Tucson Comic-Con unites cosplayers, celebrity guests

Many pop culture fans are devoted to their comic books, film or TV series, anime or manga that they follow.

Tucson Comic-Con offers a place for people with different fandoms to commingle with like-minded individuals, meet with celebrity guests, shop for creative items and take part in interactive experiences and photo ops.

The 14th convention is Friday, Sept. 1, to Sunday, Sept. 3, at the Tucson Convention Center.

Brian Pulido, co-owner and operator of Tucson Comic-Con, said the Tucson event has a more local feel than many other conventions. The con is known as “America’s Friendliest Comicon,” he said.

“Why we say that is we are drawing from the culture of Tucson itself and the community,” he added.

“This is not a corporate-run event. We are really resourcing the community and reflecting back on the community’s interests. Tucson Comic-Con is a regional con. We are really interested in reflecting the community. We do tend to focus the events toward what might appeal to the broadest amount of people who like pop culture.”

Celebrity guests will offer photos and autographs at their tables.

This year, celebrity guests will include Chandler Riggs, Carl on “The Walking Dead;” and Tracy Lynn Cruz, the Yellow Ranger in “Power Rangers Turbo” and “Power Rangers in Space.”

Other guests include Michael Biehn of “The Terminator,” Jennifer Blanc-Biehn from “Dark Angel,” the wrestling icon The Honky Tonk Man and “Underworld” co-creator and RAZE actor Kevin Grevioux.

There will be notable comic book artists, illustrators and writers as well, including Amanda Conner, Christopher Priest, Jimmy Palmiotti, Joe Jusko, Joel Gomez, Matt Hawkins and Mark Morales.

Amanda Conner has illustrated “Harley Quinn,” “Justice League of America” and “Wonder Woman” titles.

There will be 85,000 square feet of vendor space with hundreds of exhibitors, including comic book sellers, crafters, artisans and memorabilia and apparel companies.

Tucson Comic-Con partners with Cobra Arcade for gaming from its extensive library.

Luke Gygax, the son of “Dungeons and Dragons” co-creator Gary Gygax, will lead eight-player gaming sessions for an additional fee.

Other activities and panels include Lego games with Emily Mohajeri Norris and her son, Liam Norris, from “Lego Masters;” a scavenger hunt; a Keep Tucson Sketchy sketch comedy show; a group mediumship reading with Scarlett Witch and talks on crowdfunding a comic book and women in comics.

Cosplayers unite

Cosplay groups help to bring the event to life with experiences and photo ops. Many of these groups are based in or have ties to Tucson.

Pulido said that many of local cosplay groups and vendors create special moments during the convention.

“We’ve actually challenged our cosplay groups specifically to create an immersive experience in the areas that they are curating,” Pulido said.

“So, people could expect things like a recreation of the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Maybe, you could try to pick up Thor’s hammer. Other vendors have risen to the occasion by creating a free escape room. There will be a Barbie box. You can step in the same packaging as Barbie and take photos. We really have been emphasizing the experiential component, and everyone is rising to the occasion.”

During the event, fans can get photos with characters from comic book and movie franchises, including “Star Wars” and “Ghostbusters.” Disney princesses will appear, too.

Cosplayers have also built a movie-accurate “Star Wars” droid, with which fans can take a picture.

As part of one of the special interaction experiences, fans can experience a light and sound show inside the Mystery Machine, the iconic van from “Scooby-Doo.”

As with any comic book convention, cosplay culture is a major component of the event.

Adult- and child-costumed guests can participate in contests Saturday evening and afternoon, respectively.

“One of the cool attractions to this is every person who enters has the chance to walk the stage and show off exactly what it is they created this year,” Pulido said. “We have had such imaginative and innovative costumes every year. The local community never ceases to amaze everyone.”

Among the cosplayers is the nonprofit Arizona Ghostbusters, who have been involved since the beginning.

Co-director Jeff Lewis said groups like his help to shape fan experiences at events such as Tucson Comic-Con.

“We bring a fun atmosphere to the event,” Lewis said.

“We have our own followers that come to as many of our events as they can, like our junior busters. We’re an attraction at the event. People are used to seeing us there.”

The group is raising awareness and funds for Donate Life Arizona, an organ transplant organization. They will also sign up organ donors.

Lewis said the cause is very personal to him because his mother recently had an organ transplant.

The organization will bring handmade props and other “Ghostbusters” items. They, along with other groups, will read books in partnership with Kids Need to Read.

Founded in 2007, Arizona Ghostbusters started with four members and have grown to around 60.

They also have junior members who dress up and attend events.

“We like to have them participate as much as they can,” Lewis said.

“Our goal is to hopefully have them become full members when they are old enough. It’s just the kids that show up in costume to all of our events. We get to know the parents and make sure they have info on when to come out.

Like many of his fellow Ghostbusters, Lewis grew up watching the original 1984 film. He always wanted to be a Ghostbuster, and now he has the chance through cosplay.

He said that with new films, video games and comics, the “Ghostbusters” franchise continues to be relevant.

Lewis said that being part of the group allows members to be a more outgoing version of themselves while in costume.

“I’ve definitely seen a lot of people come out of their shell, even myself I came out of my shell doing this,” Lewis said.