Claremont, Simone, Pacheco Among Top Comics Creators Attending Wizard World Portland Comic Con

NEW YORK, NY, February 13, 2013 (Press-News.org) Chris Claremont ("Uncanny X-Men," "Spider-Man"), Gail Simone ("Batgirl," "Firestorm"), Carlos Pacheco ("Green Lantern," "Wolverine"), Mike Deodato Jr. ("Wonder Woman," "Batman") and Kurt Busiek ("Astro City," "Superman") are a few the top comics creators scheduled to attend next weekend's inaugural Wizard World Portland Comic Con, Feb. 22-24 at the Oregon Convention Center. The Artist Alley of nearly 100 talented writers and artists complements a strong celebrity roster which includes comics legend Stan Lee, "Happy Days" star Henry Winkler and Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell.

The standout creator roster also includes notables such as Scott Lobdell ("Superman," "Teen Titans"), Arthur Suydam ("Marvel Zombies," "Army of Darkness"), Mike Grell ("Green Arrow," "Green Lantern"), Greg Horn ("Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark," "X-Force") and many others.

A total of 12 Eisner Award winners and/or nominees will be on hand, including Hall of Famer Lee and winners Busiek, Joe Keatinge ("Amazing Spider-Man," "Morbius: The Living Vampire") and Shannon Wheeler ("Too Much Coffee Man," "Oil and Water"). Nominated creators include Pacheco, Bill Crabtree ("The Sixth Gun," "Invincible"), Barry Deutsch ("Hereville"), Nathan Edmonson ("Who is Jake Ellis?", "Ultimate Iron Man"), Paul Gulacy ("Valkyrie," "Batman"), Arnold and Jacob Pander ("Grendel," "Batman: City of Light") and Brett Weldele ("The Surrogates," "Pariah").

Wizard World Portland 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, February 24, is "Kids Day," an array of programming specially designed for children.

Event hours are Friday, Feb. 22, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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

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 2013 event schedule to date can be found at http://www.wizardworld.com.