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Press Release: A state-of-the-art downtown venue, new dates and fresh celebrity guests mark the third Wizard World Toronto Comic Con, which today announced its standout lineup scheduled to attend the event, April 14-15 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC). Popular screen stars Paul Wesley, Jeri Ryan, Scott Bakula and Amy Acker will be joined by WWE® Superstar Edge® and dozens of standout celebs and talented comic book artists and writers at the convention, which promises to be even bigger and better in 2012.

Bakula (“Star Trek: Enterprise,” “Quantum Leap”) and Acker (“Angel,” THE CABIN IN THE WOODS) will appear both days, while Wesley (“The Vampire Diaries,” “24”), Ryan (“Star Trek: Voyager,” “Boston Public”) and Edge® are scheduled to attend on Saturday only.

“Toronto and the entire region have embraced Wizard World Toronto Comic Con over the past two years, and we’re excited to bring a first-class event to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World Board of Directors. “From well-known, relevant stars like Paul Wesley and Jeri Ryan and classic and cult actors and actresses to an outstanding collection of big-time artists and a unique array of exhibitors and vendors, there’s something for everyone.”

The event, produced by Wizard World, Inc., 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.

Wizard World shows always have top-notch comics creators on hand, and Toronto Comic Con boasts one of the most impressive rosters ever. Headlining the group are Mike Deodato Jr. (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Wonder Woman”), “Jock” (“Detective Comics,” “Batman”), John McCrea (“Hitman,” “Transmetropolitan”), Javi Fernandez (“Flashpoint: The Outsider,” “Captain America: First Vengeance”), Dale Keown (“Hulk,” “The Pitt”), Tyler Kirkham (“Green Lantern Corps,” “Blackest Night”), Marcus To (“The Huntress,” “The Authority”), Ken Lashley (“Batwing,” “Avengers”), David Mack (“Kabuki,” “Daredevil”), Greg Tocchini (“Batman and Robin,” “Hulk”), Michael Golden (“Batman,” “Spider-Man”), Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “X-Force”) and Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”).

Other popular celebrity guests scheduled for Toronto include Colin Ferguson (“Eureka,” THE OPPOSITE OF SEX), Sean Maher (“Serenity,” “Firefly”), Jeremy Bulloch (STAR WARS: EPISODE V, VI, III, “Doctors”), Sam Witwer (“Smallville,” THE MIST), Sam Huntington (SUPERMAN RETURNS, FANBOYS), Meaghan Rath (“Being Human,” LOST AND DELIRIOUS) and Catherine Mary Stewart (WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S, THE LAST STARFIGHTER).

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.

Toronto Comic Con is scheduled as the second stop on Wizard World’s 2012 North American tour. Hours are Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 15, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/toronto.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($38 on site); two-day tickets are $40 ($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 MTCC
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (http://www.mtccc.com) is Canada’s #1 convention and trade show facility. It is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, within walking distance of almost 13,000 hotel rooms, shopping, restaurants and Toronto sites.

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.

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

***** SAVE THE 2012 DATES *****
April 14-15 – Toronto Comic Con
June 1-3 – Philadelphia Comic Con
August 9-12 – Chicago Comic Con
September 29-30 – Mid-Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28 – Austin Comic Con
TBD 2013 – New Orleans Comic Con

Press Release: Anime-SPARK! is excited to announce that Minneapolis pop-punk band Atlas On Strike will be headlining a concert at Anime-SPARK! on Saturday night, joined by anime cover band Cascade Nightmare. Anime-SPARK! is an anime convention returning for the second year to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The event brings together hundreds of anime fans in celebration of Japanese animation and popular culture, with a ticket price of just $35 per person at the door. Anime-SPARK! 2012 will be held February 16 - 19, 2012 at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center.

Atlas On Strike is a four piece Pop-Punk band hailing from Minneapolis, MN. A new band on the scene, Atlas On Strike has already released and EP and full-length album as well as feverishly played a multitude of shows. Their upcoming album "This Is Life" is set to be released Spring 2012. The members of Atlas On Strike are Matt (Bass), Josh (Guitar/Box/Keys), Paeton (Drums/Brutal), and Jack (Guitar/Vox).

Cascade Nightmare is a local anime theme cover band from the Cedar Rapids area. They have been a band for almost two years, and anime fans for... ever. Started as a side project their anime covers quickly took over their time and priorities. They currently have two members, Sebastian Foreman (Lead Guitar, Backup Vocals) Mike Stuefen (Lead Vocals, Bass) and their drum machine RC-30 (Drums, Keyboard).

The Atlas On Strike and Cascade Nightmare concert will not be the only dance/music event at the convention. Friday includes an hour-long Formal Dance lesson, hosted by professional instructor Jessie D. Eckles, followed by a two-hour Formal Ball Friday evening. There will be a rave dance both Friday night and Saturday night, featuring DJ Oso as well as Lucid Beats, in addition to Anime-SPARK!'s house DJs.

Other guests of the convention include Chris Rager, Quinton Flynn, Greg Wicker, and Aegis Swordsmanship Academy. More information about guests for the convention can be found at http://animespark.org/guests

Early registration for the event has ended, but fans can register at the door for just $35. More information about Anime-SPARK!, including the full events list, can be found at http://animespark.org/
 

Batman fans rejoice. The Dark Knight Rises teaser trailer has been released. The teaser sheds some light on the potential storyline but most of all wets the appetite... Enjoy.

 

Press Release: Hound Comics’ Project Coordinator, Etan Wish officially announced that the initial application derived from their hit comic book series Brimstone and The Borderhounds would make its debut at Wizard World’s Philadelphia convention in June. “We are very excited to enter into another new medium with our flagship brand. We are anticipating that this will open the door for numerous endeavors concerning the gaming industry!” says, Wish. The application comes prior to the highly anticipated console version dubbed, “Brimstone and The Borderhounds: The Video Game” set for release on the Xbox LIVE and Playstation Network later this year. “We feel that in this age of technology, it is imperative to keep up with the competition. Apple mobile platform owners will now finally have the opportunity to play as their favorite Borderhound characters while on the go!” says CEO, William ‘Brimstone’ Kucmierowski.

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