Chicagoland Comic and Entertainment Expo Is Coming!

C2E2 is a huge three day pop culture event held at McCormick Place. C2E2 starts Friday, March 22 and runs through Sunday, March 24. It is three days chock full of entertainment from every angle.

ReedPOP runs this awesome event. Debuting in 2010, C2E2 has gotten bigger and better every year. Last year, it drew over 80,000 attendees, including me. I have been going since the first show and my friends and I wouldn't miss it.

Comic books and all things related to comics are a big part of the event, but C2E2 offers much more than just that. There are so many celebrities, events, items and activities involving various parts of the pop culture universe. There really is something for everyone. For me, the main draw is the lineup of celebrity guests and this year, that lineup is stacked again!

The featured celebrity guests are listed as Paul Rudd, Summer Glau, Rob Paulsen and Harry Lennix, but as cool as those folks are, they are just a small portion of the whole celebrity list. Alicia Silverstone, John Barrowman, Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Amy Jo Johnson, David Tennant and Breckin Meyer are several more stars and the list is still nowhere near done. I would run out of space listing all of the stars, but by now, you see the celebrity guest list is stacked. In fact, there are over 50 celebrities from all acroos the pop culture universe.

A few more who I am really interested in seeing come from the world of pro wrestling. Former WWE champ and Chicago's very own CM Punk will be at the Pro Wrestling Tees booth, as will the Young Bucks. Marty Scurll and Kenny Omega. Pro Wrestling Tees will also have special offers and merchandise. The Pro Wrestling Tees booth is going to be one of the most popular booths.

Three other wrestling legends will be on hand at C2E2. Jim Cornette, Eric Bischoff and Tony Schiavone are making a rare appearance. I have never met them and am really looking forward to seeing all of them.

Just as talented, although a bit less well-known are all of the brilliant creators in Artist Alley. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to become friends with several of the folks setting up shop in Artist Alley. I always spend quality time with Dirk Manning, Franco, Victor Dandridge, Art Baltazar, Trevor Mueller, Paul Erickson and James Finn Garner. Of course, there are also more than 150 other artists, illustrators, writers and other creative folks.

Every year, I always get a few commissions of my Johngy character. I never give the artists any direction, preferring to let them do it their way. I have never been disappointed. The walls of my home are filled with all sorts of interpretations of Johngy in all sizes and colors. These never cease to make me smile.

The vendor area is also a fun place to check out merchandise and of course, to acquire new stuff. I always leave C2E2 with a few new Aquaman items and I know this year will be the same. Believe me, if you can find old school Aquaman stuff, you can find anything in the vendor area. If it's from the pop culture universe, chances are you will see it in the vendor area.

I must also add that the prices are surprisingly low. These vendors are not out to gauge anyone just because you are at a convention. They price their merchandise reasonably to make a nice profit, while gaining new customers.

There is all of this at C2E2 and still even more. There are many panels, discussions and Q and A's. Fan interaction is a big pat of these events, making them some of the most popular features at C2E2.

Cosplay is another major, and fastest-growing, part of C2E2. Cosplay is encouraged, whether you make a simple costume or elaborate one. Every year, you'll see lots of the current hot costume. For a while, The Joker and Harley Quinn were hugely popular choices. Now, while those are still popular, cosplayers are branching out to more unique costumes. Of course, I am always on the lookout for old school Aquaman. Wit the recent release of the Aquaman movie, I expect to see more versions of Aquaman than in the past. I'll see if anyone is creative and brave enough to go old school, eschewing the hip, new Aquaman.

With the presence of that wrestling contingent, I am sure there will be several cosplayers in wrestling garb. Too Sweet Cosplay will probably lead the way, as the best wrestler imitators.

There is so much happening at C2E2, I am certain I left out a few things. There is always several new things I experience and enjoy as well.

C2E2 is a place of inclusion. People from all walks of life come to C2E2 for whatever reason and all are welcome. It's like a giant reunion of friends or friendly gathering of strangers.

Speaking of friends, one last thing I must mention is seeing all of my friends. Some friends are C2E2 friends, meaning I usually only see them at C2E2. Others are good friends who I see elsewhere, too. Either way, this is a cool way to spend quality time with all of them.

I'll be “On the Beat” as always at C2E2. I'll be getting fun interviews, meeting celebrities, buying merchandise, hanging with friends and basically enjoying myself all weekend, as I am ensconced in the world of comics and entertainment. This year looks to be bigger and better than ever.