Comic events are an extension of comics themselves, fortifying the medium and adding an exciting social and community-building dimension. While in attendance at the Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo, I focused my observations on deciphering whether this annual event emphasized the actual print or if it was more of a celebration of the emergent culture.

I noted a range of prominent commercial comic shops like “Happy Harbor” alongside some less familiar names like “Bob’s Comics.” These booths had a plethora of print for sale; some emphasized their stock of hot off the press, glossy graphic novels, while others displayed an impressive collection of vintage comics or a haphazard bundle of Archie comics. Local artists were available to illustrate blank cover comics, and some local novelists were also present to promote their work. There was a continual flow of business cards and pamphlets; it was advertising mania, but it was also a celebration of Edmonton’s local artistic talent.

Print was certainly not limited to comics . An array of gorgeous art pieces lined the aisles, many inspired by Superheroes and Star Wars, as well as buttons, T-shirts, mugs, stickers, and posters in excess! With Food Trucks in abundance, merchandising was certainly a key element of this event.

It was apparent that the Expo wasn’t just for comic fans, but for anyone evenly vaguely associated with some branch of nerd culture. As I wandered the Expo, I encountered several booths selling journals, steam punk crafts, clothing, jewelry, clocks, and even corsets, with very little (if anything) to do with comics. It seemed the Expo was striving to reach every corner of the nerd community, which it achieved surprisingly well.

Cosplay (dressing up as characters) played a fun role in bringing people together. Superheroes and villains were everywhere, but so was everything from Disney to SciFi to My Little Pony. A designated board game area also highlighted the social nature of this event.

If you know any names in the comic business, it is quite likely Stan Lee, who, to the excitement of a long line of pre-paying Edmontonians, was available to take photos and sign autographs.

I asked Ben (Wizard Comics employee) whether he thought the main focus of the [Edmonton Expo] was really the comics, or if he thought it was more about the diverse, vibrant culture that emerges from the literature. According to Ben, "It’s a combination of both; you’re trying to sell your stuff, but at the same time you don’t want to be that guy who’s like 'hey, buy all our books!' so it's more that you are trying to sell, but it’s in general conversation. You try to get to know people, and then they’ll go 'oh these guys are friendly, let’s go to the store.' It used to be more comic based, but as the years have gone by it’s definitely taken more of a media approach, to bring in the big celebrities... It was predominantly comic culture to begin with but now that it’s branching out more into popular culture; you see that with San Diego and New York, the whole nine yards.""

At the end of the day, there is something for everyone at these events, hence why so many people are always in attendance. Maybe you are a true comic lover, or perhaps you are looking forward to seeing a star from your favourite TV series speak at a panel, or you just need to stock up on some wacky patterned leggings – regardless of your motivation, the Expo seems to have it all. This experience illuminated just how diverse and expansive the community is, and how the culture itself has perhaps evolved to become something much more inclusive.

Last Updated: Jan 3, 2017