If one of your post-pandemic goals was to go to a Wizard World event, you’re out of luck. Fan Expo agreed to purchase the six remaining Wizard World events.
From Newsarama, the pinnacle of comic book news journalism:
“Fan Expo HQ is devoted to creating unmissable, exceptional fan experiences. We’re beyond thrilled to be able to offer that to fans in six new locations, and pleased that Wizard World recognized our ability to elevate guest experience to the next level,” says Fan Expo HQ president Aman Gupta in the announcement. “We’re looking forward to getting to know each of these individual communities, learn what they’re looking for, and raise the bar!”
I might be in the minority, but I enjoyed going to Wizard World. They seemed much better organized than similar-sized events.
If you are deadset on going to a Wizard World event, there’s still time. Wizard World Chicago is still scheduled to take place October 15 – 17 of this year. After this event, there will be no more. That’s if Wizard World Chicago even takes place. The way things are going, I think COVID-19 will still be a problem in October. In fact, when you think about all the Americans who refuse to get vaccinated because of their “freedoms,” I’m not sure we will ever get past the threat of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We may be looking at a future of never-ending variants, each more dangerous than the last.
Covid or no Covid, these events will still happen. People will just not go to them. Otakon took place last weekend in our nation’s capital, and attendance was sparse. Greg Cook posted a video from the Atlanta Comic Con. It also took place last weekend. As Greg points out, the con was “empty.”
Considering the downward trend comic book conventions are in right now because of the pandemic, I don’t think Wizard World got top dollar for its events. It seems very much like a buyer’s market.