William Shatner, Jeri Ryan, Stan Lee, WWE® Superstar CM Punk™ Headline Expanded 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

Nina Dobrev, Tom Felton, Bruce Campbell, Jon Bernthal, 50+ Other Celebrities, Dozens of Top Creators Set For Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, August 9-12

NEW YORK and ROSEMONT, Ill., April 4, 2012 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, which for nearly two decades has thrilled hundreds of thousands of fans with standout celebrities, top-notch superstar artists, VIP experiences and more, rolls out an expanded, full four-day show, August 9-12 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.  More than 50 celebrities, including headliners like William Shatner, Jeri Ryan, Stan Lee, Jon Bernthal and WWE® Superstar CM Punk™, notable artists Carlos Pacheco, George Pérez, Greg Capullo and dozens of others are already signed up to attend what is shaping up as the biggest Wizard World show ever and the Midwest’s No. 1 Pop Culture Convention.

The international pop culture icon Shatner (“Star Trek,” “T.J. Hooker”) will appear on Friday, Aug. 10, and Saturday, Aug. 11, Ryan (“Star Trek: Voyager,” “Boston Public”) on Sunday, Aug. 12, Eisner Award Hall of Famer and comic book legend Lee and Bernthal (“The Walking Dead,” The Ghost Writer) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and WWE® Superstar CM Punk™, the current WWE®  champion, on Saturday.

“Wizard World Chicago Comic Con continues to grow in all areas, from celebrity guests to Artist Alley to evening entertainment to VIP experiences, so much so that we’ve made it a full four-day show for the first time,” said John Macaluso, CEO, Wizard World.  “William Shatner, Jeri Ryan and Stan Lee are at the top of a deep celebrity roster that will connect with fans of all ages.”

The announcement follows the recent news that one of Hollywood’s fastest-risers, Chris Hemsworth (Thor, The Avengers), will headline Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on June 2.

The longest-running and highest-attended show annually on the Wizard World calendar, 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con will also feature movie and television stars such as Nina Dobrev (“The Vampire Diaries,” CHLOE), Kate Mulgrew (“Star Trek: Voyager,” Remo Williams), Bruce Campbell (Army Of Darkness, Evil Dead), Tom Felton (Harry Potter, Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Amy Acker (“Angel,” The Cabin In The Woods) and dozens of others.

Eisner Award winner Pérez (“Superman,” “JSA”), nominee Pacheco (“X-Men,” “Green Lantern”) and Capullo (“Batman,” “Spawn”) are joined in Artist Alley by Rodolfo Migliari (“Green Arrow,” “Green Lantern”), “Brom” (“Dungeons & Dragons,” “The Plucker), “CAFU” (“Superboy,” “Action Comics”), Ken Kelly (“Batman,” “Star Wars”) and Pat Lee (“Spider-Man,” “Iron Man”), among a first-class roster of special guests.

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/home-ch.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworldcomiccon.com.

***** SAVE THE 2012 DATES *****
April 14-15 – Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
May 31 – June 3 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 9-12 –  Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 29-30 –  Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28 –  Wizard World Austin Comic Con
TBD –  Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con