Big announcements from Wizard World

Q&A sessions with standout celebrities David Tennant (“Doctor Who,” “Jessica Jones”),  John Barrowman (“Arrow,” “Doctor Who”), Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy , “The Walking Dead”) and casts of “Firefly” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and WWE® Superstars, sci-fi speed dating, anime, cosplayer and comics creator sessions, adult and kids costume contests and more highlight the programming offerings at the 20th annual Wizard World Comic Con Chicago, August 24-27 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Most programming is included as part of the standard event admission and is in addition to the live entertainment options (magic, dancing, music, etc.) all weekend.

Some highlights of the more than 120 hours of panels scheduled include:

Interactive Q&As with David Tennant (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.), John Barrowman (Sunday, 1 p.m.), Michael Rooker (Friday, 1 p.m.), Dean Cain (“Supergirl,” “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” Saturday, noon), Paul Bettany (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Saturday, 11:30 a.m.), Danny Trejo (Machete, Death Race: Inferno, Sunday, 2:15 p.m.), Gene Simmons (KISS frontman, Saturday, 10:30 a.m.), John Cusack (Say Anything…, HIgh Fidelity, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.), Christian Kane (“Leverage,” “The Librarians,” Sunday, 11:30 a.m.), Loni Anderson (“WKRP in Cincinnati,” Sunday, 2:30 p.m.) and many others Group sessions with the casts of “Firefly” (Summer Glau and Jewel Staite, Saturday, 2:30 p.m.), “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (Cobie Smulders and Elizabeth Henstridge, Saturday, 12:30 p.m.), “Doctor Who” (Alex Kingston, Jenna Coleman and Catherine Tate, Sunday, noon) and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (Nicholas Brendon and Charisma Carpenter, Saturday, 5 p.m.)

Wrestling talk with WWE® Superstars Roman Reigns™ (Thursday, 5 p.m.), Alexa Bliss™ (Thursday, 6 p.m.),  Kevin Owens™ (Friday, 3 p.m.), Charlotte Flair™ (Friday, 4 p.m.) and The Hardy Boyz™ (Saturday, 4 p.m.)

Creator-themed hours featuring industry superstars Rob Schamberger, Clinton Hobart, Mike Grell, Dean Haspiel, Barbara Slate, Alex de Campi, Trevor Muller, Danny Fingeroth, Joe Harris, Steve Geiger, Lani Sarem, Genese Davis, Maggie Thompson, Dr. Travis Langley, Victor Dandridge and more

Anime-themed sessions with Wizard World’s own Mogshelle and Laycee and others

“Nothing Stays Dead in Comics,” featuring Wizard World Editor in Chief Brian Walton on the cyclical death and rebirth of comics and the relaunching of Wizard

Wizard World Concert: Performed By World Of Warcraft Composer Jason Hayes and Video Game Band “Critical Hit” (Saturday, 5:30 p.m.)

Sci-Fi Speed Dating sessions (tired of lookin' for love in Alderaan places?) (Thursday 6 p.m., Friday 4, 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.(LGBTPQ), 1, 3:30, 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.(LGBTPQ), 1, 3:30 p.m.)

Kids programming all four days, including story time, face painting, puppet shows, dance parties, magic, learn to draw, (and Kids 10 and under are free every day with paid adult)

World-famous Wizard World Comic Con Adult Costume Contest, Saturday at 7 p.m. and Kids Costume Contests on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Cosplay with special guests Brit Bliss, Mogshelle, Papa Bear, Princess Morgan, Termina Cosplay and more, throughout the weekend

Unless noted, programming events take place in the designated General Programming Rooms or show floor stages at the convention center. VIP tickets or additional costs may apply to ensure access to select activities, as noted.

A full list of Wizard World Comic Con Chicago programming is available at http://wizardworld.com/programming-entertainment/chicago (subjects, guests, times and rooms subject to change).

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Show hours are Thursday, August 24, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, August 25, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, August 26, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, August 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.

In other big news...

As the saying goes: “Nothing stays dead in comics.” Pop-Culture leader Wizard World, Inc. today announced the digital re-imagination, re-conception and re-launch of Wizard, as part of a new digital initiative which includes WizPop, a daily pop-culture news service reporting on the biggest stories of the day in pop-culture, entertainment, and fandom. WizPop will also feature a weekly round-table reviewing the relevant news of the week. Bridging video, editorial and convention operations, the revitalized Wizard digital initiatives will speak to fans worldwide in Wizard’s distinctive snarkily-smart voice.

The predecessor to the re-constituted Wizard was Wizard Magazine: The Guide to Comics, had a wildly successful run for nearly two decades as the respected and widely-followed voice of comics and fandom.

Brian Walton, the former Editor In Chief of Nerdist and Vice President of Editorial Operations at Legendary Digital Networks will serve as Editor In Chief of Wizard in addition to his role as Director of Content for Wizard World. Luke Y. Thompson, formerly of Nerdist, Topless Robot, Deadline, and OC Weekly, has joined Wizard World as Associate Editor. 

WizPop the daily video news service will share the uniquely authoratiative point-of-view of Wizard covering the larger universe of all things pop-culture.

In addition to standing as a daily digital presence, plans are in the works to return to publishing Wizard as a premium quarterly magazine.

From “Casting Calls” to “The Drawing Board,” classic Wizard Magazine columns will be revived as web-based articles and regular video features. Wizard and WizPop will feature news and reviews of the latest in comics, tech, movies, gaming, TV, music, and toys. Also returning will be the hallmark in-depth feature interviews with some of the biggest names in the comics and entertainment industries.

“To a generation of fans the Wizard name has stood at the intersection of entertainnment and pop culture. By introducing Wizard and WizPop as vibrant digital incarnations, Wizard World will expand its pre-eminent position in the industry to connect and interact with millions of fans every day,” said John D. Maatta, Wizard World President & CEO. “With the triumverate of Wizard, WizPop and the Wizard World live convention platform we have created a 24 hour a day digital and live experiential platform serving the fans of pop culture—the Wizard experience and the on-going conversation doesn’t stop when a Wizard Comic Con ends.”

On August 25, at the 20th annual Wizard World Comic Con Chicago, Wizard and WizPop will launch at www.wizardworld.com.

Check out the first episode of WizPop at http://wizd.me/7ge0.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Review #GotGVol2

Opening today in theaters across the country is the continuation of the adventures of The Guardians of the Galaxy. The Fandads were lucky to see an advance screening of this movie on Monday and it was a delight to see our old friends on the big screen again along with some new ones. There will be some spoilers in this review, so be warned if you continue reading.

Wizard World invades Chicago Part 1

(Disclaimer: The Fandads were provided with a press pass by Wizard World for the weekend, all words and opinions are our own.)

Wizard World Chicago 2015 has come and gone and it was a pretty good con this year.  Like with many cons there were a few hiccups here and there, but Wizard World was a fun time for this fan.

Wizard World is going to "Kick off The Con" on August 19th. Will you be there?

The Fandads have been lucky to get the chance to cover Wizard World for the past few years, but last year was a great time because we got to attend the pre-con party and other off-the-convention floor events that you can check out here.

This year will be covering the event again, but the cool thing is that Wizard World is having a big pre-convention party and everyone is invited.

Here's the official details from Wizard World themselves:

ROSEMONT, Ill., August 12, 2015 – Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) today announced details of “ Kick off the Con,” the first official event of Wizard World Comic Con Chicago. The evening features some of the top celebrities, cosplayers, and artists in comic and sci fi entertainment on Wednesday, August 19, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Level 257 (2 Woodfield Mall, Unit A, Schaumburg, located between Sears and the entrance to Stir Crazy on the lower level, east side of Woodfield Mall).

Special guest celebrities expected to attend include Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy, "The Walking Dead"), Milo Ventimiglia ("Heroes," "Gotham"), Sean Patrick Flanery (Boondock Saints), Barry Bostwick (Rocky Horror Picture Show, “Spin City”), Chris 51 ("Epic Ink") and others.

Tickets for “Kick off the Con,” which include a one-hour Level Up card for free game play at Level 257, one house cocktail, beer, or wine and complimentary appetizers, are $20 “early bird,” $30 with transportation to and from Hyatt Regency O'Hare, available at wizd.me/KOTCChicago.

This will be a fun event to meet some celebrities and maybe have a conversation with us about your favorite post on our site...or just have a drink and talk about geeky stuff.

See you all next week. 

Wizard World Chicago Recap #WizardWorldChicagoCC

Wizard World Chicago came and went with a bevy of celebrities, panels and a lot of cool stuff to buy. I have been attending this con since the old Ramada Inn days and I still try to attend when it comes through the city.

Talking "The Driving Dead" with Michael Rooker.

Standing in the darkness of the empty movie theater I saw the SUV pull up and then he walked out. Dressed in jeans, a black shirt, a leather vest, sunglasses and baseball cap, he let out a big laugh as he exited the truck and greeted colleagues.

Walking into the theater he paused for a second and told the group that this theater (The Music Box) "was the first to premiere Henry when it was released."  There was an aura about him as he walked by and I could tell that this was going to be an interesting morning.