World of Fun at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2010

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2010 hit Chicago on Thursday, August 18 and leaves on Sunday, August 22. But when it leaves, many will have a lasting impression after meeting their favorite TV stars, comic strip characters, comic strip artists, movie stars, Playboy models, wrestlers and politicians. Comic Con weekend in Chicago is the only star-studded event where it's perfectly normal to wear blood makeup, wings, swords and breathing masks any day outside of Halloween.

A crowd stood in a long hall, waiting for the doors to open at 10 a.m. On the other side of the doors was an opportunity to meet stars like "Star Trek" actors Avery Brooks, Brent Spiner, Walter Koenig, John de Lancie and the son of Patrick Stewart, Daniel Stewart.

TV stars greeting guests in the morning included Ian Ziering (Steve Sanders from "90210"), Richard Roundtree (popularly known as "Shaft"), Burt Ward (Robin from "Batman and Robin"), Julie Newmar (the original "Catwoman"), Adam West (the original "Batman"), Jennifer Blanc from "Party of Five," Michael Biehn from "The Terminator," Bess Motta from "The Terminator," Richard Anderson from "Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Bionic Woman" and Lindsay Wagner from "The Bionic Woman."

Ziering, who was attending Comic Con for the first time, charmed his guests by giving out big smiles, handshakes, paid photographs and autographs. The actor, who said he's "still friendly" with the original cast of "90210" caught the attention of plenty of women in their 20s and 30s.

"My favorite part about meeting the fans is seeing the big smiles on their faces, like yours," Ziering said to AC Arts & Entertainment Contributor, Shamontiel.

Richard Roundtree, who hid behind a folder whenever he wasn't being paid to be photographed, said he came to Comic Con because, "It's something different."

Stars from the "Batman" movies--West, Ward and Newmar--were in a private booth by the back area where photographs were not allowed but paid autographs were. Although "Batman" fans couldn't take photos with the actors, they took paid photos by the Batmobile and snapped free shots of the car displayed inside of a three-way curtain.

A man dressed as Batman and another one dressed as Superman even made their way over to Playboy models to take photographs.

Comic book artists drew photos right on the spot while displaying featured art. Some drew photos of Chicago Comic Con visitors, and all artists were there to sell their artwork from booths lined throughout the hall. Comic book creators who attended Saturday's events included Joe Madureira, James O'Barr, Bill Sienkiewicz, Arthur Suydam, Jill Thompson, Ethan Van Sciver, Brian Azzarello, J. Scott Campbell, Geof Darrow, Victor Gischler, Greg Horn and David Mack.

Comic book enthusiasts showed up dressed as Superman, Batman, Sonic the Hedgehog, Godzilla, several male and female Jokers, Darth Vader, a Samurai warrior, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Battlestar Galactica characters and more. One lady came wearing a breathing mask, in head-to-toe costume as Psycho Mantis from the video game "Metal Gear Solid."

Former Illinois Rod Blagojevich had a booth set up with $80 for a photograph and $50 for an autograph. However, he decided to stroll around before going to his booth. Even those Comic Con guests who didn't have tickets had the chance to talk to him. He sat in the Batmobile, stopped near Ziering's and Roundtree's booths, walked out into the lobby, stopped to shake hands, signed autographs, sang "Happy Birthday" into a camera and chatted with supporters. The police officer alongside him had to pull him several times to get him to walk away.

Random yelling of "you suck" and booing from the back of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center was barely audible from the lobby area, and Blagojevich continued grinning even while a handful of crowd members booed him when they heard the announcement that he was there. Supporters surrounded him like he was the biggest star attraction.

Outside of politics, comics, television and movies, there were booths for phone service, measuring foot balance and teeth whitening. One of the representatives from Pearl Brite got in on the costume fun by dressing up as a superhero while passing out information about cosmetic whitening services. Random superheroes strolled through the crowds to stop and take photos with guests or to have their photographs taken solo.

According to the Chicago Comic Con creator, Gareb Shamus, Chicago has the biggest turnout for Comic Con events.

"Our industry is generational where you have a lot of guys that grew up reading comic books and now they have kids," Shamus said in an earlier Q&A interview.

Next up is the Big Apple in October.

For more info on the Chicago Comic Con event:

Photo Gallery: "Comics, Celebs and Superheroes from Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2010"

Video: "Blagojevich at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2010"

"Wizard Entertainment Founder Gareb Shamus Talks About Childhood, Pop Stars and Wizard World Chicago Comic Con"

"Wizard World Chicago Comic Con coming Aug. 19-22, 500 superhero celebs, comic artists, pop artists"

"Wizard World Chicago Comic Con presents Blagojevich, TV stars, superheroes and Playboy models"