[Peter]

This is NOT the Fan Expo that we're going to in August, just to be clear:
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GAREB SHAMUS, WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT CEO, BUYS TORONTO COMICON EXPANDING BRAND INTERNATIONALLY

New York, NY (June 24, 2009) - Gareb Shamus, CEO of New York based Wizard Entertainment, announces today that he has purchased the Toronto Comicon, a show that has been consistently awarded The Best International Comic Book Convention (non-USA) by ComicBookConventions.com, for the last 5 years.

“We've always had a strong following in Canada, so buying the Toronto Comicon is something that allows me to give back to our fans. These attendees are known to be serious collectors and comic industry followers,” said Shamus. “I am thrilled to offer the guests, celebrities, artists, dealers and exhibitors to our Canadian audience for the very first time.”

Peter Dixon, owner of Paradise Conventions and former owner of the Toronto Comicon, will still be intimately involved in the show production, his friendly manner ensuring the continuation of the trademarked relaxed atmosphere of the show.

“Wizard brings greater industry recognition and star power to the show. I’m excited about having the fans get this bigger experience,” said Dixon.

The next show dates have not been set yet, but the newly managed Toronto Comicon is expected to debut in 2010

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So - let's cancel Boston and Texas, put on a shitty Los Angeles and Philly, but start a whole new one?

How much you want to bet they put the dates on a weekend already taken by a major con?

[Hex]

Glad I don't live in Toronto.

[Wood]

So he bought two struggling cons this year, Big Apple and now Paradise. Strange. I wonder if he's gearing up for a change in strategy. Seems like he's going to put together a wider number of shows with less frills per show. More of a volume business than an event business.

[turtleboy8]

It sounds like he's just owning it, and that it will still be run the same way. Last year Toronto was pretty big and had lots of guests if I remember correctly. Who knows maybe it was in financial trouble and will now be saved. I personally haven't been to a bad WW Chicago yet, we'll see what the next few years bring.

[brydeemer]

I personally haven't been to a bad WW Chicago yet

It might not seem bad to the attendees, but the artists and dealers aren't happy with Wizard at all. When that happens, the end is right around the corner.

Nobody will buy tickets if there aren't any artists drawing or dealers selling.

Wizard needs to repair their damaged reputation before they will see Philly and Chicago rebound.

Bry

[tzitto]

Amen, Brian! The last Wizard show I went to WWTX 06 and I have never looked back. And from what I hear about the WW shows since then I don;t regret my con choosing one bit.

[servo106]

Robert Taylor Buys Wizard World Philadelphia for $5.

[melkoloran]

Last year Toronto was pretty big and had lots of guests if I remember correctly. Who knows maybe it was in financial trouble and will now be saved.

I'm assuming you mean the 2008 show, which was good, but they didn't even run a 2009 show this year. I assumed it was simply done.

[Filthy McMonkey]

As long as Peter from Paradise comics is still involved, I can only see this as a good thing. They had scheduling issues this year, so hopefully it comes back as good as ever. Ask Danielle what she thought of Paradise 2008.

[Filthy McMonkey]

As long as Peter from Paradise comics is still involved, I can only see this as a good thing. They had scheduling issues this year, so hopefully it comes back as good as ever. Ask Danielle what she thought of Paradise 2008.

[RedRight88]

Wizard needs to repair their damaged reputation before they will see Philly and Chicago rebound.

Bry

Actually, I wonder if this means the end for at least the Philly show.

[i_am_scifi]

Actually, I wonder if this means the end for at least the Philly show.

I'd go more towards Chicago with that assumption than Philly, especially with Reed's show premiering in April.

[RedRight88]

I'd go more towards Chicago with that assumption than Philly, especially with Reed's show premiering in April.

I doubt it, Chicago is a bigger media market than Philly.

[rgapfrost]

Amen, Brian! The last Wizard show I went to WWTX 06 and I have never looked back. And from what I hear about the WW shows since then I don;t regret my con choosing one bit.

Wahuh! WWTX 06 was awesome. 07 was even better and 08 was the best con I've ever been to.

[citizenDave]

It might not seem bad to the attendees, but the artists and dealers aren't happy with Wizard at all. When that happens, the end is right around the corner.

Nobody will buy tickets if there aren't any artists drawing or dealers selling.

Wizard needs to repair their damaged reputation before they will see Philly and Chicago rebound.

Bry

I've never heard that from other artists. I always do well at WWChicago. The Artist Alley is awesome.

Now, you want to hear a litany of complaints about the guys who are moving into Chicago next year, be ready to form a line.

This post has been edited by citizenDave: 24 June 2009 - 08:52 PM

[tzitto]

Wahuh! WWTX 06 was awesome. 07 was even better and 08 was the best con I've ever been to.

I'm speaking from my experience. I'm glad you had a good time there. I couldn't handle the Spike TV booth, the long lines, and the prices that clearly reflected those of Wizard. Baltimore and Charlotte are cheaper for me to attend and have guest lists that completely blow away any other con that I have been too before.