Shatner, Lee Meet-and-Greets, Marsters Q&A, Parties Highlight New Orleans Comic Con Programming

Online, January 3, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Rare meet-and-greets and Q&A sessions with legends William Shatner and Stan Lee, panels with movie and TV stars James Marsters, Mary McDonnell and Adam Baldwin, and several themed parties headline a broad, diverse schedule of special programming at the 2012 Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, January 28-29 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Unique Jedi lightsaber classes, sessions with stars of classic favorites, a screening of the new film THE VICTIM and artist schools to costume contests are some of the activities that reflect the wide variety of interests shared by Comic Con attendees.

Some of the top sessions include:
-- Once-in-a-lifetime, extremely limited meet-and-greet opportunities with pop culture legends Shatner and Lee, including photo ops and special gifts
-- Q&A panels with Marsters ("Buffy The Vampire Slayer," "Angel"), McDonnell ("Battlestar Galactica"), Baldwin (FULL METAL JACKET, SERENITY), and Lou Ferrigno ("The Incredible Hulk")
-- Cult classic BOONDOCK SAINTS reunion featuring the personable duo of Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery
-- Young stars Chandler Riggs and Madison Lintz of the hit AMC series "The Walking Dead"
-- Informative, interactive sessions with superstar artists including John Layman, Rob Guillory, Tyler Kirkham, Carlos Pacheco, Vic Mignogna and others
-- Jedi Lightsaber classes, in which fans can learn the same techniques used in STAR WARS films, taught by sword master Nick Gillard, who choreographed the fight scenes for three of the blockbuster films
-- Screening of the new feature film THE VICTIM, with director/producers Michael Biehn and Jennifer Blanc
-- Party time... including the Official Kick Off Party on Friday night, Saturday After-Party and popular Masquerade Ball
-- Wizard World New Orleans Drink And Draw, hosted by artist Tommy Castillo, during which some will drink...some will draw...and the best will take on the challenge of doing both
-- The popular adult costume contest and fun kids costume contest with great prizes

Unless noted, New Orleans Comic Con programming will take place in the designated panel rooms at the Morial Convention Center, and is included with admission to the event. Notable events requiring additional ticket purchase include the Shatner and Lee meet-and-greets and lightsaber classes. Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first come first serve basis and each room will be cleared between panels.

The full schedule is at http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/programming-neworleans.html and below:

Friday 01/27

6:00PM - 7:00PM
Stan Lee Meet And Greet
Don't miss your chance to meet comic book legend Stan Lee! Light food and refreshments will be served, and you will also have the opportunity to take one photo with Stan Lee on your own camera. Spots are very limited and this event will be closed once we reach capacity, so get your tickets now before it's too late. You must present a Stan Lee Meet and Greet ticket to gain entry to this event. (ROOM D)

8:00PM - 12:00AM
Wizard World Weekend Extraganza Part I- Kick-Off Party
Kick off the con the right way at new bar and restaurant The District! Don't miss your chance to mix and mingle with fellow con-goers from near and far, and meet some of our special guests of honor for part one of the Wizard World Weekend Extravaganza! Enjoy $2 Millers, $3 Coors Lights and $4 well drinks and wines from 8-10pm, or choose anything from Wizard World's special super-hero themed menu for great discounts all night! (The District - 711 Tchoupitoulas Street)

Saturday 01/28

11:00 - 11:45AM
Chew With John Layman And Rob Guillory
Comic minds John Layman and Rob Guillory reunite for their very first panel together in New Orleans, and sit down to spill on the breakout success of their creative (and sometimes bizarre) comic series Chew. (ROOM A)

Comic Con Costuming With The 501st
The 501st costuming group shares their tips, skills and ideas on how to build and improve your comic con costumes. Whether you're a Jedi, Rebel Pilot, Trooper or Princess, they will share their knowledge on how to make sure your costume is the best. (ROOM B)

12:00 - 12:45PM
Sci-Fi Jeopardy
Test your knowledge of all things sci-fi in this high energy and fast paced version of Jeopardy. Compete for total bragging rights and show everyone who the real geek of the galaxy is! Did somebody say Daily Double? (ROOM A)

Making It In Comics With Norm Breyfogle, Bernie Wrightson And Barry Kitson
Norm Breyfogle (Batman; Superman), Barry Kitson (Uncanny X-Force; Spider-Man) and Bernie Wrightson (Batman; House of Mystery) share what it takes to make it in comics. (ROOM B)

12:00 - 1:30PM
Jedi Lightsaber Master Class
Learn lightsaber fighting from Star Wars stunt coordinator and sword master Nick Gillard, who choreographed the fight scenes for Star Wars I, II and III! In this 90-minute master class, Nick (assisted by CC Weske) will teach a complicated run from Revenge Of The Sith, which will cover all of the moves and the rules involved in Jedi fighting. Must purchase a separate ticket for this class. (ROOM C)

1:00 - 1:45PM
Steampunk 101
Join the Steam Engine Intrepid as they give you a tour of the exciting world of prop weapons and Steampunk fashion! They will share the tricks and short cuts to building your own Steampunk armory and wardrobe, including step-by-step instruction on everything from corset construction and bustling, to distressing your weapons. (ROOM B)

1:15 - 2:45PM
William Shatner Q&A And Interlude
Get your seats for the panel early and listen to a musical interlude by band Five Year Mission, as they open up with up a special Star Trek medley.

With a career spanning over five decades, and an extensive resume that includes starring roles in shows such as "Star Trek" and "Boston Legal," or as the funny and familiar face of Priceline, Emmy-award winner Shatner takes the stage to dish on the roles that have made him a household name and one of the most renowned men in television history. (ROOM A)

2:00 - 3:00PM
Vampire Lore And Other Urban Myths And Legends
Lord Chaz and the Vampire Street Theater will take you on a spooky and mystifying tour of New Orleans' macabre history through tales of vampires, ghosts and other things that go bump in the night. This one's for brave souls only, as these are tales that are sure to chill you to the bone. (ROOM B)

2:00 - 3:30PM
Jedi Lightsaber Master Class
Learn lightsaber fighting from Star Wars stunt coordinator and sword master Nick Gillard, who choreographed the fight scenes for Star Wars I, II and III! In this 90-minute master class, Nick (assisted by CC Weske) will teach a complicated run from Revenge Of The Sith, which will cover all of the moves and the rules involved in Jedi fighting. Must purchase a separate ticket for this class. (ROOM C)

2:00PM - 3:00PM
Stan Lee Meet And Greet
Don't miss your chance to meet comic book legend Stan Lee! Light food and refreshments will be served, and you will also have the opportunity to take one photo with Stan Lee on your own camera. Spots are very limited and this event will be closed once we reach capacity, so get your tickets now before it's too late. You must present a Stan Lee Meet and Greet ticket to gain entry to this event. (ROOM D)

3:00 - 3:45PM
Mary McDonnell Q&A
Having starred in one of the most popular and longest running sci-fi shows ever on television, Mary McDonnell dishes on her extensive career, what went on behind-the-scenes of "Battlestar Galactica," and gives her thoughts on the new generation of sci-fi and fantasy on television. Then stick around for a Wizard World exclusive preview of Daniel Radcliffe's upcoming film The Woman in Black! (ROOM A)

Storytelling With Michael Golden: Taking It To The Next Level
Join groundbreaking storyteller Michael Golden, known for his work on Dr. Strange, The 'Nam, G. I. Joe, and Batman, as he shares his fundamental rules for how to craft your story and take it to a professional level, whether it's for animation, film or comic books. (ROOM B)

4:00 - 4:45PM
Boondock Saints Reunite
Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery - the pair known as Murphy and Connor MacManus in The Boondock Saints I and II - re-team with "The Funny Man" Rocco (David Della Rocco) for a special Q&A session. (ROOM A)

5:00 - 6:00PM
Vic Mignogna Concert
Experience the creative works of anime's own rockstar Vic Mignogna, in a memorable concert featuring music from his voice acting career, as well as original works composed and produced by Vic himself. You must purchase a separate ticket for this event. (ROOM A)

The Incredible Lou Ferrigno Q&A
Lou Ferrigno became a household name after starring in the original "Incredible Hulk," but decades later the former Mr. Universe discusses how continues to build his empire through his health and fitness brands, and how he's managed to make it a family affair. (ROOM B)

5:00 - 6:00PM
William Shatner Meet And Greet
Come meet superstar William Shatner, and receive an autographed copy of his "Timeless" lithograph. Light food and refreshments will be served, and you will also have the opportunity to take one photo with William Shatner on your own camera. Spots are very limited and this event will be closed once we reach capacity, so get your tickets now before it's too late. You must present a Timeless Meet and Greet ticket to gain entry to this event. (ROOM D)

6:00 - 7:00PM
Dragon Song Forge Presents: Selecting A Katana
A how-to guide for selecting a katana, caring for your blade and choosing a school, including a live cutting demonstration. (ROOM B)

6:00 - 8:00PM
Adult Costume Contest
Get your best costume together and come on down to Wizard World's New Orleans Comic Con costume contest for fun prizes and some of the craziest outfits you'll see this weekend! Then stick around for a Wizard World exclusive preview of Daniel Radcliffe's upcoming film The Woman in Black! (ROOM A)

8:00 - 10:00PM
Special Screening Of THE VICTIM - Hosted By Michael Biehn And Jennifer Blanc
Husband and wife team Michael Biehn (The Terminator) and Jennifer Blanc ("Dark Angel") directed and produced the new psychological thriller The Victim, which will make you question your own trust in mankind. Join them in this exclusive screening, including live commentary and behind-the-scenes scoop from the film's stars. (ROOM B)

8:00PM - 12:00AM
Wizard World Weekend Extravaganza Part Ii - After Party
The party continues as we take over the Hampton Inn Riverside rooms for a night of fun with three simultaneous events, all under the same roof! So whether you want to dance, drink or draw, we've got you covered. There will be lots of surprises in store for the night and you never know just who will pop in, so make sure you get there early. Free admission with your Wizard World Comic Con wristband.

8:00-10:00pm
Live Art Show
We're pulling back the curtain and transporting you directly into the art studio with some of our top artists. Watch them battle it out against the clock and each other in this music-infused live art demo, hosted by Kody Chamberlain. (Riverside Room 2)

8:00-10:00PM
Drink And Draw
Some will drink...some will draw...and the best will take on the challenge of doing both! Don't miss your chance to hang out with some of your favorite artists at the official Wizard World Drink and Draw, hosted by Tommy Castillo! (Riverside Room 3)

9:00PM-12:00AM
Masquerade Ball
All dressed up with nowhere to go? Come hit the dance floor and show us what you've got at the New Orleans Comic Con Masquerade Ball. It's the perfect chance to mingle and show off your costumes, or visit the karaoke booth and sing along to one of over 40,000 songs. Costumes preferred but not required. (Riverside Room 1)

The Intergalactic Nemesis Live-Action Graphic Novel Show
The stage version of The Intergalactic Nemesis projects more than 1,250 images into comic book artwork panel-by-panel with voices from actors Jason Neulander, Amy Hackerd and David Higgins. The live performance also features Foley artist Buzz Moran to orchestrate sound effects and keyboardist Graham Reynolds to play the score. *A separate ticket must be purchased for this event. Attendees must be 21+ (Harrah's Casino - 228 Poydras St.)

Sunday 01/29

11:00 - 11:45AM
James Marsters Q&A
Best known for his role as Spike, the platinum blonde vampire on hit shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel," James Marsters answers questions about everything from his evolution from acting to music and back, and the projects he plans to conquer in the next few years. Then stick around for a Wizard World exclusive preview of Daniel Radcliff's upcoming film The Woman in Black! (ROOM A)

Breaking Into Comics With Thomas Yeates, Tyler Kirkham And Arvell Jones
Fan favorites Thomas Yeates (The Outlaw Prince; Conan), Tyler Kirkham (Green Lantern Corps; Amazing Spider-Man) and Arvell Jones (Captain America; All-Star Squadron ) team up to give out their tips on refining your art, pitching to publishers, and other sound advice for working in comics. (ROOM B)

12:00 - 12:45PM
Walking Dead Q&A
Based on Robert Kirkman's ultra-hot zombie graphic novel series, "The Walking Dead" has come to life in one of the top-rated shows on cable! Join the cast members for a Q&A, followed by behind-the-scenes footage and extended clips from the show. Then stick around for a Wizard World exclusive preview of Daniel Radcliff's upcoming film The Woman in Black! (ROOM A)

Making It In Comics With Carlos Pacheco, Jesus Merino And George Perez
Superstar artists Carlos Pacheco, Jesus Merino and George Perez reveal the startling and sometimes silly secrets of drawing comics, dealing with editors and breaking into the business. This is a rare USA appearance for all three artists, so don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from these international comic masters! (ROOM B)

12:00 - 1:30PM
Jedi Lightsaber Master Class
Learn lightsaber fighting from Star Wars stunt coordinator and sword master Nick Gillard, who choreographed the fight scenes for Star Wars I, II and III! In this 90-minute master class, Nick (assisted by CC Weske) will teach a complicated run from Revenge Of The Sith, which will cover all of the moves and the rules involved in Jedi fighting. Must purchase a separate ticket for this class. (ROOM C)

1:00 - 1:45PM
Vic Mignogna Q&A
Meet the man that has taken the anime world by storm as the voice behind dozens of your favorite anime characters in shows such as "Full Metal Alchemist," "Dragon Ball Z" and "Reservoir Chronicle: Tsubasa." (ROOM A)

KIDS PROGRAMMING TBD
(ROOM B)

2:00 - 2:45PM
Adam Baldwin Q&A
With roles on sci-fi classics such as Serenity, "Firefly," "The X-Files" and "Angel," Adam Baldwin's extensive resume speaks for itself. Don't miss his Wizard World New Orleans debut, where he will sit down to answer fan questions and share his favorite moments from the shows we've all come to love. (ROOM A)

Kid's Costume Contest
Bring kids 10 and under for this special event with fun prizes just for families and the youngsters. (ROOM B)

2:00 - 3:00PM
Stan Lee Meet And Greet
Don't miss your chance to meet comic book legend Stan Lee! Light food and refreshments will be served, and you will also have the opportunity to take one photo with Stan Lee on your own camera. Spots are very limited and this event will be closed once we reach capacity, so get your tickets now before it's too late. You must present a Stan Lee Meet and Greet ticket to gain entry to this event. (ROOM D)

2:00 - 3:30PM
Jedi Lightsaber Master Class
Learn lightsaber fighting from Star Wars stunt coordinator and sword master Nick Gillard, who choreographed the fight scenes for Star Wars I, II and III! In this 90-minute master class, Nick (assisted by CC Weske) will teach a complicated run from Revenge Of The Sith, which will cover all of the moves and the rules involved in Jedi fighting. Must purchase a separate ticket for this class. (ROOM C)

3:00 - 3:45PM
Wizard Spotlight: Stan Lee
Legendary writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher and Eisner Award-winning hall-of-famer, Stan Lee is responsible for many of the iconic characters that we have all come to love. Stan Lee will make his Wizard World debut to discuss bringing characters such as Spider-Man, Captain America and The Avengers to the big screen, and how he's cemented his place in pop-culture history for decades to come. (ROOM A)

4:00 - 5:30PM
Kid's Mosaic Building Workshop
Galeria Alegria is known for their breathtaking mosaic pieces, with proceeds from many of the pieces going to local charities in the city of New Orleans. Children 8 years and older are invited to join Stephan Wanger in this interactive session to create mosaic masterpieces of their own. Limited to the first 25 children. Please register at the Guest Registration booth. (ROOM B)

New Orleans Comic Con is the first stop on Wizard World's 2012 North American tour. Hours are Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, January 29, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/neworleans.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $30 ($40 on site); weekend all-session tickets are $45 ($55 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.

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