Press Release: North America’s largest pop-culture tour continues at Wizard World Mid-Ohio Comic Con at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, October 22-23, with standout guests James Marsters, Billy Dee Williams, Adam West, Burt Ward, Claudia Christian andWalter Koenig headlining the list of celebrity attendees. The event will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

Williams (STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, BRIAN’S SONG) will appear on Saturday, while Marsters (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Caprica”), West (“Batman,” “Family Guy”), Ward (“Batman”), Christian (“Look,” “Babylon 5”) and Koenig (“Star Trek,” “Babylon 5”) are scheduled for both days.

The lineup of superstar artists at Wizard World Mid-Ohio Comic Con is impressive, with Jeff Smith (“BONE,” “RASL”), Pasqual Ferry (“Thor; Ultimate Fantastic Four,” “Ultimate X-Men vs Fantastic Four”), Mike Grell (“Green Arrow,” “Green Lantern”), Rob Liefeld(“Deadpool,” “Youngblood”), Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “Hero For Hire”), Phil Jimenez (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Astonishing X-Men”),Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra: Assassin,” “Moon Knight”), Michael Golden (“Batman,” “Spider-Man”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”),Mark Texeira (“Wolverine,” “Spider-Man”) and Ryan Ottley (“Invincible,” “The Walking Dead”) at the head.

“We are excited to be adding the Wizard touch – and slew of celebrity guests and comics creators – to what has been a successful, well-attended event in Columbus,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO.

Other popular celebrity guests scheduled to be on hand at the event include Gil Gerard (“Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”), Robyn Griggs (“Another World,” “One Life to Live”), David Harris (THE WARRIORS, “NYPD Blue”), William Holman (“Bachelor Pad,” “The Bachelorette”) and Doug Jones (FANTASTIC FOUR, HELLBOY).

Children and adult attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite villain, superhero or pop culture personality for the chance to win special prizes in costume contests. Event-goers may also try their hand interactive product exhibits and shop for collectible comics, movie and television memorabilia, toys and games at scores of dealer booths.

Mid-Ohio Comic Con is the eighth stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour. Hours are Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, October 23, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/midohio.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); weekend all-session tickets are $40 ($50 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available on a limited basis.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2011/12 DATES *****
October 22-23 – Mid-Ohio Comic Con
November 11-13 – Austin Comic Con
January 28-29, 2012 – New Orleans Comic Con
March 24-25, 2012 – Toronto Comic Con
April 28-29, 2012 – Anaheim Comic Con
May 19-20, 2012 – Big Apple Comic Con
June 1-3, 2012 – Philadelphia Comic Con
August 9-12, 2012 – Chicago Comic Con
TBD – Los Angeles Comic Con