Press Release: North America’s largest pop-culture tour continues as the 11th annual Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, June 17-19, with superstar guests Bruce Campbell, Adam Baldwin, Pam Grier, Vivica A. Fox, Julie Benz and Billy Dee Williams 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 culture, movies, comics, toys, video gaming, television, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

Campbell (“Burn Notice,” ARMY OF DARKNESS) was a huge hit at last year’s event, and will be appearing only on Saturday, June 18.  Grier (“Smallville,” “The L Word”), Fox (KILL BILL VOL. 1 and VOL. 2, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Benz (“Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” “Desperate Housewives”) and Williams (STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, BATMAN) have also been popular guests at Wizard World events.  Baldwin (FULL METAL JACKET, SERENITY) will be making his first appearance.

“The city and surrounding area have embraced Philadelphia Comic Con in a big way the first 10 years of the event, and last year’s was the most attended ever,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO.  “We have an even larger and more prestigious lineup of stars and creators and more in store for 2011.”

Other popular Philadelphia Comic Con celebrity guests include Michael Biehn (TERMINATOR, ALIENS), Alaina Huffman (“Smallville,” “SGU Stargate Universe”), Julia Benson (“SGU Stargate Universe, ROAD TO VICTORY), Adam West (“Batman,” “The Family Guy”), Burt Ward (“Batman”), John Schneider (“Smallville,” “Dukes of Hazzard”), Richard Roundtree (SHAFT, “Heroes), Barbara Nedeljáková (HOSTEL, SHANGHAI KNIGHTS), Mimi Rogers (AUSTIN POWERS, “The X-Files”), Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk”), Margot Kidder (SUPERMAN, “Smallville”) and Peter Mayhew (STAR WARS).  BOONDOCK SAINTS co-stars Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery will also reunite at the event.

Fans can also meet their favorite comic creators and artists, including Humberto Ramos (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “The Spectacular Spider-Man”), Carlos Pacheco (“X-Men,” “Green Lantern”), Doug Braithwaite (“Heroes for Hire,” “Chaos War: X-Men”), Jim Cheung (“Avengers,” “Uncanny X-Men”), Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra,” “Assassin”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”), Minck Oosterveer (“Zombie Tales,” “The Unknown”), Greg Horn (“Spider-Man,” “Turn off the Dark”), J.G. Jones (“Final Crisis,” “Wanted”), Phil Jimenez (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Astonishing X-Men”), Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Superman/Batman”), Mike Grell (“Green Arrow,” “Green Lantern”), Tom Raney (“Avengers Academy,” “Incredible Hulks”) and Shane Davis (“Bruce Wayne – The Road Home,” “JLA”)

The convention center floor will also feature several famous TV and movie vehicles for fans to pose with, including the DeLorean Time Machine (BACK TO THE FUTURE), General Lee (“Dukes of Hazzard”), The Mystery Machine (SCOOBY DOO), Hazzard County Patrol Car (“Dukes of Hazzard”) and Starsky and Hutch Torino.

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 more than 200 dealer booths.

Special events at Philadelphia Comic Con include the “Magic: The Gathering” card game tournament, professional photo opportunities (Photo Ops) and others.

Philadelphia Comic Con is the sixth stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour, which to date has 13 events scheduled.  Hours are Friday, June 17, noon – 8 p.m., Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, June 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/philadelphia.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door.  Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); three-day weekend tickets are $45 ($55 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 is a producer of pop culture and multimedia conventions across North America that markets movies, TV shows, video games, technology, toys, social networking/gaming platforms, comic books and graphic novels. It has the rights to the names, marks, domains, customer lists and production rights for a portfolio of pop culture and multimedia conventions.

For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become a Philadelphia Comic Con Fan on Facebook.