Comic Conventions in 2018 I Have Covered

2018 was a great year for the comic convention and entertainment industry as a whole and I am happy that I got to witness many of the events. Raging from the big movies such as Avengers: Infinity War and A Quiet Place to the great seasons of our favorite television shows, and the headlines that made the majority of the audience react on social media and on a platform such as YouTube, we are in an age of information that can be shared and watched by millions. In that same time, the comic convention scene has become bigger in a larger scale and it has drawn many attendees of different fandoms all packed into one giant building. I have covered many of them over the years and last year was the most I have covered in one year as part of the media. Here are five that I will write about on my experience in the convention scene.

C2E2

The biggest show in Chicago every year and they do not disappoint at all. C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo) takes place at the McCormick Center in Chicago and you will have to take a bus to go to the center. When I went there in 2017, It was very warm the day that I went there. In 2018, the weather was a little cold and I would recommend to wear a jacket when you go there because the convention center itself is near a body of ocean. The show is great and there are two floors of the show and they are very large and it is filled up by different vendors and artists and gaming areas. Of all the conventions I have went to, this one is floor friendly the most as you would not feel lost or cramped in areas at all. The panels I have attended that week featured Guardians of the Galaxy, Tom Kenny of Spongebob Squarepants, and Khary Payton of The Walking Dead. I have also interviewed the cast of Daphne and Velma as well and we all had a blast talking. Call me weird, but as a guy from New York, I prefer Chicago style pizza and I love it!

Wizard World Philadelphia

Up next, is Philadelphia and Wizard World’s biggest show is in Philadelphia and the best part of the location is that it is right across the street from the Reading Terminal Market. You would not have to scatter around the convention center to figure out what food that you want to get since the market has a huge amount of options that you can choose. Wizard World itself is usually a great show with a great amount of celebrities that you can meet. I wanted to meet Natalie Dormer of Game of Thrones, but I did not have the time at all since I was covering the show. I did got the chance to interview Erica Schroeder in which we talked about her role in Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon and The panels I have attended featured Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher of Justice League, Sebastain Stan, and the voices of Overwatch. The cosplay over there was actually great too with some mind blowing ones that caught my attention that I still do remember to this day.

San Diego Comic Con

I have not been to SDCC since 2012 and when I went there to cover it in 2018, It has changed  and I was amazed with the huge presence over there. This was not like other conventions where only parts of the city were comic con themed, The ENTIRE area of San Diego was comic con themed from the minute you walk out of the airport and onward. I even seen it on taxi cabs, buildings, The Trolleys and theaters, and even the line of the Conan tapings that week. It was massive to see how big it has become since I was last there and there are also offsite events related to comic con for the press and attendees for everyone to enjoy such as the Jack Ryan escape room experience, Amazon TV’s museum, The Walking Dead’s showcase, South Park escape room, and much more. This is all outside of the convention center and they are at different parts of San Diego even though a few of the events are across the street of the convention center. Speaking of the convention center, you cannot even go to the sidewalk of the convention center unless you have a badge and that is a great move to prevent scalpers from trying to rip people off. The building itself is very huge and when I was there on preview night when there were a small amount of people there, It took me a whole fifteen minutes to walk from one side of the building to another. Imagine being there when there is a huge amount of attendees. The show itself was great and the media interviews I have been part of was The Walking Dead, Fear The Walking Dead, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Better Call Saul, and much more. I did however seen the dreaded Hall H line and I was stunned to see how many people were on the line that camped out for a few days. Hall H is where the bigger panels take place for television and movies and even surviving the line is a task. I have never went inside Hall H and I do not think I can put my body through it. All in all, SDCC I highly recommend for you to go once in your life.

Keystone Comic Con

The newest one of the convention scene is Keystone Comic Con and it is also in Philadelphia as well. Every convention has something unique and this one is the first comic con to have a wrestling ring with wrestling matches from Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore. I was not surprised to see that there was a large crowd each day of the matches that took place there and it actually turned out very well. There were wrestling legends there such as Tommy Dreamer, Bully Ray, Jim Cornette, and Jerry Lawler with a few new faces such as Lance Anaoi. Speaking of wrestling, Me and my girlfriend got the chance to not only meet WWE Superstar Nikki Bella, but we spoken to her for nearly ten minutes about different topics. There was also a large gaming area in one of the rooms and there were set up by different eras of gaming consoles. There was also a costume contest that I enjoyed and different vendors of comics as well. I hope in 2019 I can cover it again!

New York Comic Con

I have covered NYCC every year since 2012 and each year I love it more than the previous year. New York is a flooded city where it does not sleep but what did sleep this year, was the MTA as the 7 Train was not running the entire time during NYCC weekend and that frustrated me a lot. Other than that, I bought a large amount of comics at this show this year other than interviewing celebrities.But the day before NYCC began, I was invited to attend the red carpet event of DC’s Titans along with a screening of the first two episodes. Also, E! Network had a truck outside where they were giving away free donuts to attendees after they place their vote on the upcoming awards show at the time. I have went to that truck at least five times per day during that week. Celebrities I have interviewed ranged from shows such as Batman:The Animated Series, The Gifted, Legacies, Lore, and The Man in The High Castle. I also did my 200th episode of my podcast there with guests Jason Solomon of The Solomonster Sound’s Off, Jon Draper of Wrestling Soup, and Ray Flook of BleedingCool.com. I also ran into Brandon Davis of Comicbook.com and Kirsten of Insider many times during the week as we talked about various news about the show. If you are in New York, NYCC is the place to be during the fall.

My first show that I will cover will be C2E2 2019 so I will report from there

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Wizard World Philadelphia 2018 Panel and Cosplay Notes and Photos

Wizard World took place last weekend at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and there was a large amount of attendees either buying the rare comic, cosplaying, playing video game tournaments and much more. There were many actors and comic writers and creators over there as well as fans got the opportunity to meet them. We were able to attend the show to cover it over the weekend and it was very fun from what we saw. Wizard World always delivers every year in Pennsylvania and they will be back there in 2019.

We attended a few panels to hear the actors answer questions from the fans. Sebastian Stan was the first one we attended as he talked about The Avengers Infinity War and his future projects in the works. He even accepted an award from one of the fans there which got the crowd giving him an applause. At the end of the panel, he did a photo with the entire crowd (I was lucky to be in the photo)

The next panel we attended was of Ray Fisher and Ezra Miller from Justice League as they both talked about their roles of the movie along with having a dance off with one of the fans.

The final panel we attended was called The Voices of Overwatch and four of the voice actors from that game (one of them also did voice work in Final Fantasy XV) were there live to talk about how it all started and spoke in their character voices for most of the panel. It was very fun to see.

And Finally, i have taken many photos of cosplayers around the building and these were the best i have seen over there last weekend.

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Columbia Pictures are now accepting idea submissions at Wizard World Philadelphia this year!

Wizard World and Columbia Pictures Now Accepting Idea Submissions at Wizard World Philadelphia

Wizard World and Columbia Pictures Now Accepting Idea Submissions at Wizard World Philadelphia

Original IP Submissions From Attendees, Artists, Exhibitors Accepted Online Through May 10; Accepted Pitch Sessions To Occur During Event, May 17-18 At Pennsylvania Convention Center

LOS ANGELES, April 27, 2018—Do you have an original idea for a movie? And do you plan on attending Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia? This could be your day.

Wizard World, Inc. and Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., an affiliate of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., today began accepting content ideas online, with potential pitch sessions to be scheduled during Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia on Thursday and Friday, May 17-18, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This marks the second activation of the recently announced collaboration between the pop culture convention producer and leading studio, following a successful debut earlier this month in Portland, Ore.

Whether a paid attendee, artist or exhibitor, anyone who plans on attending Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia and can be available on Thursday and/or Friday, May 17-18, may submit an idea now through May 10 at 5 p.m. PT via Wizard World’s dedicated Website at https://wizardworld.com/2018-philadelphia-pitchfest. Any submissions which are selected in Columbia Pictures’ sole discretion will participate in a pitch session to take place at designated dates/times during the event.

One idea submission is permitted per person; In order to be considered, submissions must be a fully-owned original idea and must not infringe on any copyrighted material. Anyone participating in the pitch must be a registered Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia attendee, artist or exhibitor, and must be 18 years of age or older and a legal U.S. resident.

“After such positive feedback in our first sessions at Wizard World Comic Con Portland, we are excited to team up with Columbia Pictures on identifying outstanding original ideas from our creative attendees, artists and exhibitors in Philadelphia,” said John D. Maatta, CEO of Wizard World. “We look forward to seeing a variety of submissions and see this as an important step in a broad-based relationship with Columbia Pictures as Wizard World furthers its lead role in the pop culture industry.”

Full information, including Wizard World’s and Sony Pictures’ respective Privacy Policies, submission guidelines and terms and conditions are available on the submission form https://wizardworld.com/2018-philadelphia-pitchfest.

Wizard World Comic Con events 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. The fifth event scheduled on the 2018 Wizard World calendar, the 2018 Philadelphia show hours are Thursday, May 17, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, May 18, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.

Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia 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 and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday evening.

For more on the 2018 Wizard World Philadelphia, visit http://wizd.me/PhiladelphiaPR.

Stephen Amell, Sebastian Stan, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher Among Top Celebrities Scheduled To Attend Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia, May 17-20

PHILADELPHIA, March 19, 2018 – Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) continues its 2018 schedule with its 18th trip to the Pennsylvania Convention in Center City Philadelphia at Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia, May 17-20. Stephen Amell (“Arrow,” “The Flash”), Sebastian Stan ( Captain America franchise), the Justice League trio of Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher, Natalie Dormer (“Game of Thrones”), Dave Bautista ( Guardians of the Galaxy) and the Lord of the Rings tandem of Sean Astin and Billy Boyd headline the roster of celebrity guests scheduled to attend the comic con and pop culture extravaganza.

 

Stan, Momoa, Dormer, Fisher and Astin will appear on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20; Momoa and Bautista will attend on Saturday only; Amell will attend on Friday only; Boyd will appear Friday through Sunday.

 

Other notables scheduled to appear to date include Joe Flanigan (“Stargate: Atlantis”), Jewel Staite (“Firefly,” “Stargate: Atlantis”), Michael Rosenbaum (“Smallville,” “The Justice League”), Charisma Carpenter (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Angel”), Holly Marie Combs (“Charmed,” “Picket Fences”) and Thomas Ian Nicholas ( Rookie of the Year, American Pie). More celebs are scheduled to be announced closer to the event.

 

Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia will also feature non-stop live entertainment, gaming, exclusive Q&A sessions with top celebrities, movie screenings hosted by stars and directors and more. Details to follow soon.

 

Wizard World is the home of the most creative comics artists and writers on the planet. Artist Alley in Philadelphia will feature Greg Capullo (“Batman,” “Metal”), Jim Steranko (“Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Captain America”), Mike Grell (“Green Arrow,” “Warlord”), Greg Horn (“Phoenix,” “Venom”), Kurt Lehner (“Gargoyles,” “Marvel Action Hour”), Katy Farina (“Rick & Morty,” “Steven Universe”), Bob Camp (“Ren & Stimpy”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies”), Stuart Sayger (“ROM,” “Micronauts”), Steve Geiger (“Punisher,” “Spider-Man”) and many others.

 

Wizard World Comic Con events 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. The fifth event scheduled on the 2018 Wizard World calendar, Philadelphia show hours are Thursday, May 17, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, May 18, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.

 

Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia 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 and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday evening.

 

For more on the 2018 Wizard World Philadelphia, visit http://wizd.me/PhiladelphiaPR .

Natalie Dormer of HBO’s Game of Thrones will attend Wizard World for the first time ever in Philadelphia.

‘Game of Thrones’ Star Natalie Dormer To Make Wizard World Comic Debut In Philadelphia, May 19-20

Natalie-Dormer-3.jpg

‘Margaery Tyrell’ On HBO Series To Appear Saturday And Sunday At Pennsylvania Convention Center

 

PHILADELPHIA, March 8, 2018Natalie Dormer , who gained international attention with her performance of “Margaery Tyrell” on the HBO series “Game of Thrones,” will make her first Wizard World Comic Con appearance when the tour hits Philadelphia on May 19 and 20. Dormer, who also earned acclaim as “Anne Boleyn” on the Showtime series “The Tudors,” will greet fans, sign autographs, pose for photo ops and conduct an interactive fan Q&A session at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

 

 

Dormer made her screen debut in Lasse Hallstrom’s romantic film Casanova (2005), followed by a small part in the dramedy “Distant Shores” (2005). After her key role in “The Tudors”(2007–08), for which she was nominated for two Gemini Awards for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Drama Series, she played “Irene Adler/Moriarty” on the CBS series “Elementary” (2013–15), “Cressida” in the science-fiction adventure films The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) and Part 2 (2015), and “Sara Price/Jess Price” in The Forest (2016). She plays the lead in this year’s Amazon Video mini-series “Picnic at Hanging Rock.”


 

Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) continues its 2018 schedule with its 16th trip to the City of Brotherly Love, May 17-20. Joining Dormer as celebrity guests announced to date are Sebastian Stan ( Captain America franchise), the Justice League trio of Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher, Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), the Lord of the Rings duo of Sean Astin and Billy Boyd, among others scheduled to attend the comic con and pop culture extravaganza. A full list of guests to date is available at http://wizd.me/PhiladelphiaPR.

 

Wizard World Comic Con events 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. The fifth event scheduled on the 2018 Wizard World calendar, Philadelphia show hours are Thursday, May 17, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, May 18, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.

 

Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia 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 and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday evening.

 

For more on the 2018 Wizard World Philadelphia, visit http://wizd.me/PhiladelphiaPR .

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