Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo 2020 Preview: ‘Arrow,’ ‘The Umbrella Academy,’ ‘Star Trek,’ and More

If you are anything like me, you have a bucket list at least a mile long — and rarely check anything off of it. I know, it becomes daunting after a while, adding more things you want to achieve without subtracting even the most minor events that are totally within reach.

Well instead of procrastinating until old age, get out there and experience all life has to give while you are still young. Grab yourself a badge for the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo 2020 and rub shoulders with some of the top names in television, movies, and comics. 

On February 28th through March 1st, you will be able to interact with some of your favorite stars of yesteryear and today — asking questions, shaking hands, and even sharing a laugh or two. Events like this are the best way to come face to face with the characters you root for, pray for, or fight against without taking up residency at the local airport. Better yet, they are patiently waiting for you with a cheerful smile instead of a jetlagged scowl.

After the heartbreaking finale of Arrow, I’m sure Olicity fans will want to take one last look at their power couple before they sail into the sunset together. Stephen Amell (Arrow, Heels) and Emily Bett Rickards (Arrow) will both be available for autographs, photos and a panel later in the day. Even if you aren’t a fan of their relationship, you can at least thank them for their contribution to creating Earth-Prime.

Speaking of classic shows that have ended before their time, many stars from the original Star Trek are scheduled to appear as well.  

George Takei (Star Trek, Heroes) and Walter Koenig (Star Trek) will be more than happy to discuss their adventures on other planets and the multiple encounters they had with alien life forms. If they can’t answer all of your burning desires for knowledge, you just may have to turn to Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner (Star Trek, Boston Legal), who will be attending as well.

If your Trekkie fandom reaches all aspects of the known universe, you may also want to welcome some of the newest members to the family. The out-of-this-world stars of Star Trek: Picard, Evan Evagora (Star Trek: Picard, Fantasy Island) and Isa Briones (Star Trek: Picard, Hamilton),  can fill you in on any hazing rituals they may have had to endure along the way. 

Other awesome streaming shows that will be represented include The Boys and The Umbrella Academy.

With Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy, Misfits) and Emmy Raver-Lampman (The Umbrella Academy) ready to duke it out with Karl Urban (The Boys, Thor: Ragnarok) and Erin Moriarty (The Boys), we may finally find out if Amazon Prime Video will be able to take down Netflix — metaphorically of course.

But if it does turn into blood and carnage there will be a doctor in the house, Doctor Who that is! 

The Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith (Doctor Who, The Crown), will be parking the Tardis for a spell and engaging with the people of the 21st century. I’m sure he will have much to tell us, and we can teach him a few things along the way as well. Science and exploration works both ways, after all.

While I doubt he will be giving free trips on the Tardis, you won’t need one to revisit your childhood because David Yost (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Jason David Frank (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), and Walter Jones (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers will already be there to meet with you. If reliving your childhood isn’t on your bucket list, is it really a bucket list at all?

After you make your way through the crowd and toss back a cold one at the concession stands, you can finally work up your courage to take on the giant green behemoth himself, Mark Ruffalo (Avengers: End Game, 13 Going on 30). Luckily for us, he has more recently taken on a friendlier persona, so smashing won’t be on the agenda for the weekend — probably. 

Once you scratch all these amazing actors off your list, turn over to the athlete’s section and proceed to make more dreams come true by shaking hands with some of today’s top wrestlers. Stars from WWE, AEW, and WCW will be in town sizing you up for their next match — scoping out if you have what it takes to make the ranks of the roster.

Tommy Dreamer (WWE), The Young Bucks (AEW), Kevin Nash (WCW), and tons more will bring all their testosterone-filled feistiness and over-the-top theatrics to not only the show floor, but Q&A panels too. Only the brave will attempt to make them break character — or is that the dumb?

Aside from all your television and movie-themed aspirations, many comic-related guests from the biggest names in the industry will be present accepting your praises for their hard work and imagination. If you’re persistent, maybe somebody will let you give them your elevator pitch for the next big thing in comics.

As you can tell, this event is going to be ginormous! There is absolutely no way you won’t have at least one thing to cross off your bucket list, but it is more than likely you’ll be able to cross out huge sections. 

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Even if a bucket list isn’t your thing, this weekend is going to be the talk of the town. Do you want to be the one that misses out? Check out the complete guest list to see if your favorite will be there. Watch our site and social media for more coverage of the event!

Head to Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo’s website for tickets, autograph prices, and schedule. 

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