What gives with the Philly Wizard World guests???

[duce22]

Just about a month out, quite underwhelming - virtually no MCU presence whatsoever.

[rittdk01]

The kid from Rookie of the Year is gonna be there, what more can you ask for?

[classicaaron]

and the sherminator, show is loaded

[Rip67vdub]

Originally Posted by rittdk01

The kid from Rookie of the Year is gonna be there, what more can you ask for?

[Stat Monsters]

The "Wizard World" national brand of conventions has been horrible for about the last 10-15 years when it started focusing on the "Celebrity" guests of B-Listers as their headliners and a bunch of C-Listers and failed actors, wrestlers, models, bit role players in Sci-Fi movies, etc.

It's a pretty horrible pop culture con (don't even mention the word "Comic" in what they do because there is little comic book interest, and it's comedic that this convention is a true "Con" meaning it's pretty expensive and disappointing to attend.

It once was a good organization back in the Early Y2k years but decided to add diversity to the comic books and then went downhill fast.

[Spider-Fan]

Originally Posted by Stat Monsters

The "Wizard World" national brand of conventions has been horrible for about the last 10-15 years when it started focusing on the "Celebrity" guests of B-Listers as their headliners and a bunch of C-Listers and failed actors, wrestlers, models, bit role players in Sci-Fi movies, etc.

It's a pretty horrible pop culture con (don't even mention the word "Comic" in what they do because there is little comic book interest, and it's comedic that this convention is a true "Con" meaning it's pretty expensive and disappointing to attend.

It once was a good organization back in the Early Y2k years but decided to add diversity to the comic books and then went downhill fast.

The last 2-5 years they've had some pretty a-list celebrities? Most of the big names from MCU have appeared at multiple shows during that time period. So im not exactly sure where this b and c list celebrities for the last 15 years is coming from...

That said, if you arent paying to stand in line for autographs and photo ops, you are pretty much wasting your money. Ive never understood why these shows are so expensive for entry.

[Speed Racer]

Wizard Cons were all the rage many years ago, but now as others have pointed out has changed. They now basically focus on getting people to meet C and D list actors. Sometimes they have a few bigger name ones, but when it comes to comic guests maybe you will see one or two fairly big names or recognizable names and the rest of the comic creators listed as guests you will say to yourself "Who?"

Ace Comic Con which is operated by the two Shamus brothers, who were doing the Wizard World shows in the past, are trying to make it sound like their shows are unlike any other show out there. They are wrong, they are pretty much Wizard World shows under a different name, with bigger name celebrities charging an arm and a leg for signatures and photos, and then generally a comic creator list that Ace claims is the top names in the industry. Um, no. There are generally a few big names, but the rest of their "comic guests" are people who work on books most people don't buy or have heard of. I am sorry but tattoo artists and cosplayers don't qualify as comic guests in my opinion.

[Stat Monsters]

Originally Posted by Speed Racer

I am sorry but cosplayers don't quality as comic guests in my opinion.

I 100% agree with you. It's in the same vein as "You Tube Celebrity" or "Social Media Influencer" or "Reality TV Star"... that's who and what the cosplayers who appear as guests or vendors that monetize their appearance (charging to take photos of them, photos with them or autographed swag) strive to be. Many (not all) of them are exotic dancer types who feed into the geek and nerd fantasies by dressing up to exploit the comic book hobby and seduce the socially awkward fan boys. The attendees who just come dressed up as if it were Halloween for fun are exempt from the previous statement of course, unless they feel they're paying their dues to become gold diggers in training.

[LC2nine10]

Originally Posted by Stat Monsters

I 100% agree with you. It's in the same vein as "You Tube Celebrity" or "Social Media Influencer" or "Reality TV Star"... that's who and what the cosplayers who appear as guests or vendors that monetize their appearance (charging to take photos of them, photos with them or autographed swag) strive to be. Many (not all) of them are exotic dancer types who feed into the geek and nerd fantasies by dressing up to exploit the comic book hobby and seduce the socially awkward fan boys. The attendees who just come dressed up as if it were Halloween for fun are exempt from the previous statement of course, unless they feel they're paying their dues to become gold diggers in training.

Someone sounds bitter, and possibly a lil'mysogonistic.

Good thing that isnt an issue in the nerd world, amiright?

[gatordeve86]

We are going just for fun.. it's been forever since we went to one so the kids want to go all out and dress up.. we don't care for the guests except my wife has a thing for Morena Baccarin so I doubt we are gonna do any of the autos or pics.. Was hoping there would be someone from MMPR there I would totally pay for that ish

[Rictor]

I attended Wizard World Chicago several years back, and it was nothing like they heydey of their late 90's shows. None of the comic book companies bother to show up. Very few comic book dealers show up anymore.

I hear C2E2 in Chicago is a better show, more in line with what Wizard World used to be.

I wish someone would do a large celebrity-free comic book show again, where the only celebrities are comic book artists and writers. I miss spending hours digging through back issue bins and watching panels about actual comic books.

[Morgoth]

I believe there has been a movement to get back to the Comic only type shows around the country with no signers and no cosplay.

[Spider-Fan]

NYCC is much more comic forward than pretty much any other big show I've been to. All that other stuff is there, but comic culture is front and center in my opinion. That's why I dont get the admission price for a show like Wizard World. I could not spend any money at NYCC and have a full day of fun and leave with a bag full of free stuff. If you dont spend money at wizard world, you're in and out in an hour. There is little to do besides stand on line to pay for an autograph or photo op

[classicaaron]

in the late 90's and early 00's wizard world philly was awesome. tons and tons of dealers. every booth was either a toy or comic booth with maybe one or two smaller celebrities. now its just booths of soda, popcorn, gutter guards, insurance, etc with one or two comic booths. why anyone pays $50 for a day to look at gourmet chocolate covered crap at a comic show is beyond me. I had free passes last year and still didn't go as it wasn't even worth the price of parking. id much rather go to the smaller local shows where entry is under $5 but have 10 times the amount of comics.

[duce22]

Looks like this is it, two weeks out and a pretty pathetic list compared to the last few years. Oh well, more cash for bronze back issues

[Spider-Fan]

Originally Posted by duce22

Looks like this is it, two weeks out and a pretty pathetic list compared to the last few years. Oh well, more cash for bronze back issues

I assume you will be buying those elsewhere

[gatordeve86]

Guests suck but we had fun as a family dressing up and walking around... we won Best Group in the cosplay contest today

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by gatordeve86

Guests suck but we had fun as a family dressing up and walking around... we won Best Group in the cosplay contest today

We want pics!

[IndySportsCards]

Originally Posted by gatordeve86

Guests suck but we had fun as a family dressing up and walking around... we won Best Group in the cosplay contest today

Yes, photos or it never happened!

[duce22]

Well got a lot of decent deals, getting in for free was nice - but this was the only celeb photo op that we got -

[gatordeve86]

ok you guys asked so here it is..
my Bob was the weak point of the group.. the wig sucked and didnt want to stay put and all the fake staches i could find made me look like Hitler but the rest of the family was on point.. apparently judges thought so because there were over 100 entries

[rittdk01]

That’s awesome! Looks like you guys had a great time

[gatordeve86]

Our prize pack... also came with raspberry pi and accessories for it

[Spider-Fan]

Originally Posted by gatordeve86

ok you guys asked so here it is..
my Bob was the weak point of the group.. the wig sucked and didnt want to stay put and all the fake staches i could find made me look like Hitler but the rest of the family was on point.. apparently judges thought so because there were over 100 entries

Outstanding!

[oldgoldy97]

That’s awesome!