Panettieri, Van Dam, Russell Among Headliners At Wizard World Los Angeles Comic Con, Sept. 24-25

Online, July 22, 2011 (Newswire.com) - North America's largest pop-culture tour continues as Wizard World Los Angeles Comic Con comes the Los Angeles Convention Center, September 24-25, with standout guests Hayden Panettiere, Rob Van Dam, Betsy Russell, Walter Koenig, Jeremy Bulloch and Doug Jones headlining the list of celebrity attendees, and guest of honor Mike Deodato Jr. leading a blowout list of superstar artists scheduled to attend. The event will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals 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.

"We are excited to be back in Los Angeles, bringing so many superstar comics artists and celebrities," said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO. "We're particularly excited about the wide collection of voice actors at Los Angeles Comic Con who have played some of the most memorable characters in the biggest blockbuster animated movies and popular television shows in history."

Van Dam (WWE, IMPACT Wrestling), Russell (SAW, PRIVATE SCHOOL) and Bulloch (STAR WARS: EPISODE V, VI, III, "Doctors") will be on site both days, while Panettiere ("Heroes," BRING IT ON), Koenig ("Star Trek," "Babylon 5") and Jones (FANTASTIC FOUR, HELLBOY) are scheduled to appear on Saturday.

In addition to Deodato ("The Amazing Spider-Man," "Captain America"), among the standout comics creators attending are Rodolfo Migliari ("Green Arrow," "Green Lantern"), "Jock" ("Detective Comics," "Batman"), Billy Tan ("Uncanny X-Men," "X-23"), Gabriel Bá ("The Umbrella Academy," "Casanova"), Fabio Moon ("Daytripper," "Casanova"), Humberto Ramos ("Amazing Spider-Man," "The Spectacular Spider-Man"), Michael Golden ("Spider-Man," "Hulk"), Yanick Paquette ("Batman," "Superman"), Judd Winick ("Batman and Robin," "Power Girl"), Rob Liefeld ("Deadpool," "Youngblood"), Whilce Portacio ("Artifacts," "Uncanny X-Men"), Joe Jusko ("Spider-Man," "Conan"), Bill Sienkiewicz ("Elektra," "Assasin"), Greg Horn ("Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark," "Hero For Hire"), Bernie Wrightson ("Swamp Thing," "Batrman"), Mike Grell ("Green Arrow," "Green Lantern"), Christos Gage ("X-Men," "Spider-Man") and David Mack ("Kabuki," "Daredevil").

Other popular celebrity guests scheduled to be on hand at the event include Michael Uslan (Producer, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES), Vanessa Angel ("Stargate SG-1," "Weird Science"), Tony Curran ("Doctor Who," "24"), Erika Eleniak ("Baywatch," ET), Greg Ellis (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, TITANIC), Clare Kramer ("Buffy: The Vampire Slayer"), Michael Krawic ("Star Trek: Enterprise," "Star Trek: Voyager"), Cindy Morgan (TRON, CADDYSHACK), Brittney Powell ("General Hospital", AIRBORNE) and Keisha Tillis ("The Walking Dead").

Los Angeles Comic Con also boasts an impressive collection of voice actors of hugely popular characters from numerous movies and television programs. Fans can meet Tony Anselmo ("Mickey Mouse Clubhouse [Donald Duck]," WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, FANTASIA/2000), Jim Cummings (WINNIE THE POOH [Pooh, Tigger], THE LION KING, SHREK), Chris Edgerly (X-MEN, "The Simpsons"), Siobhan Flynn ("Marvel vs. Capcom 3," "Yoga Wii"), Kyle Hebert ("Marvel vs. Capcom 3," "The Avengers"), Neil Kaplan ("Optimus Prime," "Star Craft III"), Phil LaMarr ("Futurama," "Family Guy"), Katie Leigh (DESPICABLE ME, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS), Jason Marsden (SPIRITED AWAY, A GOOFY MOVIE), Vanessa Marshall (CAPTAIN AMERICA, THE AVENGERS), Alan Oppenheimer (HE-MAN [Skeletor], SHE-RA), Mark Ryan (TRANSFORMERS, DARK OF THE MOON), Rodney Saulsberry ("The Invincible Iron Man," "Spider-Man"), Susan Silo (LILO & STITCH, ONE UPON A FOREST), Rosearik Rikki Simons ("Invader ZIM," "NieA under 7"), Don Stark "Spider-Man"), Tasia Valenza ("Star Wars: The Clone Wars," "Batman"), Jim Ward (WALL-E, TOY STORY 3), Rick D. Wasserman (PLANET HULK, "The Avengers") and Wally Wingert ("The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Garfield Show").

Children and adult attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite villain, superhero or pop culture personality for the chance to win special prizes in costume contests. Event-goers may also try their hand interactive product exhibits and shop for collectible comics, movie and television memorabilia, toys and games at a wide variety of dealer booths.

And Sunday, September 25, is Kids Day at Los Angeles Comic Con, with face painting, balloons, a "passport" treasure hunt and other activities designed especially for kids! Other special events include card gaming tournaments, professional photo opportunities (Photo Ops) and more.

Los Angeles Comic Con is the eighth stop on Wizard World's 2011 North American tour. Hours are Saturday, September 24, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, September 25, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/losangeles.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); two-day all-session tickets are $40 ($50 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available on a limited basis.

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. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.