Fan Expo Vancouver: Lou Ferrigno

Comments 82 by Rebecca Bollwitt Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 — 2:06pm PST

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Fan Expo is coming to Vancouver April 21st to 22nd, 2012 as the Comicon-style event hosts workshops, panels, gaming, Sci-Fi film and television celebrities, and more.

Where Vancouver Convention Centre
Date April 21 to April 22, 2012
Times Saturday 10:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm
Tickets Available online. Single day tickets $20, weekend pass $30, kids 12 and under are free.

Previously known at the Canadian National Comic Book Expo, Fan Expo (now in its 18th year in Toronto) is the 3rd largest event of its kind in North America and it will be taking Vancouver by storm.

Confirmed guests so far include: Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin), Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Kristen Bauer (True Blood), Colleen Clinkenbeard (Fullmetal Alchemist), Veronica Taylor (Pokemon), Richard Cox (Inu Yasha), Trevor Devall (Mobile Suit Gundam), Mike McFarland (Dragonball Z), Brian Froud (Bakugan & Jimmy Two Shoes), Mike Choi (DC/Marvel Artist), Pia Guerra (Y the Last Man), Ian Boothby (Simpsons), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules, Andromeda), and Marina Sirtis (Star Trek: The Next Generation).

Key attractions will be celebrity autographs & photo opportunities, sketching duels, costumes, workshops and seminars, retailer/exhibitor area, voice acting 101, the ultimate Fan Expo party, horror author panels, and more.

The 3rd annual Canadian Videogame Awards will also be hosted by Fan Expo on Saturday night, April 21st.

Photo credit: Scott Beale / Laughing Squid

I had the chance to chat with Lou Ferrigno, The Hulk himself, who is currently on Celebrity Apprentice about coming to Vancouver for Fan Expo.

“I come to Vancouver maybe once every 10 years,” Lou told me over the phone. He previously filmed three Hulk movies around town including The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk, and Death of the Incredible Hulk in the 1980s.

“I’ve never done a comic convention in Vancouver and I’m looking forward to it because I’m sure there’s a lot of fans out there who want to get in contact and see me and the other celebrities at the show.” Having never hosted an event like this (of this scale) before, there will definitely be crowds of fans at the ready here in town. Lou sounded very prepared for the opportunity. “I come down there with my Hulk posters, pictures, memorabilia, and everything.”

Photo courtesy: Fan Expo Vancouver

At 61 years young, and after starring in over 40 films, Lou Ferrigno still holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for being the only person to ever win two consecutive Mr. Universe titles. He’s always stayed true to his bodybuilding roots so I had to ask him what his fitness schedule is like these days. He said that he trains five to six days a week for about an hour or an hour and fifteen minutes at a time doing cardio, free weights, and machine weights. “I still train with the same passion — like I have done for the last 50 years.”

For someone who has been such an icon in American action-hero film, Lou is also a big fan of the genre. He said that he’s read comic books his entire life (naming The Hulk, Fantastic Four) and loves being involved with science fiction. You’ll soon be able to hear him in the all-star blockbuster The Avengers as he lends his voice to The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo plays Bruce Banner). “I know how The Hulk thinks and feels,” Lou added. “That’s why they wanted me to do the voice and that’s something I’m pretty happy with.”

To kick off the excitement for Fan Expo Vancouver, I have the opportunity to give away a pair of weekend passes along with a meet and greet with Lou Ferrigno. Here’s how you can enter to win:

Leave a comment naming your favourite graphic novel character or hero (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

RT to enter to win #FanExpo @ExpoVancouver passes from @Miss604 & #MeetLouFerrigno http://ow.ly/9uGzl

I will draw 1 winner at random from all entries next Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 12:00pm.

Update The winner is Gordon Johnson!

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