Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center to Host Annual Comic-Con, Video Game Expo and Pop Culture Event Tickets on Sale Now

July 8, 2009 - Chicago Comic-Con returns from August 6-9 with a lineup guaranteed to impress pop culture fans everywhere.

"This year's lineup of talent is by far our largest and we have brought out guests for people of all ages," said Wizard CEO Gareb Shamus. "We listened to our fans who told us exactly what they wanted, and we feel this is what we are giving them. Over 600 guests in all, an incredible number."

This year's show includes a host of celebrity guests including "Twilight" stars Cameron Bright & Peter Fanucelli (who also stars in the new Showtime hit, "Nurse Jackie," Academy Award Nominee Edward James Olmos, the "Stand & Deliver" and "Battlestar Galactica" star, the stunning Michelle Rodriguez from "The Fast and the Furious," Ray Park, Snake Eyes, in the new G.I. Joe film (also Darth Maul from Star Wars), "Hellboy II" and "Blade 2" star Luke Goss; "Baywatch" actress Donna D'Errico; "Star Wars" actor Billy Dee Williams; "The Incredible Hulk," Lou Ferrigno, and "Ghostbusters" star Ernie Hudson.

Also scheduled to appear are actresses Margot Kidder, pop star Taylor Dayne and "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" star Emma Caulfield.

The convention features selections from every corner of the pop-culture world, including movies, TV, toys, comics, video games, anime, manga, sci-fi, horror, WWE, MMA and other forms of entertainment - along with video game tournaments and costume contests.

All fans attending the show are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character, with an opportunity to win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Top entries also will reach millions of fans via Wizard Magazine, wizarduniverse.com and wizardworld.com as well as other fan web sites.

The convention opens with a special preview night beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, and continues through the weekend of August 7-9, beginning each day at 10 a.m. (9 a.m. for Advance Ticket Buyers.) Tickets are on sale now at www.wizardworld.com or call 877-402-3748 for single day tickets, weekend passes and VIP packages. Tickets start at $25.

Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books and magazines covering today's hottest pop culture happenings including movies, TV, comic books, toys, games, anime, manga and much more! Gareb produces Chicago Comic-Con at the Rosemont Convention center, August 6-9; Big Apple Comic-Con at Pier 94, October 16 -18 and Wizard World Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Convention Center June 11-13, 2010. He recently purchased the Toronto Comic-Con with dates soon to be announced.