Another Fan Expo has come and gone, and it was a lot of fun.
Over the years, I’ve come to realize that Fan Expo isn’t really a comic convention in the traditional sense. It’s more of a pop culture convention, and honestly, that’s perfectly fine.
I attended on Saturday, and when I arrived, the line to get in wrapped around the building. Thankfully, I was attending as press, which made getting inside much easier. Even so, it was clear from the moment I arrived that the show was packed with fans eager to enjoy everything the convention had to offer.
The event ran from Friday through Sunday and featured an impressive lineup of guests. Comic book fans had the opportunity to meet creators such as Jim Lee (get back to work, Jim!), Steven Platt, Greg Weisman, and many others. From what I saw, both the guests and attendees seemed to be having a great time.
The autograph area was easily one of the busiest sections of the convention. I spotted celebrities like Ron Perlman and David Tennant, but it seemed that the anime voice actors were drawing some of the longest lines of the weekend. Good for them.
One thing that stood out throughout the day was the variety of fans attending the show. You could see longtime comic book readers, anime fans, movie enthusiasts, gamers, and families all sharing the same space. That’s really what Fan Expo does best. While traditional comic conventions tend to focus heavily on comics, Fan Expo embraces a broader range of fandoms and brings them together under one roof.
There was also a wide variety of panels throughout the show. Attendees could enjoy one-on-one discussions with guests like Orlando Bloom, hear James Marsters share behind-the-scenes stories from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, attend professional panels such as How to Sell Your Books at Cons, or bring the kids to family-friendly events like How to Be a Superhero.
The vendor floor was filled with plenty to see and buy. While there weren’t as many comic book vendors as I would have liked, there was still a great selection of collectibles, artwork, and pop culture merchandise to browse.
The cosplayers were also extremely impressive. Everywhere I turned, there was another amazing costume. Whether it was superheroes, anime characters, or characters from movies and television, the level of detail and craftsmanship on display was incredible. Some of these costumes looked professionally made, and they helped bring even more energy to an already crowded convention floor.
Fan Expo Philadelphia may not be a comic convention in the traditional sense, but that’s part of its appeal. It offers something for nearly every kind of fan, whether you’re looking to meet a favorite celebrity, discover new creators, attend panels, shop the vendor floor, or simply spend a day surrounded by people who share your interests. It was a busy, energetic weekend, and one that left me looking forward to next year’s show.
Newsdesk