Horror Still Alive and Kicking at Toronto’s Fan Expo

When I found out that Rue Morgue and the Festival of Fear would no longer be part of Toronto’s Fan Expo this year my feelings started with disappointment, moved to worry and ended up at deep concern.

However, I am happy to report the horror section is alive and thriving, thanks to some great vendors and wonderful guests.
Anchor Bay Canada made their presence felt in a big way by having horror legend Kane Hodder hanging out by their booth off and on over the four days. Meeting and greeting fans and promoting Old 37 with co-star Brandi Cyrus, Hodder was a magnet for fans and a joy to have around.

Black Fawn Distribution and Black Fawn Films also made a splash by having a panel on the highly successful film Bite (BFF) and having a couple actors drop by their booth over the four days, Ry Barrett and Alys Crocker. (BFD)

Making their Fan Expo debut was Deadly Grounds Coffee, a company based out of Norwalk Connecticut that now has a Canadian home in Clarington, Ontario. Founder Tom Lialios used his background of twenty years in television and film production to help combine his love of horror and coffee into a successful business. There is no doubt he made many friends at Fan Expo, helping keep them caffeinated and alert to survive the four busy days.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival also drew a crowd, talking movies and giving fans a peek at some of the insane and horrific titles they can expect to see this coming October.

Not far from the vendors and film companies were a nice collection of horror guests that didn’t disappoint their fans.

George Romero, thought of by many as the father of zombie movies, had a great Q&A with his fans. Talking about the background and stories behind many of his films, Romero might have had the best quote of the four day festival. When asked about which he liked better, fast or slow moving zombies, Romero gave a sly grin and simply stated ‘Brad Pitt killed zombies.’

Actor Jeffrey Combs also spun some great tales about his acting career, including work on the cult film franchise Re-Animator and the Peter Jackson film The Frighteners.

Mads Mikkelson, fresh off his success playing Dr. Lecter in the TV show Hannibal, had a very long line of fans who were both happy to meet him while at the same time needing to share their pain of watching Hannibal get cancelled.

One of the most popular guests in the horror section of the show had to be Danny Trejo. Known for playing dark and disturbing characters in both action and horror, Trejo was nothing but smiles, chatting with his fans and having a grand time doing professional photos.

Perhaps the thing that brought the biggest smile to my face was watching the guest interact with each other and talk to the vendors, who looked a little star struck themselves. While the horror celebrities all seem to know each other in some way, shape or form, some of the vendors approached them with shy apprehension or just straight out fan worship. It was just another example of how the horror genre is just like a big, friendly community.

In the end I would have to say the horror section at Fan Expo was a success, even with its smaller size and challenging location at the convention. It was a nice mix of current and old celebrities, rubbing elbows with the most loyal fans in any genre. I’m already looking forward to next year to see who will join us here in Toronto.