Giving fans of comics, video games, movies, TV and anime a chance to celebrate their interests, Fan Expo returns to New Orleans January 6-8 for the biggest event since the COVID pandemic.
Held January 6-8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, this comics and pop culture convention will feature the breakout star of Stranger Things’ fourth season, Joseph Quinn, and the critically acclaimed film Celebrity guests include director Sam Raimi. “The Evil Dead” and the Spider-Man trilogy.
Fun Expo Vice President Andrew Moyes said: “Last year we were disappointed that the event was at the end of the COVID experience we all shared.” It’s an event and I feel really, really good.”
In addition to hosting celebrity guests, the annual event is also a celebration of New Orleans’ unique pop culture, featuring many local artists, vendors and cosplayers.
“These events are community driven. They are fueled by the passion of the fans,” said Moyes. “It’s really our responsibility to create that playground.”
Meet Carl Weathers
New Orleans native Carl Weathers, known for his roles in ‘Predator’, ‘Happy Madison’, ‘Arrested Development’ and most famously in the ‘Rocky’ series, Apollo Creed, will join as a guest. Weathers recently starred in Star Wars streaming his series The Mandalorian.
Other actors, such as fellow guest Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”), attend such conventions as “weekly adventures,” but for Weathers, he attended St. Augustine High School. It’s a special opportunity to return home. He played soccer at San Diego State University and then earned an athletic scholarship before playing for the Oakland Raiders.
According to Weathers, interacting with fans at events like Fan Expo bridges the gap between the role he plays and the role it impacts.
“Nothing gives you more useful feedback than when you meet someone and they shake your hand, give you a hug, and talk face-to-face about their experiences on a project you’ve done,” Weathers said.
“It feels good when they enjoy a project and like it. ”
local artist
Fan Expo will be hosted by many local artists, including New Orleans native comics artist Tim Ratty.
A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, Ratty has done art for many comic book series, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, and GI Joe.
“I want to portray my childhood. I want to be involved in things that have influenced me,” Rathi said.
A graduate of Rumel High School, Archbishop joins a collection of other local artists and vendors attending Fan Expo as a networking opportunity and an opportunity to showcase their art.
Lattie has been attending the convention since it started as Wizard World New Orleans in 2011. He said receiving feedback in a more tactile way than interacting on the internet was an integral part of getting his art in front of new people.
“When you’re a novelist and you’re writing a book or doing art, you spend a lot of time working in silence, trying to figure out how what you’re doing is reacting. You can’t know,’ said Rathi.
Fan Expo New Orleans tickets are available at fanexpohq.com and January 6-8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
