Robot 6
Rod Blagojevich to appear at Wizard World Chicago (yes, really)
Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich, the former Illinois governor who awaits a second corruption trial, has been announced as a last-minute guest at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con in Rosemont, Illinois. He’ll appear Saturday to pose for photos and sign autographs, which sell for a whopping $80 and $50 each, respectively.
Just three days ago a federal jury found Blagojevich guilty of lying to the FBI, but deadlocked on 23 other counts, ranging from racketeering to attempted extortion and bribery, tied to accusations that he attempted to sell the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. A hearing will be held on Aug. 26 to discuss a new trial date.
Although Blagojevich, who served as governor from 2003 until his removal from office last year, came to national attention because of the corruption scandal, he has remained in the spotlight through his brief stint on the reality series The Celebrity Apprentice and through numerous television appearances.
“Wizard World Chicago Comic Con is all about pop culture, and Rod Blagojevich is as relevant to today’s news as it gets,” Wizard Entertainment CEO Gareb Shamus said in a statement. “We think the court of public opinion will show him to be a popular figure at the show.”
- August 20, 2010 @ 12:00 PM by Kevin Melrose
14 Comments
David Uzumeri
August 20, 2010 at 12:36 pm
I can’t figure out if this is more demeaning to Blagojevich or Wizard World.
shadow076
August 20, 2010 at 12:54 pm
how is he anything pop culture?
Ryan
August 20, 2010 at 12:57 pm
This is so crazy. I guess he the closest thing to a real supervillain a Comic-Con can get.
Blue Saint
August 20, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Can we all just admit that everything Wizard does now is utterly pointless. I mean when this the best you can do and actually think it is a good idea, it is just more sad than anything else.
Ian Struckhoff
August 20, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Off of the top of my head, I can’t think of anything more crass than paying a disgraced and corrupt former politician to be a guest at your show. Suddenly, I find myself glad I won’t be at the show.
bigherosix
August 20, 2010 at 1:35 pm
WOW…what a freaking joke Wizard World Chicago has become. Last year was bad and when I saw the “guest” list for this year I said pass…and I am glad I did.
C2E2…now that was a comic convention!
ryan
August 20, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Gareb Shamus is the Seltzer/Friedberg of comic conventions.
(I’m crossing my fingers that this comparison catches on…)
Marc-Oliver Frisch
August 20, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I hear Blagojevich will be wearing a black fedora and carrying a violin case.
Don’t think anything of it.
Disputo
August 20, 2010 at 4:03 pm
“I can’t figure out if this is more demeaning to Blagojevich or Wizard World.”
It’s like having sex with a prostitute — it’s demeaning to both.
Shaun
August 20, 2010 at 5:15 pm
“I guess he the closest thing to a real supervillain a Comic-Con can get.”
How do you figure? Wizard already Shamus.
Shaun
August 20, 2010 at 5:16 pm
That should “… already HAS Shamus”
I hate that, when I ruin my own joke.
Especially when Shamus is the punchline.
iola
August 21, 2010 at 12:42 am
I just don’t even…. That’s disgusting and makes no sense. I get that the man is a walking sideshow of crazy, but let’s not play into that please.
Comic Con International
August 21, 2010 at 8:13 am
Ah, I love the smell of desperation in the morning. Smells like… Victory.
Tom Williams
August 21, 2010 at 9:38 am
I’m not surprized from a show that had Taylor Dayne and gave Gilette a booth.
At least the Artist Alley’s still aces.