Montreal Comic Con Report

A Mid-Size Con Has Its Perks

Fall is already in the air in Montreal and the fans and collectors were out in force today as the Montreal Comic Con began its two-day stint at Place Bonaventure. There was a little something for everyone: graded comics, new issues at slashed prices, bargain bins, and Trade Paperbacks galore. Convention attendees could also pick up toys, figurines and t-shirts.


But the biggest draw is of course the guests. There is also a great deal of variety amongst the creators who came along to meet the fans. You have big names like Herb Trimpe (who drew the iconic first appearance of Wolverine), Mike & Laura Allred (Madman, Metamorpho in Wednesday Comics), Dale Eaglesham (JSA, Fantastic Four) and Darwyn Cooke (Richard Stark's Parker the Hunter). But you also have lesser known creators like Wes Craig (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Karl Kerschl (Flash in Wednesday Comics) as well as a whole slew of local talent, who work in both English and French. A great benefit to being at a smaller con like Montreal is hardly having to wait to meet favourite artists. At most, they're ready to say hi, chat and sign some stuff after they've finished a sketch or two.

That's a far cry from the madness of the cons from the early nineties at the height of the comic book craze when artists from Image would command long lines of adoring fans who would file past like oh so many cattle. Nowadays there's a real laid-back atmosphere. You have Mike Allred and Darwyn Cooke joking around together and Wes Craig taking lots of time to flip through the portfolio of an aspiring artist.

For those ready to pay $20 or $30 for a nice signed collectible there were some well-known names in attendance: Lou Ferrigno of Incredible Hulk fame (the guy has unbelievably large arms), the Honky Tonk Man from the WWE and Jeremy Bulloch who portrayed Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy and seemed to always have the most folk around his table at any given moment.

The con was brimming with ladies decked out in their cosplay outfits and members of the 501st Imperial Legion who dress in Star Wars attire and never hesitate to pose for a photo op. Both added nicely to the ambiance.

Overall, well worth the $10 for lots of great deals (as long as you take the time to comparison shop) and accessible and relaxed creators to meet.

Adam P.
Review Editor