STORY BY DYLAN PAISLEY
PHOTO GALLERY BY ROBERT SGOTTO & DYLAN PAISLEY
Fans swarmed the Metro Toronto Convention Centre last weekend for Toronto ComiCon, the annual multi-day event that brings fans together to celebrate their love for TV, movies, anime and comics.
“When we first started, I think anime was the thrust of it- anime and manga,” said Toronto ComiCon event and programming coordinator James Armstrong. “Since then we added a lot of interests that are the same as Fan Expo, so covering more bases with comic books, science-fiction, horror movies, that kind of thing.”
Fans experienced events and panels like cosplay workshops, Q&As with their favourite celebrities and 6teen episode script reading with the cast.
“Giancarlo Esposito from Breaking Bad – this is an example of a guest who had a tremendous role on television that he was nominated for an Emmy. It is definitely my favourite show” said Armstrong. “Even though it’s not related to our typical science-fiction, fantasy kind of celebrity, he definitely has a lot of interest with the fans.”
Other celebrities that were there were Tatiana Maslany and Jordan Gavaris from Orphan Black , Sean Astin and Billy Boyd from Lord of the Rings and Eliza Dushku from Dollhouse.
The convention was filled with vendors selling things like comics, toys and T-shirts. Toronto ComiCon also had an “Artist Alley” exhibit within the vending area where local artists sell their art.
The creations ranged from posters of famous characters and scenes to handmade comics and crocheted toys.
“I liked Artists Alley. Looking through that was really cool,” said Sheridan College Illustration student Alyse Nicholson.
This Comicon was Nicholson’s first convention.
“I’ve just never been to a con, so I just went ‘why not?’ We just went with a bunch of people from Sheridan,” said Nicholson. “It’s just a very small con which is nice to throw you into it.”
The convention is a great way for groups such as the Toronto Ghostbusters, the Doctor Who Society and Nero Canada to recruit members.
Nero Canada is a live action role playing (or LARPing) group out of Hamilton. It’s one of the largest LARPing groups and has been running for over 20 years.
LARPing involves people making up their own character, dress in costumes. Players then fight each other with foam swords, arrows and spells.
“LARPing is live-action role play so basically, anyone who tabletops DND (Dungeons and Dragons). It’s like that but you play your own character,”said Nero Canada spokesperson Kelly Smith. “So you are the one actually swinging the sword, you’re the one blocking the moves, you’re the one casting the magic.”
On Saturday there was an after party at the club Tattoo, where people showed up in costume and even some of the celebrities showed up.
Hobbystar will next be putting together the bigger Convention FanExpo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre at the end of August.
A hard decision – So many comics to choose from!
Sarah-Jane Murphy a Half Elf and Alexander Dotzteo fights in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Kelly Smith and James Murphy practicing for their big show
Comics lined the isles at the convention, Marvel or DC, you name it they have it.
Stormtroopers, Tuskan Raiders, Jawas, and even R2-D2 pose with fans.
Lauren Kennedy as Pikachu, Rachel Kowalyshen as Ash Ketchum and Bryelei McDonugh as Pikachu
Get down! Is it Dead Mouse Pool, or Dead Pool Mouse?
Molly Heffernan as Edward kenway from assassins creed 4, Jena Tilley as Elsa from frozen and Jocelyn Grills as Abaddon from supernatural
League of Legends character Lux brightens the day.
Heroic Clone troopers stand ready to protect and serve.
Jennifer Maillet as Gambit from X-Men
Batman spreads his wings while the Ridler laughs.
R2-D2 hanging out in theMetro Toronto Convention Centre
Kavolina Flicek as Fionna from Adventure Time,Alyse Nicholson as Spinel sun Cardcaptor Sakura and Holly McGillis as the traveler from Journey.
Nero Canada Kelly Smith, James Murphy, Sarah Jane Murphy, Alexander Dotzteo.
Nero Canada sparring
A shocking costume from Raptures Big Daddy
Jedi and Sith put aside their differences for one last photo together.
Molly Heffernan as Edward kenway from assassins creed 4, Jena Tilley as Elsa from frozen and Jocelyn Grills as Abaddon from supernatural
The main characters from the new Lego movie pose with their fans.
Chelsea Bujold as Asuna from sword art online and Maddie Dregane as L from death note
ALI as Katniss
Jedi and Clone troopers draw their weapons while Hulk takes a quick reading break.
The 501st legion, a group of cosplaying Star Wars characters, brought a piece of the deathstar with them to Comic-con, letting people sit on the Emperor’s throne.
Batman stands tall and ready.
Connor Kenway carries enough weapons for a small army.
With the new 300 movie just around the corner, Spartans were sure to be present at Comic-con.
Boba Fett and his Mandelorians pose menacingly.
Dalek trying to exterminate the patrons at comicon
Deadppol can’t get much more dead than that!
R4-P17 stands ready to repair any problems.
Master Chief’s ready to fight for that last issue he needs for his collection
Garrett stands alert with his bow drawn from Thief.
Krista-Marie Porter stands ready in her cosplay at Comic-con
Even psychopaths like Harley Quinn got to eat
When two obi-Wans collide
Minecraft fans of all ages were abound at Comic-con.
Rarity striking a fabulous pose at comicon
Hugger fans devouring their lunch so they can get back to the convention floor
Fans buying their tickets before the convention starts
Jordan Duncan as Themistokles from 300
Toy Ironman is ready for action
Just a lazy Saturday for ash and his Pikachus
Nero Canada sparring
Wall of T-shirts really living up to their name
Sean Grant Hadley as Subarn Xth form from .Hack.//Link
Loana Staieu as Aradia from Homestuck and Adrianna Kandziorra as Fai from tsuasa chronicles
Even the Jawas aren’t camera shy at Comic-con.
Saruman and Tauriel set grudges aside and team up.
