Fan Expo Portland 2026 Recap! Jeremy Talks Meeting The Lord Of The Rings Cast! Elvira! And More!

Fan Expo Comic Con held in mid- January in Portland, Oregon was a really enjoyable experience and a solid entry in the Comic Con lineup. From the moment I stepped onto the floor, there was a lot to take in, and the energy of the crowd made it clear that people were genuinely excited to be there. Although the celebrity lineup was a little bit smaller than in years past, there were still some celebs in attendance- and some with HUGE lines! Most of the cast from, “Lord of the Rings” were there and it was surreal to see them in person!

One of the biggest highlights for me was meeting Cassandra Peterson- most famously known as, Elvira. She was engaging, fun and so kind. That alone felt like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of moment and instantly made the convention memorable. The guest area was well organized, and the experience felt special rather than rushed, which isn’t always the case at larger conventions. Seeing such an iconic figure in person added a lot of value to the event.

The vendor booths were incredible and easily one of the strongest parts of the con. There was a huge variety of merch, from collectibles and pop culture items to handmade goods and unique finds you don’t usually see online or at smaller shows. It didn’t feel repetitive or generic, and there was something interesting around every corner. If you enjoy browsing and discovering cool stuff, the vendor hall alone is worth spending a good chunk of time in. A BIG shoutout to one of my favorites, Grreat Entertainment- they create awesome plaques to display autographs, and they have a ton of celeb photos for purchase.

The artists’ area was another standout. There were so many talented artists showcasing original work, and a lot of them were friendly and happy to talk about their process. It felt more personal than just buying a print—you could actually connect with the creators and support their work directly, which is something I really appreciate at conventions like this.

The overall atmosphere was fun and lively, with plenty of great cosplay and a strong sense of community. Like most popular cons, it did get crowded at times, especially in high-traffic areas, but that’s pretty expected and didn’t completely take away from the experience.

Overall, Fan Expo Comic Con Portland delivered a well-rounded and memorable experience. Between the celebrity guests, the amazing booths, and the talented artists, there was always something interesting to see or do. If you’re a fan of pop culture, comics, or conventions in general, it’s definitely worth attending—and I’d happily go again!