About Conan Properties Conan Properties International LLC owns and manages the "Conan the Barbarian" brand through all forms of media, including motion picture, television, gaming, publishing and toy industries. One of the most universally recognizable iconic figures in modern popular culture, Conan was born from the creative genius of pulp fiction author Robert E. Howard. The company is part of the Cabinet Entertainment group.