Contributed by writer-photographer Tim Lasiuta

Attendance at the 2017 Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, which ran from April 27-30, surpassed expectations with an attendance of more than 95,000, despite an Albertan economic downturn that has left no industry untouched.

“There was concern,” said Lindsay Thomas, a/k/a Emily Expo, the VP of communications and guest acquisitions for Calgary Expo. “So this is fantastic. We were all preparing to see a drop and clearly things turned out very well.”

In fact, so well that all four-day passes were sold out as well as Saturday single day passes. The Friday Parade of Wonders, held in downtown Calgary, broke an attendance record with 2,454 costumed participants and 12,500 spectators. 

Special guests for 2017 included two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner, John Cusack, Wallace Shawn, Kevin Sorbo, Kevin Smith, Billy Dee Williams, Christopher Lambert, Adrian Paul, Nathan Fillion, Patrick Warburton, Peter Capaldi, and Stan Lee – whom Todd McFarlane convinced to come back to Calgary one more time. 

McFarlane, the hometown creator of Spawn and McFarlane Toys, thrilled his fans over all four days with his exuberant wit and wisdom. “I’m in Calgary, we can do this exclusive here,” McFarlane said. “Here’s what will break today, I should have my Facebook Live going: This Spawn script is done. I’ve sent it to some of the people in Hollywood...the offers are coming in already. I’m hoping by San Diego Comic-Con I can announce something big and official.”

McFarlane described his view of Spider-Man in the late 1980s and early ’90s that inspired filmmaker Sam Raimi. “As soon as he put on the costume, to me he was a spider,” he said. “He wasn’t a human. Which is why if you look at those poses, they are impossible. How do I know they are impossible? When Sam Raimi directed the first Spider-Man movie, tried to emulate them and got people to go into that McFarlane pose, it didn’t work. So, he said ‘go get double jointed people.’ He brought them in and it didn’t work. And then, he went and got people from Cirque du Soleil, because they are quadruple jointed, it still didn’t work. Eventually he used computer graphics.”

Kevin Sorbo, best known for his portrayal of Hercules, made his latest appearance in Calgary after an 8-year absence, was popular with the Expo crowds. During his panel in Boyce Theatre, a packed house was charmed by his simple sense of humor and ease with the crowd. When asked about his success in Hercules, he commented that he and Michael Hurst knew they would have a TV series after the five movies during a scene where Hurst’s bow slipped off his back and he ran into a door, then he went back and did it again. “It was then I knew we were going to have a TV series,” said Sorbo. “We ran nine seasons and five movies, spun-off two other series. It was a good run.”

The question period held a surprise. “Well, that’s a first,” said Sorbo after a fan sang a song in an operetta style to him which described him as Sorbolicious.

Sorbo spoke about his book, True Strength, and his struggle during the fifth and sixth seasons. “I went back to the States to do some publicity, and doctors discovered a lump in my left arm. It eventually exploded and I had three strokes,” Sorbo said. “They considered amputating my arm, but thankfully they did not have to.”

Today, Sorbo has a busy schedule with family friendly films, like God’s Not Dead, Mythica, One Nation Under God and a western to be filmed near Calgary, Tranquility, next year.

Across the Pond, current Doctor Who, Peter Capaldi, spoke of his run as the Doctor to a packed house. “It’s quite emotional,” Capaldi said when asked what it was like to read the screenplays for his final episodes. “Because you know that it’s the beginning of the goodbye.”

“But yeah, it’s sad,” he added. “And it’s only going to get sadder.”

On the convention floor, first time Artist Alley guests included Jim Shooter, Alex Saviuk, Tom Grindberg, Tom Lyle, Dave Dorman, and Tom Grummett. Shooter, former editor of Marvel Comics and architect of the Valiant Universe, was active both on the floor talking to fans about his long career in comic books, and on the panel table, speaking on storytelling. “I always tried to tell good stories and to make them fit into a continuity,” said Shooter. “When we did Secret Wars, we worked hard to make sure the stories fit into the continuity of the books. Michael Golden designed the covers months in advance so we were ready and it paid off. Secret Wars II was done the same way as well.”

When asked about the current state of comics, he spoke of long story arcs and shock events like deaths of main characters to sell books, that served to create an atmosphere of what can we do next to create an event. “Comic books, from my first Legion of Superhero stories when I was 13, were about relationships between characters and loyalty to characters, not just the shock of the week,” he added. “They are also about relationships between creators and fans, which is why shows like Calgary are important. We get to speak to those who supported us, and find out how we impacted their lives.”

Canadian artist Ken Steacy was pleased to see McFarlane attend the Calgary Expo. “We worked on Spawn 1 and 2 together,” said Steacy. “As many copies that Todd signs, I do too.”

Spider-Man comic strip artist Alex Saviuk had a busy table, both sketching and showing his Sunday and daily comic strips off to fans. “You never get tired of hearing I love Spider-Man,” said Saviuk as he watched youngsters page through his binder. “Did you draw that they all ask. I tell them, no. Larry Lieber, myself and Joe Sinnott did.”

“Wow...you’re good,” fans often replied.

Saskatoon based artist, Tom Grummett had a great show. With his vast history illustrating Superman in the 1990s, he noted that he has never done so many sketches ever. “The fans here appreciate artists and their work,” said Grummett. “Every artist should come to this show at least once.”

Chapterhouse Comics was the largest comic company present at the show, with Dan Parent (Die Kitty Die), Richard Comely (Captain Canuck), and the full company staff, their full line of products was available. As this is Canada’s 150th anniversary, the good Captain was also in attendance. “With Chapterhouse Comics publishing Captain Canuck, we have been able to increase awareness of Canada’s flagship comic book character,” said Comely. “He faded away a while ago, but this time we are here to stay.”

Versatile artist and writer, Dan Parent, talked Kitty Ravencraft, I and II, along with his new project, Harvey Hits soon to be published by Joe Comics from Canada. “I am working on Richie Rich and Hot Stuff so far,” said Parent. “Once they get going, there will be more books. I really want to work on Little Lotta.”

Cosplayers were not left out of the mix either, with more than 2,400 on the Parade of Wonders, and the steady stream of costumed fans throughout the aisles. To end the weekend, a large group photo on the steps of the Olympic Saddledome turned super for just a few minutes.

For gamers, an additional building was set aside for tabletop, PC, and arcade play. Jeremy Rinas, a first time attendee, was thrilled with the experience. “We were able to find some games we were looking for, but also found a new game to play,” Rinas said.

Other special exhibits included Transformers, More Than Meets the Eye, and Kevin Smith brought his Jay and Silent Bob show to Calgary for one night only.

Next year’s Comic and Entertainment Expo has already started selling, with stars committing for 2018. Same time, same weekend, same channel folks. Keep an eye on www.calgaryexpo.com.