Wizard World Toronto Comic Con 2011
 

The second annual Wizard World Toronto Comic Con is coming up soon, March 18th-20th at the Direct Energy Centre , Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd in Toronto, Ontario.

This year features an expanded celebrity guest list, huge artist alley, exhibitor space and much, much more.

Some of this years guests include Ray Park, Billy Dee Williams, Jeremy Bulloch, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Forest and Screech himself, Dustin Diamond! Comic guests include Michael Golden, Bill Sienkiewicz & Alex Milne.

Single day passes are $35, with full weekend passes costing $55. Check their website for all the details.

Be sure to stop by the Actionfigurenews.ca booth and say hi!

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
 

Wish I could go and meet Billy Dee!

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
 

So is this like Fan expo?

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Wow that's quite the guest list.

@vujonny I looks to be similar to Fanexpo.

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Would love to meet the man behind Boba Fett! :D

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Has anyone gone to this show before? If so, is there a good selection of toys to buy?

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
 

PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS maybe when it becomes like its American shows and stop shitting on the heads of CDNS just because it has wizard world attached to it then ill go back!! $35= a## raping!!!!

No CC, the same people and booths will be at fan expo! Toys are limited mainly vendors that take up too much room!! That sell nothing but flea market merch!

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^^ Good to know, guess I won't be going.

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
 

I was looking at last years pictures and it looked like quite a few booths of toys set up but i have never been so i dont really no

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
 

Thanks dude!

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
 

Just to be clear I think it should be noted that tickets to Fan Expo last year cost more than tickets to Wizard World Toronto 2011.

It seems to me that if they have the same vendors, and that is the main reason you are going, that it would make more sense to go with the less expensive convention.

To each their own but this show will be offering the largest assembly of Star Wars actors under one roof in the world this year. Thats gotta be worth something right?

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
 

True if your a fan of any expo go!!! The problem being that same actors come up every show the same vendors will be at expo and the same retailers will be at expo.

The other problem is please go to a wizard world in the states and you will know the difference. If you cant then dont worry im not too sure what attraction they have anymore, seeing that they have Comic cons now ie New York and Chicago. (vs WW)

In all, I go to Chicago and philly WW and they put on a show, plus its $50 us for four days and $20 per day. (if you dont want weekend pass) Plus they give you a hell of a lot of freebies and the exclusive nights to buy the con exclusives are only available to the four day pass holders. its like wonderland (Alice) but better lol.

Now with that said if i get free passes to this I will go!!! I will say Fan expo is a CDN thing and they pumped it well last year, WW just wasn't the same. :( but everybody should go!

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
 

I guess I can understand why someone with the means to travel to large American markets to go to conventions would find this lacking.

I still don't think what WW is presenting in Toronto, or Winnipeg for that matter, is "shitting on the heads of Canadians".

If someone wants to meet Celebrity "A", "B" or "C" paying $50 in ones hometown is a lot more cost effective than spending money for flights and hotels to travel elsewhere.

Merchandise wise, one will always be able to find anything available at a Convention on the internetz. Might as well just ebay stuff.

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I'll be there. The lineup of guests looks pretty good, and like Robimus said, it will give me the opportunity to meet some people I would never have the opportunity to meet like Billy Dee Williams. Plus Dustin Diamond will be there, I didn't notice that until this thread. Will be fun to see him in person. Stop by the ActionFigureNews.ca booth and tell us you're a member/reader, we might have some giveaways. :)

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Dustin Diamond... they make action figures of that guy?

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Maybe an inaction figure.

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Hmmm...

Might have to go after all.

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WTF Dustin Diamond this may be a good time to go seeing my wife's cousin just divorced Zack Morris!!!

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Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
 

Here, reposted, is an interview with Billy Dee Williams:

Moviefone briefly caught up with the actor before he heads into Toronto for Wizard World Comic Con 2011. We asked him about his role models and heroes, his propensity to play gangster-like characters and why he loves attending sci-fi conventions (he's only done hundreds!).

You were in several action/suspense TV shows before your break into movies. What made you take the leap?
Well, when you're an actor you just want to work. An acting career is like that – from moment to moment, it changes.

Several descriptions/bios of you online start off with the word 'Great-looking.' Have you always been complimented on your looks?
Well, I used to be. [Laughs] Fortunately and unfortunately. I'll admit it, though, I was a pretty good-looking guy. My grandson is beautiful, though. Just beautiful!

Did you have any particular influences or role models when your career was starting out?
I grew up watching James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson. The first movie I ever did, 'The Last Angry Man,' was with Paul Muni, who was the original Scarface. He was a great actor who I definitely looked up to.

There's a trend there with Cagney, Bogart – it's a gangster-y kind of feel. I can see how you used that with Lando Calrissian.
Of course. Actually I was just on 'White Collar,' and I played and old-time gangster, kind of a con man, counterfeiter.

You must enjoy playing that type of character. You've got it down pat.
Oh, absolutely! There's no question about it! It's really fun.

So how did you 'land' Lando?
Well, [director] Irv Kershner met with me, he came to my house, and we sat and talked. There was a great connection, and the role was mine.

It's difficult to conceive of anyone else playing Lando.
[Laughs] I agree with you! It's always nice to hear. I fell in love with Lando as soon as he was introduced to me. I couldn't wait to put that cape on. That was the key.

Lando is one of the most recognized characters from 'Star Wars.' Have you ever been hounded or freaked out at a fan convention?
No, I've found that generally the fans are really great. I always look forward to the conventions – it's like going to a town hall. I get a chance to meet the people who've been very supportive of everything throughout the years. It's a nice experience.

One of the best things about 'Star Wars' is its longevity. It's not going anywhere anytime soon.
My grandson's only three years old, and he's into it already. 'Star Wars' is a phenomenon, it's monumental.

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con
 

Your wife's cousin is Lisa Ann Russell? Small world...

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I'm excited cause I get to go this year! Yay! Never been before, so I'm looking forward to it. Not sure I can afford any autographs or anything, but that's never been why I go to cons. Just excited to see friends and be in a place where everyone is a nerd like me! Oh, and maybe get some cool stuff too.

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con 2011
 

Come visit us at booth # 1216, mention you're a member/reader for a freebie.

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I might be going, but only for one day. It is a bit expensive, a one day pass is around $33 with tax and everything, still cheaper than buying the ticket at the venue, which would be $38. I'm going mainly to get some comic sketch, but if you have the money and the time, its worth going there for 3 days to meet the creators and see the stars, but if you are there just to shop, one day should be enough. The one thing I dislike about the show is they annouce so many stars months ahead, then one last minute, they change the line-up without any notice.

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Starts tomorrow! Be sure to check out the Raven Collectibles/C4 booth as well as the actionfigurenews.ca table!

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So... did anyone go? How was it?

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con 2011
 

It was awesome!! Had a fantastic weekend with the crew at the show. It was busy, but not stupid crowded, so you could navigate the hall and not always be bumping into people.

There were tons of people dressed up as super heroes and such, the 501st garrison was there, the Ontario Ghostbusters, the BTTF Delorean was there. Tons of fantastic artists, including Alex Milne, with whom it is always a pleasure to see and visit! (you too Becky!)

Lots of TV/movie personalities there as well, and because it wasn't stupid busy, the line-ups for autographs and such weren't big at all. I'm not an autograph/picture kind of guy, but Super_Megs and decepticon army got a picture in with Lando, and cheers ian got a good one with Screech.

If gaming is your thing, there was a lot of that going on too. Magic and stuff like that. I'm a D&D guy, so was excited to buy two new sets of dice there! Hopefully they roll well for me!

I found some awesome deals on TFs, and there was a bunch of comic figs and stuff too. There could have been more, but frankly, there was enough to at least have a bit of choice, and the choices were pretty good.

There were Roller Derby girls (some hot, some not), a few of us got to beat on each other with foam/duct-tape weaponry, got to chat with so many awesome people over the weekend. I don't really have any complaints about the show.

It's a young show, so it still has growing to do, but man, what a great time. I really recommend going. Do it if you can folks!

Re: Wizard World Toronto Comic Con 2011
 

Saw this on Innerspace today. Looked pretty cool.