The Wizard World Chicago show opened Thursday, August 4, 2005 with its
first ever “Preview Night” and ended Sunday, August 7, with the
usual buzz of activity. The show news was dominated by Marvel announcements
about creators signing exclusive contracts, but the DC panel on the current hit
Infinite Crisis tie-ins was very well attended and the talk of many attendees.

Frank Miller and Jim Lee had huge lines for autographs, and many of the
panels showed increasing attendance as Marvel, DC, other publishers, creators
and gamers did their best to entertain and encourage fans in their respective
areas of enthusiasm.

Retailers reported mixed results from the show,
ranging from record-breaking activity to diminished sales from previous years,
though almost all expressed interest in returning for the next year. The show
reported an increase in attendance over last year.

Here’s a look at the
show in photos taken by Managing Editor Tom Gordon III.