If you want to see Batman, Spiderman and a Storm Trooper all in one room, your best bet is to head to Comicon this weekend.
Fan Expo is hosting Comicon this weekend, Friday through Sunday, at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto. It’s expected to bring in 25, 000 people over the three days, said James Armstrong, the event coordinator.
“It’s been growing every year,” he said.
Armstrong said a unique feature to Comicon is the interaction between television casts and the audience. “We have entire casts from Defiance and a lot of folks of Orphan Black … it’s not something you can get anywhere else. “
The pop culture festival is also an opportunity for fans to dress up-cosplay-as their favourite heroes or villains. Lex Finn is one of those fans and plans on wearing three different outfits, one for each day he attends Comicon.
“I am doing a Blue Lantern Flash, Green Lantern Link and Red Lantern Wolverine,” he said. Finn said he has been to many Comicon conferences and enjoys seeing other people’s costumes. “I love seeing the work people put into them … It’s really interesting,” he said.
Armstrong said cosplay generates a lot of social interaction with fans taking photos of people dressed up in costume. “They do it to show their passion and to take a bigger part in the event,” he said.
People don’t have to dress up to attend Comicon, said Armstrong. There are many events for all ages and interests. For the young fans, plushie building is a workshop where they can build their own stuffed animal, which is themed off an anime, gaming or comic book character.
Comicon has diversified over the years, said Armstrong, adding fans have the chance to meet their favourite authors. “We have some great authors like Amber Benson and Leslie Livingston. So for readers, there’s something for them as well.” he said.
Finn said he enjoys the variety of events at Comicon.“There’s always something going on. There are so many new things to do. Everyday you go is a completely new experience,” Finn said.
Here is what you need to know about Toronto Comicon:
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Buildings (222 Bremner Blvd)
When: March 20-22, 2015; Friday 4 to 9pm, Saturday 10am – 7pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm
Tickets: Weekend Pass $45 | Friday Pass $15 | Saturday Pass $25 | Sunday Pass $20 | Saturday Pass $50 | Sunday Pass $40 | Child Pass $10 or FREE with online coupon