A 2026 Fan Expo Brand Focus: From Portland to Vancouver…

In 2026, Fan Expo’s branding around the world show how guest lineups, venue scale, and programming choices is not very varied, but where it matters is in where they are and who’s on board. Updates on the upcoming Portland and Vancouver show.

2026 Fan Expo General LogoThis weekend will be the 2026 Fan Expo Portland show, and for the Canadian-side cousin, Vancouver, the tour is certainly focussed on Lord of the Rings and the Turtles. From An Evening with the Hobbits to original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with a splash of Goonies, both are slightly different from one another for good reason, availability. The State-side show is said to be roomier with room to navigate around, but that needs to be verified. Also, Gates McFadden and Walter Koenig will be appearing.

As with other Fan Expo events, some programming is placed behind additional ticketed access, a practical decision given how limited certain convention spaces can be. Even in Seattle, expansion required the construction of an entirely new building to accommodate demand. For attendees on the fence about premium panels, such as discussions with the Lord of the Rings cast reflecting on Peter Jackson’s epic productions, there is no waitlist alternative once those sessions sell out.

Continue reading “A 2026 Fan Expo Brand Focus: From Portland to Vancouver…”

A Fan Expo Update. From Portland to Vancouver and Beyond, Big Half-Sized Talents Are Everywhere!

Fan Expo Vancouver is pulling double duty for fandom this year, bringing together Hobbits from The Lord of the Rings, the original TMNT movie cast, and a possible Smallville reunion that could make this guest lineup unforgettable.

Fan Expo ALLBeginning with Fan Expo Portland (Jan 16-18, 2026), attendees can meet the Hobbits from The Lord of the Rings and our favourite live-action Heroes in a Half Shell (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) all at once. Over the month of November, the event brand announced a celebration tour that will bring Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan together for a ticketed experience, An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years. This special event will appear at all Fan Expos across North America. Space is limited due to venue constraints, and a few additional rows may be added closer to the event date for latecomers.

Fan Expo Hobbits!

 

Continue reading “A Fan Expo Update. From Portland to Vancouver and Beyond, Big Half-Sized Talents Are Everywhere!”

The Conqueror’s Plans to Win Over Star Wars Fans Will Be Harder to Take A Wompa At

Although Actionary Limited is shelling out lots of money to get the licensing rights to various pop culture properties to produce medals to be the Conqueror of reducing one’s waistline, what’s produced is nothing special in the long run.

The Conqueror Star Wars ChallengeHonestly, I’m not up to taking on virtual walkabouts into iconic fantasy worlds in The Conqueror’s catalogue anymore. They seem to be more like The Empire these days because all they care to offer are goods that aren’t all that well designed. After finding their first offering set in the worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien was not a limited “run,” I’m just not keen on the rewards anymore. Since anyone can get a medal of accomplishment, there really wasn’t a one ring to rule them all.

Instead, there’s many. This company’s Star Wars Challenge hardly feels worthwhile either when there’s nothing special about it. I find that the marketing for this product doesn’t even reflect upon the updated lore, where “A Chosen One shall come, born of no father, and through him will ultimate balance in the Force be restored.”

Continue reading “The Conqueror’s Plans to Win Over Star Wars Fans Will Be Harder to Take A Wompa At”

When Will We See The Rings of Power? The Challenge With LotR on Streaming.

All I can hope for is that Amazon Prime is committed to producing Rings of Power in full.

rings of powerSpoiler Alert

The only issue I have with Amazon committing to bring more Lord of the Rings to life concerns what parts of J. R. R. Tolkien’s appendices are key to the shaping of The Rings of Power? I appreciate the fact the X-Ray feature links to additional material to help folks understand the source, and if its supposed to segway to the films, its not teasing at anything yet!

This multimedia company is promising to produce five seasons. As long as they can deliver the episodes on a timely basis, I’ll be watching. I don’t mind a soft ten month break, but any longer can be tough.

As a casual fan, the ring-verse which portends the future can’t be altered; we know the finale–about how the One Ring must be destroyed to save all of Middle Earth in the main series, which takes place in the far off future. As for The Hobbit, there’s no Sméagol–I’m fairly sure he isn’t born.

To see how it all begins is based on the indexes and notes Tolkien scribed. However, not everyone wants to read the unfinished tales and compendiums to understand where everything fits. And I’m glad showrunners John D. Payne and Patrick McKay are attempting to unpack all of this scholar’s works into a serialised format.

The first two episodes are heavy. A lot of introductions are needed to bring fans back up to speed, and what we see has to establish who are the good guys and the bad. Or, in this work’s case, is fated to fall to the might of Sauron when he returns.

Continue reading “When Will We See The Rings of Power? The Challenge With LotR on Streaming.”

Want to be The Conqueror of the Route Taken In Lord of the Rings? Who Will Fail?

The Conquerer: Lord of the Rings challenge will reveal aspects from the cinematic version of J. R. R. Tolkien’s world on smartphones to fans, as they walk, run or bicycle through the realm through stories.

The Conqueror Medal and AppPeople who like virtual exercise challenges may want to check out The Conqueror: Lord of the Rings! This task will reveal aspects from the cinematic version of J. R. R. Tolkien’s world on smartphones to fans, as they walk, run or bicycle through the realm through stories. In what they get are handpicked images and captions to enhance the tale. Throughout the month of April, the parent organisation, Actionary Limited, has been revealing the five paths would-be Hobbits, Rangers and orc soldiers are likely to traverse on social media.

It’s now available for a special price for a limited time, and only the brave will want to challenge this mega-mile race to destroy the one ring. The Conqueror app this company developed helps individuals count their steps instead of doing battle with invisible foes. They track the distances travelled or type the activity done, and the reward after it’s all logged is a shiny medal.

Continue reading “Want to be The Conqueror of the Route Taken In Lord of the Rings? Who Will Fail?”

The Vintage Tempest’s Open Letter to Santa & Thoughts for the New Year

Ed Sum aka The Vintage Tempest
By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Dear Santa,

Yes I know this letter is late, very very late, and I hope I can still get a surprise come Christmas day.

Before I take a break from this blog for a much needed R&R, I have to write to someone about all thats transpired in the past year. It’s been tough because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some folks have changed their behaviours and others have gone into hiding until authorities say it’s safe to resume a different kind of normal.

I’m surviving and consider this season a time of hope. Yes, you’ve heard all this goodwill ambassador stuff before but I feel the world really needs it as we go into this new decade. 2021 won’t feel too different. With a tentative vaccine not everyone will want, I’m debating it. I miss my comic book conventions. I’m glad to have taken on all of Fan Expo Vancouver before the lockdown, and if any shows take place at the end of the new year, I believe it’ll be one of trepidation. I’ll sound off on this in a different editorial though.

Continue reading “The Vintage Tempest’s Open Letter to Santa & Thoughts for the New Year”