In just a few more days, artists, celebrities, comic creators, cosplayers, and more vendors than you can name will descend upon the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for this year’s edition of Fan Expo Canada.
This year is a big one, marking the con’s 30th anniversary. Running from August 27 to August 30, the convention brings together fandoms of all sizes, with a little something for everyone.
From animation/anime voices to celebrities galore from your favourite fandom to cosplayers (both amateur and pro) to legendary comic creators, you can’t go wrong with taking some time out of your day to check out Fan Expo Canada.
That’s just a small mention of all that Fan Expo Canada has to offer this year. Check out our list below for what we’re most excited about this year.
Animation & Anime
Look, if you’ve been following Muses of Media for a bit, you know we love animation! So, of course, this means we’re just as excited as everyone else to check out the panels featuring some of our favourite animation heavy-hitters.
If you love all things animated X-Men, Larry F. Houston, Emmy-nominated producer/director and storyboard artist of X-Men: The Animated Series and currently an executive producer for season two of X-Men ‘97, will be at Fan Expo all weekend long. In addition to Houston, voice actors from the series (Adrian Hough, Alison Sealy-Smith, Cal Dodd, Catherine Disher, George Buza, to name a few) will be in attendance for autograph signings, table selfies, and panels throughout the con with Trepidation Comics.
Did someone say Kpop Demon Hunters? Well, the voice actors behind Mira and Zoey, May Hong and Ji-young Yoo, will be in attendance doing signings, photo ops, and a panel.
If Star Wars is up your alley, then you’ll be able to meet Sam Witwer (Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Gideon Adlon (Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord), Vanessa Marshall (Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, Star Wars: Rebels), and Matthew Wood (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord).
Lastly, don’t you worry, anime fans, because Fan Expo Canada has you covered. You’ll have the opportunity to meet anime voice actors, including Maile Flanagan (Naruto), Trina Nishimura (Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia), Christopher Sabat (One Piece, My Hero Academia), Ian Sinclair (One Piece), and Mallorie Rodak (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End) – to name a few.
Artist Alley
Is it really Fan Expo Canada if you don’t precariously weave your way throughout all the aisles of Artist Alley? While we always wish the aisles were bigger, one thing we could never complain about is the number of artists who sell their art prints, pins, key chains, self-published books and comics, stickers, and so much more during the convention.
There’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll walk out of the many aisles with something (most likely multiple – sorry to your wallets).
Celebrities
Of course, many flock to Fan Expo Canada for their chance to meet some of their favourite screen actors. This year, fans will have the opportunity to meet Alan Ritchson, Mark Hamill, Erin Moriarty, Mr. T, Christopher Judge, Colin O’Donoghue, Catherine Bell, Oded Fehr, and many more.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to take in some of the cast members of your favourite projects, such as The Lord of the Rings (Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Jonathan Rhys-Davies, and David Wenham), Starship Troopers (Casper van Dien, Denise Richards, Michael Ironside, Jake Busey, and Dina Meyer), and The Goonies (Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Joe Pantoliano).
You might have to wait in some pretty long lines, but it’ll all be worth it.
Comic Creators
For all the comic book lovers out there, you’ll get the chance to meet some of your favourite artists and writers from your fave comic publishers.
A plethora of comic creators will be on deck for the con, including David Finch, Greg Capullo, Francis Manapul, Frank Miller, J.G. Jones, Jahnoy Lindsay, Jeff Dekal, Joe Quesada, Josh Swaby, Ken Lashley, Mark Brooks, and many more.
In addition to the comic creators having their own tables, there will also be various panels, like sketch duels between your fave comic artists, learning to draw superheroes with the Joe Kubert School, a conversation with the comic creators behind some of the books in DC’s Absolute Universe, and much more!
