'Vampire Diaries,' 'NCIS,' Lee, Bernthal Q&A's Highlight Wizard World Chicago Comic Con Programming

Online, July 24, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Movies, TV, comics, art, sci-fi and the rest of the pop culture world are covered with the diverse, full four day programming schedule at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 9-12 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. From interactive Q&A sessions with stars like Stan Lee, William Shatner, Jon Bernthal and WWE® Superstar CM Punk® to themed panels highlighting "Vampire Diaries," "Star Trek," "NCIS" and more, to a movie screening, evening parties, kids activities, costume contests and Jedi Master Classes, there's something for everyone in the expanded offerings.

Highlight programming at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con includes:

· Celebrity Q&A's featuring Lee, Bernthal, WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, Hayden Panettiere, Bruce Campbell, James Marsters and more
· Three "Star Trek" captains reunite as Shatner ("Captain Kirk") Scott Bakula ("Captain Archer") and Avery Brooks ("Captain Sisko") compare stories of their respective times at the command of the Enterprise
· "Vampire Diaries" Q&A with Paul Wesley and Torrey DeVitto
· Discussion of the hit "NCIS" franchise with lovely ladies Lauren Holly and Scottie Thompson
· The Boondock Saints trio of Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus and David Della Rocco rekindle memories of the popular 1999 cult movie and sequel 10 years later
· Screening of the new film Contamination - A Convention Story, an in-depth look at the fans and celebrities who attend Horror, Sci-Fi, and Pop Culture Conventions
· Party with fellow Wizard World revelers at the Artist Party on Thursday and VIP Launch Party on Friday (sites and times TBD)
· Love is in the air with Sci-Fi Speed Dating, for those looking to "Terminate" their single lives
· Kids Day on Sunday, with a full slate of activities specially designed for the youngsters
· It wouldn't be Wizard World Comic Con without cosplay and costume contests - adults on Saturday night, kids on Sunday

Unless noted, programming events take place in designated rooms at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Many are included as part of standard Wizard World Chicago Comic Con admission; VIP tickets or additional costs may apply to ensure access to select activities. Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first come first serve basis and each room will be cleared between panels. Programming subject to change; attendees should check the schedule board on site for updates.

Programming at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con is available in detail at http://www.wizardworld.com/programming-ch.html, and scheduled as follows:

Thursday, August 9
1 - 1:45 p.m. Spotlight On CAFU And Daniel Acuna (Room 11)
2 - 2:45 p.m. Wizard School With Paul Jenkins (Room 11)
3 - 3:45 p.m. Portfolio Reviews With Shon C. Bury (Room 11)
4 - 4:45 p.m. Inside The Shadow Show: Legacy Of Ray Bradbury (Room 11)
5 - 5:45 p.m. Portfolio Reviews With David Macho (Room 11)
7 - 8:30 p.m. Jedi Lightsaber Master Class (Show Arena - Show Floor)
evening TBD Artist Party

Friday, August 10
Noon - 1:30 p.m. Jedi Lightsaber Master Class (Show Arena - Show Floor)
1 - 1:45 p.m. Storytelling With Michael Golden: Taking It To The Next Level (Room 14)
1 - 1:45 p.m. Rob Lean And R.B. Silva (Room 11)
2 - 2:45 p.m. Spartacus Q&A (Room 14)
2 - 2:45 p.m. Portfolio Reviews With David Macho (Room 11)
2 - 4 p.m. Jedi Lightsaber Master Class (Show Arena - Show Floor)
3 - 3:45 p.m. Sam Trammell Q&A (Room 14)
3 - 3:45 p.m. Super Secrets: Lifting The Curtain On The Man Of Steel (Room 11)
3 - 5 p.m. Sci-Fi Speed Dating (Room 21)
4 - 4:45 p.m. Art Of Brom (Room 14)
4 - 4:45 p.m. Razor The Mysteriouz-Magic Show (Room 11)
5 - 5:45 p.m. Star Trek Captains Reunion (Room 14)
5 - 5:45 p.m. Comic Con Costuming With The 501st (Room 11)
6 - 6:45 p.m. Five Year Mission Band (Room 14)
6 - 6:45 p.m. Vic Mignogna Q&A (Room 11)
6 - 6:45 p.m. Stan Lee Meet & Greet - Paid Event (TBD)
7 - 7:45 p.m. Rodolfo Migliari Q&A (Room 14)
8 - 9:30 p.m. Film: "Contamination: A Convention Story" (Room 14)
7 - 8:00 p.m. James Marsters 50th Birthday Celebration Concert - Paid Event (Muvico Theater)
evening TBD VIP Launch Party

Saturday, August 11
11 - 11:45 a.m. James Marsters Q&A (Room 14)
Noon - 12:45 p.m. Vampire Diaries Q&A (Room 14)
Noon - 12:45 p.m. NCIS Q&A (Room 11)
Noon - 1:30 p.m. Jedi Lightsaber Master Class (Show Arena - Show Floor)
1 - 1:45 p.m. James Hong Q&A (Room 14)
1 - 1:45 p.m. Charmed Q&A (Room 11)
1 - 1:45 p.m. Troma Entertainment (Room 9)
1 - 3 p.m. Sci-Fi Speed Dating (Room 21)
2 - 2:45 p.m. Hayden Panettiere Q&A (Room 14)
2 - 2:45 p.m. Dean Cain Q&A (Room 11)
2 - 4 p.m. Jedi Lightsaber Master Class (Show Arena - Show Floor)
3 - 3:45 p.m. Tom Felton Q&A (Room 14)
3 - 3:45 p.m. Star Wars Q&A (Room 11)
4 - 4:45 p.m. Bruce Campbell Q&A (Room 14)
4 - 4:45 p.m. Sean Young Q&A (Room 11)
4 - 6 p.m. Sci-Fi Speed Dating (Room 21)
5 - 5:45 p.m. Greg Capullo Workshop (Room 14)
5 - 5:45 p.m. Kevin Sorbo Q&A (Room 11)
6 - 6:30 p.m. WWE® Superstar Cm Punk® Q&A (Room 11)
6 - 6:45 p.m. Stan Lee Meet & Greet - Paid Event (TBD)
6 - 9 p.m. Wizard World Adult Costume Contest (Room 14)

Sunday, August 12
11 - 11:45 a.m. Stan Lee Q&A (Room 14)
11 - 11:45 a.m. Ghostbusters Reading (Room 11)
Noon -12:45 p.m. Buffyfest Q&A (Room 14)
Noon - 1:30 p.m. Jedi Lightsaber Master Class (Show Arena - Show Floor)
Noon - 12:45 p.m. Kids Arts & Crafts (Room 11)
1 - 1:45 p.m. Jon Bernthal Q&A (Room 14)
1 - 1:45 p.m. Wizard World Kids Costume Contest (Room 11)
2 - 2:45 p.m. The Boondock Saints Q&A (Room 14)
2 - 2:45 p.m. Stan Lee Meet & Greet - Paid Event (TBD)
2 - 4 p.m. Jedi Lightsaber Master Class (Show Arena - Show Floor)
2 - 2:45 p.m. Reading With John Sazaklis (Room 11)
3 - 3:45 p.m. Draw Like A Superhero With Art Balthazar (Room 11)
3 - 3:45 p.m. Ben's Bubbleshow (Room 14)

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals 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 event, including hours, celebrities, creators, vendors, VIP and photo opportunities, programming schedules, evening entertainment, autographs, sponsorship and volunteer information and more, visit http://www.wizardworld.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.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2012 DATES *****
August 9-12, 2012 - Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 29-30, 2012 - Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28, 2012 - Wizard World Austin Comic Con
November 30 - December 2, 2012 - Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
TBD, 2013 - Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
May 30 - June 2, 2013 - Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con