Get Your Cosplay On At Wizard World Comic Con This Weekend
By Marielle Shaw in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 19, 2015 1:40PM
Thursday marks the kick-off of the city's largest pop culture and comic con, Wizard World Chicago. Thousands are set to attend the four-day event that's jam-packed with events, vendors, cosplay and panels for just about everyone. While we already told you about the concurrently running Bruce Campbell Horror Fest, here's our picks for the rest of the weekend's events.
The show floor opens at 5 p.m. Thursday night, and while this is an abbreviated show day, it's also a great chance to get the lay of the land if you're going to be there all weekend. The night's activities include a panel on Chicago Ghost Hunting, sci-fi speed dating and Advanced Armor Crafting for those interested in cosplay. The night's celebrity appearances are slated to include Michael Rooker, Barry Bostwick, Carroll Spinney (the voice of Big Bird!), Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan.
Friday and Saturday are when things kick into high gear. This year's list of guests is incredibly eclectic, with represented shows including Sesame Street, Full House, Gotham and The Walking Dead. Fans can meet and greet Nathan Fillion, Jodi Sweetin, Burt Reynolds, Michael Rooker and a veritable pantheon of celebrities in the sci-fi and fantasy scene.
Some panel picks for Friday include Spinney hosting "How To Get To Sesame Street" which will give attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the ever-popular show; "Geek Wars," a trivia hour that will also focus on relevant social topics; and for all the nostalgic nerds, "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World," featuring actor Milo Ventimiglia in a fan Q&A that will span his career appearing in shows like Heroes, Gilmore Girls, Gotham and The Whispers.
Saturday, Vampire Diaries fans will want to arrive early for a morning panel with actor Ian Somerhalder. And fans of special effects should to make it to "In the Workshop with Robert Kurtzman" at noon. Later in the day, there's tons to get in on, including an Honest Trailer panel, and a screening of Supergirl.
We're also excited about Saturday's "Inside Firefly" panel with Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin and Summer Glau, the "Walking Dead Fan Panel" and if we're being honest, Jodi Sweetin's "Back to Full House" panel later that night. Capping off the night will be the Wizard World Adult Costume Contest, this time featuring a concert by Critical Hit.
Finally, if you plan on attending Wizard World's final day, we recommend checking out the "Minecraft: A Novel Experience Panel," and one of the more anticipated events, "Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey" with Arthur Darvill, for all things Doctor Who.
Whether you're a con regular or checking out the scene for the first time, we encourage you to pencil in some panel time. The floor may seem like the place to see and be seen, but some of our favorite moments have come in the confines of a panel room learning more about our favorite movies and shows.
Wizard World is Aug. 20 to 23 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, and tickets are still available.