‘A long time coming’: The return of Toronto Comicon

It’s been two long years since people were able to gather together under one roof to celebrate their love of all things comics, but like many big events Toronto Comicon is making a much anticipated comeback, starting Friday.

Organizer’s say excitement has been building online for months, with their message boards flooded with people eager to rejoin the comic community in real life.

“Everyone’s been working on their costumes, everyone’s been connecting about what they’re going to purchase on the show floor, who they’re going to meet — there’s been some really great chatter [online],” said Andrew Moyes, Vice President, Fan Expo HQ. “These are community driven, passion driven events and for everyone to be able to come and get together and share that passion again is truly an electric feeling and a long time coming as well.”

Comicon is known for bringing fans one-on-one experiences with famous celebrities, and this year is no different. Among the main draws is the original Incredible Hulk, Lou Ferrigno.

“I’m very excited to be back here,” Ferrigno told CityNews. “I get a chance to chat with the fans, get that instant gratification again, relive my childhood again, put a smile on people’s faces.”

Ferrigno said he’s just as thrilled to be interacting with fans, live and in-person, as they are to be meeting him after the pandemic forced a worldwide hiatus from public events.

“I could do 10 ‘Gone With the Wind’ movies, but everybody loves the Hulk,” he said. “Especially a lot of the guys, bodybuilders, women in fitness, they come because bodybuilding has been my whole life. You get female competitors, male competitors — it will be a nice exchange.”

Watch the full interview with Lou Ferrigno below:

As hundreds of fans poured in through the doors the second they opened at 10 a.m., many were dressed in elaborate cosplay, which is a big part of the Comicon experience.

Aiden Boylin said he’s been planning his group Spiderverse costume with five of his friends for at least two months.

“I ordered this [Spiderman] suit and thought this would be a lot more fun if there were other people who joined the group” he said. “But every time I come, it’s as if it’s the first time, it’s always amazing.”

“I feel like a child on Christmas,” added his co-cosplayer Ashton Stromeyer.

The excitement on the convention floor was palpable, with many echoing similar sentiments.

“I’m really excited to be back,” said Comicon attendee Jeff. “I love all things nerd and coming here is a bit like a nerdgasm for me. It’s really awesome to be back after COVID and nice to be in a crowd and see people.”

Batman fan Dante’s birthday wish was to attend Comicon since he hasn’t been able to for three years.

“I am very excited … I wasn’t able to come last year because of COVID, so my grandmother promised that she would bring me here this year. This is like my wish come true,” he said.

Click through the gallery below for creative cosplayers at Toronto ComiCon 2022.

Open Gallery 11 items

Along with fans, hundreds of artists and vendors ventured out to a convention for the first time since the pandemic hit. While they do have online businesses, many agreed there’s nothing like the real thing.

“When I got the call, I started bawling. I had missed this so, so much,” said Joelle from Misty Mountain Gaming. “I had no idea how much I like people … to see humans that love the same things that I love, it’s so wonderful because there’s a way of connecting that I don’t really get online.”

Artist Drake Tsui flew in from Calgary to attend the convention and says he loves seeing people react to his art in person.

“It’s just nice to travel again and come out and share my art with people that are actually here, in front of me, instead of online swiping on my phone,” he said.

Along with interacting with their fans, some vendors said they’ve also missed the feeling of community and camaraderie with other sellers on the convention floor.

“During setup last night the number of people that I ran into who I hadn’t seen since the last ComiCon … like everybody is here and I’m just so happy to see them all again and it’s almost like a family reunion,” said Effin’ Birds creator Aaron Reynolds.

For those who are heading to Comicon to join in the excitement, keep in mind that vaccine certificates are not required, but masking protocols are still in place.