Fan Expo Regina 2016 draws large crowds and superheroes in different capes and sizes

REGINA – It’s not often your favourite stars are all in the same room but that was the case for thousands of people as they attended the 2016 Fan Expo in Regina.

The pop culture convention saw heroes in many capes and sizes as well as international celebrities.

Lord of the Ring’s Sean Astin who played Samwise Gamgee sat on a panel, signing autographs.

As did Verne Troyer who played Mini Me in Austin Powers, and the Phelps twins, who played Fred and George Weasley in Harry Potter.

“It’s something I’ll never forget, it’s just, awesome.”

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Last year, over 15,000 fans attended the event. This year, that number is expected to be even higher.

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Organizers said interest in the superhero and comic book world has soared.

“It used to be that the fan or geek was a really niche market but now people are realizing it’s a day full of family entertainment”, FanExpo HQ Show Director Andrew Moyes explained.

“It’s our third year in Regina so there’s a constant pressure to keep topping ourselves each year,” Moyes added.

Although superheroes like Batman and Spiderman have transcended time and are household names, an old Canadian classic is coming back to the spotlight.

“He’s Captain Canuck and he’s our superhero. That’s who he is. And he’s back.”

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Kalman Andrasofszky is the writer and cover artist for the reboot of a Canadian comic: Captain Canuck.

“Captain Canuck is actually a legit homegrown Canadian product from the ground up. It was created by Canadians in the 70s”.

Andrasofszky had been reading the original comics since he was a child.

Now, he’s bringing the comic books back from past, and  hopes exposure at events like this will take the retro hero to super heights.

“There haven’t been many publishers come out of Canada, but we’re proud of the history of superheroes and comics we do have in Canada.”

“Superheroes have become a legit part of pop culture. The fact that everything is accessible has made everyone realize that everyone’s a nerd.”

Fan Expo Regina 2016 continues through Sunday, with doors opening at 10 a.m.