A celebration of comics in two jam-packed anniversary issues!
Wizard has announced that for its anniversary issue #200, it will release not ONE but TWO all-new, jam-packed issues—a Gold Edition and a Platinum Edition.
The Gold Edition celebrates all the best in comics during Wizard’s history. It includes controversial list features guaranteed to get fans buzzing with debate, exclusive art features by the biggest names in comics and over 120 pages of anniversary-themed content. Come and join the party by telling your local retailer to reserve your copy today!
The Platinum Edition continues the gala event starting an all-new era for Wizard! Bigger graphics, more in-depth stories and interviews…it’s everything you want in a bolder package.
The Gold Edition goes on sale in comic stores April 9, and on newsstands April 22. Platinum hits comic stores April 30 and newsstands May 13.
The internet is on fire after rumors speculated from the Cup of Joe panel at Newsarama: Newsarama: From “MrMxyzptlk”: we know that Leinil Yu is coming to the Ultimate Universe. That is cool. But can you confirm or deny that Joe Madureira and Michael Turner will work on the Ultimates titles too? Joe Q: I can do no such thing.
Then, Cyphon from Newsarama commented that CB Cebulski confirmed that Jeph Loeb and Joe Mad are the next team on Ultimates.
First, he was asked what Joe Mad is working on and he said "See Wizard in four days".
Then he was asked who the next team on Ultimates is, he said "See Wizard in four days."
Then he added, "I think you can all put two and two together."
Everyone is certainly abuzz... but until then, let your imagination flow and we'll all find out Wednesday is this one is true.
update: the Wizard website has indeed confirmed that Loeb & Mad will work on The Ultimates volume 3. Stay tuned for more news as it comes.
At the WizardWorld: Chicago convention, Marvel announced artist Joe Madureira’s new exclusive contract, and released an image featuring “Joe Mad’s” version of Wolverine, the Hulk, and Spider-Man. Not just a promotional image, it was actually a cover to a new surprise “Convention Special” of House of M #1, one free copy of which was sent to every Diamond account (i.e. retailer) with this week’s new books, and undoubtedly now fetching a premium aftermarket price.
This week the publisher has announced this House of M #1 Convention Special will be made available for order on a limited basis (20 per Diamond account). This second wave of this special will be in stores on August 31st. The project will be announced at a later date. It's been about 8 years since Madureira 's art has graced the interiors of a Marvel comic, since he left to start his own creator-run series Battle Chasers through the Cliffhanger imprint.
click here for full size image
From WWC, DAY 1 - CUP O' JOE SECOND REPORT:
A Joe Madureira cover for “House of M” (pictured below) was unveiled, displaying Spider-Man, Hulk and Wolverine. No, Loeb did not go on to say what his and Madureira's project was, but he later hinted that it probably had something to do with one of the characters on the cover displayed.
Madureira was asked if he'd ever finish “Battle Chasers.” The artist seemed disappointed that it never finished, but is content to let the book toil for now.
"It's one of those things that I think about every once in a while, and not having finished it bums me out... I would love to do it at some point, but it would be very far out."
Where has the artist been in the interim? Working in the video game industry as an art director, Madureira said. Most of the work he's done in the past couple years will probably never be seen, he said, unless it gets collected into an art book. But he did say he believes he's learned some “new tricks” while he was away.
From Newsarama:
As for Joe, more details of his deal, project and length of time will be disclosed shortly in the next issue of Wizard I believe. From our discussions, Joe has agreed to do a significant amount of work, and I have to tell you, he’s excited as can be to be back and working on this project. It’s going to be fun to have Joe back in the biz.
As a matter of fact, next weeks' Wizard #168, on sale August 31st will shine some light on Madureira's & Jeph Loeb's new project. Keep locked to this site, Joe Mad! Fan & the Joe Madureira Fansite for all of your Joe Mad news!
Continuing the positive momentum and growth of its convention business, Wizard Conventions, the country’s foremost authority on everything related to comic books, gaming, anime, toys, collectibles and pop-culture, announced today that its Wizard World Philadelphia pop culture extravaganza attracted 27,000 attendees during its fourth annual visit to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, marking a five percent increase from the previous year. Guest of Honor J. Michael Straczynski (Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-man and Rising Stars) presided over the event that saw fan turnout top last year’s 25,500 attendees - growth attributed to Wizard’s ongoing commitment to providing fans with the ability to get up-close-and-personal with today’s hottest pop culture celebrities and talent.
During the weekend, Wizard - in cooperation with Warner Brothers Studios, DC Comics and IMAX - provided a limited-admission, special advance screening of this summer’s upcoming blockbuster hit, Batman Begins, which had fans buzzing all weekend long. Adding to the excitement of the three-day event, actor Seth Green (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Austin Powers) and colleague Hugh Sterbakov were on hand for a panel and autograph signing session to launch their new Top Cow comic, The Freshman.
Wizard continued to round out its all-star cast with celebrities that included: Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica), Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel), Lou Ferrigno (TV's Incredible Hulk), Peter Mayhew (Star Wars/Chewbacca), Kenny Baker (Star Wars/R2-D2), Jeremy Bulloch (Star Wars/Boba Fett), as well as Chris Claremont (writer, Uncanny X-Men, Excalibur), Steranko (Comic Revolutionary) and Carmine Infantino (creator, Batgirl, Silver Age Flash), among others.
“Whether it’s the Batman Begins screening or our Seth Green signing, we believe ‘access’ is the key to keeping fans happy and coming back year after year,” said Gareb Shamus, chairman and CEO of Wizard Conventions. “Considering that attendance has been growing consistently, providing these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities is the least we can do for our devoted fans that have helped to make Wizard World Philadelphia the premiere pop culture event on the east coast.”
Philadelphia’s world famous Geno’s Cheese Steaks donated fifty of their famous sandwiches for Wizard World Philadelphia’s second annual “Captain Cheese Steak” contest. Pennsylvania native Kevin Pasquarelli was crowned 2005’s Captain Cheese Steak, beating out seven other costumed contestants by consuming the most cheese steaks in five minutes to win a custom illustration from famed artist, Skottie Young (Marvel’s Human Touch and Venom books).
Wizard Conventions recently attracted 24,500 to its second-annual Wizard World Los Angeles event, prompting the event’s move to a much larger venue in 2006, the Los Angeles Convention Center. In 2004, Wizard World events drew more than 110,000 attendees, making it the undisputed pop culture draw of its kind in the country.