View source for Wizard (magazine)

{{short description|American magazine about comic books}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox magazine
| title         = Wizard
| image_file    = Wizard.magazine.235.jpg
| image_size    = 250px
| image_caption = Cover of #235, the final issue
| editor        =
| editor_title  =
| frequency     = Monthly
| circulation   =
| category      =
| company       = [[Wizard Entertainment]]
| publisher     = [[Gareb Shamus]]<ref>Babka, Allison. [http://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/wizard-world-inc-a-roving-comic-con-looks-to-corner-the-geek-market/Content?oid=2505716 "Wizard World Inc.: A roving comic con looks to corner the geek market,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330072253/http://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/wizard-world-inc-a-roving-comic-con-looks-to-corner-the-geek-market/Content?oid=2505716 |date=March 30, 2022 }} ''[[The Riverfront Times]]'' (April 3, 2014).</ref>
| firstdate     = July 1991
| finaldate     = March 2011
| country       = [[United States]]
| based         = [[Congers, New York|Congers]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| language      = English
| website       =
| issn          = 1065-6499
}}
'''''Wizard''''' or '''''Wizard: The Magazine of Comics, Entertainment and Pop Culture''''' (previously titled '''''Wizard: The Guide to Comics''''' and '''''Wizard: The Comics Magazine''''') was a [[magazine]] about [[comic book]]s, published monthly in the United States by [[Wizard Entertainment]] from July 1991 to January 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/01/the-death-of-wizard-and-toyfare-from-the-inside/ |title=Robot 6: The death of Wizard and ToyFare, from the inside |access-date=February 1, 2011 |archive-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101044905/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/01/the-death-of-wizard-and-toyfare-from-the-inside/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It included a [[comic book price guide|price guide]], as well as comic book, [[Film|movie]], [[anime]], and collector news, interviews, and previews.

==Publication history==
''Wizard'' launched in July 1991.<ref>{{cite book|author1=David E. Sumner|author2=Shirrel Rhoades|title=Magazines: A Complete Guide to the Industry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SHCWDSjWju4C&pg=PA143|access-date=April 10, 2016|year=2006|publisher=Peter Lang|isbn=978-0-8204-7617-9|page=143|archive-date=August 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830211606/https://books.google.com/books?id=SHCWDSjWju4C&pg=PA143|url-status=live}}</ref> With issue #7, the magazine switched to [[glossy paper]] and color printing. ''Wizard'' strongly supported new publishers [[Valiant Comics]] and [[Image Comics]], heavily promoting their new releases.

With its high-end production values and embodiment of the comic speculator boom,<ref>{{cite web|last=Miller |first=John Jackson |url=http://blog.comichron.com/2011/01/print-age-of-wizard-ends.html |title=The print age of Wizard ends |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127190039/http://blog.comichron.com/2011/01/print-age-of-wizard-ends.html |archive-date=January 27, 2011 |work=ComicChron |date=January 24, 2011}}</ref> ''Wizard'' was an instant hit, with a monthly circulation of more than 100,000 copies.<ref name=Melrose>{{cite web|last=Melrose |first=Kevin |date=January 24, 2011 |url=http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/01/breaking-wizard-magazine-folds-after-two-decades/ |title=Breaking: Wizard and ToyFare magazines fold |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102174717/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/01/breaking-wizard-magazine-folds-after-two-decades/ |archive-date=November 2, 2021|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref>

The magazine's success led Wizard Entertainment to launch several ongoing magazines dedicated to similar interests — such as ''[[InQuest Gamer]]'' for collectible game cards (published 1995–2007), ''[[ToyFare]]'' for toys and action figures (1997–2011), ''[[Anime Insider]]'' for anime and manga (2001–2009), and ''Toy Wishes'' for mainstream toy enthusiasts ({{circa}} 1999–{{circa}} 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9035 |title=Weiland, Jonah; "Wizard Fires Editor-In-Chief"; comicbookresources.com; November 29, 2006 |work=Comic Book Resources |access-date=December 10, 2006 |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629155039/http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9035 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 21, 2007, Scott Gramling was announced as the new editor-in-chief.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=102399&highlight=wizard+magazine |title=Brady, Matt; "Wizard Names New Editor In Chief"; newsarama.com; February 21, 2007 |access-date=March 3, 2007 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083715/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=102399&highlight=wizard+magazine |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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, longtime ''Wizard'' Editor Brian Cunningham was removed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/08/14/brian-cunningham-out-at-wizard/ |title=Pwbeat; "Brian Cunningham Out at Wizard"; pwbeat.com; August 2006 |access-date=March 15, 2009 |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031005924/http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/08/14/brian-cunningham-out-at-wizard/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/02/food-or-comics-a-roundup-of-money-related-news-19/ |title=Melrose, Kevin; "A roundup of money-related news"; cbr.com; February 27, 2009 |access-date=March 15, 2009 |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629155039/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/02/food-or-comics-a-roundup-of-money-related-news-19/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Wizard'' was relaunched with issue #228 (August 2010), which featured [[Mark Millar]] as a guest editor. The magazine returned to its strictly comic book roots. The issue featured a ''[[The Green Hornet (2011 film)|Green 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.<ref name=Melrose /> On January 24, 2011, Rich Johnston of the website ''[[Bleeding 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.<ref>Johnston, Rich. [http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/01/24/wizard-magazine-to-close-immediately/ "SCOOP: Wizard Magazine To Close Immediately"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203002113/https://bleedingcool.com/2011/01/24/wizard-magazine-to-close-immediately/ |date=February 3, 2023 }}, ''Bleeding Cool'', January 24, 2011, accessed January 24, 2011.</ref> This was confirmed later that day by ''Wizard'', 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 called ''Wizard World''.<ref>{{cite web|last=West |first=Josh |url=http://negativezone.co.uk/2011/01/24/wizard-to-relaunch-as-digital-a-digital-magazine-wizard-world/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823024704/http://negativezone.co.uk/2011/01/24/wizard-to-relaunch-as-digital-a-digital-magazine-wizard-world/ |title=Wizard To Relaunch As Digital Magazine |work=Negative Zone |date=January 24, 2011 | archive-date=Aug 23, 2011}}</ref> The first issue of ''Wizard World'' was made available online and through major digital distribution channels on March 2, 2011.<ref>West, Josh. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20211101181736/http://negativezone.co.uk/2011/03/02/wizard-world-digital-magazine// "Wizard World #1 Available Today!"]}} ''Negative Zone'' (2 Mar 2011).</ref>

==Regular features==
The magazine went through an ever-changing line-up of regular and semi-regular features, including:
* '''Book Shelf'''&nbsp;– Brief descriptions of the monthly trade paperback and hardcover collection releases.
* '''Top 10 Writers and Artists'''&nbsp;– Lists charting the most popular creators of the month in each category.

Retired features include
* '''Casting Call'''&nbsp;– A feature proposing the "dream" cast for potential film adaptations of various comic books. It later appeared sporadically.
* '''Last Man Standing'''&nbsp;– 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==
Both ''Wizard'' and ''ToyFare'' often featured mail-away offers for exclusive merchandise. ''Wizard'' began a practice of producing specially offered ''Wizard'' #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. Often ''Wizard'' would also include free pack-in issues with their magazines, usually numbered as ''Wizard'' #0.

==Wizard Fan Awards<!--'Wizard Fan Awards' redirects here-->==
{{Infobox award
| name             = Wizard Fan Awards 
| current_awards   =
| image            =
| alt              =
| caption          =
| subheader        =
| awarded_for      = Works of distinction within the [[comic book]] industry
| presenter        =
| location         =
| country          = [[United States]]
| date             =
| year             = 1993
| year2            = 2006
| sponsor          = ''Wizard'' magazine
| host             = [[Dragon Con]] (1993)<br />[[Great Eastern Conventions|Philadelphia Comic Book Spectacular]] (1994)<br />[[Chicago Comicon]] (1995–2006)
| reward           =
| holder           =
| network          =
| producer         =
| director         =
| most_awards      =
| most_nominations =
| previous         =
| main             =
| next             =
| website          =
}}
The magazine presented the '''Wizard Fan Awards'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA--> annually for works of distinction within the comics industry from 1993 to 2006. In 1993, the awards were presented at [[Dragon Con]]; in 1994, they were presented at [[Great Eastern Conventions]]' Philadelphia Comic Book Spectacular;<ref name=Greenhill>{{cite news|department=Newswatch |title=Greenhill Sues Great Eastern and Wizard |work=The Comics Journal |number=172 |date=Nov 1994 |page= 40}}</ref> in 1995, the awards moved their home to the [[Chicago Comicon]] (later renamed Wizard World Chicago), where they remained for the remainder of their existence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/wizard.php |title=Wizard Fan Awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419073548/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/wizard.php |archive-date=April 19, 2023  |publisher=Hahn Library |work=Comic Book Awards Almanac|quote=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)}}</ref>
{{-}}

==References==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|35em}}

=== Sources ===
* {{cite web|url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/wizard.php |title=Wizard Fan Awards|work=Comic Book Awards Almanac}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/02/books/02sham.html |title=Where Superheroes Go for Industry News |work=[[The New York Times]]|first=George Gene |last=Gustines |date=April 2, 2005}}

==External links==
* [https://archive.org/search.php?query=wizard%20magazine Archived Wizard Magazines] on the [[Internet Archive]]

{{Comics information sources}}
{{American Comic Book Industry Awards}}

[[Category:1991 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:2011 disestablishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Defunct magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Magazines about comics]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 1991]]
[[Category:Magazines disestablished in 2011]]
[[Category:Monthly magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Online magazines with defunct print editions]]
[[Category:Online magazines published in the United States]]