WIZARD’S COMIC-CON SET TO DAZZLE PHILADELPHIA ON JUNE 19-21, 2009 AT PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER

Special Guests: Barack Obama Spider-Man Artist Phil Jimenez, Battlestar Gallactica’s Luciana Carro; WWE Diva Dawn Marie and Chewbacca Peter Mayhew Join Noted Comic Writers and Artists; Video Game Expo Tournament and Costume Contest To Highlight Philly Event. Hasbro’s Transformers honored as newest member of
ToyFare’s Hall of Fame


Wizard World Philadelphia, the region’s largest annual Comic-Con, video game and pop culture event, will return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center June 19-21, 2009, to dazzle pop-culture aficionados.

“This year’s Comic-Con will showcase something for everyone - including movies, TV, toys, comics, video games, anime, sci-fi, horror and other forms of entertainment,” said Wizard CEO Gareb Shamus.

Wizard World Philadelphia Comic-Con will feature a host of celebrity guests, a video game expo and tournament, costume contest and noted comic writers and artists, including Marvel’s world famous Barack Obama/Amazing Spider-Man artist Phil Jimenez. Also, the “Incredible Hulk” Lou Ferrigno; Battlestar Gallactica’s Luciana Carro (Capt. Louanne “Kat” Katraine); WWE Diva Dawn Marie and original Chewbacca Peter Mayhew will all make appearances. They will be joined by noted comic writers and artists Garth Ennis (The Boys, Crossed and Back to Brooklyn), JG Jones (Final Crisis artist), Kevin Maguire (Batman and Spider-Man artist), Walt Simonson (Vigilante artist, World of Warcraft writer), Joe Kelly (Amazing Spider-Man writer), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans, Terror Titans writer), Dan Slott (Amazing Spider-Man, Mighty Avengers writer), Billy Tan (New Avengers artist) plus many more. More than 200 in all – this year’s event is the largest expected turnout ever.

Wizard World Philadelphia Comic-Con also will play host to the Video Game Expo (VGXPO), which attracted more than 24,000 fans in 2008, with competitors facing each other in the "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" tournaments, played on the Nintendo Wii, as well as "Halo 3" tournaments played on the Xbox 360. VGXPO also will feature "Breaking In" seminars aimed at providing employment tools and educational resources to people that want to find jobs in the video game industry.

Everyone is also encouraged to come out dressed as their favorite character, with an opportunity to win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Top entries also will reach millions of fans via Wizard Magazine, wizarduniverse.com and wizardworld.com and other fan websites. Sign up at the Wizard Booth and become eligible for the big prize.

For more information about Wizard World Philadelphia Comic-Con, go to: www.wizardworld.com.