31/01/11 – IGN - the UK’s largest video games and entertainment network, today announces it has become the Platinum Sponsor for KAPOW! COMIC CON   – a new event dedicated to comic books and the films, TV and games they inspire.

Bringing a flavour of San Diego’s annual Comic Con to central London for the first time, KAPOW! takes over the Islington Design Centre on the weekend of April 9th and 10th.   In the US, the annual San Diego event attracts an estimated 140,000 fans to the city, while tens of thousands also attend major Comic Cons in New York and San Francisco.

Mark Millar, the ambassador for Kapow! and creator of the blockbuster movies Kick-Ass and Wanted, said:

“IGN is a real hub for all gaming and entertainment fans, this is a brilliant brand match for KAPOW! This is a great opportunity for all Comic Con attendees to experience the best of videogames and for publishers to promote their upcoming products to their fans.”

Supporting KAPOW! and taking a presence on the show floor, IGN UK sponsors the IGN Arena - offering publishers and film studios high-profile space to display their gaming and Blu-Ray releases to more than 10,000 influential fans. Taking a space in the IGN Arena, gives exhibitors the chance to share new trailers and exclusive news with IGN readers across the globe through the site’s dedicated KAPOW! hub on http://uk.ign.com <http://uk.ign.com>

Lucy Unwin, Director, Kapow!, added:

“Ticket sales have been phenomenally successful since we publicly launched at the end of last year and it is brilliant to now welcome IGN as our platinum sponsor. The IGN Arena brings publishers and studios an affordable, high-impact opportunity to promote their products to those visiting the event.  We hope to build on our partnership with IGN, as the event grows and develops each year.”

With appearances already confirmed from TV stars including Jonathan Ross, Frankie Boyle and comic legends like Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons and panels from industry DC and Marvel, a full program will be announced shortly on the http://www.kapowcomiccon.com <http://www.kapowcomiccon.com> website.

Rich Keen, Marketing Director, IGN Entertainment UK, commented:

“We’re delighted to be supporting KAPOW! in bringing the Comic Con experience to central London for the first time.  The event has attracted some big name talent, and an audience of enthusiasts who love entertainment.  Our coverage of the show across IGN.com will reach 28 million readers globally, putting KAPOW! Comic Con firmly on the map as a major event for fans around the world.”