My First Montréal Comic Con Set a New Standard | Couch Soup
Remove Ads
Who We Are
Become a member|
Log In
Become a member!
My First Montréal Comic Con Set a New Standard
by:
hello world!
Michael Saint GregoryMichael Saint Gregory
| July 27, 2026
| Conventions
hello world!
Since 2016, I’ve attended conventions all across the East Coast of the United States. With those travels, I’ve inherited a feeling of familiarity. I’ll get my badge, be herded through crowds like cattle, and barely have enough time to savor meeting a celebrity for a picture or an autograph. Comic cons and fandom gatherings can be invigorating, and yet at the same time, it’s easy for a con goer to feel lost in the shuffle. A consensus I’ve gathered from my personal experience is that over the last 5 years, companies behind these conventions haven’t quite put fans first. I am pleased to say, however, that is not the case for Montréal Comic Con. Instead of an event where the biggest paid sponsored entities were on display and prioritized, I walked into a welcoming, thoughtful, efficient, fan-first-focused, unforgettable event. All of that was felt even before the doors opened.
It began with something I’ve never seen done before at a convention that I hope catches on and would like to see continue: an opening day ceremony. Members of the media, independent artists, and premium-tier badge holders who RSVP’d gathered in the main hall of Palais des congrès de Montréal before the doors opened for general admission pass holders. What happened next wasn’t a press conference or even an incognito one with an additional sales pitch hidden inside. This felt like theater, and it set the bar for the entire weekend. The vibes set forward were inclusivity, positivity, and hype, and the organizers prioritized that all of those vibes were felt by the fans first.
It began with a performance by members of the world-famous Cirque du Soleil troupe, which originated in Quebec, making it a homecoming of sorts. I was able to see a preview of their latest production, ECHO, featuring juggling, incredible acrobatics, and a mind-bending contortionist. The troupe had us all in awe as we witnessed them bring a dreamlike performance of wonder to life on such a limited stage, truly revealing the power and effectiveness of their reputation for enchanting performances that have evolved and kept themselves alive for more than 40 years.
Then, Show Presidents Alex La Prova and Oscar Yazedjian, who were presiding over the entire opening ceremony and clearly having a fun time, brought out all of their featured guests. This included the impressive and talented competitors and judges for the Cosplay Masquerade, creators from Artists Alley, and, in a moment that truly surprised me, virtually all of the celebrity guests who were there for panels and autograph appearances. This included my personal favorites: Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian,Breaking Bad, Megalopolis), Robert Patrick (Peacemaker,T2: Judgment Day), and Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund. Appropriately enough, they let Englund step forward to cut the ceremonial ribbon, which he did with expertise in a humorous moment as someone who knows his way around sharp handheld objects.
While everyone on stage allowed time for us all to take pictures, applause and excitement began to grow until it reached a fervor. It was clear that this opening ceremony accomplished what it intended, and you could see that not only were the fans excited, but so was everyone on stage. They didn’t feel like they were being paraded out for our amusement. Everyone looked hyped to be there and ready to engage with everyone who came to attend and have a good time.
A Convention Built to Welcome
According to MCC’s official PR team, this year’s attendance was a record-breaking +67,000 visitors. Remarkably, it rarely felt like the con was overcrowded. Whether it was on the show floor, through the aisles of the vendors and artists, or in line for panels, I never felt overwhelmed. I didn’t get that old “cattle herding” feeling. Everything flowed comfortably, and I commend the event’s crowd management staff, who kept the flow of traffic optimized in the event’s layout. This didn’t feel like a convention that was battling with its own popularity.
With this being my first time visiting not only this particular convention but Montréal in general, the language barrier was a personal concern I had going in. Montréal is proudly bilingual, with French being the predominant language. I do not speak or read any French whatsoever, and I thought this might be my biggest hurdle, but thankfully, this never even became a challenge.
Each team member was more than happy to help and would go out of their way before I even asked a question. I guess I couldn’t hide my “lost foreigner” facial expression when looking at the French-written convention map guide. They gladly gave directions, panel information, and anything else I needed to find in the building. The language barrier I was worried about never even came up, and the hospitality was consistent throughout the weekend.
Panels That Let the Guests Shine
Being a panel moderator at a convention is a job that most overlook. It may seem simple to be a host on stage, talking to celebrities and fielding questions from the audience, but there is a certain artistry to it, and only the best of the best have staying power on the convention circuits around the world. A great moderator rarely pulls focus, keeps all conversations naturally flowing, and keeps the guests locked in with engaging questions for the panel.
At MCC, I saw true pros do their job as moderators with cunning precision. During the Lord of the Rings panel featuring Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd, and Sean Astin, the moderator amazingly kept up with their delightful brand of brotherly chaos and humor that could otherwise derail an unprepared and inexperienced host. Prolific voice actors Tara Platt and Troy Baker, in their respective panels, had multiple moments of saying “That’s a great question,” to their respective moderators, which, having interviewed people in the past, is one of the best things you can hear during an interview. The questions were thoughtful and engaging, and everyone in the audience looked like they got the most out of their time, with no one feeling rushed to move on from the floor after they asked their question.
Building a Community, Not Just an Event
“Fans first” was not just a mantra I heard in the opening ceremony. It was an identity that MCC embraced, one that the organizers made sure would truly differentiate them from the unpleasant trends that have popped up at some of the larger cons like those held in New York and Los Angeles. I’ve personally noticed an unfortunate trend at those cons: independent journalists, photographers, and content creators increasingly feel separated from the very communities we are there to cover and communicate with. Restrictive access, impersonal communication, and a sense of being a prioritized credential holder rather than a fellow fan can cast a dour feeling over the event. While there are perks and privileges to holding a Media or Pro badge, there can also be a feeling from fans that con organizers prioritize the media and the content creators to gain clout for their brand. At MCC, this couldn’t have been further from the truth.
From day one, the collaborative celebration of artists, media, fans, vendors, and volunteers was set as the foundation. This truly felt like a community event and not a transactional corporate occasion that fans happened to be attending. That spirit of collaboration was indisputable with the way cosplayers were celebrated.
When the competitors and judges for the Cosplay Masquerade were introduced alongside the featured artists and celebrity guests during the opening ceremony on stage, it put them in the spotlight, garnering respect, enthusiasm, and appreciation for their artistry and hard work. What may seem like a small gesture actually speaks volumes about the convention’s values.
Montréal Beyond the Convention Floor
Let’s take a moment to appreciate Montréal itself because I was able to do just that, and it didn’t disappoint. Since it was my first time in that part of Canada, having only been to Ontario before, I wanted to make the most of my trip. The beauty of Old Montréal was on full display as if waiting for me. I reveled in the historic buildings with Parisian flair, the aromas of the remarkable food, and the life and vibrancy on the streets, each with a unique pulse of its own. Exploring the city beyond the convention halls was an adventure worth having.
On Friday night, the sound of great music and the smell of delicious food trucks led me to the nearby Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. The public spaces were transformed into open-air stages, and I enjoyed it all with poutine and beaver tails (a delightful Canadian flat fried dough delicacy). It was a welcome break from comic books and tabletop games, allowing me to see another side of culture that Montréal had to offer.
A Community Worth Returning To
Seeing celebrities and getting autographs are a staple of any fandom convention. They are arguably the ones who draw in the crowds most of all. Montréal made itself different from my previous experience in how it presented itself and what it afforded its audiences. This went beyond the simple carnival barker style of bringing in a crowd to take their money and send them on their way when it was over. MCC created a space where crowds felt seen. The convention created a space for celebrities and the fans. They participated in the event together rather than just witnessing it happen.
Attending Montréal Comic Con for the first time reminded me that when it comes to fandom events, these things aren’t defined by their attendance numbers or booked guests. What I felt was an overall sense of community. MCC brought fans together with care and open arms. By the end of the weekend, I left with more than just souvenirs, snacks, and great memories. I felt like I had been invited into a collective of fans that wanted you to join in on the fun. It was an event they didn’t want you to just simply attend once and forget about later. This was a call to be a returning member of the community, and it’s something I fully intend to do.
Hey fellow nerds! Before you dive back into that gaming session or start your next binge-watch, here’s the deal with Couch Soup: we’re a completely independent pop culture site run by genuine fans who get just as hyped as you do about the latest games, comics, movies, and TV shows. No corporate overlords, no AI-generated content, just real people who know their Metroid from their Mass Effect.
Unlike the big corporate sites, we don’t chase clicks or stir up drama. Sure, we might have some hot takes (looking at you, controversial season finale), but they come from a place of genuine passion and respect for the creators and fandoms we cover.
Want to support what we do and join what we think is the coolest community of pop culture enthusiasts on the internet? Check out our supporter tiers – each packed with perks that’ll level up your fandom experience. Every contribution helps keep us independent and lets us keep nerding out with you!
Thanks for being part of our quest – now, back to our regularly scheduled geekery!
Drew Lewis,
Editor-in-chief
Membership
Monthly
Yearly
Members Only Newsletter
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Ability to Comment on Articles
Unlocked
Access to Couchsoup Community
Circle Forum
SIGN UP
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Annual Membership
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Annual Membership
Annual Membership
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Annual Membership
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Annual Membership
Everything in free +
No Ads on the Site! Woohoo!
5% Couch Soup Store Discount
Monthly AMA chat with CouchSoup team members
Early access (up to 72hrs) to new
episodes
Access to exclusive members only
content (video & articles)
JOIN
Comments are for members only. Sign up here to become a member for free.
The Bowl
Iain McParland
18 hours ago
Ryan Gosling Cast as the NEW Ghost Rider!
OMG! What is Nic Cage gonna say?! There’s a new Ghost Rider in town! Now, it can’t be Robbie Reyes (he was in Agents of SHIELD), so it sort of has to be Johnny Blaze. We’ll see what this is all about in 2028…
Thomas Richards
3 days ago
New Guests For PAX Aus 2026 Revealed!
A new batch of guests has been announced for PAX Aus 2026. There are some big names such as Austin Creed, Ify Nwadiwe, Lenore Zann, and more! You can check out the full guest list here and start getting excited for PAX!
Drew Lewis
3 days ago
DC’s Lanterns Goes Big at SDCC
If you were lucky enough to get a San Diego Comic Con ticket. Then lucky enough to get a hotel. Then you might have been lucky enough to RSVP for this really cool DC/HBO Lanterns experience outside of the Convention Hall. Rumor has it, if you pass training, you get a cool ring. Note that […]
Iain McParland
6 days ago
Other Mommy Trailer – HOLY CRAP I’M DISTURBED
Jessica Chastain pulling double duty in a horror film where some kind of monster looks like a kid’s mother? Daaaamnnnn I’m freaked out. But I’m in.
Thomas Richards
7 days ago
Avengers: Doomsday First Trailer!
I’m still highly sceptical about Doomsday, especially with all the characters they’re bringing back. But Marvel does know how to make a trailer (also, Thor’s totally dying).
#houseofthedragon S3 Ep 5: What Does Helaena Know?! | Decoding Dragons | Watching Now Podcast
Team Avatar Returns! Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 Review | Watching Now Podcast
Get our Newsletter!
Featured
My First Montréal Comic Con Set a New Standard
My first Montréal Comic Con went beyond all expectations. An unforgettable opening ceremony and outstanding hospitality set a standard that other conventions should be paying attention to and follow suit.
by Michael Saint Gregory| July 27, 2026
123…1,223Next »
