Wizard World Los Angeles

I went to every single Wizard World L.A. (2004-​08) even when it was held in Long Beach, originally, and I’m looking forward to its return from hiatus this September.
It was the perfect con for the area before its three-​year postponement. While it wasn’t huge, it was just the right size. Lines weren’t massive and signings were, for the most part, free. With these significantly smaller crowds the chances of bumping into geek culture celebs increases.
Wizard was able to draw all sorts of industry professionals, willing to utilize the con as their platform for making big announcements and unveiling exclusives.
Some of my geekiest memories have been formed here. I handed Kevin Smith a comic, requesting he tear it like he said in «Comic Book The Movie» while asking him about tranny hookers. Another time I’m running around the convention center before borrowing Top Cow’s handsanitizer because Jeph Loeb needed some (this experience compliments of volunteering one year). On another occasion I was singing «It’s a Shpadoinkle Day!» with a bunch of random exhibitors.
These were also the years when Wizard had a big, spectacular booth featuring their Wheel of Doom. Spin the wheel, answer a trivia question on the topic of your choice, and take home some pretty cool prizes. The wheel sadly hasn’t made any appearances since the hiatus at any other con, including their nearby Anaheim Comic Con.
I’m curious to see how WWLA will go in September. Judging by the ferocity of badge-​buying for Comic-​Con these days and the draw the Wizard brand has, its return could be promising.

Wizard World L.A. was really one of the most useless comic conventions that L.A. could possibly have. Even the Shrine did it better than Wizard World did.
Which is why it comes to no surprise that they canceled the convention for 2009 and well, it seems like they wont ever be another one. Yay! Oh wait, one less convention and I’m happy? No worries, There’s always Long Beach Comic Con to go to. Which will be a better run local convention and that in itself should help.
The convention’s biggest downfall was that a lot of the vendors were the same ones who are always at frank and sons collectibles weekly. So there’s no reason to pay for something you can get for free weekly. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk squirted on you on a daily basis?
The guest were always poorly run at WWLA anyway. It was for when you just needed to go to a convention or something. But really, the lay out was a ghost town so everyone there was trying to cover the cost of their booth and the prices would be higher than if you went to a local comic shop. Really poorly run on all regards.

My Supreme Nerd’s Review Geekin’ it at Wizard World:
NAME: Wizard World
VENUE: Comic Convention
LOCATION: LA Convention Center
DATE: March 14^th-​17^th, 2008
STATUS: Still Recovering_​
I found that I have more geek in me than I realized. I thought that Comic-​Con (SDCC) down in San Diego was hardcore. Nope. You know why? Because of its pop-​culture trendy vibe, Comic-​Con attracts both normal geeks AND the super geeks. Wizard World, however, attracts only the hard-​core super geeks. It’s a small venue, taking up only one hall of the LA Convention center in essence. It’s a poorman’s Comic-​Con but actually costs more to attend. It separates the geek from the super geek.
Compared to Comic-​Con, there are less people, but the same putrid smell fills the air from super geek hygiene. There are fewer events, but that doesn’t stop the super geeks from coming out and playing Hero Clix? There are fewer interview artist panels, but that doesn’t stop the super geeks from bringing their whole freaking crate and dolly full of comics to get autographed. There are plenty of places to sit and take breaks, but the super geeks still choose to sit on the ground next to the wall and play Nintendo DS or play with a newly bought toy model. There aren’t as many celebrities, but the super geeks still show up for the autographs of the B-​rated celebrities such as the guy from Rocky V and The 80s sitcom Incredible Hulk. There aren’t as many theatres showing animé, but there are still super geeks giving standing ovations after each showing.
So why did I come to Wizard World? I came because I decided to support my cousin who is trying to become a comic illustrator… Riiiiiiiiiiiight. The real reason is because I’m becoming a super geek. I can’t believe I actually chuckled a bit and found amusement after watching a light saber choreography contest. I can’t believe I just admitted that. I can’t believe a little kid with his small hands could rock the Guitar Hero 3 with such ease and perfection.
So my other cousin now wants me to go to Animé Expo and geek it there. I think I should cut this off right now before it really gets bad. Sooooo… when’s BOT-​CON coming to L.A.