Wizard Conventions has announced that the recent Wizard World Los Angeles pop culture convention surpassed all expectations with attendance at the inaugural event exceeding 19,500.

Jim Schifeling of Acme Comics in Normal, Illinois has seen the recent comments on Free Comic Book Day and feels that retailers get out in proportion to what they put in.

Ilan Strasser of Fat Moose Comics and Games in Whippany, New Jersey saw the recent article on Marvel's Ultimates series, and the recent article on Free Comic Book Day and the associated Talk Back comments, and wants his comics on time and Free Comic Book Day in May.

Gail Burt of Metropolis Comics in Downey, California saw the comments on Free Comic Book Day from Jay Bardyla of Happy Harbor on Free Comic Book Day and sent us this comment.

Jay Bardyla of Happy Harbor Comics & Toys in Edmonton and Jasper, Alberta, and Vancouver, British Columbia, saw the announcement of the Free Comic Book Day sponsors, and had thoughts on one notable absence from the list of sponsors, as well as continued dissatisfaction with the date selected.

4Kids Entertainment, Inc. has announced a multi-year licensing agreement with Mattel which gives the toymaker the exclusive worldwide (outside of Asia) manufacturing and marketing rights for Shaman King .

Sota Toys and GrimmGrottoGoods have announced three series of mechanized hand puppets.

Marvel Enterprises, Inc. has announced licensing agreements with LeapFrog Enterprises and VTech Holdings, which will put Spider-Man into educational toys for both pre-schoolers and grade school students.

Reaction from the first showing of Hellboy indicates that the film will be a hit with the core fan audience.

ADV Toys has announced its first release, a plush figure of Jonathan the Seal .