Chicago's C2E2 2025 was three days of comics, community, celebrities, and pizza (Pequod's, if you want to know). Read our full recap of the weekend, watch all of the Main Stage panel videos, see all the best cosplay photos, and more. And if you want to do it all again next year, we've got the dates for C2E2 2026, too.

And that, dear friends, was C2E2 2025. Three days of big celebrity panels – did you see The Breakfast Club reunion? If not, well, keep reading – as well as big announcements (DC is doing a Super Sentai Batman comic called Immortal Legend Batman! You should keep reading for that, too), and so much more that our heads are collectively spinning just thinking about it. This year's event, which took place April 11 through 13, brought together some of the best comic creators, literary stars, cinematic stars, and overall celebrities under one roof – along with the most eclectic shopping experience you'll have all year. If that somehow isn't enough, there were also interactive demos, deep discussions, screenings, and parties leaving fans with no shortage of things to do.

And did we mention it was also host to hundreds of amazing cosplayers coming to see and compete in the finals of the global cosplay championships? Because, sure; the international crown champion cosplayer was named here, as well.

Popverse was at the show in force, with editor-in-chief Chris Arrant, video producer Ashley V. Robinson, staff writers Grant DeArmitt and Jules Chin-Greene, contributing writer Dave Buesing, and video editor Martin Vavra all present and correct in McCormick Place Convention Center through Sunday, searching for the next big thing, the perfect gift, or simply the finest way to present some of show's most fun panels throughout the three-day run. We brought you breaking news, tidbits from top panels, and more - and we're going to continue to do so over the next few days; keep checking out our C2E2 2025 hub for more as we add it. 

But what were the highlights of the show for us? We're glad you asked. 

The largest comic con artist alley in North America

Fans had the chance to meet the people who write and draw their favorite characters in C2E2's Artist Alley. In what has become the largest Artist Alley in all of North America, C2E2's massive talent showcase allowed everyone to meet, converse, buy, and possibly commission these talented artists, writers, and creatives to give them something memorable - and something from the people who created the comics that led to your favorite superhero movies & TV shows. Everyone from Foxtrot creator Bill Amend to DC comics (and movies & TV) writer Tom King, our favorite comic creator Steenz, prolific Spider-Man artist Humberto Ramos, and more. Here's a complete list of who was there, and Popverse editor-in-chief Chris Arrant also put together a list of his creator must-visits from the line-up.

If you were hoping that the show breaks some comics news, don't worry, here's what we found:

• Popverse uncovered Murder Podcast, the first launch from new publisher Ignition Press, founded by former IDW and Boom! Studios executives
• Saturday's DC: Celebrate Superman panel included some bad news for the Man of Steel: Kryptonite is about to become a natural resource on Earth (sorry, Kal)
• That same panel also featured Jason Aaron explaining what makes Absolute Superman different from the regular Man of Steel
• It also included Superman artist Dan Mora reveal who he thinks Kal-El's true Dragon Ball counterpart is
• And DC editor Paul Kaminski talked about why the upcoming Krypto comic book will make you cry
• DC is teaming with Radiant Black's Kyle Higgins for a series called Immortal Legend Batman
• Popverse's afore-mentioned Chris Arrant hosted the first Marvel Matters panel, complete with Declan Shalvey talking about X-Men fan-favorite Mystique returning to villainy
• Oh, and fans are buying more comics, year on year, for the second year running

Your favorite celebrities, live on stage

In addition to having celebrities from the worlds of comics & lit, C2E2 is bringing together stars from movies, TV, and games.  During C2E2, you can see and meet stars from The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars movies, the Outlander TV series, the Red Dead Redemption franchise, and the saga that is Power Rangers. You don't need to wear a costume - but it never hurts, especially when you get a photo with them!

We shared video from some of the hottest panels of the weekend, courtesy of CGC x JSA, our official broadcast sponsor for the weekend:

• The Lord of the Rings reunion panel - complete with John Rhys-Davies asking Andy Serkis about the Hunt for Gollum spin-off that's in the works, and tales of director Peter Jackson laughing at surprising moments like seeing Andy Serkis as Gollum for the first time or hearing about his actors in pain. Meanwhile, hobbits are wondering if they'd survive on the island from Lost, Sean Astin admits to anxiety on the set of the movies, and, oh! Elijah Wood is finally changing his stance on wigs. 
• The cast of Baldur's Gate 3 causing chaos on the Main Stage, and talking about when they realized the game was a success for the first time. 
• The Breakfast Club reunion! Which included stories of that iconic poster photo shoot, how great it was to work with John Hughes, bringing the phrase 'Eat my shorts' into pop culture before The Simpsons, and why Emilio Estevez doesn't do reunions normally (but did attend this one).
• John Boyega being almost supernaturally charming! (Even if he does want to replace Pedro Pascal on The Last of Us, but can't see himself in the MCU.)
• The Futurama cast talking about signing lots and lots of body parts!
• The Critical Role cast sharing secrets and imagining a multiversal crossover with their own selves!
• A reunion for the cast of Starship Troopers, including a wonderfully irascible Michael Ironside who talked about Americans missing the satire in the movie.

There's more to come on Popverse in the coming weeks; we already have a schedule up of more video to come from the show.

While we didn't film every panel, we did make a point of sharing information from even more panels. For example:

• RoboCop's Peter Weller finally learned to enjoy his own movie.
• He also challenged fans to sum RoboCop up in one word.
• Once Upon A Time's Lana Parilla offered up the one place where her show outshone HBO's Game of Thrones.
• Parilla and cast mates also suggested some changes to writing of the show they'd retroactively make, if given the chance. 
• The Red Dead Redemption voice cast offered up an unexpected spin-off suggestion: Mario Kart, but with horses.

What more could you ask for? Well, more coverage from more panels, of course. Keep your eyes on Popverse; it's coming. 

Your favorite characters come to life with cosplay

In addition to all the celebrities here all weekend, there were also hundreds of amazing cosplayers dressed as some of your favorite characters. We've got some of the best right here, in fact. (Are you amongst them?) Oh, and don't forget the already mentioned Cosplay Central Crown Championship Regionals, Finals, and Global Finals, which were everything you wanted and then some. If you missed out, go check that link and see for yourself; Popverse streamed the whole thing and we also shared a full list of everyone who took place, as well.

Get your gift-buying done with Chicago's most bizarre bazaar of the year, C2E2

Attendees to the show didn't need to wait until Chriskindlmarket to buy gifts for the year, as C2E2 was host to nearly a thousand vendors ranging from large-scale manufacturers to local stores, and over 500 artists who made new things all weekend right in front of eager fans.

Saunter into the C2E2 Tavern

All weekend, fans kicked up their spurs at a fully immersive themed lounge called the Tavern. It's where they could grab a drink, catch their breath, trade trinkets with fellow travelers, and take part in a quick (or long) tabletop game organized by our game master friends from Rough Magic.

Grab a hold - and a memory with a wrestling star

Chicago is Wrestletown USA, and during C2E2 weekend there were enough wrestlers to fill out a battle royale. The stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling were in town for Friday's WIndy City Riot event at the Wintrust Arena, and fans could find them during the day at C2E2. 

WWE icons Matt Hardy, Kane, Jerry 'The King' Lawler, and Rikishi were there, as well, in addition to stars from AEW including Willow Nightingale, the Outrunners, and the very nice, very evil Danhausen.

A brain. A beauty. A rebel. A recluse. And you.

Stars from the iconic Chicago smash hit The Breakfast Club reunited at McCormick Place for C2E2 - and this time not for detention. Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, and Judd Nelson came back to the city that made them stars for the 40th anniversary of the iconic coming-of-age film, and fans also got to make memories with them with autographs and a photo ops, as well as showing up for the rare reunion panel on the C2E2 Main Stage.

Yes, we livestreamed the Breakfast Club reunion live from the C2E2 Main Stage, and you can watch the recording here. Just in case you got stuck in detention. 

Find lit that fits

Chicago loves books, and C2E2 loves authors. After seeing a ginormous appetite for prose authors in 2024, C2E2 2025 roared back with a line-up straight from the bestsellers list. At this year's event at McCormick Place, fans had the chance to meet (and get books signed) from Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone), Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files), TJ Klune (The House in the Cerulean Sea), Timothy Zahn (Star Wars' Thrawn creator), and more.

Oh, speaking of TJ Klune, he dropped a pretty big tease on his spotlight panel Friday afternoon: who wants to read his proposed graphic novel spin-offs from the Cerulean Sea series? We know we do. If only some enterprising comic publishers were around to talk about the possibility. He also teased his "painful" next book, and talked about his own inspirations.

But was that as surprising as discovering that Tomi Adeyemi is not only ready to Hulk out over the adaption of Children of Blood and Bone, but also wrote hundreds of pages of Naruto fanfic, including putting themselves in there as part of a love triangle?!? The things you learn at C2E2, I'm telling you...! See why we're so excited about the whole show?

Wait, what's that? You want more reasons why we were so excited about this year's show? Everything we said above wasn't enough?

Well, fine. Thankfully, ahead of the show's opening, Popverse video producer Ashley V. Robinson was on hand to offer her own suggestions of what you really can't miss out on if you're hanging out in the Windy City. Check out what she had to offer:

Chicago's C2E2 2025 took place Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13 at McCormick Place Convention Center. 

Did you miss a C2E2 Main Stage panel? Don't worry, we're filming it all thanks to our partners at CGC x JSA -  our official authenticator & grading partner. Here is the C2E2 2025 panel list and release schedule.