Fan Expo reignites convention biz in Hub

Don’t be shocked if Spiderman comes walking around the corner in the Seaport this weekend.

After taking a year off in the pandemic, the enormous Fan Expo convention returns to the Boston Convention and Expo Center.

“As an artist, we missed seeing people at shows. It’s a big deal for us,” said artist and vendor Jerry Pesce, who traveled to Boston from Las Vegas to showcase his art.

The event, formerly called Comic-Con, attracts thousands of attendees to shop, socialize and meet famous actors and graphic artists.

Fan Expo was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, and this year, organizers will enforce Boston’s indoor mask mandate. That means attendees have to wear a face mask, and not just the superhero variety.

“Everyone seems to be working really responsibly on that front to come back safely,” said Fan Expo Vice President Andrew Moyes.

Attendees said the mask mandate hasn’t cramped their costume styles too

much.

“It’s a little bit different with the masks, but you just have to find one that goes with your costume,” said Yerliz Cancel, who was decked out as a video game character.

“Cosplaying,” which means adopting a character’s role through costume, is extremely popular among attendees.

“The best part of coming here is cosplaying. Being someone that you always wanted to be? This is the only time to,” said Herb Gonzalez, who dressed as a Star Wars character complete with a lightsaber.

Vendors at the show sell everything from DVDs to swords, and of course, tons of comics. Even with some COVID-19 protocols in place, vendors said they prefer being back in-person after selling from the internet during the pandemic.

“I actually had to do my own online presence. I did my own Couch-Con,” Pesce said.

Fan Expo runs in the Seaport through Sunday. Tickets are required.

PAUL CONNORS PHOTOS / BOSTON HERALD THEY’VE CREATED A MONSTER: Owen O’Donnell gets help donning his hand-made suit of armor — made from Monster Energy cans — from friends John Giallorenzo and Jessica Mackesy, both of Maynard.

IN CHARACTER: Michael Parkhurst-Charles of Marlboro wears steampunk goggles.

NOT QUITE SO BAD: Malloy Logan of Freetown wears a Renaissance plague doctor’s mask while strolling through the Boston Convention and Exposition Center.

JEDI TRICK: Jamie Casagrande of Hingham is illuminted by her light saber.

SHOOT TO THRILL: Laurel Carpenter of Belmont is decked out as Marvel’s character ‘Gwen Poole’

SHORT FORM: An expo attendee checks out a display of Marvel Avengers ‘Pop!’ figurines.