EllyRox

Adam Hughes, a huge proponent of the Comic Book Legal Defense League has condemned Wizard Worlds nasty practice of con-jacking in cities to corner the market. Last year, in Minnesota they set their sights on Comic Book Associations Spring Con, a charitable event which has bestowed over 30 tons of food to charities, over $100,000.00 to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the Minnesota Lupus Foundation and the Minnesota Literacy Council, as well as promoting retailer and creator events and other regional events.

Not only have they taken up the practice of running smaller games out of town where ever they can but Wizard World places their emphasis no longer on having a diverse and robust Artists Alley, but exorbitantly priced meet and greets with celebrities. I love meeting celebrities more than most, and I’m willing to pay to play but this year in Philadelphia if you want to meet the 10th Doctor, David Tennant and his (arguably) most popular companion Rose a.k.a. Billie Piper, it’s going to cost you $550 plus fees. That is literally how much round-trip Amtrak tickets to Montreal cost me to meet my idol at a week-long comedy festival. In 2013 Wizard World denied press passes to Bloggers and photographers.

*Gentle weeping*

Their tagline is ‘Where pop culture comes to life’, yeah, it’s also where your wallet, and dignity come to die. Wizard worlds whole attitude towards fans, artists, and small media is embarrassing and I can only hope that one day it will catch up with them. I know mine is but one wallet snapping shut in the face of a mega corporation that doesn’t care about the consumer, but I’m hoping if enough people follow suit the powers that be at Wizard World will take notice and re-examine their practices.

If you’d like to read about people doing things right, stay tuned for our upcoming posts about Atlantic City Boardwalk Convention, or check out Philly Geek Girls MAGFest coverage.