CONtv, the multi-platform entertainment network that delivers exclusive programming through a collaboration between Cinedigm and Wizard World, is looking to fund a second season of their geek-friendly game show Last Fan Standing. They have turned to Kickstarter and Last Fan host Bruce Campbell in order to get this show for the fans financed.

Continue below for more on the show and to watch the Kickstarter video.

Wizard Magazine, pop culture bastion for some, ad-filled sell-out to others has officially closed up shop. Not much is known about the closure other than the staff was let go today, according to Bleeding Cool. Love it or hate there’s still something sad about the thought of not seeing it on the rack beside the comic books in the local shop.

Wizard plans to launch Wizard World in February 2011 as an all-new digital magazine that will “provide coverage of the world of comic books, toys and superheroes, and the personalities behind them,” according to a press release via Newsarama.

When the magazine launched in 1991 it was a must for fans of indie comics looking for reviews and information about their favorite titles and creators. In the 2000s, the magazine was retooled to be more mainstream friendly. Gone were the heavy fanboy articles and reviews in favor of more wide audience friendly news and previews. Many hardcore fans of the magazine will tell you that this was the era in which the magazine died.

By Deweese

Earlier this month was the Wizard Comic-Con Atlanta, which took place on December 3 and 4 at the Cobb Galleria Convention Center. This convention was formerly known as the Atlanta Comic Expo which Wizard purchased and added to the Wizard convention scene. This was Wizards’ second attempt to run a Con in Atlanta, and overall it seemed to be well received by the local attendees under the new name. The Wizard Comic-Con Atlanta had a variety of guests spanning all genres from television to wrestling, including Adam West, Burt Ward, Henry Winkler, Billy Dee Williams, Vivica Fox, Mimi Rogers, Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree, Linda Blair, and Ernie Hudson.

With this event being in Atlanta, there was the unique option to have a panel for The Walking Dead, which is film in the city. The panel featured Chandler Riggs who plays Carl, as well as about 15 of the actors who portrayed the Walkers (zombies). The actors answered fan questions as well as shared some stories about their time on the set. The Wizard staff member who introduced the panel did announce that this was the most well attended panel of the convention.

After what looks like being on the losing side of a convention-planning battle over New York, Wizard Entertainment continues to move into the smaller markets by expanding their stable of shows in three new cities: Nashville, Tennessee; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Cleveland, Ohio.

The Nashville Comic and Horror Festival, the Cincinnati Comic and Anime Show, and The North Coast Comic Con will now respectively be retitled the Nashville, Cincinnati, and Cleveland Comic Cons — giving Wizard a total of 12 events, with at least eight happening in 2010.

Similar to their actions in Atlanta [READ: Wizard World Atlanta Take Two], all three of these shows existed previously before being purchased by Wizard Entertainment. They’ll also retain their original promoters, which is significant given the company’s track record for handling convention guests (noted excellently by former Wizard Magazine staffer Chris Ward).

Wizard Entertainment announced Atlanta as the ninth location for their Wizard World Comic Conventions with no date attached as of this report.

The “TBD” status is enough to send a chill up the spine of smaller comic and entertainment convention promoters who remember the fervor that swept over the industry during Wizard’s first attempt at an Atlanta show in 2006. The company scheduled their event for the same date as the Charlotte, NC Hero Con — a move that caused guests to take sides and eventually derail the show completely.

That was over four years ago and Wizard hasn’t been back, until now. This time, however, their actions suggest trying to avoid conflict by purchasing one (of four) of the 16-year-old Atlanta Comic Convention events from veteran show promoter Wes Tillander.

As for any overlap, there would be concerns when it comes to the smaller niche Cons held in the city but the long-standing Dragon*Con is likely to be a safe haven if not only for the major hotels all being booked well in advance for the 2010 Labor Day weekend show.