If You Ask, You Shall Receive. Shamus Brings Another Con to the Mix.

As reported by Publishers Weekly's The Beat, Wizard World is returning to Texas with Austin Comic-Con:

Wizard World has returned to Texas, but in indie-friendly Austin, as opposed to Arlington/Dallas the venue of the previous Wizard World Texas. according to a press release, Gareb Shamus is lauching the Austin Comic-Con this November — the same time frame as the cancelled Wizard World Texas.

Despite being an indie hotbed, and home to several video game and animation studios — Austin is HQ for Richard Linklatter and Robert Rodrigeuz, not to mention Harry Knowles – Austin has yet to become a national stop on the comics tour — perhaps because SXSW, the indie music festival, has such a huge presence. Existing comics events include the very well regarded indie show STAPLE! in March and Webcomics Rampage in December.
PR follows:

Gareb Shamus, CEO of New York based Wizard Entertainment, today announced the launch of Austin Comic Con 2010 Wizard World Convention, to be held at the Austin Convention Center from November 12-14, 2010.
Fans have been asking for this event for some time. In an e-mail to Shamus, Larry Nickels Jr. wrote, “There are many people that I know of personally who would love to attend the convention if it is returned to our great state.”

Another fan, Matthew Adamic put it more succinctly with, “Bring back Wizard World Texas.”

“The fans have spoken and they want us back in Texas. We previously had a great experience here and are thrilled to be back,” said Shamus. “It’s a great city with a top-notch convention center and we’re really looking forward to seeing our fans at the type of pop-culture festival only we can bring.”

Austin is now the seventh city in the Wizard World Comic Con tour. Attendees can anticipate the strong caliber lineup of stars and exhibitors that fans across the nation have come to expect.

READ MORE.

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THE DARKNESS #7 BENEFITS THE HERO INITIATIVE

Top Cow Productions, Inc. and The Hero Initiative proudly announced today a limited-edition variant cover for The Darkness #7 drawn by Phil Hester would be available for sale at Wizard World Texas, taking place November 7-9 at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the books will benefit The Hero Initiative.
The Hero Initiative is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to helping comic creators in need. It provides them with emergency medical care, funds for essentials in life and assistance to get back into paying work.

The Darkness, a long-running series from Top Cow that was adapted into a hit videogame in 2007, is the continuing saga of Jackie Estacado, a former mob hitman-turned-crime boss who inherited a curse that allows him to create and control nearly anything he can imagine as long as he’s in darkness. The series is currently written by Phil Hester (FireBreather, Green Arrow) and drawn by Michael Broussard (Unholy Union). For this issue, however, guest artist Jorge Lucas (Pilot Season: Ripclaw) gives Broussard a spell, but Hester happily agreed to donate his art skills to create a special variant cover. READ MORE.

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Silvestri Mural at WizardWorld Texas

Eric M. Maruscak, a talented chalk artist, created a cool mural version of Marc Silvestri's black and white sketch cover of X-Men: Messiah CompleX created for the WizardWorld Texas VIP edition.
CLICK HERE to see a step by step progression.

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WizardWorld Texas news on Wizard

Some of the biggest news of the weekend at Wizard World Texas came straight from the mouth of Phil Hester on Saturday, and Top Cow Entertainment included a bundle of accompanying announcements at its panel in Arlington. CLICK HERE

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WizardWorld Texas news on Newsarama

The next panel I attended was Top Cow’s. Marvel is nowhere to be seen at WWTX and while DC has sent DiDio and a few others, they do not have much of a presence at the show. Top Cow is really the one that showed up. And it showed in the audience’s robust applause in appreciation for Top Cow’s turnout. CLICK HERE

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WIZARD WORLD TEXAS -- TOP COW PANEL

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Top Cow announced a First Born Aftermath one-shot for March and its second Pilot Season plans at its Wizard World Texas panel on Saturday.

The oversized Aftermath book will include two 11-page stories, one by Ron Marz and Ryan Sook and the other by Phil Hester and an artist to be announced. Marz is writing a bridging story, with art by Witchblade artist Stjepan Sejic.

"It will introduce a major new villain for Jackie," Hester said.

The second Pilot Season will take place in May/June. The twist this time is all the books will be original concepts. Top Cow's Matt Hawkins said deals have already been made with talent, with announcements coming.

Panelists on Saturday included Hester, Hawkins, Rob Levin, Filip Sablik, Marc Silvestri and Michael Broussard.

Following are highlights:

* Hester on writing The Darkness: "It's pretty daunting, but also exciting and rewarding to be trusted with a character that has been as long as The Darkness."

* Broussard said he's been a fan of The Darkness for a long time and is excited to be on board for his first ongoing. Hester likened it to playing center field for the Yankees as a rookie.

* Hawkins noted 2007 marks Top Cow's 16th year.

* Hawkins said there will be a sequel to The Darkness video game -- "sooner than later." The first game, which was banned in Singapore, sold out its original shipment in a week. Hawkins said there will be a Platinum edition.

* Silvestri said work continues on developing The Darkness movie. PLUS MUCH MUCH MORE!!

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Phil Hester helps Hero Initiatives at Texas

The Hero Initiative, the charity that helps older comic creators in medical or financial need, will be making its appearance at WizardWorld Texas, Nov. 16-18 at the Arlington Convention Center. And some select artists in attendance will risk all to raise funds for Hero. CLICK HERE

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TOP COW ANNOUNCE WIZARD WORLD TEXAS PLANS

Top Cow have announced details of the Exclusives, Debuts and Signing Schedules for Wizard World Texas! Yee-Haw!

Wizard World Texas is set to unfold at the Arlington Convention Center from November 16th through November 18th. CLICK HERE

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Top Cow returns to the Lone Star State!

Top Cow joins the list of premiere exhibitors in attendance with an all-star list of talent and exclusives appearing at their booth - # 101 throughout the weekend. PLUS 3 great Exclusives READ MORE

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