Wizard World Descends Upon Philadelphia

More than just comic books, comic cons are moving bastions of pop culture, serving as beacons for entertainment geeks of all kinds.  Whether your coffee table exists solely to hold a stack of trade paperbacks or your tablet is full of Buffy episodes, you’ll find you and your ilk are never alone roaming con halls.   Now when you look at cons on the whole, especially on the east coast, it seems like New York gets all the credit for regional conventionry, but there’s another city that holds their own.

That’s right kids, my city.  The City of Brotherly Love.  Philadelphia.

Wizard World Philadelphia hits the Convention Center downtown in a few weeks from May 30th through June 1 (that’s right, four days), featuring tons of awesome guests.  Stars, writers and artists from the worlds of comics, movies, television will be there, in addition to a bevy of exhibitors and activities to check out.  This year, Castle star Nathan Fillion and his Serenity co-stars Summer Glau and Adam Baldwin are making featured appearances, along with comic legend Stan “the Man” Lee and WWE Superstars John Cena and Daniel Bryan.  If zombie TV is your thing,  The Walking Dead trio Michael Rooker, Norman Reedus and Jon Bernthal will be there too.  Stars from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed will also be in attendance with a host of other celebrities and personalites.

Oh right, did I mention John Barrowman, Doctor Who and Torchwood’s Captain Jack Harkness?

On the comic front, Stan the Man may be the legend, but there is a tremendous list of talented comic creators and artists that will be there, including Bryan Hitch (America’s Got Powers, Wolverine), Salvador Larroca (A vs X, Captain America), Leinil Yu (Hulk, Fantastic Four).

You can get a full list of convention guests at  http://www.wizardworld.com/homepa.html.

Good things happen in Philadelphia.  2012’s Wizard World Philly was actually the first comic con I’d ever been to, and I got to meet some artists and writers, see some great cosplay, and take part in some crazy fun events like GeekNation’s beta launch party (It was the only time I was bumped to the front of a line at a party by donning a Green Lantern shirt).  Last year they drew the crowds with Thor’s Chris Hemsworth and all five Star Trek captains together, which if I remember correctly was the first time that’s ever happened.  There were also a lot of smaller comics and webcomics presenting there, which there will be this year as well, which were just as cool for me as it was meeting the big-name artists.

If last year is any indicator (which I’m sure it is), the 2013 edition of Wizard World Philly is going to be a great time.  And of course, IHOGeek’s Philly correspondent (that’s a fancy way of saying me) will be there to absorb as much as I can for you, kids.  So roll over to the cradle of American freedom, land of the Liberty Bell, and get your geek on.

Tushar Nene
Staff Writer
@tusharnene