Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and Skybound, Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics, today announced that ‘The X-Files’ and ‘30 Days of Night’ artist Stuart Sayger has drawn the 17th 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 Comic Con Columbus, September 18-20. 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 Greater Columbus Convention Center only while supplies last. VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version of the comic.
Sayger is best known for his moody atmospheric art. Recent art projects include the “Superman: Man of Steel” movie, as well as a video game adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s “Thief of Thieves” Recent comic book projects consist of various IDW projects including: “The X-Files”, “30-Days of Night,” “Robert Rodriguez’s Machete,” and “Bram Stoker’s Death Ship.”
Toy fans may remember Stuart’s work from a two-year run drawing the “Bionicle” comic book based on the popular Lego toy line of the same name. The series was translated to eight different languages and distributed internationally boasting the largest circulation of any comic book in the world.
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 2015-16 Wizard World shows is available at http://www.wizardworld.com/wizcon.html .
The Wizard World Comic Con Columbus celebrity roster includes “The Walking Dead” stars Sonequa Martin-Green, Emily Kinney, Ross Marquand and Michael Rooker as well as William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”), David Ramsey (“Arrow”), boxing champion Mike Tyson, Dave Bautista (WWE® Superstar Batista™, Guardians of the Galaxy ), Karl Yune (“Arrow”), Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid ), Brent Spiner (“Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Independence Day), Adrian Paul (Highlander), Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk,” “King of Queens”) and many others.
In addition to Sayger, Artist Alley in Columbus will feature Billy Martin (“TMNT New Animated Adventures,” lead guitarist/keyboardist, Good Charlotte), Rick Burchett (“Green Lantern,” “Wonder Woman”), Harvey Tolibao (“Green Arrow,” “Silver Surfer”), Michael Golden (“Spider-Man,” “Daredevil”), Clinton Hobart (“Disney fine artist”), Gerhard (“Cerebus”) 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. The 18th of 24 events currently scheduled on the 2015 Wizard World calendar, Columbus show hours are Friday, September 18, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, September 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more on the 2015 Wizard World Comic Con Columbus, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ohio.html.
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 (OTCBB: WIZD)
Wizard World, Inc. (http://www.wizardworld.com ) 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, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also launched CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM), and ComicConBox™, a premium subscription-based monthly box service. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.
The 2015 Wizard World Comic Con schedule is available at: www.wizardworld.com/wizcon.html .
