Wizard World Chicago was one of the largest and longest-running comic book and pop culture conventions in the United States. Originally starting as the Chicago Comic Con in 1972, the event was later acquired by Wizard Entertainment in 1997 and rebranded as Wizard World Chicago. The convention became a major gathering for fans of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, and pop culture, drawing huge crowds each year.
Wizard World Chicago was known for its extensive lineup of celebrity guests, including actors from popular TV shows and movies, as well as comic book creators, writers, and artists. The event featured panels, autograph sessions, cosplay contests, and a large exhibition floor with vendors selling comics, collectibles, and memorabilia. Over the years, Wizard World Chicago expanded beyond comics to include a broader range of pop culture content, making it a major event in the convention circuit. However, in 2021, Wizard Entertainment’s conventions were sold to Informa, and the event was rebranded as Fan Expo Chicago starting in 2022
2015 Chicago 2015 Chicago Fan Fest 2016 2017 2018 2019
2017
2015 Wizard World Chicago Fan Fest
In 2015 Wizard World decided to have a spring show which they called Wizard World Fan Fest. Were they perhaps seeing the future or were they just trying to compete with C2E2 which was happening a few weeks later?