“Man of Steel” Star Michael Shannon, Zachary Quinto, Stan Lee Top Chicago Comic Con Celebrity Roster

‘Man of Steel’ Star Michael Shannon, Zachary Quinto, Stan Lee, Norman Reedus, John Barrowman, WWE® Superstar CM Punk® Among Prominent Celebrity Guests At Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 8-11

Pop Culture Festival At Donald E. Stephens Convention Center In Rosemont, Ill., Also To Feature ‘Serenity/Firefly’ Stars Alan Tudyk And Summer Glau, Brandon Routh, Henry Winkler, Six More WWE® Stars, Superstar Comics Creators

NEW YORK and ROSEMONT, Ill., June 20, 2013 – Man of Steel is the blockbuster hit of the summer, and Michael Shannon, who stars as “General Zod,” and Zachary Quinto, Star Trek and “American Horror Story” star, are among the top celebrities scheduled to attend Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 8-11 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.  The standout roster will also include Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee, “Torchwood” and Zero Dark Thirtyheadliner John Barrowman, WWE® Superstar CM Punk® and Norman Reedus of “The Walking Dead” and Boondock Saints.  It is the fifth in the 2013 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

The longest-running and highest-attended show on the Wizard World calendar, 2013 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con will also feature “Serenity” and Firefly alums Alan Tudyk and Summer Glau, Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: TNG,” Stand By Me), Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, Henry Winkler (“Happy Days,” “Royal Pains”), Sarah Wayne Callies, Michael Rooker and Jon Bernthal of “The Walking Dead,” Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory) and Verne Troyer (Austin Powers).

Lee will be in attendance on Friday and Saturday; Shannon, Quinto and Punk will appear on Saturday only; Reedus, Tudyk and Glau will be in attendance on Saturday and Sunday; Barrowman and Wheaton will appear all three days; and Routh will appear for photo ops on Thursday evening, then all day on Friday and Saturday.

WWE fans will also have the opportunity to meet WWE® World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler™, WWE® Diva AJ Lee™, WWE® Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat™and The Shield™ (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns).  It’s the largest presence ever for WWE at a Wizard World event.

Additionally, all full price attendees will receive a free copy of the Exclusive Variant Cover of The Walking Dead #1 comic, available only at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con.

Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend include Chris Claremont (“Uncanny X-Men,” “Spider-Man”), Alan Davis (“Captain America,” “Thor”), Esad Ribic (“Avengers vs. X-Men,” “Wolverine”), Pasqual Ferry(“Gambit,” “Hulk”), Harvey Tolibao (“Green Arrow,” “Silver Surfer,”), Scott Snyder (“Batman,” “Detective Comics”), Greg Capullo (“Spawn,” “Haunt”), Kenneth Rocafort (“Superman,” “Action Comics”), Neal Adams(“Batman,” “Superman”) and Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons,” “Muppet Babies”).

Also not to be missed in the autograph area are actors Wil-Yun Lee (Total Recall, Die Another Day), Tara Strong (“My Little Pony,” “Fairly Oddparents”), Allison Mack (“Smallville,” Superman/Batman: Public Enemies),Michael Rosenbaum (“Smallville,” “Justice League”), James and Oliver Phelps (Harry Potter), Denis O’Hare (“American Horror Story,” “True Blood”), Morena Baccarin (“Homeland,” “Stargate SG-1”), Jason David Frank (“Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers”), Linda Blair (The Exorcist, Repossessed) and Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk,” “The King of Queens”).

Wizard World Comic Con events 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.  Wizard World Chicago Comic Con show hours are Thursday, Aug. 8, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 9, noon – 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place all four days at the event, with celebrity Q&A’s, comics-themed sessions, costume contest, movie screenings, evening parties and more.  Sunday, Aug. 11, is also Kids Day, with an array of activities and programming specially designed for the younger Wizard World fans.

Chicago Comic Con is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event.  Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed –  will roam the convention floor, often stopping by the Cosplay Stage, the ideal place to see and be seen.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ch.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) 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.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****
June 28-30 – Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience
August 8-11 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
January 24-26, 2014 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
April 4-6, 2014 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
June 19-22, 2014 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con