2006 Comic Book News Archives

Wizard World

August 9, 2006: Wizard World Chicago A Success

Wizard World, the country's foremost touring event for pop culture and comic books, announced today that it once again exceeded attendance expectations with its tenth annual Chicago event at The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, attracting more than 58,000 attendees over three and a half days, making this past weekend's convention the largest Wizard World event to date. Guest of Honor Jeph Loeb, a comic book writer (Superman/Batman, Batman: The Long Halloween, Ultimates 3) and a film/TV producer/writer (NBC's Heroes, Lost, Smallville) headlined the event that saw fan turnout top last year's 56,000 attendees - growth attributed to Wizard's ongoing commitment to providing fans with the opportunity to meet some of the biggest stars in comics, film and television, and explore the worlds of comics, cards, toys, anime, manga, and gaming.

Highlights of this year's show included a highly successful art auction hosted by Jeph Loeb and Erica Durance (Smallville) held to benefit the Sam Loeb Scholarship Fund that raised over $72,000; technique demonstrations by fighters from the International Fight League, and an amazing fan costume contest that included everything from Ghostbusters and a complete Justice League to Transformers. Contest winner Steven Kleman designed an incredible reproduction of Bumblebee from The Transformers and took home over $1,000 in graphic novels, action figure, statues, and other merchandise. Crowds gathered to listen to a Q&A delivered by writer/director Kevin Smith (Clerks 2) and to wait for autographs from actress Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars), actor Thomas Jane (The Punisher, The Mutant Chronicles), writers Peter David (The Incredible Hulk, X-Factor), Paul Jenkins (Civil War: Frontline) and many others.

Other celebrities who took time out to greet fans and sign autographs at Wizard World Chicago included: TNA wrestlers Raven, Ron Killings, Sonjay Dutt, Gail Kim and AMW; Richard Kiel (James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me); Dirk Benedict (The A-Team); Wrestling superstar Virgil; Lou Ferrigno (TV's Incredible Hulk); Noel Neill (Lois Lane on The Adventures of Superman) and others.

Wizard World Chicago also presented top creators from the comic book industry with the 13th Annual Wizard Fan Awards. Highlights included Marvel Comics' win for Favorite Publisher and Astonishing X-Men taking home the Fan Award for Favorite Ongoing Series. DC Comics' Villains United won the award for Best Miniseries, while DC's Geoff Johns (Superman) took home the Fan Award for Favorite Writer. John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men, Planetary) won for Favorite Artist.

Here are the Superman related winners in the 13th Annual Wizard World Fan Awards:

  • FAVORITE ONE-SHOT: Countdown to Infinite Crisis
  • FAVORITE MINI-SERIES: Villains United
  • FAVORITE WRITER: Geoff Johns (Superman, Flash, Green Lantern: Rebirth)
  • FAVORITE PAINTER: Alex Ross (Justice)



    2006 Comic News

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