The Crazy, Sad, Crash & Burn Story of Wizard & Toyfare Magazines

Wizard or Wizard: The Guide to Comics was a magazine about comic books, published monthly from 1991 to 2011. Toyfare Magazine, focusing on action figure collecting, was eventually spun off from Wizard in 1997.

It all started great and then Wizard Entertainment grew and then it all crashed taking Wizard Magazine, Toyfare Magazine a few other magazines and lots of jobs with it.

To become a YouTube channel member:

Follow Us on Twitch for Hot Livestream Action:

Second Channel:

Follow Dan on Instagram:

Toy Galaxy
P.O. box 3976
Manchester, NH 03105-3976

Business Inquiries:

[thebagonline]

This is kind of an embarrassing story, but when I was little I didn't have a whole lot of money to buy comics or toys. But one day at my local comic book store, I had noticed one of the dudes throwing away a bunch of comics in the back alleyway. As soon as the dude went back inside, I walked over to the dumpster he had throw them in, and I saw bunch of Toyfare, Wizard, and Action Figure Digest in there, and as a kid this was a jackpot find! I wasted no time and used my bicycle to climb on and hang halfway into the dumbster, with the lid on top of my back I grabbed as many of those magazines as I could. I still have alot of the ones I found to this day! Especially Toyfare Mag, that was my favorite only because of the random action figure comic strips they would do. And the random speech bubbles of the figures. I loved that stuff man. I miss these magazines. 🤘

[gilbertreyes]

When I was young and got into some stupid stuff that landed me in county jail, I wrote wizards magazine and they sent me some free issues to read while I got my life back together. Thanks wizard for all the wonderful articles your magazine printed.

[brianlehmkuhl]

As a 48 yo male this entire channel plays like a "this is your life"
I loved Toy Fair and by 1999 had over 1, 000 action figures.
The price guide was ALWAYS super inflated.

[Suzakuhelldragon]

I collected Wizard as a child and the biggest con I ever went to was wizard world chicago. I got to meet Micheal Turner (RIP) and have several comics signed. I still own those comics and treasure them. Wizard magazine will always hold a special place in my heart and I am so happy to know it meant as much to me as it did everyone else.

[mekman]

I’m so old.

Some of the biggest laughs I ever had was reading Wizard magazine in high school.

This is the best stuff.

Thank you.

[thizzle]

I loved Wizard comics. I'm 45 years old and remember all of these magazines. I lost my comic book collection in Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that hit New Orleans, LA.

Man, I've been following your YouTube videos and this one earned you a subscriber. Great job, great research and keep up the good work, please.

[jeffbrucker]

I loved these magazines. Think I still many of them boxed up somewhere. I personally feel Toy Galaxy is my new Toyfare. Keep up the great content.

[silentbobstash]

Man, I loved Wizard. Finding a new issue on the stands was an event.

[jeremygreen]

These were my internet... Before I had access to the internet. I remember learning about so many new nerd properties through these... Some of which I wouldn't appreciate until much later in life like "Sandman" or "Watchmen". Twisted MEGO Theater was my jam too. I have real find memories of pouring over these magazines for hours on end.

[bradleslie]

I was lucky enough to be working in a comic shop when these mags started publishing. Never missed an issue.
Loved Wizard, but Merciful Zeus, do I miss Toyfare.

[BuddyLee]

I worked at Wizard in '97. Probably the greatest job a teenage comic geek could ever have. Unfortunately it was about a 50 mile commute (each way) and, I was beginning to be more interested in partying and other things typical teenagers are into, so it didn't last too long. Great memories though.

[Notathug]

I remember back in art school getting your artwork in Wizard magazine was what a lot of my friends/classmates strived for. I got honorable mention in a contest and actually saw my name and art in print. It was quite the high for then.

[HappyBirthdayRoboto]

Guys thanks for making this video, it brought back so many memories. When I was a kid I didn't have many friends at school and one day I bought a copy of what I thought was a comic but when I got it home and opened the polybag I found it was a magazine called Wizard that opened my eyes to the politics of the comicbook world. I had only been aware of Marvel and DC but now I knew of Image and Dark Horse and learned about the opinions of the writers and artists and learned they didn't all like each other! Wizard and Toyfare were a big part of my life for many years.

[VantageInhouseTV]

Hi!! I’m Victor Dandridge, Editor-in-Chief of the LAST iteration of Wizard Magazine! Thanks for including it in your breakdown! 🤩🤩

[scottblanco]

I spent plenty of hours reading them at the cafe in Barnes and Noble. Loved the magazine

[rkstevenson]

Man, I miss Wizard magazine. I remember finding out they'd stopped their print editions by going to Barnes & Noble and trying to find the latest issue. Me and a really confused clerk spent 30 minutes trying to figure out why their system wasn't showing Wizard anymore when they had back issues on the shelf.

[Wis_Dom]

I had no idea Image Comics helped Wizard take off. But it makes sense. I use to collect Wizard, Comic Buyers Guide, and Previews. I remember a fun section in Wizard that selected who they thought should play characters in hypothetical comic book movies. Patrick Stewart was always Professor X. So when the movie "X-Men" was finally released, my friends and I were like...."they got it RIGHT". lol!

[Dargonhuman]

In high school, one of our graduation requirements was to do a "senior project" that was supposed to showcase a talent or passion we had. I chose to make my own comic book and cited several issues of Wizard magazine's "tips from the pros" section for my written research report. This was back in 1999/2000...

[spookerd]

This was the History of I didn't realize I needed. As a teenager in the 90s who had limited access to comics (closest shop was a 30min drive inland, and my island only had a few places w/ comics mostly DC w/ a spattering of Marvel stuff), Wizard was my way of seeing all the stuff going on in comics I was missing out on. It sits in my hollowed hall of good magazines alongside Nintendo Power, and Entertainment Weekly.

[ryan]

One thing I loved about Wizard was that they even threw jokes into the fine print regarding contests/submissions.