Note: This email is probably going to get cut off in your email as I’m going to be sharing a ton of pictures from Fan Expo Canada!
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A Long Awaited Return
I used to go to Fan Expo every year for the whole weekend. The panels and sketch duels are always fun - and there’s always good finds with all the vendors that show up. (Though the table fees keep going up and the deals dry up with it.)
I did only one day (the Thursday) last year, but it was still not at full force with some restrictions still in place. It was a good day, but not the full experience.
That changed this year.
Enter the Salesman
Fan Expo was too good an opportunity to pass up to push the campaign.
I didn’t have a table at the show this year, so I made the most of what I could. Wherever folks were waiting in line on the 700 level of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, you’d find me handing these out…
I also gave them to any interested volunteers - some of which were nice enough to allow me to leave them in the lounge areas around the building.
Anywhere people had the faintest interest in comics (and not exclusively horror movies or celebrity sightings), I was there with my fist full of bookmarks.
Haul
I spent a bit of money this year, but it was well worth it.
Digging through the bins happens less and less. The Expo is sharing more space with live e-gaming and anime-centric booths, but still some good finds at the BMV, Metal Dog Comics and Haganland Comic Warehouse.
Signings
The Entire ‘Dead Romans’ Team was an early highlight. Super friendly and very excited to be there. They all signed every issue with a smile.
Tom Grummett had signings all weekend, enduring some thumping house music each time, and I was able to get him to scribble on some classics.
Simone Di Meo allowed me to interrupt his sketch session to sign his excellent cover for Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow. He’s got such a distinct style - he’ll be around for a long time yet.
Sketch Duels
The legend Tom Grummett and Jonboy Meyers took a bunch of suggestions, then ignored them all and drew Spider-Man and Venom. Listening to Grummett’s well-told story of how the Death of Superman came about is worth it every time.
Laura Braga, Mirka Andolfo and Sweeney Boo endured massive crowds and a ceaseless fire alarm. Their work in the even shorter amount of time was extra impressive.
Panels
I have a brief (and edited) feature here at 25:23 in the video - but I found this panel to be especially fruitful.
RAID had a weekend of great panels and the writer’s panel on Saturday was nearly as entertaining as it was informative. I would have stayed for 5 hours if they made the panel that long.
The Last Time
It was a great Fan Expo. I had a ton of fun.
With your support though, it’ll be my last — as a fan.
There are a few more before then though. I’ve already applied for a table at TCAF.
I’m weighing my options for Fan Expo’s sister-con, Toronto Comicon. Niagara is in the running too.
Point is…I appreciate every one of you who support the campaigns. I’m already living the dream and it’s happening more and more every day.
For example…
What’s Next?
September 11 (Special Extra Newsletter)
STAY COOL - Ready for Launch
Everything you need to know for what’s available!
September 15
The Early Birds are Out To Play
The First Two Days of the Campaign in Review
October 1
We Are All Very Cool
Lessons learned from the campaign for Stay Cool