Wizard World

Fri., June 19, noon-7 p.m.; Sat., June 20, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., June 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $25-$50, Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St., wizardworld.com.

by Brion Shreffler

He's a 7-foot-3 carpet of fur who'll kindly fix your hyperdrive, but he also may pull your arms out of their sockets if you gloat while beating him at holographic chess. I'm referring to, obviously, Chewbacca, whom you can meet at Wizard World, along with a crap ton of other fanboy notables — Lou Ferrigno, Ray Park (Snake Eyes in the upcoming G.I. Joe), Kevin Smith, Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3) and Edward James Olmos, whose cred runs deep (who can forget that line at the end of Blade Runner?).

While Wizard World is definitely keen on pushing merchandise — you'll see many more wrestling action figures there as you will actual wrestlers — the convention is also a great networking event for wannabe Oscar Waos, with established comic book artists on the same floor as kids just removed from their parents' homes. In addition to both big and small comic publishers, there's an artists' alley, where anyone can register to sell original work, and performances from comedians like Upright Citizens Brigade and Angry People Building Things.

In other words, Wizard World is more than a reason to break out the Star Trek costumes. "It's a pop culture phenomenon," says Robert Lefevre, manager at comics store Brave New Worlds, which is exhibiting at the convention. "It brings people out of their basements and creates community."

Fri., June 19, noon-7 p.m.; Sat., June 20, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., June 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $25-$50, Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St., wizardworld.com.