Artist Alley remains the true heart of Fan Expo Vancouver 2026. From rare comic finds and Canadian animation history to candid creator chats and reflections on the evolving photo-op experience, part two explores where the real magic lives.
When a first-time pop culture convention-goer asks a veteran where the real heart of the event lies, most will say Artist Alley. That’s where creators sit ready to talk about production schedules and how they broke into the business. This area is where writers, illustrators, and production artists can discuss what they have coming next. These conventions do not have to revolve solely around big-name celebrities.
While the fanfare has cooled for a certain Disney film shot in this city, I did wonder whether anyone who worked on TRON: Ares might quietly be attending Fan Expo Vancouver 2026. It was released in October 2025 and performed respectably. Spotting original art tied to that production for sale would have been a genuine thrill. Although Disney Parks currently holds a monopoly on certain product lines, I did manage to snag Mirka Andolfo’s Stitch #1 variant cover. It arrived on the final day. Because of the previously mentioned shipping mix-up (see part one), the merchandise floor felt uneven. Some comics appeared late; others never arrived at all.
Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 widened its halls and boosted nostalgia with Smallville reunions, Jim Cummings panels, and packed auctions. But vendor hiccups and Artist Alley told the deeper story. #FanExpoVancouver #Smallville #VoiceActors
At long last, Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 moved its ticketing area to another floor, significantly expanding the main stage footprint and widening the “red carpet” corridors. Attendees finally had breathing room to navigate the show floor. That improved flow, however, could not fully mask a last-minute vendor shake-up. In a story not widely known, it appears someone at Informa, the parent company, mishandled paperwork, resulting in inventory meant for Vancouver getting sent elsewhere in Canada. As a result, several booths I had hoped to browse and buy product from simply never materialized.
Rare finds are increasingly elusive at these massive corporate events. For serious treasure hunting, a dedicated comic convention remains the better bet. In the Lower Mainland, that king belongs to the Vancouver Comic & Toy Show. It is no-nonsense, focused on local artists, and hosted at the PNE grounds without leaning on media guests to drive attendance. For fans eager to meet favourite actors, however, the Fan Expo and ReedPop brands remain the go-to experiences. On a personal note, I finally completed my collection of photographs with the Smallville main cast.
Arcana Food and Spirits in Gastown delivers a noir occult hangout with cocktails that glow, keepsake cards worth collecting, and a steak frites that hits the mark. It’s part speakeasy, part spooky lounge, and I’m already plotting my return.
During the Fan Expo Vancouver weekend, I knew I had to visit Arcana Food and Spirits in Gastown again, and they didn’t disappoint! From the neon glow of a “pet psychic” facade outside to the noir-styled interior within, walking into Arcana feels like stepping into another dimension. The entrance is decorated like in Rocky Horror Picture show, but once you’re inside, what’s there is more of a speakeasy than an area for a stage show.
This time around, I brought my friend Susan along. We’ve done paranormal investigations together and while we weren’t planning to run a session on a busy Friday night, I’ll admit the mood makes you half-expect a planchette to slide on its own. I also had to accept one bittersweet update: anyone hoping to meet the Lich King or sip beside the Cthulhu tiki mug and take home now has to make a pilgrimage to Toronto’s Storm Crow Manor. but here, all you can do is drink with them. Their storefront, Mysterious Package Company doesn’t seem to update inventory often, so don’t count on snagging rare barware online.
A TMNT “Shell-A-Bration” reunion tour has been rolling through cons, bringing suit performers and voice actors together for fans who grew up on the 1990 live-action classic. With rotating lineups, raffle moments, and plenty of nostalgia, this circuit is a proper love letter to the people behind the shells.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are having a “Shell-A-Bration” because when the tour began in 2025, the original film that started it all was celebrating a 35-year milestone. The reunion kicked off at Awesome Con in Washington, D.C. (March 4–6, 2025), and the main cast has been enthusiastic nonstop ever since. It’s not just about everyone getting older and wanting a retirement fund. Whether that’s part of the reality or not, seeing the voice talents and the people behind the first two live-actions film is a thrill all on its own. At each stop, they talk about the camaraderie, the laughs, and the stories from set, and I’m sure plenty of respect gets paid to the performers in the suits who handled the stunts.
Kenn Scott (suit/voice) is Raphael; Michaelan Sisti (suit) and Robbie Rist (voice) make up Michelangelo; Leif Tilden (suit) and Corey Feldman (voice) teamed up as Donatello (with Ernie Reyes Jr. providing the martial arts stunts); and David Forman (suit) and Brian Tochi (voice) bring Leonardo to life. The lineup changed between films, but I doubt anyone who wasn’t at the table this time was forgotten on the broader circuit.
Feldman was at least “there in spirit,” since he was also representing The Goonies. He arrived late in getting to Vancouver due to a flight kerfuffle, then sped down I-5 to make it to the border and into town. If he’d had the energy to celebrate both, the lineup with him included would have been truly Shell-tacular. Still, mixing performers and voice talent gives fans the best of both worlds. You’re seeing the people behind the costumes, and the ones playing the characters we all see in those films.
eBay Live launches its show at Fan Expo Vancouver and it brings some of that crazy infomercial-ism to the floor. The experience shows promise, but will we see stuff beyond the usual comic books and Funko glut?
At this year’s Fan Expo Vancouver, the event partnered with eBay Canada to introduce eBay Live to the masses. The pitch is simple: deliver live-streamed auctions taking place at this event, and hope that collectors will return to this platform to buy and sell in real time. Their attempt to remind everyone that the internet’s largest yard sale is still fundamentally an auction house generally worked.
As for what’s currently available, representatives noted that as more domestic sellers come onboard, the range of items accessible within Canada will improve. Right now, that inventory pool remains limited, and geo-filtering options do not exist. Visiting localized domains like .ca helps guide algorithms toward domestic listings, but vigilance remains key. Winning a deal only to receive a second invoice from customs is the collectibles equivalent of a jump scare.
For those who need a capsule update, Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 has a huge lineup of repeat guests and fond favourites returning to interact with fandom.
Runs Feb 14th to 16, 2026 Vancouver Convention Centre
The guest list is shaping up to be intense in this Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 update. Rather than a scattershot mix of genres, this year leans hard into ensemble events. There’s now an added show bringing the Hobbits from The Lord of the Rings to make those last-minute choices easy, and there are almost certainly more events still to come that haven’t been announced yet. The cast of Hazbin Hotel is back!
With so many IPs represented, choosing what to prioritize is going to be tough. The big question is whether one big auditorium is enough to contain it all, and where it’ll be held. The hall in the East Building feels like the most likely candidate, since moving it off-site would feel unusual. That space was used years back when Kevin Smith was in town, and it turned into an amazing night to remember.
Whether that kind of magic happens again depends on the vibe, the crowd, and the programming. For now, here’s what’s been announced, plus who’s attached to the after-hours specials so far.
When Middle Earth Is the Spotlight
The heart of the guest list belongs to The Lord of the Rings, with multiple combinations of the Fellowship appearing. Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan headline a Shire-centric reunion, while expanded groupings add John Rhys-Davies and David Wenham for fans wanting a broader slice of Middle-earth. For those who prefer a more focused moment, Rhys-Davies and Wenham also appear together as a duo, spotlighting the franchise’s more battle-worn heroes.
On the Small Screen With Smallville and Battlestar
Superhero television gets its due with Smallville, as Tom Welling, Erica Durance, and Kristin Kreuk reunite. For a lot of fans, this era of The CW’s superhero TV still feels personal. It helped set the table for how audiences would embrace long-form comic-book storytelling on television. There’s also an evening event with this trio built around reliving moments from the series.
Katee Sackhoff and Alessandro Juliani represent the newer Battlestar Galactica era, and their presence doubles as a reminder that genre favourites don’t vanish just because a reboot stalls out. It helps that they’re locals too, which gives this appearance a proper home-field feel.
Wizards, Wolves, and Vampires
Even though the Stanley Park Forbidden Forest attraction closed its doors, the timing here still feels like a missed opportunity. With James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, and Matthew Lewis coming to town, the overlap is right there. Planning at this scale is rarely simple, but Fan Expo has been known to connect with local partners when the fit is right.
On the darker, moodier side, Twilight is well represented. Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, and Peter Facinelli appear in various groupings, including a paired photo op for Greene and Rathbone that leans into the romantic side of the franchise. It’s a reminder that this fandom remains loyal, organized, and very aware of its favourite dynamics.
The 80s Is Alive With Fond Classics at Fan Expo Vancouver 2026
Nostalgia runs strong with The Goonies, represented by Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, and Kerri Green. It’s a compact reunion rooted in one of the most enduring adventure films of the 80s, and a fun overlap year with several franchises represented across the show floor. Fans will keep hoping for Ke Huy Quan to join them someday.
On the flip side, cult cinema arrives with The Lost Boys, as Feldman reunites with Jamison Newlander, giving fans a chance to celebrate one of the genre’s most stylish eras.
Sean Astin, Jeff Cohen, Ke Huy Quan, Kerri Green and Corey Feldman reunited for the premiere of “Love Hurts” at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 3, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Heroes in a Half Shell
One of the most ensemble-heavy appearances comes from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with François Chau, Kenn Scott, Brian Tochi, Ernie Reyes Jr., Robbie Rist, and Judith Hoag appearing together. It’s a deep cut for fans who know the voices, the performances, and the physicality behind the masks, even if the suits themselves stay off the convention floor.
When a first-time pop culture convention-goer asks a veteran where the real heart of the event lies, most will say Artist Alley. That’s where creators sit ready to talk about production schedules and how they broke into the business. This area is where writers, illustrators, and production artists can discuss what they have coming next. These conventions do not have to revolve solely around big-name celebrities.
During the 
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are having a “Shell-A-Bration” because when the tour began in 2025, the original film that started it all was celebrating a 35-year milestone. The reunion kicked off at Awesome Con in Washington, D.C. (March 4–6, 2025), and the main cast has been enthusiastic nonstop ever since. It’s not just about everyone getting older and wanting a retirement fund. Whether that’s part of the reality or not, seeing the voice talents and the people behind the first two live-actions film is a thrill all on its own. At each stop, they talk about the camaraderie, the laughs, and the stories from set, and I’m sure plenty of respect gets paid to the performers in the suits who handled the stunts.
At this year’s 
Runs Feb 14th to 16, 2026
The heart of the guest list belongs to The Lord of the Rings, with multiple combinations of the Fellowship appearing. 
Superhero television gets its due with Smallville, as 
Even though the Stanley Park Forbidden Forest attraction closed its doors, the timing here still feels like a missed opportunity. With 