In just a few short weeks, Wizard World Philadelphia will be upon us. For the Star Trek fan in me, the lineup for this show looks pretty phenomenal as there will be representatives from The Original Series, The Next Generation, and Deep Space 9. They even booked the guy who was in the Gorn costume from ToS episode Arena. Obscure right?
Within the last week it was announced that none other than Sir Patrick Stewart would be in attendance. Let’s just get it out of the way and acknowledge that Jean Luc Picard is the greatest Captain ever to command the USS Enterprise. Case in point, his total badassery for the entire duration of Star Trek: First Contact
It’s a no brainer to get in line to meet Sir Patrick Stewart, right? Well I started doing my research to see what he charges for an autograph. I typically don’t like to go above the $25 mark. When you take into consideration all of the other costs associated with attending one of these shows you have to have a limit.
I started doing my research and found that Sir Patrick is charging $100 for a photo op. Now if Edward James Olmos was charging $60 last year for an autograph (which I passed on, despite my deep love for the actor and his work), there is no way Sir Patrick will be at a price that would be considered even remotely reasonable.
I understand a lot of non working genre actors/athletes/creators rely on the Con circuit to keep the bills paid (i.e. the dude who was in the Gorn costume). How does a guy who made $14 million for Star Trek: Nemesis justify charging the fans that price?
But you know what, Trekkies will still show up and wait in his line and gladly fork over the cash.
While I have enjoyed attending the annual Wizard World Philadelphia over the years; I’ve been increasingly critical of the way they run their shows and the douchery of Wizard CEO Gareb Shamus.
After last year’s experience I’ve acquiesced to the face that new Wizard shows focus more on “all media” rather than the comic centric shows attendees enjoyed in years past.
The latest evidence that Wizard World is run by tasteless fucktards has to be their new Platinum & Silver VIP Packages featuring the work of Michael Turner. Turner was a comic artist who passed away in 2008 after a long battle with cancer. A perennial fan favorite, he had done work for both Marvel & DC, and had some creator owned titles at his company Aspen Comics. Typically Turner was good for a solid variant cover or two each ‘Con season (I actually have a couple in my collection). Since his passing there have been many classy memorials and collections. Part of the convention experience is the Exclusive, granted this is Philadelphia we typically get “shared exclusives”, which is trending more since the Wizard World Tour has expanded over the country.
For Philadelphia, Wizard is shilling a $900.00 Platinum VIP ticket package. And what does that staggering dollar amount get you? I’m glad you asked:
• Philadelphia Comic Con 3-Day Ticket
• CGC 9.8 Signature Series HEAD SKETCHED MICHAEL TURNER BOOK. A random Turner cover signed and containing a one of a king original Head Sketch by Michael Turner! A once in a lifetime opportunity!
• **EXCLUSIVE** VIP Book – Aspen Splash 2009 Swimsuit Spectacular VIP Exclusive Michael Turner Variant Cover
• Exclusive VIP Badge
• Black Panther #25 Aspen Exclusive Variant Edition Signed by Michael Turner
• CGC 9.8 Signature Series Signed by Michael Turner – ONE of the Following (Fallen Son: Death of Captain America #4 Turner Cover, Fallen Son: Death of Captain America #2 Turner Cover OR Fantastic Four #547 Turner Cover)
• CGC 9.8 (Random) – You will receive ONE (1) of the following: Captain America #25 (Random Cover), X-Men Worlds Apart #1 Wizard World Texas J. Scott Campbell Variant Sketch Cover OR Ultimate Extinction #1 Wizard World Los Angeles Exclusive Joe Madureira Variant Sketch Cover CGC 9.8
• Ultimate Origins #1 Wizard World Chicago Exclusive Variant Edition
• X-Men World’s Apart #1 Wizard World Texas Exclusive Variant Edition
• X-O Manowar #1/2 Gold Variant Edition Wizard Mail-Away Exclusive
• Ultimate Extinction #1 Wizard World Los Angeles Exclusive
• Flash #1/2 Wizard Exclusive By Geoff Johns
• Witchblade vs. Darnkess #1/2 Gold Variant Edition Wizard Mail-Away Exclusive
• Project Superpowers #1/2 Wizard Exclusive
• Shrugged #5 Wizard World Los Angeles Exclusive Variant Edition
• Death-Defying ‘Devil #1 Wizard World Exclusive Virgin Variant Edition
So you get a ticket, and graded Turner “variants” which only further saturates the market. Over 90% of the comics on this list are just leftovers from previous Cons that didn’t sell out. And who the fuck wants X-O Manowar #1/2 Gold Variant Edition? I can’t even remember anyone who actually read that book. Is everything on this worth the $900 price tag? Me thinks not. Would fans of Turner’s work appreciate it? Most definitely. Is Wizard World milking the the bones of Michael Turner for all they are worth? ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY.
This summer will mark either the third or fourth time I will venture to Wizard World Philly. Last year’s show was pretty much shiat, which I have covered previously. While the show maintains a comic focus, the Wizard overlords have begun to shape it into an all-media convention.
WWP always had its glut of has been wrestlers (yes Virgil I’m about you). Last year saw a bigger “Guest List” and a significant reduction in floorspace for vendors and comic-related panels. 2010 appears to be no different, a guest list pumped up with people who will either cancel at the last minute or charge way to fucking much for an autograph i.e. William Shatner.
What really tickles my cockles is that the King, Bruce FUCKING Campbell is slated to appear on Saturday. Mentioning his name sends nerds, geeks, and cosplayers alike into a froth. Now should I be excited about The Shat, hell yes but I’m not paying $200 for him to sign an 8×10. If there is any bright spot to this upcoming show, this would be it. Hail to the King baby!
There are very few people I can watch in anything, and Bruce Campbell is among them. I’m sure it will be pandemonium on that Saturday, being that is the ONLY day he will be appearing. I’m sure there will be a panel stuffed with smelly fanboys in the cards.
About three years ago when I first started attending cons I became aware of a local group of artists in the Philadelphia area that I absolutely love, with one such talent being Dave Perillo. He’s an awesome guy with a great style that has a knack for picking on those most minute idiosyncrasies of the characters he draws.
So this year at Wizard World Philly I asked Dace to start off my new sketchbook with his take on the greatest of all Autobots, Optimus Prime. Even though he posted it already over on his blog, I figured that since I’m the owner of said sketch I might as well do the same here.
Apparently the folks at Wizard decided to get their collective asses in gear and get some quality guests for this June’s Wizard World Philly. And I have to give them some credit, they booked the command staff of the Battlestar Galactica, Edward James Olmos (Admiral Bill Adama) and Michael Hogan (Col. Saul Tigh) have been scheduled to appear. Frakin’ A.
At this point in time, the only thing that would make me happier would to have Optimus Prime rolling up on the show floor. I could really care less about the less than impressive exclusives and the fact that Marvel has yet to commit to a serious presence.
So I get the following email today, informing me that this year’s Wizard World Philly has DOUBLE the guests and DOUBLE the excitement. Apparently in their desperation to remind people that despite the lack of big name creators (and an overwhelming amount of wrasslers), they’ve resorted to the old Double Mint twins marketing effort.
We’re almost a month away without any word if the big two, Marvel & DC, will actually have a booth. That and sources (yes I do have them) are telling me that Wizard itself may not even have their own booth … they’re trying to get other retailers/exhibitors to do the lifting for them …
Tomorrow is Free Comic Book Day! Avengers, Wolverine, Transformers, Green Lantern … all can be had at your local participating comic shop. You’ll find me at Bagged & Boarded in Bensalem, PA. [Bagged & Boarded]
I’ve been rather critical of late in regards to the apparent lack of effort that Wizard was pouring into their annual show here in Philadelphia. It has been well documented that there has been some massive upheaval in Wizard’s corporate offices, which I have touched on before. Not to long ago here on DDOY I pleaded for Wizard to step up their game.
The flame war over on Wizard’s message board has been contained so to speak, with only several pockets of dissention remaining. Good job guys, I’ll give credit when credit is due. However, let’s step it up on the Exclusives, that issue of Lazer Man isn’t too enticing.
Wizard World Philly has posted two exclusives, a limited edition WWE Classics: Edge figure and a double issue of Lazerman from HB Comics. Wow. [Wizard World]
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