The 22nd Fan Expo Canada took place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this weekend, attracting thousands to the event, one of the most popular in North America. Crossing between the genres of science fiction, horror, anime, fantasy and comics, the event sprawled throughout all corners of the facility. Hundreds of vendors offered products new and old, joined by celebrity guests like Stan Lee, Mark Hamill, and Margaret Atwood. Various local fan organizations were there in a charitable capacity, and thousands of fans donned costumes, many of which they themselves created.

Atwood, a Booker Prize-winner, was there to launch her graphic novel Angel Catbird, with illustrator Johnnie Christmas. Lee was making his final Canadian convention appearance, part of a larger farewell tour. Hamill's schedule included a panel with Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman in Batman: The Animated Series, in which the Star Wars lead played the Joker.

Ubisoft, Microsoft, and PlayStation VR all had large areas set up for attendees to try their latest games. In the 20-minute PlayStation VR demonstration of Batman: Arkham VR, players are dropped down a secret elevator in Bruce Wayne's manor, to the Bat Cave, to suit up. From there, the demonstration took players to investigate the murder of Nightwing.

The Northern Arena Esports Championship ran throughout the weekend, facing off teams of video gamers in a packed hall. Even in early rounds, the event was well attended, with the stands full of gamers, watching the battles with live colour commentary. The finals saw US team Cloud9 and the Immortals, from Brazil, face off in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Both unbeaten teams going in, the Brazillian team won the championship and $50,000.

Gameplay was delayed during the "third map" (third round) of the finals, when one Immortals player was caught with their headset off. After nearly half an hour, the team was deducted a point, leading to a sudden but temporary rush of success by the US team.









Playstation VR demo










Northern Arena










Ample merchandise abounded, including Funkopop figures.










A cosplayer dressed as Misty from Pokemon is interviewed.










When retailers throw prizes, crowds form.










A LEGO Wonder Woman at the Hasbro display.










A larger-than-life Ninja Turtle at the Toys'r'us display.








Displays of charity at event[edit]
The Canadian garrison of 501st Legion returned with their setup of photo-ops, with proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Volunteer organization Comic Corps of Canada collects donations of comics, to distribute to children and youth in the hospital. Along with collecting comics on-site, the group was fundraising through raffles and button sales.

Other charitable fan-based groups included The Ontario Ghostbusters, Doctor Who Society of Canada, and Klingon Assault Group.








Brampton Spider-Gwen and Symbiote Spidey pose at the Comic Corps booth.










A showdown at the 501st Legion booth.










Successful Stormtroopers share a high-five.





Cosplay celebration of craftsmanship and characters[edit]




Epic Mickey by The Katherinator.


The thousands of cosplay outfits on parade around the various halls offered a tremendous cross-section of genres and eras of pop culture. The majority of outfits involved at least some elements made from scratch, a fantastic display of craftsmanship. Of the thousands, Wikinews spoke with a cosplayer going by the name "The Katherinator". She was outside the building in the gardens, waiting for a photographer she had arranged to shoot her new Epic Mickey costumed character-style outfit. With shoes as wide as a forearm, and a rigid torso of carved foam, she remained exuberant even when caught in the traffic between halls, many hours into wearing the outfit.

Disney









Belle










Gravity Falls character Grunkle Stan










Hipster Ariel










Brianna Mick as a flapper version of Cruella de Vil










Lily Spitfyre as Jessica Rabbit










Judy Hopps







Superheroes









Black Widow and Captain America










Transparentfawn as Ladybug from Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir










Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Batgirl










An adaption of Iron Man, by Lady Di Cosplay










Teen Titans Raven, Starfire (seconddegreebyrne), and Robin





















Scarlet Witch and Vision










Ottawa Knight as Batman, with Hawkgirl










Deadshot










Wolverine, Hawgirl, etc.







Anime









Three of Digimon's "Digi-destined", including cosplayer Jessica Anderson.










Local band The Cybertronic Spree, which played at a Fan Expo after-party.










A Katara "bent water" by spinning a flag.










Ray Slay Cosplay as MegaMan.EXE










No-Face from Spirited Away










Celty Sturluson from Durarara!!










Pidgey










Object Head cosplay







Video games, movies, and more









Lady Cassandra from Doctor Who.










Peekaboo Cosplay as The Fawn










One of a trio of aliens






















































Sarah and the Goblin King, from Labyrinth










The cast of Indiana Jones










Legend of Zelda characters










An orc










Twilight Sparkle, by Stephanie, a woman whose My Little Pony items have been featured on Extreme Collectors.










Undyne from Undertale

Source: Wikinews