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Downtown Phoenicians may have noticed people dressed up this weekend as fictional characters, ranging from Star Wars Jedis to Pokemon trainers and many more.
Hundreds of hardcore fans and casual convention-goers attended the Amazing Arizona Comic Convention at the Phoenix Convention Center this weekend.
“It’s a place where you can go and act like a weirdo and be surrounded by other weirdos,” said Emily Mayo, who went to the event dressed as Batman’s sidekick, Robin. “My favorite part is dressing up. It’s like Halloween but better.”
Some local groups also took part in the event, including Samurai Comics located on Camelback Road and a local artist who goes by Doctor Duke Davis and owns the graphic design studio Steamcrow.
“I’ve been attending these things for eight years now,” Davis said. “I can show my work to people who appreciate it.”
Another local group in attendance was the Phoenix branch of the Rebel Legion, an international Star Wars costuming organization. Rebel Legion’s David Littleton brought his remote controlled R2D2, a robot character in the Star Wars series.
“The best part (of going to conventions) is seeing the kids light up,” Littleton said.
The convention was separated into two parts. The main floor contained retail stalls selling comic books, toys and merchandise. The remaining meeting halls were filled with panels and presentations, ranging from artistic drawing to costume-wearing, or “cosplaying.”
The event also hosted several famous artists, most notably Jim Lee from DC Comics. The well-known comic creator Stan Lee, now over 90 years old, was also scheduled to attend but fell ill before he could make it.
Scottsdale resident Joel Noel has been attending conventions like this one since the early 1980s. His main interest has been the Star Trek television series.
“I like seeing people get into stuff as much as I do,” Noel said. “It’s a gathering of people intensely involved in pop culture.”
The convention debuted in 2011 and is sponsored by Jay Company Comics. Despite a similar purpose, it should not be confused with the considerably larger Phoenix Comic Con that takes place every year during Memorial Day weekend.
Photos by Thomas Hawthorne, Molly Bilker and Alexis Macklin. Article by Justin Stabley.
