Press Release: Wizard World Austin Comic Con To Include “Star Trek: TNG” Reunion and More

Programming At 2012 Wizard World Austin Comic Con To Include ‘Star Trek: TNG’ Reunion, Q&A’s With Patrick Stewart, Eliza Dushku, WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, Evening Parties

Dean Cain, ‘The Walking Dead’ Cast, Other Celebrities, Artist Sessions, Comics, Movies, TV Panels At Austin Convention Center, October 26-28

NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas, October 19, 2012 – Wizard World today announced its most robust Austin Comic Con programming schedule ever, with a variety of sessions with top celebrities, superstar artists, industry insiders, evening parties, costume contests and dedicated kids activities, Oct. 26-28, 2012, at the Austin Convention Center.  A once-in-a-generation special reunion of the cast of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” individual Q&A’s with Patrick Stewart, Eliza Dushku and WWE® Superstar CM Punk® are among the more than 15 celebrity panels among the nearly 50 scheduled during the three days.
The evening entertainment includes the popular “Wizard World Drink & Draw” on Friday, Oct. 26, and “Wizard World Masquerade Party” on Saturday night.

Some of the more interesting panels include:

· Interactive celebrity Q&A’s with Stewart, Dushku, Punk, Dean Cain and Lou Ferrigno.
· Eight cast members of “Star Trek: TNG,” on stage for the first time in the U.S., including Stewart (Captain Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker), LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Lieutenant Worf), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data) and Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher).  This is an additional, paid event.
· “The Walking Dead” stars Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker and Jon Bernthal discuss the popular AMC show.
· “Star Trek: TNG” breakout sessions featuring the ladies (Sirtis, McFadden) and a selection of the men (Frakes, Burton, Spiner, Dorn) from the series.
· Creator spotlights with industry giants Neal Adams, Mike McKone, Bernie Wrightson, Humberto Ramos and more.
· Comprehensive discussions of a wide range of topics from vampires to series cancellations to webseries and more.
· Costume contests for adults (Saturday) and Kids (Sunday) for an early start to Halloween.
· Kids Day on Sunday, with a full slate of activities specially designed for the youngsters.

Unless noted, programming events take place in the designated General Programming Rooms (Ballroom FG, Ballroom E, Room 12AB) on the fourth floor of the Austin Convention Center.  Many are included as part of standard Wizard World Austin Comic Con admission; VIP tickets or additional costs may apply to ensure access to select activities.  Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first come first serve basis and each room will be cleared between panels.  Programming subject to change; attendees should check the schedule board on site for updates.

A full list of Wizard World Austin programming is below; further details on each at http://www.wizardworld.com/programming-tx.html (subjects, guests, times and rooms subject to change):

Friday, Oct. 26
2:00 – 2:45pm Tanya Memme Q&A (Ballroom E)
3:00 – 3:45pm Creator Spotlight: Bernie Wrightson (Room 12AB)
3:00 – 3:45pm Craig Parker Q&A (Ballroom E)
3:00 – 3:45pm Star Trek: TNG Enterprise Bridge Restoration (Ballroom FG)
4:00 – 4:45pm Creator Spotlight: Mike McKone (Room AB)
4:00 – 4:45pm Paul McGillion Q&A (Ballroom E)
5:00 – 5:45pm Making Webcomics, With Scott Kurtz And Brad Guigar (Room AB)
5:00 – 5:45pm Sofia Milos Q&A (Ballroom E)
5:00 – 5:45pm DCU Online: Bringing The Comic Universe To Life (Ballroom FG)
6:00 – 6:45pm Cancelled! What Do You Mean, Cancelled? (Room AB)
6:00 – 6:45pm Voice Acting With Vic Mignogna (Ballroom E)
6:00 – 6:45pm The Women Of Star Trek: TNG W/ Marina Sirtis And Gates McFadden (Ballroom FG)
8:00 – 11:00pm Wizard World Drink & Draw (Hilton Austin/Salon J, 6th Floor)

Saturday, Oct. 27
11:00 – 11:45am Kosplay Kombat: DC Vs. Marvel (Room 12AB)
11:00 – 11:45am Dean Cain Q&A (Ballroom E)
11:00 – 11:45am First Comics: The Relaunch! (Ballroom FG)
12:00 – 12:45pm Creator Spotlight: Neal Adams (Room 12AB)
12:00 – 12:45pm Vampire Lore And Other Urban Myths And Legends w/Dr. Rebecca Housel (Ballroom E)
12:00 – 12:30pm Patrick Stewart Q&A (Ballroom FG)
1:00 – 1:45pm From Conception To Page (Room 12AB)
1:00 – 1:45pm Digital Painting (Ballroom E)
1:00 – 1:45pm The Boondock Saints Q&A (Ballroom FG)
2:00 – 2:45pm Creator Spotlight: Humberto Ramos (Room 12AB)
2:00 – 2:45pm Adult Star Wars Origami: Christopher Alexander (Ballroom E)
2:00 – 2:45pm Eliza Dushku Q&A (Ballroom FG)
3:00 – 3:45pm Storytelling With Michael Golden: Taking It To The Next Level (Room 12ab)
3:00 – 3:45pm Zenescope: Big Hitters And Bigger News (Ballroom E)
3:00 – 3:45pm Larry Nemecek’s Trekland: Between The Cracks…2012 Double-Whammy Edition! (Ballroom FG)
4:00 – 4:45pm Back To The Drawing Board Artist Q&A (Room 12AB)
4:00 – 4:45pm Webseries Creators Anonymous (Ballroom E)
5:00 – 5:45pm From Comics To Film (Room 12AB)
5:00 – 5:45pm Shadow Bringers: From Idea To Internet (Ballroom E)
5:30 – 7:00pm Star Trek: The Next Generation 25th Anniversary Reunion – Paid Event (Ballroom FG)
6:00 – 6:45pm Batman And Psychology (Room 12AB)
6:00 – 6:30pm WWE® Superstar CM Punk® Q&A (Ballroom E)
7:00pm – 9:00pm Wizard World Adult Costume Contest (Ballroom FG)
7:00pm – 9:00pm Wizard World Masquerade Party (Maggie Mae’s @ 323 East 6th St.)

Sunday, Oct. 28
11:00 – 11:45am Hound Kids Presents Border-Pups: Crashbat And Super Space Sheriffs Book Reading (Ballroom E)
11:00 – 11:30am My Life As The Hulk w/Lou Ferrigno (Ballroom FG)
12:00 – 12:45pm Drawing Cartoon Characters (Ballroom E)
12:00 – 12:45pm The Walking Dead Q&A w/Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker And Jon Bernthal (Ballroom FG)
1:00 – 1:45pm Hey, Kids Comics! Ape Entertainment Talks About Comics For Kids Of All Ages! (Ballroom E)
1:00 – 1:45pm How To Get Into The Game Industry (Ballroom FG)
2:00 – 2:45pm Wizard World Kids Costume Contest (Ballroom E)
2:00 – 2:45pm Jonathan Frakes, Levar Burton, Brent Spiner & Michael Dorn (Ballroom FG)
3:00 – 3:45pm Kids Star Wars Origami: Christopher Alexander (Ballroom E)
3:00 – 3:45pm Star Trek: State Of The Franchise (Ballroom FG)

*Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first served basis. each room will be cleared before panels.

Wizard World Austin Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, October 28, is “Kids Day,” with an array of programming specially designed for children.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Austin Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-tx.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2012-13 DATES *****
October 26-28, 2012 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
November 30 – December 2, 2012 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
February 22-24, 2013 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
May 30 – June 2, 2013 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 8-11, 2013 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 20-22, 2013 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con