Upcoming: Wizard World Chicago Comic Con (August 21-24)

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con show hours Thursday, August 21, 3-8 p.m. Friday, August 22, noon-7 p.m. Saturday, August 23, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, August 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Remaining Wizard World 2014 Schedule August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville October 2-4 – Wizard World Austin October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Read More Wizard World Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con Day Two was probably the best-attended show of the three day event (now, having seen the action on Sunday). Unfortunately, this Saturday fell right …

Comic book, movie, sci-fi, horror, and pop culture fans will again converge in the Midwest as next weekend’s Wizard World Chicago Comic Con takes over the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in suburban Rosemont, IL.

Among the numerous media celebrities slated to attend are David Boreanaz (“Bones,” “Angel”), Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead,” Boondock Saints), Matt Smith and Karen Gillan (“Doctor Who,”), Katie Cassidy (“Arrow,” “Gossip Girl”), Patrick Stewart (X-Men, “Star Trek: TNG”) William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “T.J. Hooker”), Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, “Once Upon a Time”), Anthony Mackie (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Million Dollar Baby), Bruce Campbell (Army of Darkness, Evil Dead), and James Marsters (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Torchwood”). 

Comic book fans can look forward to a lineup headed by industry legend and generalissmo Stan Lee, Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”), Leinil Yu (“Hulk,” “Wolverine”), Rafael Albuquerque (“Superboy,” “American Vampire”), Salvador Larroca (“Avengers vs. X-Men,” “Captain America”), Jim Cheung (“Iron Man,” “Fantastic Four”), Mike Zeck (“Spider-Man,” “Punisher”), Marv Wolfman (“DCU Online,” “Crisis on Infinite Earths”) among many others both in industry booths and within Artist Alley.

Wrestling fans can look forward to WWE® Superstars John Cena®, Batista™ and Bray Wyatt™, WWE® Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino™ and WWE® Diva Paige™.

Music fans will be happy at the chance to meet legendary Kiss drummer, Peter Criss.

Shopping, panel discussions, cosplayers, collectibles of all kinds, and much more await the several thousands of fans expected to attend during the weekend.

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con programming highlights include the following:

• “Star Trek: The Next Generation” Reunion Event, hosted by William Shatner and featuring Sir Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Levar Burton, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner and Gates McFadden (“Dr. Beverly Crusher”) (Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N River Rd., Sunday, 5 p.m. requires additional ticket) • “Arrow” stars Katie Cassidy and Michael Jai White in a discussion of all things Starling City (Sat., 5 p.m.); and “How to Survive a Killer TV Show” with Sarah Wayne Callies and Scott Wilson (Sun., noon) • FILM:CON Presents Special Guest Kevin Conroy, the animated voice of Batman, includes screening of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and discussion (Saturday, 6 p.m.) • Individual Q&A's with Josh Peck (Fri., 3 p.m.), J. August Richards (Fri., 4:30 p.m.), Erica Durance (Sat., noon), Jason David Frank (Sat., 3:30 p.m.), Nicole Behaire (“Sat., 4 p.m.), Peter Criss (Fri., 5 pm.), “Elvira” Cassandra Peterson (Sun., 1 p.m) and others. • Informative discussions with noted comics creators Marv Wolfman, Tom Richmond, Jason Yungbluth, Danny Fingeroth, Dan Mishkin, Alan J. Porter, Gillian Porter, Michael Golden, Jenn Blake, Leinil Yu, Kevin West and more • Screening of The Crow (Saturday, 7 p.m., preceded by 6:30 p.m. “Creating the Crow with James O'Barr”) as well as exclusive viewing of the pilot of “Scorpion” (Sat., 3 p.m.)

• Evening Events including “Wizard World Game Night” (Thurs., 8:30 p.m., Five Roses Pub, 5509 Park Place) (21+ only); “Creator Pro Am: Drink & Draw, (Fri., 8:30 p.m., Five Roses Pub) (21+ only); Wizard World After Party (Sat., 8:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency O’Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr) (21+ only) • “Con Radio Live” with host Mo Lightning and Aaron Sagers, with special guest Joel Hodgson of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.) • Costume contests for adults (Saturday, 7:15 p.m.) and kids (Sunday, 2:30 p.m.), plus cosplay-themed sessions with featured cosplayer Eric “The Smoke” Moran and others • Wizard World Comic Con Film Festival, featuring selected shorts and music videos (Thurs., 3-8 p.m., Fri. noon-5 p.m., Sat., 10-11:30 a.m., Sun., 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) • Sci-Fi Speed Dating (Thurs., 5 p.m.; Fri., 2 p.m., 5 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m..; Sun., 11 a.m., 2 p.m.), 90-minute sessions • Kids Day (Sunday), with an array of kids and family activities, highlighted by the Half-Hour Of Power With The Green Power Ranger (1:45 p.m.)

W♥M will have "feet-on-the-ground" and provide you a daily re-cap of all the pop culture goings-on, at the show.

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com