“Brady Boys” Reunion, Star Wars, Buffy, Batman Panels Highlight Big Apple Comic Con Programming

Sept. 29, 2010 - PRLog -- NEW YORK – A variety of entertaining and informative panels and comic industry sessions are among the programming offerings scheduled at Wizard World Big Apple Comic Con, Friday through Sunday at the Penn Plaza pavilion.  

Day programming begins on Saturday at 11 a.m. with a “Creator Q&A” with superstar artist Shane Davis and former DC Publisher Paul Levitz.  Davis will discuss his new graphic novel “Superman: Earth One” and Levitz will talk about his new run on “Legion of Super-Heroes.”  At noon, in the Gold Ballroom, writer Mark Millar and artist Leinil Yu will discuss their new project “Superior.”  That will be followed in the same room at 1 p.m. with two-time Academy Award nominee Mary McDonnell discussing her many projects, including her famous role as President Laura Roslin in “Battlestar Galactica.”  The Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder, Adam West and Burt Ward, take over at 2 p.m. for a “Bat-Panel” on the iconic 60's TV series.  From 3 – 3:45, fans can join world-famous “Green Lantern: Rebirth” and “Flash: Rebirth” artist Ethan Van Sciver and Wizard Editor Mike Cotton for the latest installment of the popular “100% Cotton” Q&A series.  Then at 4, the three original “Brady Bunch” boys, Barry Williams (“Greg”), Christopher Knight (“Peter”) and Mike Lookinland (“Bobby”), reunite for the first time in New York for an exclusive panel.  The day session concludes with iconic comic book scribe Mark Millar, former Marvel Publisher Bill Jemas and superstar artists Yu and J.G. Jones for the high-powered “Mark Millar & Friends” panel.

Sunday's day programming starts with a unique “Brady Brunch” at 8:30 a.m. at the Affinia Hotel Peyton Room, one block south of the Penn Plaza Pavilion.  It's an exclusive Continental breakfast event featuring Williams, Knight and Lookinland (note that there is an additional charge for this event).  The kids take center stage in the Gold Ballroom at 11 a.m. with the Kids' Costume Contest, in which children 10 and under can win great prizes and giveaways.  Buffy fans won't want to miss the noon “Buffy Panel,” in which Nicholas Brendon (“Xander”) and Clare Kramer (“Glory”) retell tales from the set of “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.”  At 1, comic book legend Joe Madureira will talk to fans about his new video game work and what he may be doing next at Marvel.  Artist Greg Horn is next at 2 with his well-attended Digital Art Class, giving tips and tutorials on his amazing covers.  STAR WARS EPISODE 1 fans won't want to miss the chance to talk to Ahmed Best and Jake Lloyd at 3 p.m. in their dual panel, before the day session concludes with professional wrestlers Kevin Nash, Torrie Wilson and Sunny giving fans an insiders’ look at one of the toughest sports around in the Wrestling Panel at 4 p.m.

The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down as evening programming keeps the party going with something for night owls Friday through Sunday.

Friday at 9 p.m., right after the show floor closes for the night, fans can pick from two events, or take in a little of both.  At the Affinia Hotel Peyton Room, one block south of the Penn Plaza Pavilion, is Wizard's Original Art Drink & Draw featuring comic legends J.G. Jones, Leinil Yu, Shane Davis, Greg Horn and more, drawing original sketches and auctioning them for the HERO initiative.  Also at 9, at the Penn Plaza Gold Ballroom, horror fans will want to check in with the cast of THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE, one of the most talked-about films of the year, as Ashley C. Williams, Akihiro Kitamura and Ashlynn Yennie give an insider's look into the movie, moderated by Alison Willmore of IFC.com.

Saturday's night programming gets underway at 6 p.m. at the Penn Plaza Gold Ballroom with a screening of the upcoming 30 DAYS OF NIGHT: DARK DAYS starring Kiele Sanchez and Diora Baird, followed by a Q&A with the cast, also moderated by Willmore.  Halloween comes a little early at 7 with the popular Costume Contest at the Affinia, with crazy outfits and huge prizes the norm.  At 8, back at the Gold Ballroom, the original Caped Crusaders, Adam West and Burt Ward will meet fans for a Cocktail Hour, which includes a viewing of the first episode of the iconic series (note that there is an additional charge for this event.)  Following in that room at 9, the late-night, adults-only panel with Superior, Kick-Ass and Ultimates mastermind Mark Millar returns, hosted by Wizard’s Mike Cotton.  The Masquerade Ball, a staple of Wizard World events for years, is set for 9:30 p.m. at the Affinia.

Evening programming concludes on Sunday at 5 p.m., after the show closes, with the Horror Film Festival, a collection of movies providing plenty of chills and thrills in the Gold Ballroom.

The Penn Plaza Pavilion is located at 401 Seventh Avenue at 33rd St., in the historic Hotel Pennsylvania.  Big Apple Comic Con is the fifth stop on Wizard’s eight-city 2010 North American tour.  Hours are Friday, Oct. 1, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (all times Eastern).  Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/bigapple.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door.  Advance adult single-day tickets are $25; three-day weekend tickets are $45, 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.

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Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes consumer magazines Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys. Shamus also produces a North American Comic Con tour.