 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 |
Wizard orWizard: The Magazine of Comics, Entertainment and Pop Culture (previously titledWizard: The Guide to Comics andWizard: The Comics Magazine) was amagazine aboutcomic books, published monthly in the United States byWizard Entertainment from July 1991 to January 2011.[2] It included aprice guide, as well as comic book,movie,anime, and collector news, interviews, and previews.
Wizard launched in July 1991.[3] With issue #7, the magazine switched toglossy paper and color printing.Wizard strongly supported new publishersValiant Comics andImage Comics, heavily promoting their new releases.
With its high-end production values and embodiment of the comic speculator boom,[4]Wizard was 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 Gamer for collectible game cards (published 1995–2007),ToyFare for toys and action figures (1997–2011),Anime Insider for anime and manga (2001–2009), andToy Wishes for mainstream toy enthusiasts (c. 1999–c. 2008).
In 2006,Wizard was 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,Wizard magazine editor-in-chief and co-founder Pat McCallum was fired, after more than a decade with the company.Wizard declined 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),Wizard made 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, longtimeWizard Editor Brian Cunningham was removed.[8] The final editor was a former staff writer and managing editor Mike Cotton. On February 27, 2009,Wizard laid off 10% of its workforce, including its three staff writers, in order to make room for freelance writers.[9]
Wizard was relaunched with issue #228 (August 2010), which featuredMark Millar as a guest editor. The magazine returned to its strictly comic book roots. The issue featured aGreen Hornet film 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 Cool confirmed 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,Wizard would be relaunched in February 2011 as an online magazine calledWizard World.[11] The first issue ofWizard World was made available online and through major digital distribution channels on March 2, 2011.[12]
The magazine went through an ever-changing line-up of regular and semi-regular features, including:
Retired features include
BothWizard andToyFare often featured mail-away offers for exclusive merchandise.Wizard began 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. OftenWizard would also include free pack-in issues with their magazines, usually numbered asWizard #0.
| Wizard Fan Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Works of distinction within thecomic book industry |
| Sponsored by | Wizard magazine |
| Country | United States |
| Hosted by | Dragon Con (1993) Philadelphia Comic Book Spectacular (1994) Chicago Comicon (1995–2006) |
| First award | 1993 |
| Final award | 2006 |
| Website | http://www.wizarduniverse.com/  |
The magazine presented theWizard Fan Awards annually 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]
Awarded at: Announced in the magazine the following year (e.g. in 1996 for work published in 1995), and at WizardWorld Chicago (1996-present). Previously awarded at: Dragon*Con (1993-1995)