On Aug. 18-21, thousands of science-fiction and pop-culture fans attended Wizard World Comic Con at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Vendors of practically every stripe, artists and celebrities were on hand to greet the attendees.
Among the highlights were Star Wars' Carrie Fisher ( Princess Leia ) joining the Back to the Future trio of Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson.
Also, The X-Files' Gillian Anderson will join the previously announced David Duchovny, Mitch Pileggi and William B. Davis for a cast reunion on Aug. 20-21.
Some of the other celebrities at the event included Norman Reedus ( The Walking Dead ), Sebastian Stan ( Captain America: The Winter Soldier ), Milo Ventimiglia ( Heroes ), Bruce Campbell ( Evil Dead ) and the cast of Netflix's Marvel's Daredevil, including Charlie Cox ( Matt Murdock/Daredevil ), Deborah Ann Woll ( Karen Page ), Jon Bernthal ( Frank Castle/The Punisher ), and more.
Windy City Times discovered an intriguing LGBT twist in the form of Francois le Foutre's risque and pun-heavy The Seamen Sexology, a six-part gay pirate romance adventure series. The author himself was present and discussed his works, which include My Coxswain Is Bigger Than Yours and There's Seamen on the Poop-Deck. ( The third book in the series is coming soon. )
In addition, Wizard World, Inc., the predominant producer of Comic Cons across North America, hosted its Heroes Honoring Heroes event Aug. 18, recognizing five firefighters from the Rosemont Public Safety Department at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
Wizard World President and CEO John Maatta, Executive Vice President and COO Randy Malinoff and all-star talent honored these service members with a speech and shield ceremony. Talent included Lou Ferrigno ( The Incredible Hulk ); Ralph Macchio, from The Karate Kid; Cerina Vincent, of Not Another Teen Movie and Power Rangers; Jason Mewes, known for his role in Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back; and Ray Santiago, from Ash vs. Evil Dead.
Wizard World, Inc., and the Rosemont Public Safety Department also honored Ferrigno as an honorary public safety officer in an official swearing-in ceremony on Aug. 21.
Next year's Chicagoland event will take place Aug. 24-27, 2017.
Photos by Andrew Davis and Tasos Katopodis
