Nathan Fillion, Stan Lee, Summer Glau, WWE® Superstars John Cena® And Daniel Bryan® Among Celebrity Guests At Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2

Pop Culture Festival At Pa. Convention Center Also To Feature 'The Walking Dead' Stars Michael Rooker and Norman Reedus, William Shatner, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Superstar Comics Creators

NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA – “Castle” Star Nathan Fillion, fellow “Serenity” and Firefly headliner Summer Glau, Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee and WWE® Superstars John Cena® and Daniel Bryan® are at the top of a standout roster of celebrity guests scheduled to appear at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  It is the third in the 2013 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

Fillion and Lee will appear on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2; Cena is scheduled for Thursday, May 30; and Bryan will be on site on Saturday, June 1 only.  Other standout celebrities attending include William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”), “The Walking Dead” duo of Michael Rooker and Norman Reedus, Adam Baldwin (“Serenity,” Firefly), Jewel Staite (“Serenity,” Firefly), Manu Bennett (“Arrow,” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) and many others.

Additionally, all full price attendees will receive a free copy of the Exclusive Variant Cover of The Walking Dead #1 comic, available only at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.

Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend include Bryan Hitch (“America's Got Powers,” “Wolverine”), Salvador Larroca (“Avengers vs. X-Men,” “Captain America”), Leinil Yu (“Hulk,” “Fantastic Four”), Howard Chaykin (“New Avengers,” “Iron Man”) and Barry Kitson (“Thor,” “Spider-Man”).

Also featured in the autograph area are the “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” trio of James Marsters, Charisma Carpenter and Juliet Landau, the “Charmed” threesome of Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Brian Krause, “The Fonz” Henry Winkler, “Brat Packer” Andrew McCarthy and “NCIS” star Lauren Holly, among dozens of popular celebrities.

Wizard World Comic Con events 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.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon – 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.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.

Nathan Fillion Of 'Serenity,' 'Firefly,' 'Castle,' To Attend Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, June 1-2

Joins Stan Lee, Summer Glau, William Shatner, WWE® Superstars John Cena® And Daniel Bryan® At Pennsylvania Convention Center

NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA,  – Nathan Fillion, star of the hit ABC-TV series “Castle” and well-known to fans for his iconic roles in the series “Firefly” and film Serenity, will make his first Wizard World appearance at Philadelphia Comic Con on Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, native portrayed “Captain Malcolm Reynolds” in “Firefly” and its continuation Serenity, vaulting him into the spotlight.  After a few other well-received appearances, the Emmy Award nominee landed the title role in the hugely popular “Castle,” as the quirky writer “Richard Castle,” who helps New York detective “Kate Beckett” (Stana Katic) solve crimes.  Fillion will also appear in the feature film Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, due out this summer.

Fillion will meet Wizard World fans, pose for photo ops, sign autographs and conduct an interactive Q&A at Philadelphia Comic Con.  He will join comics legend Stan Lee, Summer Glau (Serenity, “Firefly”), William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”), WWE® Superstars John Cena® and Daniel Bryan®, “The Walking Dead” duo of Michael Rooker and Norman Reedus, and Manu Bennett (“Arrow,” The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, “Spartacus: Vengeance”) as headliners scheduled at the event, held May 30 – June 2.

Fans will also be able to purchase “Nathan Fillion VIP” tickets, for the full experience including photos, autographs and reserved seating at the Fillion programming panel, sure to be an extremely popular event.

Wizard World Comic Con events 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.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon - 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.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 2013-14 DATES *****
March 22-24 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 30 - June 2 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
June 28-30 – Wizard World New York City Experience
August 8-11 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
January 24-26, 2014 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con

FRANK BEDDOR AND NATHAN FILLION TEAM FOR CHARITY BOOK GIVEAWAY

Representatives for author Frank Beddor announced that he will be partnering with actor Nathan Fillion's charity Kids Need to Read for a new initiative. For every book sold by author Beddor at the upcoming Phoenix Comicon (May 23-26), or ordered through his new Kickstarter campaign (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/149372651/hatter-m-zen-of-wonder), he will be donating one to the charity's book drive.

"Frank has been a fixture at Phoenix Comicon since its early years and has been at the intersection of realizing success and using that success to the benefit of others for even longer," says Matt Solberg, Convention Director of Phoenix Comicon.  "Getting kids to read will be successful through these efforts."

"We are so pleased to have Frank contribute in this way," said Denise Gary, Executive Director for Kids Need to Read. "His books are extremely imaginative and so well-received by the children we serve. This book drive is a terrific gift to Kids Need to Read!"

"This was a no-brainer," said Beddor, author of the New York Times Best Selling young adult series the Looking Glass Wars. "Getting books into the hands of kids is something every author needs to take part in. And Kids Need to Read is one of the best ways to do that." Nathan Fillion, the charity's founder, and star of ABC hit series "Castle", expressed excitement about Beddor's involvement, but no surprise.

"Yes, I am excited. But, you're right, I wasn't surprised," said the actor. "I've known Frank for several years now. And he's a great guy. And a great supporter of our organization."

Beddor first learned of the charity through its co-founder the young adult novelist P.J. Haarsma. The two were partnering on the web game The Rings of Orbis (www.ringsoforbis.com), based on Haarsma's young adult series The Softwire, when Haarsma explained the organization to Beddor.

"It seemed so simple, so logical. I was surprised no one had done it before," said Beddor. "And I immediately told P.J. I'd do anything I could to help."

"Frank has been a vocal advocate of Kids Need to Read since he first learned of it," said Haarsma, echoing Beddor's claims. "But I'm hugely excited that he's made us a part of his upcoming Con appearance, book release, and Kickstarter campaign. We considered this both a big help and a great honor."

Kids Need to Read has a simple mission. They provide books to underfunded schools, libraries and literacy programs with a special emphasis on those organizations serving disadvantaged children. They achieve these aims through auctions, events, and donations from publishers, authors, private individuals and other organizations.

According to the organization's website, to date they "have provided over 42,000 books to 153 schools, libraries, and literacy programs in 41 states, as well as Washington, DC and Puerto Rico". And they've "also facilitated the donation of three thousand books to the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library".

Kids Need to Read was founded in 2008. It is a nonprofit organization. It achieved 501 (3) (c) status on May 22, 2008. Donations to the organization are tax deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. They are also classified as a 509(a)(2) public charity. The foundation's Employer Identification Number is 26-2755631.

Frank Beddor's route to best sellerdom has been circuitous. But circuitous routes are nothing new to this former World Champion freestyle skier, a sport from which he retired in 1983 to pursue a career in show business. First as a stunt man, then an actor and finally a producer. He is probably best known for producing the hit Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller vehicle THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY.

This success gave Beddor the chance to indulge his passion for writing. He spent several years writing the Looking Glass Wars trilogy, a unique take on Alice in Wonderland. It became a hit in both the UK and US, spending 21 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List. It has also inspired the Eisner nominated graphic novel series Hatter M based on the series' bladewielding analog for the Mad Hatter.

There have been three Hatter M original graphic novels published to date: Far from Wonder, Mad with Wonder, and Nature of Wonder.

A fourth volume Zen of Wonder will be released this May with a fifth and final volume Love of Wonder due out next year. These volumes end the current Hatter storyline.

The publication of the fourth volume will be aided in part by a Kickstarter, the popular online site which facilitates crowd sourced funding for a variety of products and projects.

But Beddor hasn't given up on his career as a film producer. He's currently in preproduction on THE JULIET for Sony Pictures and New Regency, a near future science fiction tale based on the classic story "Fondly Fahrenheit" by Alfred Bester. Rupert Sanders (SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN) has signed on to direct. And Brian Koppelman and David Levien (OCEAN'S THIRTEEN) have been hired to rewrite the previous script penned by Henry Bean. Beddor will be partnering on the project with producers Chuck Roven and Alex Gartner of Atlas Entertainment.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON

KIDS NEED TO READ:

http://www.kidsneedtoread.org/

Interview with Denise Gary on

Comic Book Interviews

http://comicbookinterviews.com/2011/10/3556/

LINKS ON BEDDOR

http://frankbeddor.com/

http://www.lookingglasswar.com/

https://twitter.com/frankbeddor

http://www.facebook.com/goaskalyss

http://www.facebook.com/goaskalyss

LINKS ON "THE JULIET"

"Coming Soon" Article

Deadline Hollywood Article