Toronto ComicCon 2025: The Place for Fandom Retail

Another Toronto ComicCon is in the books, leaving its mark on the Metro Toronto Convention Centre over the weekend. Comics, sci-fi, anime, and gamers descended upon their respective interests for three days. While the convention had its time to shine, some felt it lacked the same immersive magic as its big brother, Fan Expo.

This year's ComicCon was a mix of shopping therapy and fan-based activities. The Daredevil booth was the event's highlight, attracting attendees with an interactive exhibit and free chicken sandwiches thanks to Mary Brown's—a Canadian fried chicken fast food restaurant! Cosplay artists showcased their skills with elaborate outfits. This year, there were also a few provocative activities, including celebrity Q&A sessions featuring Karl Urban and Jared Padalecki, comic sketch contests, and anime activities. Artist Alley remained a fan favourite, allowing fans to obtain autographs and purchase original artwork.

For collectors, ComicCon is heaven. Shopping was the theme, with hundreds of retailers selling off-print comics, statues, and collectibles. Do you need another FunkoPop? They got THOUSANDS.)

While Toronto ComicCon has its charm, many attendees, myself included, couldn't help but compare it to Fan Expo, held in the exact location during late summer. Fan Expo is a much larger event with over 100,000 attendees and various activations that immerse fans in their favourite franchises. In contrast, ComicCon feels like a more scaled-down version. While I was excited about fewer crowds this weekend, I wanted more experience.

Fan Expo is known for delivering memorable activations like life-sized sets, VR experiences, and exclusive previews of upcoming shows or games. In comparison, Toronto ComicCon leans heavily on retail offerings rather than interactive experiences. While this focus may appeal to hardcore collectors hunting for specific items, it leaves others wanting more excitement.

Toronto ComicCon 2025 was an enjoyable experience for fans seeking to shop or network with other fans. Yet, for those seeking more of an interactive experience filled with activations and larger-than-life attractions, Fan Expo is still the crown jewel of Toronto's pop culture calendar. Whether you identify as a collector or need a weekend getaway into favourite fandoms, there is something for anyone—pick the event that matches your vibe!