Wizard World has just launched a new initiative to honor the legacies of the artists, writers, and insiders who have built and continue to build the industry: Wizard World Hall of Legends. The first recipient of the Wizard World Hall of Legends award is Rob Liefeld, creator of Deadpool, Cable, X-Force, and Youngblood franchises. The inaugural award will be presented to Liefeld in a ceremony at Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia, on June 2, 2017 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
“I’m honored to be inducted into the Wizard World Hall of Legends and have my 30 years of contributions to the industry recognized. I have tremendous love and affection for this art form, its community and the business of creating and selling comic books and graphic novels. It was a passion of mine long before it was my vocation,” said Liefeld.
“Comics is where Wizard World began, and the community continues to be a vital part of all facets of our company. We have worked diligently to make Artist Alley at our shows even more engaging for attendees, and we encourage fans to let us know what else they’d like to see as we continue to improve the experience for the many fans who love comics as much as we do. Rob Liefeld is a perfect first Wizard World Hall of Legends recipient: a top creator whose work has gained worldwide acclaim in various media forms, all the way to the big screen,” added John D. Maatta, Wizard World President and CEO.
Liefeld’s X-Force #1 sold five million copies in the United States alone. Following this success, Liefeld teamed with his peers to launch the independent comic book label, Image Comics. Youngblood, created and illustrated by Liefeld, shattered sales for an independent comic book after selling one million copies. Liefeld later created Extreme Studios and went on to publish Brigade, Bloodstrike, Supreme, Glory, Prophet, and Avengelyne. Liefeld creations, such as Cable and Deadpool, continue to expand into multi-media platforms including cartoons, video games and motion pictures.
The Wizard World Hall of Legends initiative is one in a series of enhancements that Wizard World is making. Artist Alley in Philadelphia will feature Joe Rubinstein (Wolverine), Arthur Suydam (Marvel Zombies), Steve Geiger (Punisher), J.G. Jones (Y the Last Man), Keith Giffen (Omega Men, Lobo), Tony Kordos (Cyborg), Stuart Sayger (The Walking Dead), Simon Fraser (2000 A.D.), Amy Chu (Kiss), Phil Ortiz ( Simpsons), Sam Ellis (Archer), Tom Cook (He-Man), and many others.
Wizard World will also include a creative stage, demonstrations, interactive Q&As, informative discussions, art raffles and auctions, learn-to-draw instruction, gaming, live entertainment, comics, original art, collectibles, cosplay contests, and more.
The con is running Thursday 4 PM to 9 PM, Friday, 10 AM to 7 PM, Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM
For more on Wizard World Philadelphia, visit http://wizd.me/PhiladelphiaPR.