WizardorWizard: The Magazine of Comics, Entertainment and Pop Culture(previously titledWizard: The Guide to ComicsandWizard: The Comics Magazine) was amagazineaboutcomic books,published monthly in the United States byWizard Entertainmentfrom July 1991 to January 2011.[2]It included aprice guide,as well as comic book,movie,anime,and collector news, interviews, and previews.
 Cover of #235, the final issue | |
| Frequency | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Gareb Shamus[1] |
| First issue | July 1991 |
| Final issue | March 2011 |
| Company | Wizard Entertainment |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | Congers,New York |
| Language | English |
| ISSN | 1065-6499 |
Publication history
editWizardlaunched in July 1991.[3]With issue #7, the magazine switched toglossy paperand color printing.Wizardstrongly supported new publishersValiant ComicsandImage Comics,heavily promoting their new releases.
With its high-end production values and embodiment of the comic speculator boom,[4]Wizardwas an instant hit, with a monthly circulation of more than 100,000 copies.[5]
The magazine's success led Wizard Entertainment to launch several ongoing magazines dedicated to similar interests — such asInQuest Gamerfor collectible game cards (published 1995–2007),ToyFarefor toys and action figures (1997–2011),Anime Insiderfor anime and manga (2001–2009), andToy Wishesfor mainstream toy enthusiasts (c.1999–c.2008).
In 2006,Wizardwas revamped with a bigger look and more pages, switching from the "perfect bound" staple-free look to that of a more traditional magazine. In November 2006,Wizardmagazine editor-in-chief and co-founder Pat McCallum was fired, after more than a decade with the company.Wizarddeclined to say why he was removed.[6]On February 21, 2007, Scott Gramling was announced as the new editor-in-chief.[7]
After issue #200 (June 2008),Wizardmade several changes to the magazine, shifting focus from reviews and humor to information about upcoming comics and the industry as a whole. The three-page "Magic Words" section, which consisted of reader questions, was dropped and replaced by "Fan Mail", a half-page section allowing three short (and often humorous) letters. Soon after, in August 2008, longtimeWizardEditor Brian Cunningham was removed.[8]The final editor was a former staff writer and managing editor Mike Cotton. On February 27, 2009,Wizardlaid off 10% of its workforce, including its three staff writers, in order to make room for freelance writers.[9]
Wizardwas relaunched with issue #228 (August 2010), which featuredMark Millaras a guest editor. The magazine returned to its strictly comic book roots. The issue featured aGreen Hornetfilm cover and a round table discussion with creators in the comic book film industry.
Despite all these changes, however, the magazine was losing subscribers at an unsustainable rate; by December 2010, its circulation was just 17,000 copies.[5]On January 24, 2011, Rich Johnston of the websiteBleeding Coolconfirmed that the magazine would cease print publication, that almost all of its magazine staff had been laid off, and all freelance engagements were canceled.[10]This was confirmed later that day byWizard,who also revealed that its sister magazine,ToyFare,was also canceled. According to the publication's representatives,Wizardwould be relaunched in February 2011 as an online magazine calledWizard World.[11]The first issue ofWizard Worldwas made available online and through major digital distribution channels on March 2, 2011.[12]
Regular features
editThe magazine went through an ever-changing line-up of regular and semi-regular features, including:
- Book Shelf– Brief descriptions of the monthly trade paperback and hardcover collection releases.
- Top 10 Writers and Artists– Lists charting the most popular creators of the month in each category.
Retired features include
- Casting Call– A feature proposing the "dream" cast for potential film adaptations of various comic books. It later appeared sporadically.
- Last Man Standing– A dream "face-off" between two different characters or teams, always of different companies and/or universes. The feature would detail a brief showdown between the two, including the victor, and would be accompanied by an exclusive illustration (usually by a high-profile artist) depicting the battle.
Exclusive offers
editBothWizardandToyFareoften featured mail-away offers for exclusive merchandise.Wizardbegan a practice of producing specially offeredWizard#½ issues. These were special issues of ongoing major comic book series which featured in-continuity stories that supplemented the regular series' published issues. The issues were numbered #½ so as not to disrupt the series' ongoing numbering system. OftenWizardwould also include free pack-in issues with their magazines, usually numbered asWizard#0.
Wizard Fan Awards
edit| Wizard Fan Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Works of distinction within thecomic bookindustry |
| Sponsored by | Wizardmagazine |
| Country | United States |
| Hosted by | Dragon Con(1993) Philadelphia Comic Book Spectacular(1994) Chicago Comicon(1995–2006) |
| First awarded | 1993 |
| Last awarded | 2006 |
| Website | http:// wizarduniverse / |
The magazine presented theWizard Fan Awardsannually for works of distinction within the comics industry from 1993 to 2006. In 1993, the awards were presented atDragon Con;in 1994, they were presented atGreat Eastern Conventions' Philadelphia Comic Book Spectacular;[13]in 1995, the awards moved their home to theChicago Comicon(later renamed Wizard World Chicago), where they remained for the remainder of their existence.[14]
References
edit- ^Babka, Allison."Wizard World Inc.: A roving comic con looks to corner the geek market,"ArchivedMarch 30, 2022, at theWayback MachineThe Riverfront Times(April 3, 2014).
- ^"Robot 6: The death of Wizard and ToyFare, from the inside".Archived fromthe originalon November 1, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 1,2011.
- ^David E. Sumner; Shirrel Rhoades (2006).Magazines: A Complete Guide to the Industry.Peter Lang. p. 143.ISBN978-0-8204-7617-9.Archivedfrom the original on August 30, 2023.RetrievedApril 10,2016.
- ^Miller, John Jackson (January 24, 2011)."The print age of Wizard ends".ComicChron.Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2011.
- ^abMelrose, Kevin (January 24, 2011)."Breaking: Wizard and ToyFare magazines fold".Comic Book Resources.Archived fromthe originalon November 2, 2021.
- ^"Weiland, Jonah;" Wizard Fires Editor-In-Chief "; comicbookresources; November 29, 2006".Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2022.RetrievedDecember 10,2006.
- ^"Brady, Matt;" Wizard Names New Editor In Chief "; newsarama; February 21, 2007".Archivedfrom the original on September 29, 2007.RetrievedMarch 3,2007.
- ^"Pwbeat;" Brian Cunningham Out at Wizard "; pwbeat; August 2006".Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2021.RetrievedMarch 15,2009.
- ^"Melrose, Kevin;" A roundup of money-related news "; cbr; February 27, 2009".Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2022.RetrievedMarch 15,2009.
- ^Johnston, Rich."SCOOP: Wizard Magazine To Close Immediately"ArchivedFebruary 3, 2023, at theWayback Machine,Bleeding Cool,January 24, 2011, accessed January 24, 2011.
- ^West, Josh."Wizard To Relaunch As Digital Magazine"ArchivedNovember 2, 2021, at theWayback Machine,Negative Zone,January 24, 2011, accessed January 24, 2011.
- ^West, Josh."Wizard World #1 Available Today!"ArchivedNovember 1, 2021, at theWayback Machine
- ^"Newswatch: Greenhill Sues Great Eastern and Wizard",The Comics Journal#172 (Nov. 1994), p. 40.
- ^Wizard Fan AwardsArchivedApril 19, 2023, at theWayback Machine.Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
External links
edit- Where Superheroes Go for Industry News-New York Timesarticle onWizard
- Archived Wizard Magazineson theInternet Archive