HEROES & WIZARDS, RUMOR & SPECULATION?

**MattBrady** · 07-22-2005, 05:41 PM

In what should’ve, by all accounts, passed with barely a blip, the story of WizardWorld Atlanta and Charlotte, NC’s Heroes Con has blossomed to a full-force cause, with retailers, creators, and exhibitors reporting that they will attend HeroesCon rather than WW: Atlanta (both are scheduled the same weekend, June 30th - July 2nd, 2006, and are roughly 250 miles apart). To date, creators, such as Greg Rucka, Bryan Hitch, Tony Harris, Cully Hamner, Scott Kurtz, Art Adams and more have said that they will travel to Charlotte rather than Atalanta for the summer weekend.

Most recently, Wizard has said that the topic is a tempest in a teacup, as the dates are not official. In speaking to Comicon.com’s The Pulse earlier today, Wizard claimed that the date of June 30th – July 2nd was unofficial, and was told by a spokesperson: “It's all rumor and speculation at this point in time. There is no official statement regarding the dates."

Likewise, CBGXtra reports that Wizard has told them as well that the dates are not set, and no announcement has been made: “two different Wizard Entertainment spokespeople told CBG Friday afternoon that the convention had not been announced and that dates of the convention would be forthcoming.”

At the time of this report, Wizard had not responded to Newsarama's requests for clarification.

Lack of official statement notwithstanding, the source for the announcement being made first on ICV2.com and followed up here on Newsarama remains consistent: a printed schedule of Wizard shows on the back of the business card of Wizard’s Stewart Morales, given to retailers and other exhibitors at last week’s San Diego Comic Con as, in part, an advertisement for their upcoming shows.

The back of the card:

(the typo on the card in regards to the Atlanta date was corrected when the card was given to the recipient). As one exhibitor who was personally given the card told Newsarama, "The other dates are correct, how were we supposed to know the Atlanta ones weren't?"

Additionally, in speaking with Newsarama late this afternoon, HeroesCon owner and organizer Shelton Drum said that, in discussing the matter earlier today, Wizard representatives told him that they were “locked in” to their Atlanta date, and could not move.

Developing...

cncoyle · 07-22-2005, 05:46 PM

"locked in"

Well, I was excited about WizardWorld Atlanta, but now I'm "locked out" of going.

Make Mine Heroes.*

*with apologies to Marvel

algertman · 07-22-2005, 05:48 PM

they spin that better than the white house could have

edit---also WizWorld Atl. was gonna be my first con, but if they are gonna hold it on the same dates as a smaller con in the same region I'm gonna pass and goto Heroes if I can figure out how to get there

Howard Roark · 07-22-2005, 05:49 PM

Same impact when thye come into town...

algertman · 07-22-2005, 06:02 PM

let them know how you feel

conventions@wizarduniverse.com

JasonLatour · 07-22-2005, 06:06 PM

I'm officially joining this boycott. I'm a native Charlottean and I speak from the heart and without rhetoric when I say that without Shelton Drum that comics would be dead in a large part of the SOutheast. Many of the guys I know today have been so positively influenced by Heroes Con that I really can't imagine the industry without it.

This is serious stuff folks,

I think this is the lowest of the low on the side of Wizard. There are plenty of viable dates for a show, which would recieve the full support of the comics pro community, but they instead chose to have a show the same weekend as Heroes Con. I just hope that we can rally enough pros and fans to successfully force Wizard World ATL's hand. Fortunately most every pro who has ever attended Heroes Con feels the same way as I do. To me this underscores one of the problems with the shrinking comics industry, big business trying to push out the small guy. When we should all be working together to promote comics, we instead stab one another in the back. Another con in the South would be great, but not at the expense of one of the best shows going.

-Jason Latour

funjoe · 07-22-2005, 06:12 PM

Now Wizard is making a bad situation worse. Rather than just come clean, apologize, and move the dates, they have to come back with a BS story that obviously doesn't hold up. And here I thought the immaturity in their magazine was just an act.

Jack Burton · 07-22-2005, 06:18 PM

Wow hope Wizard doesn't hurt itself back peddaling like this

DF831 · 07-22-2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by funjoe
And here I thought the immaturity in their magazine was just an act.

I'm not sure Wizard actually responded to this, yet.

I don't see a fart joke or a reference to Wonder Woman's large jugs. Until I see those elements — or something else that perpetuates ugly stereotypes about comic readers — than I cannot believe it came from Wizard.

punk_love · 07-22-2005, 06:24 PM

Well, hopefully a plan can be reached that will be good for the overall health of the industry and everyone involved.

Kel Nuttall · 07-22-2005, 06:27 PM

Even if this was "unofficial" and was "accidentally" leaked...it was leaked to gauge public opinion. Anyone who's been paying any attention KNOWS they've been inching toward an all-out attack on a show like this for a couple years.

ramberk · 07-22-2005, 06:28 PM

They really messed up. Even if they change the date now, will anyone go? If they don't change the date, will anyone go? Man, what were they thinking. This is totally ridiculous.

fistofkhonshu · 07-22-2005, 06:32 PM

Wizard sucks, lets hope Shelton gets a magazine published to inch them out of business. They can back pedal all they want now but the damage is done. The pros are turning away from the Wizard Con left and right. Jesus is even going to Heroes Con.

Rawle Austin · 07-22-2005, 06:42 PM

The comic book industry is still small regardless of the major talent we now have on tap.

Therefore, more of an effort should be made to work together to grow the industry and expand the market instead of cannibalising the few fans that are keeping the industry afloat.

Lets see more organisations and institutions united on this goal and we'll soon see a major, permanent influx of new readers and fans alike.

Just my thoughts.

Growler

Johnny Smith · 07-22-2005, 06:59 PM

I'm with Heroes on this one.

Even though I live in Atlanta, I'll drive to Charlotte if these shows are on the same weekend.

Heroes has been around for 20+ years, people!

EmeraldGuy32 · 07-22-2005, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady

Most recently, Wizard has said that the topic is a tempest in a teacup, as the dates are not official. In speaking to Comicon.com’s The Pulse earlier today, Wizard claimed that the date of June 30th – July 2nd was unofficial, and was told by a spokesperson: “It's all rumor and speculation at this point in time. There is no official statement regarding the dates."

Backstepping anyone?

OBERGEEK · 07-22-2005, 07:06 PM

There is a larger point here that I think you guys need to ponder. It doesnt matter if Wizard moves their show a week earlier or a week later or whatever. It still has the potential for hurting attendance of Heroes. Because, as I ahve said before. If you as a fan, or a creator only have the money and the time off to do one show in the southeast, and these 2 are so close, then you have to choose. This sucks ass! I AM FORMING A NEW GROUP: CREATORS AGAINST WIZARD!!!!

CAW!! CAW!! ( Our logo will be a crow, plucking the eye from a monstrous 'W")

OLD MAN HARRIS

Leviathan · 07-22-2005, 07:08 PM

im just going to go with whoever ends up with the most of my favorite creators (heroes con already has some great guests), although i wish i could attend both, being that i live close to both. this does kind of suck, but i cant really blame wizard for being competitive, they are a big corporation.

EmeraldGuy32 · 07-22-2005, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OBERGEEK
There is a larger point here that I think you guys need to ponder. It doesnt matter if Wizard moves their show a week earlier or a week later or whatever. It still has the potential for hurting attendance of Heroes. Because, as I ahve said before. If you as a fan, or a creator only have the money and the time off to do one show in the southeast, and these 2 are so close, then you have to choose. This sucks ass! I AM FORMING A NEW GROUP: CREATORS AGAINST WIZARD!!!!

CAW!! CAW!! ( Our logo will be a crow, plucking the eye from a monstrous 'W")

OLD MAN HARRIS

"W"s have eyes?

PS Ex Machina Rocks

OBERGEEK · 07-22-2005, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EmeraldGuy32
"W"s have eyes?

PS Ex Machina Rocks

Actually 'W's" are comprised of four 'I's".Tee Hee

OLD MAN HARRIS

jonjesper · 07-22-2005, 07:30 PM

Wizard will continue to do what it wants unless creators decide not to show. It is great that so many creators that normally do not attend Wizard shows will not attend this Atlanta show and continue with the Heroes con. Greg Rucka attends Wizard shows all the time and for me is the largest target in this stand against Wizard.
Bottom line, creators have made Wizard more often than Wizard making creators!
Would I have read and followed Tony Harris without Wizard? Ummm yeah, still do. Would I read Geoff Johns without Wizard, yeah again. You see, the internet is much bigger than when Wizard first started.
Remember when Newsarama was on the bottom right hand side of AnotherUniverse.com and it was in small type, updated once per week? Look at it now. Wizard can't compete with Newsarama. It is old news the minute you read it in print. Look at the leaks on the Atlanta show already, or Lee/Morrison on Wildcats ( a Wizard news story that broke due to their own fault)
My point is, Creators have more power due to the internet than ever before. Shows like Wizard need to understand that without the 'A' list talent, no one shows.

If you have never been to a Wizard con, just imagine that you are the teacher and the kids plan the day and are in charge. That is what it looks like when you enter the con, and the people in charge of seeing the creators. are generally 14 year olds who don't have a clue, but get a free t-shirt...

mrpunch0 · 07-22-2005, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OBERGEEK
This sucks ass! I AM FORMING A NEW GROUP: CREATORS AGAINST WIZARD!!!!

CAW!! CAW!! ( Our logo will be a crow, plucking the eye from a monstrous 'W")

OLD MAN HARRIS

I'll buy the t-shirt and wear it with pride.

Tom Daylight · 07-22-2005, 07:43 PM

Yet another big US convention? When are the big guys going to have any time allocated for international shows, eh? (time being money and all that, especially for freelancers.) How does the US need two dozen comic book conventions each year? One a year is enough for me...

I'd call this a Wizard boycott, but then I don't read it in the first place, or go to their shows...

daryldens · 07-22-2005, 07:47 PM

My Corporate BS Spidey Sense is tingling.

khuxford · 07-22-2005, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fistofkhonshu
Wizard sucks, lets hope Shelton gets a magazine published to inch them out of business. They can back pedal all they want now but the damage is done. The pros are turning away from the Wizard Con left and right. Jesus is even going to Heroes Con.

I'd love that...if someone came out with a comic mag that covered mainstream comics like this, I'd jump ship definitely.