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Exclusive: Gareb Shamus Buys Atlanta Comic Convention

Published Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:00:24 -0600

Last updated Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:54:53 -0600

Gareb Shamus, CEO of Wizard has bought the small Atlanta Comic Convention, and has renamed it Atlanta Comic Con Wizard World Convention to fit alongside the growing line of bought/created convention under the Wizard World banner and turned it from a one day show into a three day convention.

The Atlanta Comic Convention was founded in 1994 by Wes Tillander. In a pre-approved statement, Tillander says "There are so many facets of this industry that comics fans appreciate and expect to see as part of a show. With Wizard producing the show, I know that mixed presentation idea will really thrive." As with other recent buyouts, Tillander will be employed on a consultation basis.

The last time Wizard World announced a convention in Atlanta, it caused an uproar they are still recovering from. They scheduled a convention three hours away on the same dates as the long established Heroes Con in North Carolina, and after an outcry from creators, they postponed it until 2007. And then never put the show on at all. They publicly apologised to Heroes Con creator Sheldon Drum, who I last saw at Wizard's Big Apple Comic Con.

This brings Wizard World to a total of eight annual conventions across North America. More to come?

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