Year in and year out, Toronto’s FanExpo continues to grow. If you can’t make your way down to San Diego for their annual ComicCon, then you definitely won’t want to miss Canada’s version. From comic books, to horror, science fiction, fantasy, video games, animation, cosplay and all their wonderful guests, FanExpo really does cover a whole lot of ground.
FanExpo began last night in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and it continues on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The event cover two large floors, and it seems like around every turn you will find something that catches your attention. In the north building, just off of Front Street you will the convention floor that houses most of the featured celebrities. This year Star Wars fans are excited to meet one of their idols, Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill. This will be his first ever trip to Canada, and you will be able to get your photo with him as well as get one of his unique autographs. Not only that but he is also appearing as part of a special live QA session. If you are more of a Star Trek fan though, William Shatner, George Takei, and Nichelle Nichols, from the original series will also be in attendance, as well as Kate Mulgrew from Voyager and Brent Spiner of the Next Generation. Other guests this weekend include the original Batman and Robin, Adan West and Burt Ward, in their last Canadian appearance, Arrow’s Katie Cassidy, Daredevil’s Charlie Cox and Elden Henson, Gillian Anderson, The Walking Dead’s Michael Cudlitz, Soneque Martin-Green and Scott Wilson, and many more. Also on the north building floor you will find the horror section of the convention. Here you can get yourself locked up in a small recreation of The Walking Dead’s prison for a photo op, or walk a fake graveyard. The 501st Legion of Stormtroopers have also recreated some Star Wars sets for unique photo opportunities. If that’s not enough for you though, there is still an even larger area in the south building.
In the south building you’ll find comic book legends such as Frank Miller, Joe Quesada and Stan ‘The Man’ Lee, mixed in with some of the biggest names in the industry. You’ll also find up and coming artists and writers plying their trade on the floor. You can get your merchandise autographed, or pay to get them to draw something unique for you. Of course that’s not all. The south building also houses the displays of the History Channel’s Vikings, where you can dress up like a Viking for a photo, or have your hair braided. You can sit at the table from Outlander, or test your skills at an escape room challenged based on The TV show The Strain. If you like Fear The Walking Dead, you won’t want to miss your chance at sitting in an airplane seat while a zombie tries to get you. It’s make a photo you will be talking about for years. Video game lovers will enjoy the XBox, PlayStation and Warner Brother’s booths, where they will get to try their hand at the latest games. You really don’t want to miss the Batman VR experience Warner Bros is giving you a chance to try.
Of course with all the things there is to see and do at FanExpo, perhaps the best part of the experience is just being there. Sure you will find some great deals, and be able to find things you won’t be able to easily find elsewhere, but seeing people dress up as their favourite characters, watching the excitement in children’s eyes as they meet their heroes, and even sitting in on some lectures and QA sessions, just can’t be beat. Listening to your idols speak about the things they are passionate about, whether it is artists and writer talking about their craft, or celebrities discussing their roles, is a once in a lifetime experience.
FanExpo runs this Friday (10-7), Saturday (10-7) and Sunday (10-5) at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre.
