Fan-demonium to Reach an All-Time High at 15^th Annual Fan Expo Canada 2009

Leonard Nimoy, Linda Hamilton, Lou Ferrigno, and Bruce Campbell among the star-studded line-up at this year’s event

July 9, 2009, Toronto, ON – Expect to see a surge of Vulcans, Storm Troopers, Zombies, Dragonballers and other strange and wonderful characters across the city as Toronto hosts the largest combined gaming, horror, comic, science fiction and anime event in the country. The 15^th annual Fan Expo Canada takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building on August 28-30, 2009.

Owned and operated by Hobby Star Marketing, Fan Expo Canada offers fans of every genre the chance to meet their favourite celebrities and pop culture heroes at autograph and photo sessions; participate in informational workshops with industry experts offering advice, tips and portfolio reviews; and shop for exclusive Fan Expo offers, collectables and memorabilia from more than 600 vendors.

“By offering unique experiences and opportunities to interact with icons, industry leaders, and other enthusiastic fans, Fan Expo delivers a signature event in Canada that satisfies fans’ cravings like no other,” says Aman Gupta, President of Hobby Star Marketing. “For the past 15 years Fan Expo Canada has been the only event to bring this level of fandom to Toronto and Fan Expo Canada 2009 will bring even more to visitors than ever before with incredible limited edition offers, the widest range of industry merchandise available, and appearances by genre demi-gods.”

Hobby Star Marketing Inc. was founded in 1992 and has quickly become one of Canada’s premiere sports and entertainment marketing companies. Since its inception, Hobby Star Marketing has secured a niche in the industry by specializing in professional sport and entertainment celebrity placement at a variety of venues and events.

SPECIAL CELEBRITY GUESTS:

SFX Science Fiction Expo, in association with SPACE – the official National Cable Broadcast Sponsor, guest list:

• LEONARD NIMOY – The legendary Mr. Spock of Star Trek
• LINDA HAMILTON – Sarah Connor celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Terminator
• BILLY DEE WILLIAMS – Lando Calrissian of the Star Wars feature films
• BEAU BRIDGES – Major General Hank Landry of Stargate SG-1
• THOMAS DEKKER – John Connor of Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronicles
• MARY MCDONNELL – President Laura Roslin of Battlestar Galactica
• JAMES KYSON LEE – Ando of Heroes
• AVERY BROOKS – Captain Benjamin Sisko of Star Trek Deep Space Nine
• WALTER KOENIG – Pavel Chekov of Star Trek
• ROBERT DUNCAN MCNEILL – Tom Paris of Star Trek Voyager
• LOU FERRIGNO – The Incredible Hulk
• DAVE THOMAS – Doug of Bob and Doug McKenzie brothers
• LARRY THOMAS – Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi”
• TONY CURTIS – Legendary actor and Hollywood Icon

The Comic Book Expo guest list:

• JOE QUESADA – Editor In Chief Marvel Comics
• DAN DIDIO – Senior VP DC Comics
• CHRIS BACHALO – Legendary Artist
• MIKE DEODATO JR.- Artist Dark Avengers
• ETHAN VAN SCIVER – Artist of Flash Rebirth
• J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI – Award winning writer
• STEVE MCNIVEN – Artist of Wolverine
• IVAN REIS – Artist of Green Lantern & The Blackest Night – Rare appearance!
• TERRY DODSON – Artist of Uncanny X-Men
• DAVID FINCH – Artist of Ultimatum
• OLIVIER COIPEL – Artist of Thor
• MATT FRACTION – Writer of Uncanny X-Men and Invincible Ironman
• MARKO DJURDJEVIC – Acclaimed Marvel Cover Artist & Thor
• LEN WEIN – Legendary Creator of Wolverine & Swamp Thing
• DARWYN COOKE – Artist of DC The New Frontier
• DALE EAGLESHAM – Artist of upcoming Fantastic Four
• BILL SIENKIEWICZ – Legendary Artist
• STUART IMMONNEN – Artist of New Avengers
• GEORGES JEANTY – Artist of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• RICHARD ISANOVE – Artist of Stephen King’s Dark Tower
• MIKE CHOI – Artist of X-Force
• DOUG SNEYD – Legendary Playboy Cartoonist

The Festival of Fear Horror Expo, sponsored by Rue Morgue Magazine, guest list:

• BRUCE CAMPBELL – Legendary Film Actor
• ROGER CORMAN – Legendary Director
• UDO KEIR – Acclaimed Actor
• BARBARA STEELE – Emmy Award-Winning Actress
• TOM SAVINI – FX Master and Actor
• ROBERT HALL – Award winning make up artist
• JAMES DUVAL – Acclaimed Horror Film Actor
• MAX BROOKS – Author Of The Zombie Survival Guide
• ART HINDLE – Acclaimed actor
• KELLEY ARMSTRONG – Best Selling Horror Author
• JACK KETCHUM – Best Selling Horror Author
• LLOYD KAUFMAN – Producer – Toxic Avenger

The CNAnime Expo celebrity guest list:

• SCOTT MCNEIL – voice star of Mobile Suit Gundam, Dragonball Z
• CRISPIN FREEMAN – voice star of Naruto, Eureka Seven, Ghost In the Shell
• BRAD SWAILE – voice star of Death Note, Mobile Suit Gundam
• AARON DISMUKE – voice star of Fullmetal Alchemist, Trinity Blood
• COLLEEN CLINKENBEARD – voice star of Fullmetal Alchemist, Trinity Blood
• MONICA RIAL – voice star of Kiddy Grade, Noir, Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE
• BRINA PALENCIA – voice star of Claymore, Romeo A Juliet
• DEREK STEPHEN PRINCE – voice star of Bleach, Digimon

The GX – Gaming Expo, sponsored by Zellers & G4 Tech TV, celebrity guest list:

• STEVE DOWNES – Voice of Master Chief in the HALO video game series
• VICTOR LUCAS – Creator / Producer / Host of Electric Playground
• ED GREENWOOD – Creator / Author of Forgotten Realms
• JESS HARTLEY – Editor / Developer of White Wolf Publishing
• PIETER VAN HIEL – Role playing game Author of Sanguine Productions
• JONATHAN LAVALLEE – President of Firestorm Ink gaming publisher
• C.A. SULEIMAN – Director of Development CM Publishing
• MALCOLM SHEPPARD – Role playing game Author of White Wolf

Gaming fans will have the opportunity to take part in dozens of official tournaments, play new games, win prizes, meet with industry experts, attend seminars and view upcoming products.

Additional Highlights:

• Canada’s largest Masquerade Costume Contest on Saturday, Aug. 29
• Industry Professional workshops for the public
• Millions of dollars of collectibles and memorabilia for sale
• Celebrity Q&A’s plus autograph and photo opportunities
• More than 600 commercial exhibitors and retailers offering a full range of pop culture and entertainment themed merchandise including comic books, toys, collectibles, games, videos, and more!
• Tons of costumed characters from your favourite TV shows & movies
• Introducing a reusable shopping tote, made from 100% recycled materials and designed specifically for fans to take their goodies home
• Exclusive show merchandise including:
  • MEGAN FOX photo cover variant for issue one TRANSFORMERS: TALES OF THE FALLEN comic book – Limited to only 1000 copies
  • STAR TREK: NERO comic, issue number one, “Spock Variant” edition – Limited to 1000 copies
  • ULTIMATE AVENGERS comic #1, “Sketch cover variant” edition (Limited to 1500 copies)
  • GREEN LANTERN: BLACKEST NIGHT Art Lithograph (Limited to 1500 copies) free and only available when you purchase a Fan Expo Premium Package

Stay tuned to http://www.fanexpocanada.com for more additions to this exciting line-up…

SHOW DETAILS:

WHEN: AUGUST 28 – 30, 2009

Friday, August 28^th 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 29^th 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 30^th 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building

222 Bremner Blvd. Toronto, Ontario

TICKETS: Basic Adult Day Pass $25.00

Kids under 12 years old are FREE when accompanied by an adult

See website for further details

SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS: Some celebrity presentations are specially ticketed events – for dates, times and prices, please call Ticketmaster (416) 872-7777 or visit http://www.fanexpocanada.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT http://www.fanexpocanada.com