Montreal Comiccon
Encyclopedia
The Montreal Comiccon under its actual form, was launched in 2006 as "Montreal Comic-Con". The event features comic books, toys, games, science-fiction, horror
, anime
, non-sport cards and collectibles. It is held 3 times a year at Place Bonaventure
, in downtown Montreal
, with the biggest of the 3 shows (the "Comiccon") taking place in September and lasting 2 days.
Special guests, artists, exhibitors and special contests make the Comiccon suitable for children and adults. The September 2011 edition featured guests such as Stan Lee
(Spider-Man
, X-Men
), Adam West
(Batman
), James Marsters
(Buffy the Vampire Slayer
) and Vic Mignogna
(Fullmetal Alchemist
, Vampire Knight
).
The Montreal Comiccon strives to become a fan convention
with multi-genre content, with focus on comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and games. While sharing common traits with San Diego's Comic-Con International and Toronto
's Fan Expo Canada
, the Montreal Comiccon differentiates itself by offering a variety of attractions catering to both the anglophone
and francophone
population markets of Montreal, and bridging the gap between American
comics and Europe
an bande dessinée with crossborder and overseas guests and attractions.
The organizers run two smaller 1-day conventions in May and December called "Mini-Comiccons". These smaller cons have always been held in room 200-N, usually on a Sunday. They offer smaller selections of guests, dealers and artists, but offer at the same time more opportunities throughout the year for fans to purchase comics, meet celebrities and wear costumes, among other things. The admission prices are also lower. The organizational structure remains the same as the main September 2-day edition, but with slightly less staff and volunteers.
, even though they will move to the largest hall in the facility. The main worry was that the event will sell out and potential attendees will be denied entry as has happened at similar events such as the New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con International.
The 2011 event left thousands of attendees standing in line outside the main hall as capacity became an issue, many waiting several hours for entry after getting their tickets. At one point during Saturday around noon, Montreal Fire Marshal's office halted ticket sales and Place Bonaventure staff announced that they would not be letting any attendees into the main hall, including those who had purchased weekend and online tickets, but the majority of attendees remained unaware of this and continued to line up in ignorance until word-of-mouth reached them. Eventually they announced that they would be re-opening ticket sales later in the day once some people have left the main hall, though many had waited for more than 2 and a half hours for initial entry.
As most of the attendees arrived between 11 am and 1 pm, this sudden rush, compounded with the halting of ticket sales, made lineups grow extremely long. Many attendees decided to wait out (missing many autograph sessions, photo ops and panels), while others, less patient, decided to leave and either go back home or return later when ticket sales resumed. The shortage of lineup barriers and signs confused a lot of people, as there were different lines for at-door ticket purchase, online ticket pickup, VIP ticket pickup, artist/dealer/media/staff/guest badge pickup and entry into the convention floor.
The overcrowding, ticket and lineup issues were Place Bonaventure staff's responsibility, not Comiccon staff's (who only managed the pickup of VIP tickets), as the exhibition center has never seen such a rush of attendance for the past 20 years, catching everyone off-guard. Both the Montreal Comiccon and Place Bonaventure will work together to resolve capacity and overcrowding issues for all upcoming editions, doing their best to mitigate them.
The Comiccon will also be chanding venues in 2012. It will no longer be held at Place Bonaventure but will be moving into the newer, and larger convention facilities at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal.
The Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards Organization has agreed in principle with the organizers of the Montreal Comiccon and will be presenting the 8th Annual Joe Shuster Awards in conjunction with that event on the evening of Saturday, September 15, 2012.
Media articles
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
, anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, non-sport cards and collectibles. It is held 3 times a year at Place Bonaventure
Place Bonaventure
Place Bonaventure is an office, exhibition and hotel complex in Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada, adjacent to the city's Central Station. At in size, Place Bonaventure was the world's largest building upon its completion in 1967....
, in downtown Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, with the biggest of the 3 shows (the "Comiccon") taking place in September and lasting 2 days.
Special guests, artists, exhibitors and special contests make the Comiccon suitable for children and adults. The September 2011 edition featured guests such as Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
(Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
), Adam West
Adam West
William West Anderson , better known by the stage name Adam West, is an American actor best known for his lead role in the Batman TV series and the film of the same name...
(Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
), James Marsters
James Marsters
James Wesley Marsters is an American actor and musician. Marsters first came to the attention of the general public playing the popular character Spike, a platinum-blond yobbish English vampire in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off series, Angel from 1997 to 2004...
(Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an American television series that aired from March 10, 1997, until May 20, 2003. The series was created in 1997 by writer-director Joss Whedon under his production tag, Mutant Enemy Productions with later co-executive producers being Jane Espenson, David Fury, David...
) and Vic Mignogna
Vic Mignogna
Victor Joseph "Vic" Mignogna is an American Anime Award winning voice actor and musician who has done voice work for many anime series, movies, and video games...
(Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist
, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is styled after the European Industrial Revolution...
, Vampire Knight
Vampire Knight
is a shōjo manga and anime series written by Matsuri Hino. The series premiered in the January 2005 issue of LaLa magazine and is still on-going. Chapters are collected and published in collected volumes by Hakusensha, with eleven volumes currently released in Japan. The manga series is licensed in...
).
The Montreal Comiccon strives to become a fan convention
Fan convention
A fan convention, or con , is an event in which fans of a particular film, television series, comic book, actor, or an entire genre of entertainment such as science fiction or anime and manga, gather to participate and hold programs and other events, and to meet experts, famous personalities, and...
with multi-genre content, with focus on comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and games. While sharing common traits with San Diego's Comic-Con International and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
's Fan Expo Canada
Fan Expo Canada
Toronto, Canada's Fan Expo Canada is an annual multigenre fan convention. It was founded as the Canadian National Comic Book Expo in 1994 by Hobby Star Marketing Inc...
, the Montreal Comiccon differentiates itself by offering a variety of attractions catering to both the anglophone
English-speaking world
The English-speaking world consists of those countries or regions that use the English language to one degree or another. For more information, please see:Lists:* List of countries by English-speaking population...
and francophone
Francophone
The adjective francophone means French-speaking, typically as primary language, whether referring to individuals, groups, or places. Often, the word is used as a noun to describe a natively French-speaking person....
population markets of Montreal, and bridging the gap between American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comics and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an bande dessinée with crossborder and overseas guests and attractions.
Programming
As with most other comics conventions, the Montreal Comiccon offers a select range of activities, exhibits, and other attractions. Comiccon's programming consists of a large Dealers Room, an Artists Alley, a costume contest, a trading-card games area and Guest panels. New to 2010 are film screenings, Guest photo sessions and a Masquerade. 2011 sees the introduction of additional photo booths, structured autograph lineup barriers, a larger main events stage and dedicated panels/screenings rooms.History
The Montreal Comiccon held its first edition in 2006 at the Place Bonaventure exhibition center. From 2006 to 2010, the Comiccon was held in room 200-N, a low-ceiling windowless exhibition hall beneath the main hall. Due to 2010's outstanding success, shows from 2011 onwards are held in the main hall to accommodate the increased attendance, giving them about three times more space to move around.The organizers run two smaller 1-day conventions in May and December called "Mini-Comiccons". These smaller cons have always been held in room 200-N, usually on a Sunday. They offer smaller selections of guests, dealers and artists, but offer at the same time more opportunities throughout the year for fans to purchase comics, meet celebrities and wear costumes, among other things. The admission prices are also lower. The organizational structure remains the same as the main September 2-day edition, but with slightly less staff and volunteers.
Event history
Note: Only 2-day editions (those held in September) are shown here.| Dates | Location | Attendance (turnstile) | Notable guests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2006 | Place Bonaventure Place Bonaventure Place Bonaventure is an office, exhibition and hotel complex in Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada, adjacent to the city's Central Station. At in size, Place Bonaventure was the world's largest building upon its completion in 1967.... Montreal, Quebec |
... | ... | First edition. |
| September 2007 | Place Bonaventure Montreal, Quebec |
700 | ... | ... |
| September 2008 | Place Bonaventure Montreal, Quebec |
1,100 | ... | ... |
| September 19–20, 2009 | Place Bonaventure Montreal, Quebec |
4,000 | Lou Ferrigno Lou Ferrigno Louis Jude "Lou" Ferrigno is an American actor, fitness trainer/consultant, and retired professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles, and appeared in the bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron... , Jeremy Bulloch Jeremy Bulloch Jeremy Bulloch is an English actor. He is best known for the role inside the costume of the bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy, though he did not voice the character... and Honky Tonk Man Honky Tonk Man Honky Tonk Man may refer to:*The Honky Tonk Man, ring name of professional wrestler Roy Wayne Farris*Honkytonk Man, 1982 American film starring Clint Eastwood*Honky Tonk Man , 1975 album by country singer Steve Young... , with Brad Swaile Brad Swaile Bradley "Brad" Swaile is a Canadian voice actor. He has acted in several animated series, known mostly for his anime roles; particularly that of Amuro Ray in the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, Mousse in Ranma 1/2, and Quatre Raberba Winner in Gundam Wing... . |
Brad Swaile was one of the first anime/manga guests to be invited to Comiccon. |
| September 11–12, 2010 | Place Bonaventure Montreal, Quebec |
8,300 | Brent Spiner Brent Spiner Brent Jay Spiner is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of the android Lieutenant Commander Data in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and four subsequent films. His portrayal of Data in Star Trek: First Contact and of Dr... , Billy Dee Williams Billy Dee Williams William December "Billy Dee" Williams, Jr. is an American actor, artist, singer, and writer.-Early life:Williams was born in New York City, New York, the son of Loretta... , Peter Mayhew Peter Mayhew Peter Mayhew is an English actor known for playing the Wookiee Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies. His peak height was tall.-Career:... , Ethan Van Sciver Ethan Van Sciver Ethan Daniel Van Sciver is an American comic book artist, best known for illustrating a number of titles including Green Lantern, Superman/Batman, New X-Men, and The Flash: Rebirth... , Darick Robertson Darick Robertson Darick W. Robertson is an American artist best known for his work as a comic book illustrator. Highly prolific, Robertson has illustrated hundreds of comics in his twenty plus years in the industry. His body of work ranges from science fiction characters of his own creation to headlining on... , Leonard Kirk Leonard Kirk Leonard Kirk is an American-born comic book artist living in Canada. He has worked on such properties as Supergirl, JSA, Star Trek, Batman, and Witchblade... , Herb Trimpe Herb Trimpe Herbert W. "Herb" Trimpe Herbert W. "Herb" Trimpe Herbert W. "Herb" Trimpe (b. May 26, 1939, is an American comic book artist and occasional writer, best known for his work on The Incredible Hulk and as the first artist to draw for publication the character Wolverine, who later became a breakout... , Dale Eaglesham Dale Eaglesham Dale Eaglesham is a comic book illustrator who has been working in the industry since 1986. He is best known for his work on titles like Conan, Punisher, Green Lantern, Villains United, Justice Society of America and Fantastic Four... , Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Larry Hama Larry Hama Larry Hama is an American comic book writer, artist, actor and musician who has worked in the fields of entertainment and publishing since the 1960s.... , Tim Sale Tim Sale Tim Sale may refer to:* Tim Sale , comic book artist* Tim Sale , Canadian politician... , Kirby Morrow Kirby Morrow Kirby Morrow is a Canadian actor. He currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia.- Filmography :2011 Mortal Kombat: Legacy King Jerrod– Kitana & Mileena: Part 1 … King Jerrod... . |
Last time the main September edition was held in room 200-N. High attendance numbers prompts the organizers to move to the main hall. |
| September 17–18, 2011 | Place Bonaventure Montreal, Quebec |
20,000+ | Stan Lee Stan Lee Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.... (Guest of Honor), Adam West Adam West William West Anderson , better known by the stage name Adam West, is an American actor best known for his lead role in the Batman TV series and the film of the same name... , Burt Ward Burt Ward Burt Ward is an American television actor and activist. He is best known for his portrayal of Robin in the television series Batman and its theatrical film spin-off.-Early life:... , James Marsters James Marsters James Wesley Marsters is an American actor and musician. Marsters first came to the attention of the general public playing the popular character Spike, a platinum-blond yobbish English vampire in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off series, Angel from 1997 to 2004... , Doug Bradley Doug Bradley Douglas William "Doug" Bradley is an English actor best known for his roles in the Hellraiser film series.- Early life :Bradley was born in Liverpool, England... , Sid Haig Sid Haig Sid Haig is a American actor. His roles have included acting in Jack Hill's blaxploitation films of the 1970s as well as his role as Captain Spaulding in Rob Zombie's horror films House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects... , Michael Dorn Michael Dorn Michael Dorn is an American actor, and voice artist who is best known for his role as the Klingon Worf from the Star Trek franchise.-Early life and career:... , Marina Sirtis Marina Sirtis Marina Sirtis is a British-American actress of Greek descent. She played the role of the human/Betazoid Commander Deanna Troi, ship's counselor, on the television and film series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Life:... , Dave Prowse (canceled), Clare Kramer Clare Kramer Clare Elizabeth Kramer is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Glory, the main villain in Season 5 of the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.-Early life:... , Mercedes McNab Mercedes McNab Mercedes Alicia McNab is a Canadian-born actress perhaps best known for playing Harmony Kendall on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff Angel... , Jeremy Bulloch Jeremy Bulloch Jeremy Bulloch is an English actor. He is best known for the role inside the costume of the bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy, though he did not voice the character... , Maria de Aragon, Gil Gerard Gil Gerard Gilbert C. "Gil" Gerard is an American actor. He is most famous for his role as Captain William "Buck" Rogers in the 1979-1981 television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.-Early life:... , Erin Gray Erin Gray Erin Gray is an American actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Kate Summers in the situation comedy Silver Spoons and as Colonel Wilma Deering in the science fiction television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.... , Noelle Hannibal, Neal Adams Neal Adams Neal Adams is an American comic book and commercial artist known for helping to create some of the definitive modern imagery of the DC Comics characters Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow; as the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates; and as a creators-rights advocate who... , Josh Adams Josh Adams Josh Adams is an American comic book and commercial artist best known for his work on House of Mystery for DC Comics, as well as design work for shows on the Syfy Channel. Josh Adams is also the youngest of comic book veteran Neal Adams's three sons... , Sergio Aragonés Sergio Aragonés Sergio Aragonés Domenech is a cartoonist and writer best known for his contributions to Mad Magazine and creator of the comic book Groo the Wanderer.... , Jim Starlin Jim Starlin James P. "Jim" Starlin is an American comic book writer and artist. With a career dating back to the early 1970s, he is best known for "cosmic" tales and space opera; for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock; and for creating or co-creating the Marvel characters... (canceled), Stan Sakai Stan Sakai is a third-generation Japanese American Cartoonist comic book creator. He is best known as the creator of the comic series Usagi Yojimbo. -Biography:... , Gail Simone Gail Simone Gail Simone is an American writer of comic books. Best known for penning DC's Birds of Prey, her other notable works include Secret Six, Welcome to Tranquility, The All-New Atom, and Deadpool. In 2007, she took over Wonder Woman... , Joe Benitez Joe Benitez Joe Benitez is an American comic book artist. He is co-creator and penciller of Weapon Zero, published by Top Cow Productions.Other titles he has worked on include The Darkness, The Magdalena, as well as work for DC Comics.... , Pia Guerra Pia Guerra Pia Guerra is an award-winning Canadian comic book artist best known for her work as co-creator and lead penciller on the Vertigo title Y: The Last Man.-Career:... , Ian Boothby Ian Boothby Ian Boothby is a multiple Shuster Award, Harvey Award and Eisner Award nominee and an Eisner Award–winning comic book creator best known for his work as one of the main writers on Simpsons Comics and Futurama Comics for Matt Groening's Bongo Comics. Boothby has written more Simpsons Comics than any... , Herb Trimpe Herb Trimpe Herbert W. "Herb" Trimpe Herbert W. "Herb" Trimpe Herbert W. "Herb" Trimpe (b. May 26, 1939, is an American comic book artist and occasional writer, best known for his work on The Incredible Hulk and as the first artist to draw for publication the character Wolverine, who later became a breakout... , Dale Eaglesham Dale Eaglesham Dale Eaglesham is a comic book illustrator who has been working in the industry since 1986. He is best known for his work on titles like Conan, Punisher, Green Lantern, Villains United, Justice Society of America and Fantastic Four... , Vic Mignogna Vic Mignogna Victor Joseph "Vic" Mignogna is an American Anime Award winning voice actor and musician who has done voice work for many anime series, movies, and video games... , Lillyxandra, KellyJane, TealPirate, Dany Dany (comics) Dany, pseudonym for Daniel Henrotin is a Belgian comic book artist, best known for Olivier Rameau and Ça vous intéresse?.-Biography:... , Sgt Slaughter, Rick Martel Rick Martel Richard Vigneault is a retired Canadian professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation between 1980 and 1995 under the ring name Rick Martel... , Todd van der Heyden Todd van der Heyden Todd van der Heyden is a Canadian investigative television reporter and news anchor with CTV News in Montreal, Quebec.-Education:Van der Heyden earned a Bachelor's degree in journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa... . |
First time the main September edition was held in the main hall. Attendance reaches facility limit and Montreal Fire Marshal's office halts ticket sales for three hours on Saturday. |
| September 14–16, 2012 | Palais des congrès de Montréal Palais des congrès de Montréal The Palais des congrès de Montréal is a convention center located in the Quartier international de Montréal at the north end of Old Montreal in Montreal's borough of Ville-Marie.... Montreal, Quebec |
TBA | TBA | Change of venue. Will be a 3-day event. |
Issues
After 2010's edition, potential overcrowding was one of the main issues the organizers raised during their 2011 planning. Concerns have been that the event will possibly be too big for the Place BonaventurePlace Bonaventure
Place Bonaventure is an office, exhibition and hotel complex in Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada, adjacent to the city's Central Station. At in size, Place Bonaventure was the world's largest building upon its completion in 1967....
, even though they will move to the largest hall in the facility. The main worry was that the event will sell out and potential attendees will be denied entry as has happened at similar events such as the New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con International.
The 2011 event left thousands of attendees standing in line outside the main hall as capacity became an issue, many waiting several hours for entry after getting their tickets. At one point during Saturday around noon, Montreal Fire Marshal's office halted ticket sales and Place Bonaventure staff announced that they would not be letting any attendees into the main hall, including those who had purchased weekend and online tickets, but the majority of attendees remained unaware of this and continued to line up in ignorance until word-of-mouth reached them. Eventually they announced that they would be re-opening ticket sales later in the day once some people have left the main hall, though many had waited for more than 2 and a half hours for initial entry.
As most of the attendees arrived between 11 am and 1 pm, this sudden rush, compounded with the halting of ticket sales, made lineups grow extremely long. Many attendees decided to wait out (missing many autograph sessions, photo ops and panels), while others, less patient, decided to leave and either go back home or return later when ticket sales resumed. The shortage of lineup barriers and signs confused a lot of people, as there were different lines for at-door ticket purchase, online ticket pickup, VIP ticket pickup, artist/dealer/media/staff/guest badge pickup and entry into the convention floor.
The overcrowding, ticket and lineup issues were Place Bonaventure staff's responsibility, not Comiccon staff's (who only managed the pickup of VIP tickets), as the exhibition center has never seen such a rush of attendance for the past 20 years, catching everyone off-guard. Both the Montreal Comiccon and Place Bonaventure will work together to resolve capacity and overcrowding issues for all upcoming editions, doing their best to mitigate them.
2012 edition
The 2012 Montreal Comiccon will be held on the weekend of September 14-16, 2012. Due to unexpected demand from the 2011 event, the Montreal Comiccon will be expanding to a full three days in 2012.The Comiccon will also be chanding venues in 2012. It will no longer be held at Place Bonaventure but will be moving into the newer, and larger convention facilities at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal.
The Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards Organization has agreed in principle with the organizers of the Montreal Comiccon and will be presenting the 8th Annual Joe Shuster Awards in conjunction with that event on the evening of Saturday, September 15, 2012.
External links
Official sitesMedia articles