Fangirls and fanboys, gamers and comic book enthusiasts can geek out on October 17, 2010 at the Red & White Calgary Comic & Toy Expo at McMahon Stadium. The dealer room will be packed with exhibitors, while fans can chill with this year's special guests.
Red & White Calgary Comic & Toy Expo: Guest and Event Highlights
Comic fans will be able to meet and talk to artists Riley Rossmo and Cary Nord at this popular comic book convention. Both artists will be featuring their work and field questions from fans.
Riley Rossmo is a Calgary-based illustrator. He attended Alberta College of Art and Design and has since done work for AIT/Planet Lar, IDW Publishing and Image Comics. Comic credits include Proof and Cowboy Ninja Vikings.
Canadian comic artist Cary Nord has done work for Marvel Comics as well as Dark Horse Comics. His credits include Ghost Rider: Crossroads, Daredevil, Wolverine, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Conan the Barbarian.
The dealer room at the Red & White Calgary Comic & Toy Expo is at full capacity with over 100 dealer tables, including art by local artists. This is significant increase from last year's 80 tables. Geeks of all walks can buy popular comics such as Superman, The Waking Dead and Star Wars. Fangirls and fanboys can expand their collection of hot toys to include the latest Star Trek and superhero figures. Otaku can stock up on popular manga from Bleach to One Piece.
For those who want to dress up in their Halloween costumes a little early, there is the annual costume contest. Registrants should sign up by 12:30 P.M. at the admission table. Expect to see a wide variety of cosplay, ranging from popular anime like Naruto, to classic space operas such as Star Wars.
About The Red & White Calgary Comic & Toy Expo
"The Red and White Show is Calgary's longest running comic and toy convention," said Ben Falconer, one of the expo organizers. The expo, now in its 16th year, was the brainchild of the Calgary Comic Collectors' Society.
The Comic & Toy Expo hit a new level of development under the helm of Steve Fuller, who organized the event for seven years. Now, the Red and White expo is organized by Purple Gorilla Comics and Phoenix Comics. The expo entertains between 500 – 700 attendees a year.
Calgary hosts a fair number of geeky events throughout the year, including comic conventions, sci-fi conventions and anime conventions. These vary from the CON-VERSION and the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo, which bring in popular actors and industry professionals in sci-fi and fantasy to Otafest, which focuses on Japanese animation and manga.
The Red and White Comic & Toy Expo takes an "old school" approach. "The show focuses on the comic book and toy medium with very little interest in the "Hollywood" culture aspect of the hobby," explained Falconer. "We are an old school show and plan on keeping it a traditional event."
Attending The Red & White Calgary Comic & Toy Expo
The Red & White Comic & Toy Expo will be held in Calgary on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at the Red & White Club at McMahon Stadium (1817 Crowchild Trail NW). The club is located on the second level of the Olympic Volunteer Centre.
Free parking is available onsite. Alternatively, patrons can travel by Calgary Transit and get off at the Banff Trail C-Train station.
Admission is $5 per person. Children 8 and under will be admitted for free when accompanied by an adult. Most Alberta comic shops have $1.00 off coupons available upon request.
Comic fans, manga otaku and toy collectors can get geeky on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at the Red & White Calgary Comic & Toy Expo at McMahon Stadium. The expo runs from 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Whether one wants to get autographs from artists Riley Rossmo and Cary Nord, participate in the costume contest or buy more comic and toys, there is plenty for comic, manga and toy enthusiasts to enjoy.
(Read the Comic & Toy Expo review here.)
Rhona-Mae Arca - Rhona-Mae is a Registered Music Teacher. She has an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, B.A. (Music) and ...
