A true Marvel returns to Philly

LOOKING TO HAVE a Marvel-ous time this weekend? Or to get "Charmed" while boldly going where no one has gone before?

Good news. Wizard World Philly 2013 is here from Thursday through Sunday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (12th and Arch streets).

The return of Marvel Comics to Philly after a multi-year absence is perhaps the biggest event at this year's show - though there are many huge headliners at this year's show (which runs an extra day).

They would include legendary creator Stan Lee, co-creator of Iron Man as well as other wildly successful characters such as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk and Thor.

Lee will be available Friday and Saturday for signings, panels and even an exclusive meet-and-greet.

Also on hand will be two of the men who have portrayed another legendary hero who looks to do big box office this summer - Superman, a/k/a the "Man of Steel." Con favorite Dean Cain, who portrayed the "Big Red S" on TV's "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," will be joined this year by Brandon Routh, who portrayed the Last Son of Krypton in 2006's "Superman Returns."

Stars of the cult-favorite "Charmed" series also will cast a spell on the con. In what amounts to a mini-reunion for fans, series stars Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Brian Krause will grace the Philly convetion for the first time, as will "The Walking Dead" stars Norman Reedus ("Darryl") and Michael Rooker ("Merle").

The first (and to many fans, still only) Captain Kirk, William Shatner ("Star Trek"), will be beaming down into the Convention Center - as will "Serenity" spacefarers Gina Torres, Summer Glau, Adam Baldwin and Jewel Staite.

Other stars hitting Philly for the first time include Shawn Ashmore ("X-Men"), Emmy winner Henry Winkler (Fonzie in "Happy Days"), Kevin Sorbo ("Hercules"), Lauren Holly ("NCIS"), Manu Bennett ("The Hobbit") and Andrew McCarthy ("Weekend at Bernie's").

They will be joined by returning favorites Lou Ferrigno (TV's "The Incredible Hulk"), Linda Blair ("The Exorcist"), and Charisma Carpenter and James Marsters ("Angel").

In what has been a surprise to Wizard chief executive John Macaluso, wrestlers have been extremely popular at Wizard Philly the last couple of years, so fans will get current superstars John Cena and Daniel Bryan.

"This is a lot of guests to take care of," jokes Macaluso. "But we have done a lot of things as a company to make these shows better. The first thing we're doing better is truly taking care of our attendees and fans. We're trying to give them a much better experience."

"We're also really trying to take care of the creators, artists and exhibitors," he said. "We're making the process smoother and easier, do some things with them at night and make their experience better.

"Then we try to make sure we take care of the celebrity talent better than we ever have. We just do the things that will make them want to keep coming back."

Macaluso says an example of how his efforts are working is that Lee, who for years didn't come to the East Coast for cons, made his Atlantic Seaboard debut in Philly last year.

"We're not afraid to mix things up to give the best experience possible," Macaluso said. "It's amazing to me how much our fans really enjoy the wrestlers. I always thought it was two separate audiences-but when it comes down to it, it's the same fans wanting to meet their favorite celebrities. We have 'Star Trek' coming, 'Walking Dead' coming, 'Firefly' coming. It's an eclectic mix. They're great guys and wonderful to work with."

Some people have complained that Wizard Philly has transformed from a comic event to a celebrity event, but Macaluso disagrees.

"There are as many comic-book dealers as there are celebrities," he said. "There's many more artists and creators from the comic-book world than anything else."

Macaluso cites returning fan-favorite artists such as Salvador Larroca, Michael Golden and Greg Horn as proof that this is still a comic-book convention.

"The integral part of the show is still comic books, but there is a celebrity arm to it now for sure. The result is, we feel we have something for everyone and we hope people stop by and enjoy the experience we have planned for them this weekend."