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THE ULTIMATE FANDOM NEWSLETTER

Next release: November 14 | 4 PM EDT

The FHQ

FAN EXPO CHICAGO 2025

MEETING YOUR HEROES

Michael Rooker stands beside a smiling fan in front of a FAN EXPO backdrop. He’s wearing a straw hat and dark t-shirt while holding up a signed print of his blue Yondu character from Guardians of the Galaxy. The fan grins wide, excited to be posing with him.
Hayden Christensen, dressed in a black jacket and baseball cap, beams warmly at a fan across the autograph table. The fan leans in with an item to be signed as Hayden listens and smiles, creating an approachable, genuine moment.
Samuel Roukin, in a black Call of Duty: Modern Warfare t-shirt, poses with a fan dressed in tactical cosplay gear. Standing in front of a FAN EXPO backdrop, he points playfully at the camera while the fan hugs him with a big smile.
Thomas Lennon, dressed in his Reno 911! sheriff’s uniform and cowboy boots, strikes an exaggerated pose with a fan. Holding up the fan’s leg dramatically, both make hilarious, over-the-top facial expressions, earning big laughs on the red carpet.
Jackson Rathbone sits behind his autograph table, looking thrilled as he chats with a fan. With his signature long curls and a plaid jacket, he smiles brightly, leaning in with excitement under a banner featuring his name and Twilight headshot.
Ewan McGregor sits at a long autograph table alongside other guests, signing items for fans. In the foreground, a fan slides a boxed Star Wars Funko Pop across the table for him to sign, capturing a special moment between Obi-Wan and his admirers.
Kellan Lutz embraces a young fan in a heartfelt hug on the red carpet autograph floor. Both are smiling warmly as he leans down to wrap his arms around her, creating a touching, genuine moment of connection.
Mckenna Grace poses with two excited fans at her autograph table. Wearing a pink striped outfit with bows, she stands in the middle, smiling brightly as the fans flank her for the photo, both proudly wearing VIP badges.
Orlando Bloom, wearing a casual white t-shirt, laughs as he takes a fan’s photo on his phone at the autograph table. A show staffer smiles beside him, while the fan watches from across the table, clearly delighted by the playful interaction.

ANIME AFTER DARK

Voice actor Tom Gibis poses playfully at his table, raising his fists and holding a small prop kunai knife toward fans. His table is decorated with Naruto artwork and collectibles as attendees laugh and engage with him.
A packed crowd of cosplayers dances in a lively Anime After Dark party. Bright wigs, costumes, and glowing accessories fill the scene, with attendees celebrating in front of a large “What’s Your Fandom?” wall covered in signatures.
Voice actor Doug Erholtz shakes hands with a smiling fan across his autograph table. The table is covered with Naruto prints and Funko Pops, while other fans wait in line behind for their turn.
A guest artist in a tie-dye shirt smiles as he chats with two fans dressed in anime-inspired cosplay hats at his table. The table is covered with colorful prints, pens, and collectibles while the fans laugh and enjoy the interaction.
A cosplayer with spiky yellow hair performs push-ups in the middle of a hotel ballroom floor while a large crowd of attendees circles around, cheering, clapping, and filming the moment with their phones.
Voice actor Josh Martin, wearing a black hat and red sunglasses, leans forward across his table to chat warmly with a fan. The table is decorated with Dragon Ball Z art, including his character Majin Buu.

COMICS XPLOSION

An artist kneels at his easel on a tarp-covered floor, painting a dynamic fantasy illustration with sweeping strokes of color. Brushes, palettes, and tools are laid out beside him as attendees gather to watch.
An artist leans in close to his easel, painting a bold figure in red and blue with a purple background. Paints, brushes, and a cup of water are spread out on the easel’s tray as he works intently.
A woman in a denim dress smiles brightly toward the camera while standing near easels at the Comics Xplosion event. Behind her, another artist prepares to paint, and a parrot perches on a rope in the foreground.
An artist in a gray t-shirt and black cap paints a portrait of the Joker with vivid green hair and a wide red grin. He works at an easel surrounded by paint bottles, while attendees watch nearby.
A woman in a denim dress paints a playful cartoon of two birds with the words “I THINK I THINK I LOVE YOU” written above them. Bright orange hearts decorate the piece as attendees look on.
An artist in a black shirt and cap stands at an easel, painting a fantasy-style scene with soft pastel tones. His setup includes brushes, water cups, and boxes of acrylic paint.

CHICAGO CUBS FIRST PITCH

Hayden Christensen poses on the field with Clark the Cub mascot and a young fan in a pinstripe Cubs jersey and cap. All three smile for the camera with the Wrigley Field scoreboard in the background.
Hayden Christensen stands on the pitcher’s mound at Wrigley Field, smiling in a light blue Cubs jersey and cap while holding a baseball. The crowd fills the stands behind him.
From behind, Hayden Christensen looks out at the field and scoreboard while wearing a Cubs jersey with his name and the number 66 across the back.
Hayden Christensen walks across the pitcher’s mound, smiling warmly in his Cubs jersey and cap as fans watch from the stands.
Hayden Christensen poses with a Cubs legend on the field, both wearing matching light blue jerseys. They smile together while fans gather in the background.
Hayden Christensen shakes hands with Clark the Cub mascot near the field, both wearing Cubs jerseys as the stadium crowd looks on.

PHENOMENAL PANELS

CELEB-RATIONS

Brendan Fraser and Patricia Velasquez sit side by side on stage, smiling warmly at the audience. Both hold FAN EXPO microphones as they engage with fans during their Mummy reunion panel.
Mason Thames sits casually in a chair on stage, smiling while holding a FAN EXPO mic. He’s dressed in a black cap, denim jacket, and sneakers, speaking to fans during his panel.
Four Guardians of the Galaxy cast members sit side by side on stage, laughing and chatting with the audience. Michael Rooker wears a hat, Sean Gunn speaks into the mic, Pom Klementieff listens attentively, and Karen Gillan smiles brightly.
Five cast members from The Flash sit together on stage, laughing and engaging with the crowd. They appear relaxed and animated, each with microphones ready for fan questions.
Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen face off on stage in a playful lightsaber duel, both grinning as fans cheer them on. A stormtrooper and Darth Vader stand in the background.
Four members of the Aliens cast share the stage, laughing together during their panel.
Orlando Bloom sits on stage with a FAN EXPO mic in hand, smiling warmly as he chats with the audience. He wears a black-and-white varsity jacket and jeans.
Catherine Tate smiles and talks into a microphone at a FAN EXPO panel, with Mandip Gil sitting behind her, listening and smiling.
Rainn Wilson sits back in his chair on stage, wearing glasses and a casual button-down shirt. He smiles while holding a FAN EXPO mic, speaking to fans.

VICTORIOUS VOICES

May Hong sits on stage in a gray dress, laughing as she speaks into a FAN EXPO mic. Beside her, another panelist smiles warmly.
Todd Haberkorn sits at a table with a FAN EXPO mic, gesturing animatedly as he speaks to fans during his panel.
Six cast members from Avatar: The Last Airbender sit on stage, smiling and engaging with fans during their panel discussion.
Kate Micucci, Phillip Glasser, and Bob West sit at a table with microphones, smiling and chatting during their animation panel.
Five Naruto voice actors sit on stage, laughing and joking together during their lively panel.
Six cast members from My Hero Academia sit side by side on stage, smiling and interacting with the crowd during their panel.
The Helluva Boss cast sits on stage in front of a large audience, laughing and chatting with fans during their panel.
Hudson Thames sits at a table with a FAN EXPO mic in hand, smiling as he speaks to the audience. Two water bottles are set on the table in front of him.
Three members of the Halo cast sit together on stage, smiling and laughing while answering questions from fans.

CRAFTY COSPLAY

COSPLAY RED CARPET

A cosplayer dressed as Disney’s Hatbox Ghost stands on the red carpet, showing off a glowing green skeleton face, a blue coat, top hat, and carrying a prop hatbox.
Three friends dressed as Alvin and the Chipmunks stand together smiling on the red carpet. One wears a green shirt, one wears a red shirt with a yellow “A,” and one wears a blue shirt. All three wear shorts and sneakers.
Two cosplayers on the red carpet strike playful poses as the Barbies from the “Weird Barbie” and “Business Barbie” styles in Barbie. One wears a leather jacket, leggings, and long blond wig while holding a phone, the other wears a purple dress and heels.
A child cosplayer smiles on the red carpet dressed as Randall Boggs from Monsters, Inc., complete with a handmade headpiece featuring big eyes and teeth, a tail, and blue leggings.
Two cosplayers in horror-themed attire stand on the red carpet. One wears a bloodied vintage dress with makeup resembling smeared blood, while the other, also blood-spattered, plays a banjo while wearing suspenders and trousers.
A cosplayer on the FAN EXPO Chicago red carpet dressed as Geordi La Forge from Star Trek: The Next Generation, wearing a yellow and black Starfleet uniform and the character’s iconic VISOR.
Three cosplayers strike dramatic poses on the red carpet as characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Their outfits represent Fire Nation attire, with one crouching in a battle stance and the others standing ready.
Two cosplayers pose together on the red carpet dressed as Catwoman in a gray bodysuit with black gloves, boots, and cat ears, and Poison Ivy in a green velvet corset, neon tights, and red wig. A white poodle wearing a harness sits at their side.
A cosplayer in an elaborate armored costume with horns, a jagged mask, and a tattered outfit crouches in character pose on the red carpet.

MASTERS OF COSPLAY: WINDY CITY QUALIFIER

A cosplayer dressed as Inuyasha in a red robe with long white hair and ears beams while holding a “Best Novice” certificate on stage, with three other cosplayers and a judge beside them.
A cosplayer in a striking black, white, and silver costume with tall white hair styled into dramatic horns holds an “Organizer Award” certificate while smiling on stage.
A wide shot of the competition stage shows a cosplayer in a pink frilly costume performing for the audience, with attendees in the foreground photographing the moment.
A cosplayer in an imposing black-and-red armored samurai demon costume with large horns holds up a “Best in Show” certificate while posing triumphantly on stage with other cosplayers.
A close-up of a shimmering gold C-3PO cosplay, covered entirely in rhinestones, captures the costume’s dazzling detail under the stage lights.
A large group of cosplayers from the competition pose together on stage, holding certificates and dressed in a variety of elaborate costumes, from armored warriors to fantasy characters.
A cosplayer in an ornate black and gold gown with fur trim smiles on stage while holding a large knife prop and a certificate that reads “Best Masters.”
Two elaborate Dark Crystal cosplays stand on stage: a Skeksis in a detailed black-and-red costume with outstretched arms and a Mystic with long white hair and tan robes behind them.
Four cosplayers stand together on stage, one in a bright armored pig-inspired costume holding a “Runner-Up” certificate while the others in colorful period and fantasy outfits smile beside them.

COMMUNITY, GAMING, AND MORE

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

A family of three poses in front of a FAN EXPO step-and-repeat; the parents wear matching Super Mario shirts and the baby is dressed adorably as Mario in a red cap and blue overalls.
A family of four dressed in Star Wars costumes—Princess Leia, a young Jedi, Darth Vader, and Padmé Amidala—pose together with glowing lightsabers in front of the FAN EXPO backdrop.
A young boy and his mom, dressed in a Spider-Man shirt, smile as they paint crafts together during a hands-on family activity session at FAN EXPO Chicago.
A woman with a large red bow reads an animated children’s storybook to a young girl, who claps excitedly in response, at a storytelling event in the Kids Zone.
Fans write their favorite fandoms on a large interactive wall titled “WHAT’S YOUR FANDOM? My fandom is…” covered with colorful signatures, doodles, and notes.
An adult cosplaying as Indiana Jones and a child in a blue knight costume strike fun poses together in the exhibitor hall, with comic and pop culture booths visible in the background.
A teenager flips through a binder of Pokémon trading cards while sitting at a table in the gaming area, stacks of cards and binders spread out around him.
A young girl in a red wig, crown, and costume with broken-heart designs smiles brightly while striking a playful pose in the Kids Zone at FAN EXPO Chicago.
Two children sit in a replica military-style hovercraft surrounded by camouflage netting, while an adult in fatigues stands guard nearby with a prop rifle, creating an immersive play zone experience.

GEEKY GOODIES

RELIVE THE FUN

FAN EXPO Chicago 2025 Full Recap

It was more than a weekend—it was a celebration of everything we love. Relive iconic panels, showstopping cosplay, and unforgettable moments from FAN EXPO Chicago 2025.