The Montreal Comiccon (French: Le Comiccon de Montréal), under its current 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 2 times a year at the Palais des Congrèsconvention center in downtown Montreal, with the larger "Comic-Con" taking place in July over the course of 3 days. The same organizers also hold a smaller one or two-day "Mini-Con", traditionally held at the end of the fall season, in early December.
The Montreal Comiccon is a fan convention with multi-genre content, with focus on comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and games. While sharing common traits with San Diego Comic-Con, 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 Americancomics and Europeanbande dessinée with cross-border 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 large exhibit hall on the second floor includes Artist Alley, a Retailers section, an Autograph Area, Photo Ops booth and several exhibits. Most of the scheduled events take place on the convention center's upper floors: on the fifth and seventh floors.
Fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite pop culture characters, be they from movies, TV, video games or comics. This is commonly referred to as cosplay. It culminates at the Masquerade, the big costuming competition that brings in judges from across the globe, over 60 competitors, and close to 3000 fans to cheer them on when they hit the big stage.
Over the course of three days, fans are treated to over 100 different panel discussions and workshops that help further promote comics, costuming, gaming and pop culture in general. A gaming zone for fans to discover new game demos, participate in tourneys or simply enjoy some free-play. Video games are feature for both indie games and AAA studios with demos. Screenings for short and feature films are presented that include fans films, as well as independent and studio productions.
Celebrity guests will usually participate in three activities: Autograph sessions, Photo Ops and a Q&A/panel.
Since 2014, Montreal Comiccon has incorporated musical performances ranging from pop, folk, hip hop and orchestral music, featuring music inspired by movies and TV shows like Star Wars, Star Trek, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and more.
History
The Montreal Comiccon held its first edition in 2006 at the Place Bonaventureexhibition center. In 2009, the event re-branded as a pop culture event, adding guests from comic books, anime voice acting, and genre television and film. 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, the 2011 show was moved to Place Bonaventure's main hall to accommodate the increased attendance, giving them about three times more space to move around.
The 2012 Montreal Comiccon was held on the weekend of September 14–16, 2012. Due to unexpected demand from the 2011 event, the Montreal Comiccon expanded to a full three days in 2012. The Comiccon also changed venue in 2012, from Place Bonaventure to newer and larger convention facilities at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
The Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards Organization agreed in principle with the organizers of the Montreal Comiccon and presented the 8th Annual Joe Shuster Awards in conjunction with the event on the evening of Saturday, September 15, 2012.[2]
Due to growing attendance rates, the 2015 was held in July instead of September in order to use the entire floor space of the Palais des congrès.[3]
The organizers run a smaller 1-day convention in December called the "Mini-Comiccon". The 2012 Mini-Comiccon was held on Saturday, December 8 at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal. It offered smaller selections of guests, dealers and artists, but offered 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 were also lower. The organizational structure remained the same as the main September 3-day edition, but with slightly less staff and volunteers. As of 2015, the December has been free admission. In 2016 it expanded to two days.
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.
Aislin, Bryan Ferro, Dale Eaglesham, Dale Keown, David Lloyd, Don Rosa, Gerry Conway, Karl Kerschl, Larry Hama, Michael Cho, Neal Adams, Nick Spencer, Niko Henrichon, Steve Rude, Yannick Paquette, Andy Bélanger, Cab, Dan Parent, Danica Brine, Djilbil Morissete, Gautier Langevin, Geoff Isherwood, Gisèle Légacé, Ian Fortin, Jeik Dion, Jimmy Suzan, Joel Adams, Ken Lashley, Marco Rudy, Michel Falardeau, Nick Bradshaw, Olivier Carpentier, Productions Windrose, Richard Pace, Richard,Serrao
Kevin Eastman, Jim Zub, Peter David, Aislin, Alex A., Andy Belanger, Axelle Lenoir, Boum, Caroline Cab Breault, Cathon, Claude Desrosiers, Dan Parent, Dave McCaig, Djibril Morisette, Étienne Poisson, Félix Laflamme, François Vigneault, Iris, Jean-François Laliberté, Jean-Paul Eid, Jeik Dion, Jimmy Suzan, Julien Paré-Sorel, Kelly Tindall, Marco Rudy, Marguerite Sauvage, Michel Rabagliati, Olivier Carpentier, Olivier Robin, Patrick Blanchette, Paul Fry, Pascal Girard, Sacha Lefebvre, Sweeney Boo, Xavier Cadieux, Yanick Paquette, Zoe Qiu
Canceled: Laz Alonzo, Ray Fisher, John DiMaggio, Jessie T. Usher
back after 2 years of being canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic
July 14-16, 2023
Palais des congrès de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec
65 000 +
Comic Book & Bandes Dessinées Guests
Arthur Suydam, Ed Brisson, Geof Isherwood, Greg Capullo, Michael Golden, Mike Grell, Rags Morales, Aaron Reynolds, April Petchsri, Axelle Lenoir, Boum, Cab, Caroline Soucy, Claude Desrosiers, Dan Parent, Denis Rodier, Félix Laflamme, Hailey Brown, Hugh Rookwood, Jean-François Laliberté, Jeik Dion, Julien Paré-Sorel, Mike Rooth, Olivier Carpentier, Réal Godbout, Renée Witterstaetter, Sacha Lefebvre, Sophie Bédard, Ulises Fariñas (more to be added by July 2023).
1980 - Arthur's Valentine
1981 - The True Francine (later republished and retitled in 1996 as "Arthur and the True Francine")
1982 - Arthur Goes to Camp
1982 - Arthur's Halloween
1983 - Arthur's April Fool
1983 - Arthur's Thanksgiving
1984 - Arthur's Christmas
1985 - Arthur's Tooth
1987 - Arthur's Baby
1989 - Arthur's Birthday
1990 - Arthur's Pet Business
1991 - Arthur Meets the President
1992 - Arthur Babysits
1993 - Arthur's Family Vacation
1993 - Arthur's New Puppy
1994 - Arthur's Chicken Pox
1994 - Arthur's First Sleepover
1995 - Arthur's TV Trouble
1996 - Arthur Writes a Story
1997 - Arthur's Computer Disaster
1998 - Arthur Lost and Found
1999 - Arthur's Underwear
2000 - Arthur's Teacher Moves In
2011 - Arthur Turns Green