Unfortunately, real life sometimes gets in the way of our “fun” jobs. Last weekend, Black Gate Photog Chris Z and I were forced to miss out on what was likely the biggest pop culture event in Chicago.

As you may remember, for decades, the Chicago Comic Con was the Midwest’s scrappy answer to San Diego, with folding tables covered in long boxes, artists sketching for a few bucks, and maybe a handful of cult TV guests tucked away in the corner. Things began to shift in the 1990s when Wizard Entertainment bought the show and rebranded it as Wizard World Chicago, pumping up the spectacle with celebrity signings, mainstream movie tie-ins, and that strange mix of pop-culture carnival and dealer’s room we all know today.

But nothing in fandom ever stays still for long. In 2021, the Canadian-based Fan Expo group purchased several Wizard World shows, including Chicago, bringing our hometown con under its sprawling umbrella of events across North America. That’s how Chicago Comic Con morphed into Fan Expo Chicago, but now part of a much bigger, shinier machine.

These days, the show still balances comics and creators with film, TV, gaming, horror, cosplay, and everything in between, proving that even though the name changed, the Windy City’s love for geeking out together has not.

According to the latest figures, Fan Expo Chicago 2025, held August 15–17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, drew a whopping 75,000+ attendees over its three-day run. This year’s impressive line-up of celebrities contributed to the attraction with reunions from casts of The Mummy, Aliens, and National Lampoon’s Vacation.

And it was at this incredible event where Chris Z and I should have been hobnobbing, thanks to Fan Expo’s organizers continuing to welcome us as part of their press corps.

However, all was not lost. A few phone calls led us to a couple of colleagues who were already planning to attend Fan Expo for the entire weekend and agreed to share their take on the experience. As this would provide you with a view that was separate but equal to the snark you have come to expect from Chris Z and me, it was a golden opportunity not to be missed.

Everyone, please welcome BG Special Correspondent Nick S and BG Photographer at Large Kat, and their take on Fan Expo 2025.

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It was incredible that in one place, I could combine my fandom for Star Wars, movies, video games, TV shows, and voice-over artists. Let alone exceed my expectations in finding the coolest stuff to add to my collectibles, wall art, and wardrobe at home. It was a miracle I didn’t self-combust from the overload of joy.

The Fan Expo 2025 convention, held August 15-17 in Chicago, was the ultimate convergence of contemporary and nostalgic fandom, cosplay, and collectibles — with a top-notch lineup of celebrities, vendors, and artists. The event celebrated a very diverse range of communities, including comics, fantasy, and horror authors, cosplay, anime, and games.

A people-watcher’s dream, it was fun to observe the camaraderie and admiration fellow eventgoers had with each other as they expressed their passion for specific characters via cosplay.

Going all-out in homemade costumes, Wicked was popular, with Glinda and Elphaba’s impressive costumes getting lots of attention. Old school met modern day when Michael Myers (Halloween) walked by a 6-foot-tall Snoopy and Freddy from Five Nights at Freddy’s.

Q&A panels, photo ops, and table autograph signings reunited movie and TV casts. There were stars from 1999’s The Mummy – including Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser and John Hannah (also of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.); Twilight, including Kellan Lutz and Jason Rathbone; and most of the cast of The CW show The Flash, including Grant Gustin.

John Cena (Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad), Hayden Christensen (Star Wars), Ewan McGregor (Star Wars), and Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean) had the largest lines for the meet-and-greet photo ops. WWE legend John Cena’s lines had a mix of movie fans and guys with their replica WWE championship belts slung over their shoulders.

Paul Reiser was celebrating his 1990s TV hit sitcom Mad About You with Oscar-winner Helen Hunt, but was also there with his 1986 Aliens costars, including Mark Ralston and William Hope. TV and movie stars were embracing their role or — like Paul Reiser — roles that made them iconic. Many shared fight-scene poses with their fans and talked with just as much passion about their movies as their fans did.

With endless rows of retailers, artists, and authors, it was torture to figure out what not to buy. Authors and artists, including urban fantasy fiction author Spencer Hixon, were on hand to sign books and create artwork. I was particularly taken by the custom signs on display at Ionox Media. I mean, who doesn’t love a classic Bates Motel or Welcome to Silent Hill piece for the front porch? By the way, Stormtroopers look less menacing when pulling a wagon full of purchases.

The Creator’s Stage had a jam-packed schedule of interactive panel discussions, demonstrations, and friendly competitions, such as paint duels and “Chicago’s Got Talent.” One topic (where I spotted Glinda in the audience) was Scott Larsen’s talk on “Chicago’s Haunted Shrines and Secret Children’s Memorials.”

In the main hall, Spider-Man stood along the wall holding a “Free Hugs” sign over his head. In the outside world, I’d see this and immediately run across the street to avoid him at all costs. But in the love fest of Fan Expo, people stopped and hugged him.

And then there was this encounter. “Can you take our picture?” a guy dressed like Batman handed me his iPhone to take pictures of him and Ghostface from Scream in battle. I had to interrupt their fighting poses because I couldn’t open Batman’s phone. It needed FaceID. I asked Batman: “How does Batman do FaceID?”

No laughs. Only silence. Only here.

Overall, despite the enormous crowd of attendees in a large venue, Fan Expo was so well-organized and well-orchestrated that I could immerse myself in my favorite fictional worlds without feeling overwhelmed — only overjoyed.

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A huge thanks to our guest contributors this week, and to Fan Expo for always being the highlight of the summer. Fan Expo 2026 is scheduled for August 14-16.