Zenescope celebrating 5th birthday

Fort Washington-based Zenescope has made it an annual tradition to throw zany, buzz-crazy parties that stand out and have become one of the highlights of the Wizard World Philadelphia weekend.

This year, to celebrate its fifth birthday, Philadelphia's fastest-growing entertainment and publishing company seems determined to pull out all the stops and make all its previous events look lame by comparison.

"This is a big deal for us," said Zenescope vice president and editor-in-chief Ralph Tedesco, who along with his partner and company president Joe Brusha has helped transform the company from unknown entity to the eight-largest comic book company in North America.

"To not only survive but thrive in a business as competitive as the comic industry for five years is quite an accomplishment, one worthy of celebration, and we want our fans - especially in our hometown - who helped make this possible to celebrate with us."

Like last year there will be a masquerade ball - this year's will be sponsored by Wizard - and there will be a "number of surprise celebrity appearances," according to Tedesco. The guest list already includes: Christopher Knight ("My Fair Brady," "The Surreal Life"); Adrianne Curry ("America's Next Top Model," "My Fair Brady"); Jake Busey ("Enemy of the State," "Starship Troopers"); Virginia Hey ("Farscape"); and Clare Kramer ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer").

The bash is partly sponsored by Carr Miller Entertainment, a multimedia development and production company that is working with Zenescope to help its growing library of characters and concepts reach the masses in a variety of media.

Zenescope's 5th Birthday Bash will take place at Field House, at 1150 Filbert St. tomorrow. Admission is free to anyone 21 and over and includes drink specials from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Jerome Maida