Wizard World Portland Comic Con Attendees To Receive 'The Walking Dead #1' Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Cover By Steve Lieber, January 23-25

Eisner Award Winner To Draw Second Cover In 2015 Series Available At Oregon Convention Center For Full-Price Attendees; VIP Fans Get Additional B&W Sketch Cover At Registration

PORTLAND, Ore., January 5, 2014 – Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and Skybound, Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, today announced that Eisner Award winning artist Steve Lieber will draw the second 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 Portland Comic Con, January 23-25. 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 Oregon Convention Center only while supplies last. VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version of the comic.

Lieber, whose publishers include DC Comics, Marvel, Dark Horse, Image, Scholastic and many others, The Portland resident has worked on characters like Batman, Superman, Hellboy and Road to Perdition, but he’s best known as the artist of the graphic novel Whiteout and its Eisner-winning sequel, Whiteout: Melt, which were adapted by Warner Brothers as a movie starring Kate Beckinsale. He recently completed two Alabaster graphic novels at Dark Horse, and is currently illustrating Superior Foes of Spider-Man for Marvel.

“Having a local artist like Steve Lieber draw this excellent cover is a nice bonus for Wizard World Portland Comic Con fans,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO and President. “His success as an Eisner Award winner shows in this design.”

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 Wizard World shows is available at www.wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.

Stars of “The Walking Dead” TV series scheduled to attend Wizard World Portland Comic Con include Steven Yeun, Sarah Wayne Callies, Michael Cudlitz, Josh McDermitt, Michael Rooker and Jon Bernthal. Other top celebrities on hand include Stephen Amell (“Arrow”), Evan Peters (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Tyler Posey (“Teen Wolf”), Karl Urban (Star Trek Into Darkness, Dredd), Ming-Na Wen (“Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), WWE® Superstar Daniel Bryan® and many others.

In addition to Lieber, Artist Alley at Portland Comic Con will feature Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”), Julian Totino Tedesco (“X-Treme X-Men,” “X-Force”), Chris Claremont (“Spider-Man,” “The Avengers”), Dean Haspiel (“Bored to Death,” “Billy Dogma”), Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Justice League”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”) 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. Wizard World Portland Comic Con show hours are Friday, January 23, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, January 24, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, January 25, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more on the 2015 Wizard World Portland Comic Con, visit http://wizd.me/PortlandPR.

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

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.

HOWTOONS [RE] IGNITION FIRES UP CHILDREN’S IMAGINATIONS

Graphic novel teaches STEAM skills
through story

HOWTOONS, the comic that taps into kids’ imagination and curiosity with DIY science projects, is back with HOWTOONS: [RE] IGNITION. In this February graphic novel from Image Comics, Celine and Tucker are siblings who wake up in the far future, where energy is scarce and their parents are missing! They explore a strange new Earth using their gadgeteering skills to create projects and experiments to survive hostile tribes and bizarre mechanized threats — projects and experiments kids and parents can make themselves at home, and learn basic energy literacy at the same time! Created by MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellow Dr. Saul Griffith and Eisner-Award-nominated comic book artist Nick Dragotta, HOWTOONS celebrated its 10th anniversary with TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION in July 2014. RE [IGNITION] uses the HOWTOONS model — incorporating fun science projects into stories — in a post-apocalyptic adventure story written by Fred Van Lente (Action Philosophers, Archer and Armstrong) with art by Tom Fowler (Quantum and Woody) and Eisner-winning colorist Jordie Bellaire. “I love making things, making comics. So it’s cool to be able to share that with kids and show them all these different disciplines,” said Dragotta in an interview at Multiversity Comics. “Hopefully we can provide an entertaining story first, that will motivate them to build the projects in the book. Maybe learn something through play.” In HOWTOONS there is something to interest every kid who picks it up, Dragotta explained, whether they’re into art, stories, design, or engineering. “If the book serves as any kind of primer to opening a reader up to something new, I’m all for it,” he said. Van Lente praised his artistic collaborators in the same interview. “Tom has such great dynamism and expressiveness to his figures,” he said. “he’s really perfect to work on a kids-oriented project that needs to be full of energy — no pun intended — and he and Jordie have done so many projects together they’re kind of mind-melded. It’s mildly frightening.” Melding science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM), HOWTOONS: RE [IGNITION], is perfect for kids from ages 8 to 12 and a must-have graphic novel for every classroom. It will be in comic book stores on February 25 and in bookstores on March 10. Specially priced at $9.99, HOWTOONS: [RE]: IGNITION  is available for pre-order now.

HOWTOONS: [RE] IGNITION, Volume 1 by Fred Van Lente, Tom Fowler, and Jordie Bellaire ISBN 978-1-63215-056-1 Diamond Comic order code DEC140668 160 pages, paperback, color $9.99 Collects HOWTOONS: [RE] IGNITION #1-5 In comic book stores February 25, bookstores March 10

Praise for HOWTOONS: [RE] IGNITION: “...you’ll definitely want to introduce [HOWTOONS] to the young people in your life. It’s got enough imagination and action to carry itself, but the projects are the irresistible cherry on top. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll help sneak more physical comic books into the hands, hearts, and minds of kids again.” -Vince Ostrowski, Multiversity Comics “The rare unicorn on today's comic rack, Howtoons [Re]Ignition #1 is completely all-ages and truly delivers on every level, entertaining readers with a fun, loose story punctuated by how-to projects.” -Doug Zawisza, Comic Book Resources “The mission of Howtoons: [Re]ignition is to educate and engage kids in the science knowledge necessary for them to function within and positively impact the world they will inherit. It does a fabulous job.” -Andrea Sefler, Pop Mythology “If you have young children of your own, or are just a kid at heart, go out and pick up a copy of this very different, very ingenious, very awesome comic book.” -Outright Geekery Praise for HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION: “Nick Dragotta’s cartooning is every bit as imaginative as the projects offered, bringing a larger-than-life comic-book sensibility and sense of adventure to these wisecracking siblings’ investigations and tinkering. Packed with ideas and creative fodder for DIY-minded kids. All ages.” -Publishers Weekly “The comics in Howtoons focus on safety, recycling, and, most important, fun. The bright, somewhat chaotic artwork is designed to capture a kid’s attention and imagination. The projects are not laid out in a staid, step-by-step manner, and several of them will require extra thought or adult assistance, but the variety is hard to beat, as the creators cover art, math, engineering, science, and more…. This is a great addition to STEM collections, maker spaces, and elementary- through middle-school graphic-novel collections.” -Booklist “From the Rola Bola Balance Board to Shake Ice Cream, so many of the projects are so well placed at the intersection of interesting + cheap-and-easy materials + happily challenging.” -Michelle Hbulinka, Make: Magazine “I hope this book finds its way into every household and classroom, because this is the sort of handbook that could kickstart a young scientific mind and launch kids to bigger and better creations.” -Glen Dallas, San Francisco Book Review

Preview

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.

MELISSA MCBRIDE, DANAI GURIRA & DAVID MORRISSEY RETURN TO
WALKER STALKER CON CHICAGO THIS FEBRUARY

Chicago, IL – In addition to the 19 guests previously announced,
Walker Stalker Con has announced that Melissa McBride, Danai
Gurira, and David Morrissey, will be attending the convention,
located at the Navy Pier, downtown in Chicago, IL on February 21
& 22, 2015.

Walker Stalker Con returned to it’s inaugural city of Atlanta in
October of 2014 where it’s guest count reached nearly 35,000
attendees across it’s three day span. It also assembled more cast
members of The Walking Dead than any other convention has, as
well as other horror genre actors.

Walker Stalker Con is not just a convention. It is a fan meet-up
and an opportunity for each guest to come away feeling like
they’ve had an amazing experience and became part of a greater
community of zombie lovers! Walker Stalker Con is two days of
events, panels, and experiences that zombie fans won’t find
anywhere else!

Confirmed guests for the convention include (with more to be
announced):

Chandler Riggs / Steven Yeun / Manu Bennett / Emily Kinney
IronE Singleton / Michael Cudlitz / Christian Serratos
Josh McDermitt / Alanna Masterson / Lawrence Gilliard Jr
Jeff Kober / Chad Coleman Sonequa Martin-Green
Jose Pablo Cantillo / Travis Love / RJ Mitte
Giancarlo Esposito Jeryl Prescott / Daniel Thomas May

The full event schedule can be found at http://walkerstalkercon.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c419cc2ced13e931f32be4e38&id=9490fb0fe4&e=9d1648f98c

Follow on Twitter @WalkrStalkrCon
On Facebook at Walker Stalker Convention
Official Hashtag #WSCChicago

THE WORLD’S GREATEST ASSASSIN IS ABOUT TO GET PULLED OUT OF RETIREMENT IN SEXCASTLE
Early extended preview of the original graphic novel that Matt Fraction calls “a perfect mix of homage and comedy” revealed

“Sexcastle is a perfect mix of homage and comedy, action and irony, loving tribute and hilarious send-up of the great, good, and ungodly-bad action movies of the ‘80s. I don’t remember the last time a debut book hit me this hard. Literally, this book punched me in the face. It’s THAT mean.” —Matt Fraction

In this original graphic novel by Kyle Starks, the World’s Greatest Assassin has left the world of killing and moved to a small rural town—only to be pulled back into the field in SEXCASTLE—an original graphic novel from Image Comics on March 18, 2015. Image Comics is pleased to provide an early extended preview of the book here.

"I was raised on '80s action movies, romanced by the genre: the big action, tough guy dialogue, ridiculous situations and fantastic villains,” said Starks. “I just wanted to make the best possible comic using that language and I'm excited to share it with as many people as I can.”

SEXCASTLE (ISBN: 978-1-63215-300-5) is an exciting and hilarious action romp in the style of classic '80s action films and in the vein of Grosse Pointe Blank. It will hit shelves March 18. It can be pre-ordered with Diamond Code JAN150621.

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.

WRECK THE HALLS WITH GODZILLA!!!!

EL REY NETWORK STORMS THE HOLIDAYS WITH A “KAIJU CHRISTMAS” MARATHON FEATURING OVER 48 HOURS OF THE ICONIC GODZILLA FILMS

BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 AT 6 PM ET

Join El Rey Network for a “Kaiju Christmas” marathon that brings you over 48 hours of giant monster mania featuring the original King of the Monsters, Godzilla.  El Rey Network is celebrating the iconic fire-breather with a mega marathon that befits this behemoth’s pop culture impact.  The Godzilla marathon stomps into homes with the original film that started it all,  “Gojira” on Wednesday, December 24 at 6 PM ET and culminates with “Godzilla VS. Biollante” on Saturday, December 27 at 3:45 AM ET.  

The “Kaiju Christmas” Godzilla films will air in the following order:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24

“Gojira” at 6 PM ET

In the very first Godzilla film a 400-foot-tall mutant dinosaur called Gojira, awakened from the depths of the sea, becomes a rampaging nuclear nightmare, complete with glowing dorsal fins and fiery, radioactive breath. Crushing ships, villages, and buildings in his wake, Gojira marches toward Tokyo.

“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” at 8:15PM ET

American reporter Steve Martin witnesses a 400-foot amphibious monster, brought back to life by underwater nuclear testing, go on a rampage through Tokyo.

“Rodan” at 10:15 PM ET

A giant pterodactyl whose wings create massive, destructive winds as it flies by makes its way to Japan.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25

“Ghidorrah: The Three Headed Monster” at 12:00 AM ET

The citizens of Tokyo are subjected to an ill-tempered atomic mutant: the triple-headed Ghidrah, who breathes electric volts in all directions.

“Godzilla Raids Again” at 2:00 AM ET

Tsukioka and Kobayashi fly scout planes for a small fishing fleet, based in Osaka. A mechanical problem forces Kobayashi to set his plane down on remote Iwato island, and as he and Tsukioka are trying to make repairs, they are drawn to the sound of a horrendous conflagration and discover two enormous dinosaurs battling each other amid the snowy wastes of the island. 

“Godzilla vs. Monster Zero” at 3:45 AM ET

Following discovery of the mysterious Planet X in our solar system, a joint U.S./Japanese space exploratory mission is organized. The explorers discover aliens who claim their planet has been under constant attack from the powerful Monster Zero. 

“Godzilla vs. Mothra” at 6:00 AM ET

A battle royale between two of Japan's most dangerous threats.

“Godzilla’s Revenge” at 8:00 AM ET

A precocious little boy has real-life traumas including harassment by bullies and kidnapping by a gang of bank robbers. He escapes these dilemmas mainly by taking frequent naps, during which he dreams of journeys to Monster Island to partake in Godzilla's exploits.

“Terror of Mechagodzilla” at 9:45 AM ET

A race of malevolent aliens bent on world domination unleash the ultimate weapon of destruction on mankind, leaving them with no hope for survival but the power of the mighty Godzilla. 

“Godzilla vs. Biollante” at 11:45 AM ET

After rising from his volcanic grave, Godzilla is threatened by a mutated rosebush.

“Gojira” at 2:15 AM ET

[See description above]

“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” at 4:30 PM ET

[See description above]

“Rodan” at 6:30 PM ET

[See description above]

“Ghidorrah: The Three Headed Monster” at 8:15 PM ET

[See description above]

“Godzilla Raids Again” at 10:15 PM ET

[See description above]

FRIDAY DECEMBER 26^th

“Godzilla vs. Monster Zero” at 12:00 AM ET

[See description above]

“Godzilla vs. Mothra” at 2:15 AM ET

[See description above]

“Godzilla’s Revenge” at 4:15 AM ET

[See description above]

“Terror of Mechagodzilla” at 6:00 AM ET

[See description above]

“Godzilla vs. Biollante” at 7:45 AM ET

[See description above]

“Gojira” at 10:15 AM ET

[See description above]

“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” at 12:30 PM ET

[See description above]

“Rodan” at 2:15 PM ET

[See description above]

“Ghidorrah: The Three Headed Monster” at 4:00 PM ET

[See description above]

“Godzilla Raids Again” at 6:00 PM ET

[See description above]

“Godzilla vs. Monster Zero” at 7:45 PM ET

[See description above]

“Godzilla vs. Mothra” at 10:00 PM ET

[See description above]

SATURDAY DECEMBER 27^th

“Godzillas Revenge” at 12:00 AM ET

[See description above]

“Terror of Mechagodzilla” at 1:45 AM ET

[See description above]

“Godzilla vs. Biollante” at 3:30 AM ET

[See description above]

To find El Rey Network in your area please check out the channel finder at http://bit.ly/ElReyChannelfinder

About El Rey Network

El Rey Network is a new 24-hour English language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network unites the most culturally diverse generation in history through fearless, badass and original content that awakens the renegade in everyone. The network's action-packed content is anchored by original signature dramas, feature films, grindhouse genre, cult classic action, and horror/sci-fi. El Rey Network LLC (www.elreynetwork.com) is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Networks & Studios, Inc.

THE ART OF HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE™ LIMITED EDITION HAS THE POWER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Milwaukie, OR – Just in time for fans’ holiday wish lists, Dark Horse and Mattel announce that the biggest art book of 2015 - The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe - will receive a limited edition release. Restricted to 4,000 copies, The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Limited Edition comes packaged in a deluxe Castle Grayskull slipcase, with an exclusive foil embossed cover and portfolio print, coming in at just under 400 pages with commentary written by Tim & Steve Seeley. In 1982, the world was introduced to He-Man® and Masters of the Universe®. What followed was a cultural sensation that changed the landscape of children’s entertainment forever! Join Mattel and Dark Horse in this comprehensive retrospective chronicling the decades-long epic journey of He-Man from toy, to television, to film, to a true pop culture phenomenon! The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe includes rarely seen images of concept sketches, prototypes, and more from Mattel’s archives. Featuring beautifully restored art from master illustrator Earl Norem—celebrated artist of the most memorable He-Man images, interviews with Dolph Lundgren, Paul Dini, Erika Scheimer, and many more! The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Limited Edition is on sale in comic shops April 15th and April 28th in bookstores.  Pre-order your copy today from these fine retailers: Think Geek PopCultcha Big Bad Toy Store Forbidden Planet TFAW Dark Horse Booth at 2015 Conventions ### About Dark Horse Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, 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. 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 Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, uch as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material. HE-MAN, MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE and associated trademarks and copyrights are owned by, and used under license from Mattel.

ALSO AVAILABLE: Art of He Man and the Masters of the Universe HC