The 10 best C2E2 2020 exclusives

The 2020 installment of the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo is almost here, and there’s plenty of people looking to spend some money on the show floor. If you’re looking for something cool for your collection, these 10 exclusives are perfect for you.

C2E2 tickets are still available here. The convention will take place at the South Building at McCormick Place from February 28 through March 1.

Astro Boy Jacket
BIBISAMA/ZZYZZYY
Booth #683
$130

Showcase your love for Astro Boy with this special jacket from Bibisama Apparel/Zzyzzyy in collaboration with Tezuka Productions. The original 1963 Astro Boy anime series will be available to watch on Funimation in the near future.

The Black Mage Hardcover Edition
D.J. Kirkland
Table #L-12
$30

A special C2E2 exclusive hardcover edition of The Black Mage will be on sale. Co-created by Daniel Barnes & D.J. Kirkland, The Black Mage deals with Tom Token, who becomes the first black student at an all-white wizard school. Over time, Token discovers dark secrets about his school that can lead to disaster.

CB4K C2E2 Exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #102 Kevin Eastman variant
Comic Books For Kids
Booth #1489
TBA

Kevin Eastman’s unpublished art for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #102 ComicBooks For Kids! variant will be one of the hottest items at the convention. This item will be limited to 75 copies, so be sure to get yours before its too late. All proceeds will go towards ComicBook For Kids, which gives comic books to kids in hospitals, cancer centers and medical facilities across the United States.

Dragonscale Dice Bags
Platyfly Studios
Booth #1643
$25 - $45

If you’re looking to impress at the next D&D session, Platyfly Studios have some astonishing dragonscale dice bags for your important dice.

Fuzzy Mage Fight Card Game
Shadow Squirrel Games
Booth #175
$20

Card game lovers will find their new favorite game with Shadow Squirrel Games’ Fuzzy Mage Fight. The game can be played by two to six players in a battle to become the best fuzzy mage in the land.

Limited Edition Archie Meets The B-52's Comic
Dan Parent
Table #Y-10
TBA

A special variant of Archie Meets The B-52's will be available for purchase. If that’s not enough, artist Dan Parent will sign each copy. Archie Meets The B-52’s, which was released last week, is another musical crossover for the iconic comic book character.

Mare Internum Softcovers and Hardcovers
Shingworks
Table #T-3
TBA

After years as a webcomic, the entirety of Mare Internum is available in both softcover and hardcover formats. Hardcover copies will be in a limited quantity. The webcomic, which lasted from January 2015 to December 2019, earned EIW Awards in 2017 for Excellence in Science Fiction, Excellence in Writing, and Excellence in Art.

Signed Copies Of The XII: The Father
Patrick Trahey
Table #W-16
TBA

The XII creator/writer Patrick Trahey will deliver some signed copies of The XII: The Father, which includes the first five issues of the ongoing series. The story follows Caleb and his quest to protect his family from the horrors of the Dead Roads.

Stranger Comics - The Untamed Hardcover Trade
Ashley Woods
Table #C-11
TBA

Released by Stranger Comics, The Untamed graphic novel features the entire seven issue series. This series leads into NIOBE: She is Life, which made history as the first internationally distributed comic book series to have a black female author, artist, and main character. Last year, HBO announced plans to make a live-action show based on Stranger Comics’ world of Asuna.

Zombies We're Human Too - Volume Two C2E2 Exclusive Comic Book
Austin Janowsky
Table #X-12
$10

A Kickstarter for volume two of Zombies We’re Human Too is currently underway, and fans can get a special sneak peek with a 23-page comic. This book will include story and art from the first several pages of the forthcoming release. A limited amount will be available to purchase.

Chicago's finest in improv and comedy take over C2E2 2020 this weekend

While the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo will be the epicenter of pop culture madness in Chicago this weekend, improv and comedy will deliver some entertainment through the convention. A list of amazing performances taking place at C2E2 can be seen below.

Tickets for the convention are still on sale here. C2E2 will take place at the South Building at McCormick Place from February 28 through March 1. More information about the convention can be found here.

Storytown Improv: Super Musical Improv Comedy!
Family HQ - Interactive Zone Friday February 28 (1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.) at Family HQ - Interactive Zone, Sunday, March 1 (12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater, (4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.) at Family HQ - Interactive Zone

Storytown Improv, which was founded by Jill Olson Stuck, have been delivering comedy musical improv for children since 2009. Aside from performing for the kids, they also teach children how to use improv in ther everyday life. They perform every Saturday inside Stage 77, which is located on 1225 West Belmont.

Improvised Jane Austen
Friday, February 28 (12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

Improvised Jane Austen delivers memorable stories that iconic author Jane Austen could've written. The all-female troupe earned the title of Best Improv Troupe 2019 from Chicago Reader. Jane Improvised performs every Tuesday inside iO Improv Theater, which is located on 1501 N Kingsbury.

Improvised Star Trek (16+)
Saturday, February 29 (12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

Popular podcast/stage show Improvised Star Trek will boldly go where no one has gone before during their exhilarating performance. Some of Chicago's best improv talent will take people on a journey on USS Sisyphus. The podcast, which began in 2011, recently had its final episode back in November.

Improv by The Second City
Friday, February 28 (2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) at Room S502A, Saturday, February 29 (2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) at Room S502A, Sunday, March 1 (2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) at Room S502A

The Second City is one of the nation's biggest improv theatres. On all three days, fans will be treated to amazing performances from the theater's brightest names. The Second City recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. The Second City also features theaters in Los Angeles and Toronto.

The Second City’s Temple of Geekdom: An Improvised Adventure
Friday, February 28 (8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) at UP Comedy Club, Saturday, February 29 (8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) at UP Comedy Club

Fandoms of all types collide with The Second City’s new show Temple of Geekdom: An Improvised Adventure. Five performers from The Second City will poke fun at various franchises such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel. Tickets for both shows can be purchased here. These performances will be held at UP Comedy Club, which is located on 230 W. North Ave.

Superhero Improv
Saturday, February 29 (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.) at Room S502a

If you're looking to get involved with improv, a panel of improv masters will discuss what makes it fun. During the panel, the crowd will engage in a handful of improv exercises. Garrett Gray, Jeff McNurlan, Jerry Sebastian, Logan Rutherford, Tyrone Grant, and Xyla Gatilao will be on hand to share their improv experiences.

Just Us Gals (18+)
Friday, February 28 (1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

Chicago comedians Naomi Spungen and Clare Austen-Smith bring their comedy show Just Us Gals to C2E2 for an afternoon of sketch comedy, improv, and various other entertainment with a focus on female, non-binary and queer performers.

Message for Details (18+)
Friday, February 28 (2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

The Shithole bring some of the finest in comedy and improv for an hour of entertainment. Co-founded in 2013 by Zach Bartz and Kevin Gerrity, The Shithole delivers a handful of shows per week.

The P*ssy Paragraphs (18+)
Friday, February 28 (4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

Taking inspiration from The Vagina Monologues, comedy show The P*ssy Paragraphs features some of the best transgender and nonbinary performers telling stories about their sexuality.

Congrats on Your Success (16+)
Friday, February 28 (5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

Congrats on Your Success will bring some of the best comics from Chicago and beyond for an hour of laughs. The showcase, which began in 2012, normally takes place on the first Thursday of the month inside bookstore Uncharted Books, which is located on 5140 N Clark St.

The Cards Against Humanity Late Night Writer's Room (16+)
Friday, February 28 (7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater, Saturday, February 29 (7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

Comedy show Cards Against Humanity: Late Night Writers Room mixes improv with the popular card game. After taking audience suggestions, a group of writers will play a round of Cards Against Humanity. The winning combinations will be performed live in front of the audience.

Dungeons, Dice, & Everything Nice (16+)
Saturday, February 29 (1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

D&D podcast Dungeons, Dice, & Everything Nice will record a special one-off episode in front of a live audience. With Katie Mae as the Dungeon Master, the show features Sydney Foltz as barbarian Kai Abadite, Liz Burton as wizard Zil Nire, Carly Strait as half-orc ranger Griana Arande, Mckenzie Wilkes as soldier Dylan Rose, and Molly Shafer as gnome warlock Phibi Valpip.

Automation Anarchy - Robot Riot
Saturday, February 29 (2:45 pm - 3:45 pm) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

Robots will battle each other to become the last one standing in the biggest robot competition of the year. Robot Riot, which is Chicago’s only robot fighting league, was founded in 2015 by Adrian Choy.

Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestling (16+)
Saturday, February 29 (4:15 pm - 5:15 pm) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

Eight of the baddest arm wrestlers in Chicago will battle each other inside C2E2. Only one will be declared the winner. The event is produced by the Sideshow Theatre Company. Since 2009, Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestling has helped raise money for various non-profits in the city, including Chicago Women's Health Center and Ayodele Drum and Dance.

Second Annual Tee K.O. Live: Cards Against Humanity vs. Jackbox Games (18+)
Saturday, February 29 (5:45 pm - 6:45 pm) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

The writers of Cards Against Humanity take on the staff of Jackbox Games in a friendly game of Tee K.O.! This game, which is included in The Jackbox Party Pack 3, finds players trying to create the best T-shirts out of slogans and pictures.

That's Weird, Grandma: Nerds Out!
Sunday, March 1 (1:30 pm - 2:30 pm) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

Chicago’s family friendly sketch show That’s Weird, Grandma digs into its nerdy side for a special C2E2 performance. In May, That’s Weird, Grandma: A Hip-Hopera will open to the public.

Mortified (17+)
Sunday, March 1 (2:45 pm - 3:45 pm) at Room S402 - Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theater

In Mortified, a group of brave individuals will share their most embarrassing love letters, diary entries, and more from their younger years in front of complete strangers. The Mortified Guide, which is on Netflix, showcases several Mortified events across the country.

Five panels to catch at C2E2 2020

The 2020 installment of the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo arrives in a few days, and everyone is packing last minute things for the popular convention. If you’re looking for something to do in between autograph signings and show floor purchases, here are five panels worth checking out.

Tickets for C2E2 are still on sale here. You can save $10 by purchasing them before Thursday (February 27). The convention will take place at the South Building at McCormick Place from February 28 through March 1. More information about the convention can be found here.

Tabletop Streaming Secrets
Friday, February 28
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Room S403

Over the past few years, TTRPGs have seen growth thanks to Twitch and podcasts. Encounter Party podcast cast member Ned Donovan and Theatre of the Mind Players members Rob Wieland, Ethan Eichstadt-Anderson, Tony Cheek, Brad Davies, and Tawnie Thompson will discuss how to properly stream your next session for the world to see and hear.

15 years of Zenescope - Traveling Through the World of Fairy Tales
Saturday, February 29
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Room S405a

Zenescope Entertainment co-founder Ralph Tedesco will be on hand to celebrate the company's 15 year-anniversary at C2E2. Founded in 2005, the company has released popular titles such as Grimm Fairy Tales and Monster Hunter's Survival Guide. They've also unveiled licensed series based on Charmed, Final Destination, and Se7en. Other people joining this special panel are Zenescope's social media marketing specialist Allison Ray and artists David Nakayama and Jason Metcalf.

Making Comics: For Women, By Women
Saturday, February 29
4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Room S405a

Creators Lily Williams, Karen Schneemann, Kat Leyh, and Lucy Knisley talk about the process in making comics specifically for women. Last month, Williams and Schneemann released the graphic novel Go With The Flow, which follows a group of high school students learning about themselves and the world around them. Earlier this month, Kat Leyh unveiled the graphic novel Snapdragon, which follows a young girl befriending an old witch. On Tuesday, Knisley will release (I Miss You): Cartoons from the Fog of New Parenthood, which documents her life as a new mother.

C2E2 Crown Championships of Cosplay
Saturday, February 29
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Main Stage - S406

The C2E2 Crown Championships of Cosplay will bring the best cosplayers from around the world for one final stop. The winner will walk away as the Global Champion of Cosplay and have $10,000 in cash prizes waiting for them. Ivy Doomkitty, Ginoza Costuming, and PepperMonster Cosplay will be judging the competition.

Women of Marvel
Sunday, March 1
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Room S401

The Women of Marvel panel, which is being moderated by Judy Stephens, returns to C2E2 with three of the best writers in the industry. Acclaimed writer Gail Simone is best known for her work on Birds of Prey, Batgirl, and Wonder Woman. Last year, she worked on Domino: Hotshots and Tony Stark: Iron Man. Leah Williams made her Marvel Comics debut in 2017 with Totally Awesome Hulk #1. She currently writes for the titles Gwenpool Strikes Back and Amazing Mary Jane, and she’ll be writing the forthcoming X-Factor series. Rainbow Rowell began writing young adults novels before jumping into comic books with the 2017 revival of Marvel's Runaways. Last summer, she unveiled the graphic novel Pumpkinheads.

Mark Ruffalo announces appearance at C2E2 2020

Today, the folks behind the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo announced the addition of actor Mark Ruffalo on Saturday, February 29 and Sunday, March 1. This will be the first C2E2 appearance for the MCU star. Ruffalo will also have a panel on March 1 to talk about his MCU experience. This will go down from 10 a.m. to 10:45 .a.m in the Main Stage. You can pre-purchase photo ops and autographs from the star here.

Ruffalo began playing Bruce Banner/The Hulk in 2012’s The Avengers. In 2021, he’ll reprise the role for the Disney+ animated series What If…? Outside of the MCU, the actor earned praise for his work in The Normal Heart, Foxcatcher, Infinitely Polar Bear, and Spotlight.

C2E2 takes place at Chicago’s McCormick Place from February 28 through March 1. Three-day and single day tickets are available here.

Star Trek: Picard's Isa Briones and Evan Evagora announced for C2E2 2020

Following the premiere of CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Picard, C2E2 today announced stars Isa Briones and Evan Evagora will arrive at the convention. Briones, who also appeared in American Crime Story, portrays twin sisters Dahj and Soji. Evagora, who’s appearing in the forthcoming Blumhouse's Fantasy Island, portrays Romulan refugee Elnor. They’ll be arriving at the popular convention alongside TV stars Stephen Amell, George Takei, and Erin Moriarty. Briones and Evagora will be present for all three days.

Star Trek: Picard finds Patrick Stewart reprising his iconic role of Jean-Luc Picard. Aside from Stewart, Brent Spiner, Jeri Ryan, Jonathan Del Arco, Jonathan Frakes, and Marina Sirtis. Before its premiere, Star Trek: Picard was renewed for a second season.

Three day and single day tickets for C2E2 are available here. The convention takes place at Chicago’s McCormick Place from February 28 through March 1.