Like an appetizer at a grand feast, yesterday was tasty – but a taste was all it was!
How are your feet? Wearing comfortable shoes? Good. How’s your back? Is the strap on your pack strong enough to carry a heavy load of books, toys and other weighty paraphernalia? Excellent. You’re very nearly prepped.
Today begins Day 2 of Fan Expo Canada – and it’s the first of the two longest days of the pop culture convention operation, starting at 10:00 AM and running until 7:00 PM.
If you didn’t get a chance to make a run to those exclusives tables, make sure you do it first thing this morning – they’re not going to be around much longer. And if you want original art from some of your favourite pencillers and painters in Artist Alley, take it from me and do it now.
Here’s what Biff Bam Pop! thinks you should be checking out on Fan Expo Canada Day 2:
CELEBRITY Q&A: Batman’s Adam West & Burt Ward (11:00 AM, Room 105)
You’ll find Biff Bam Pop’s Editor-In-Chief, Andy Burns, and yours truly, in and around this area, getting set for a photo op with the original Caped Crusaders. Along with the classic Batmobile, of course! Turbines to speed!
DC COMICS: Rebirth Panel (11:45 AM, Room 716)
There’s been so much success baked into this summer’s DC Rebirth across their various comic book titles. Here’s a chance to find out the intricacies…and maybe the next big set up form the pop culture giant!
BATMAN ARKHAM VR: Demo (All Day, EB Gamer Zone)
Look, you gotta sign up to trial the demo of this game, and as of yesterday, all the sign ups have been, well, signed up. But stop by the booth and check it out – there’ s screen where you can watch the lucky ones try their hand at the wearing the cape and cowl. It’s looking pretty awesome, wouldn’t you agree? Be the Batman!
COMIC Q&A: The Legendary Joe Quesada (12:00 PM, Room 102)
Man, those historic Cuppa Joe panels were always great, and Joe always seems to show up in Toronto when there’s a Dark Knight release. Expect a lively discussion about comic books, the industry and his career from the guy that runs Marvel Comics.
CELEBRITY Q&A: Back To The Future With Christopher Lloyd (12:00 PM, Room 105)
This is simply going to be 1.21 Gigawatts of amazing! And check out the main hall in the North Building. The DeLorean is here!
SIGNINGS – EB GAMER ZONE: UBISOFT Far Cry Primal & Watch_Dogs 2 (2:00-6:00 PM)
There’s a lot of love out there for Far Cry Primal and Watch_Dogs 2, and UBISOFT has made some of their game creators available for greetings and signings! Visit the EB Gamer Zone section from 2:30-3:30 PM to meet up with Biff Bam Pop’s long time pal, Denny Borges, the Art Director on Far Cry Primal. And tell him we sent you over! From 2-3 PM you’ll find Navid Khavari, the Narrative Designer on Far Cry Primal, and form 4-6 PM, you’ll encounter Nitai Bessette, the Director on Watch_Dogs 2. Grab a free print, ask for a signature (or a sketch) and ask them questions about the games and/or the industry. Maybe they’ll let you in on their next, top secret, project. But probably not. Here’s to trying!
WITCHES & WARLOCKS: A History Of Shame & Celebration (3:45 PM, Room 705)
I’ve got a thing for witches. So I’ve got a thing for this panel. It’ll be literary. It’ll be fascinating. It’ll be good, I’m sure.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Brushes, Inks & Markers (4:15 PM, Room 703)
Any curious artists out there? Ever wonder what to buy when you walk into a Curry’s or DeSerres art store? This panel is for you.
SPECIAL EVENT: Mark Hamill Live (5:00 PM, Room 105)
You can make the argument that this weekend revolves around Mark Hamill, the first and best Jedi. I mean, Star Wars is on everyone’s mind. But so is the animated Batman, and Hamill’s voice of the Joker over so many years, is as classic as classic gets!
GAMING: Publishing Your Own Tabletop Game (5:45 PM, Room 705)
I know. You’re a gamer. You’ve got an idea. But how do you make it happen? This is for you.
CELEBRITY Q&A: The Legendary William Shatner (6:30 PM, Room 105)
Here’s a career unlike any other, a man who has affected so many people during his life. And if you think the room will be too jammed to get into…well then you’ve never beaten the no-win scenario. That’s the way you close out a long Friday at Fan Expo Canada!
All done? Hit a nearby restaurant and grab a cold Coca Cola or, better yet, a beer. You deserve it. You, me, and Biff Bam Pop! get to do this again tomorrow! See you in the morning for Day 3!
Fan Expo Canada runs from Thursday, September 1 to Sunday, September 4 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For schedules, tickets and information, visit their web page at: www.fanexpocanada.com
