Fan Expo Vancouver (March 1-3, 2019) is returning to form, and that’s to offer a mecca of delights to kickstart the first weekend of March with. This includes a larger than usual list of talents behind many a fan favourite comic book, television show or internet streaming channel. There are some video games, especially with Sony spotlighting the latest for the PS4, and this area never disappoints. With everything announced, I feel two days must be spent, minimum.
I’m very excited to see Arthur Adams on the list. I can finally get my Longshot trade paperback autographed! Pamela Anderson is not a regular at pop culture conventions and to hear she’s appearing is just as wonderful. I can “dream of” other talents I would love to see in the future if what’s highlighted here is a sign of who this show wants to bring to Vancouver, BC!
Folks familiar enough with this event will find plenty to do over the three-day event. A tentative schedule is online for folks to plan.
This event will take place in the West Building, and like last year is to have everything put into one huge space instead of spreading out. No explanation is given. On the plus side: everything is within easy reach. On the negative side: noise levels and potential overcrowding. My wish for the future is to have it take up an entire building.
Of particular note to content creators and film enthusiasts are:
- Breaking into Comics with Conor McCreery (Sat 11am) or Ty Templeton (Sun 11am)
- Vader Fan Film screening + Q&A with Creator (Sat 12pm in Theatre 2)
The Flash Q&A with Tom Cavanagh, Robbie Amell, Danielle Nicolet, Carlos Valdes & Hartley Sawyer (Sat 3pm, Main Theatre) - Fan Expo Vancouver Costume Contest
6pm, Main Theatre) - Time Ladies, The Role of Women in Doctor Who (Sun 2pm, Theatre 1)
Of personal interest–especially to those who missed the Voltron panel at Emerald City Comic Con a years ago–is Josh Keaton and Kimberly Brooks. I feel the series is not dead. It can return with side stories and I am speculating. No formal announcement will be made until SDCC though.
The cast behind many of TheCW nerd block programming is coming. From Riverdale, Vanessa Morgan (Toni Topaz), Madelaine Petsch (Cheryl Blossom), Marisol Nichols (Hermione Lodge) and Nathalie Boltt (Penelope Blossom) will appear. They are scheduled for Sunday and the latter half will be present for autographs and photo ops Friday. The show is running later than usual, which is terrific for evening crowds.
From Supergirl is Mehcad Brooks (James Olsen), Arrow is Katie Cassidy Rodgers (Laurel Lance/Black Canary), and Legends of Tomorrow has Courtney Ford (Nora Darhk) and Brandon Routh (Ray Palmer/The Atom).
The Flash has nearly half the cast over. I was glad to have met Grant the year before–he’s not a regular in the convention scene. The roster this year has Tom Cavanagh (Harrison Wells), Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramon/Vibe) and Robbie Amell (Ronnie Raymond/Firestorm) returning. Hartley Sawyer (Ralph Dibny/Elongated Man) and Danielle Nicolet (Cecile Horton) are new. For those completists who love their photo-ops, this roster should technically have everyone missing when they graced this convention two years ago.
They will not outshine Pom Klementieff of Guardians of the Galaxy fame. Fans of Gotham will get to hear from David Mazouz (Young Bruce Wayne) and Sean Pertwee (Alfred) when they talk about their experiences on set, and perhaps Sean may diverge information growing up under the shades of The Doctor (Jon Pertwee, Third Incarnation). One caveat: production schedules are not always kind to these performers convention appearances. I expect cancellations and further updates as the date draw closer. While some attendees express disappointment, I take whatever happens in stride. As long as the con-goer is patient, that person is most likely to return, perhaps at another show–like with Josh Keaton and George Takei. It may take years, but the return of fan favourites is inevitable.
