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Actor, producer, director and author LeVar Burton is best known for his roles in Roots, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and my personal favorite Reading Rainbow. Attendeding Spotlight on LeVar Burton at 2012 Phoenix Comicon, I expected a flock of Star Trek fans standing in line to ask questions about his role as Geordi La Forge but what I witnessed was an hour of amorous devotion to his dedication in the vast world of children's literacy.
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It's hard to imagine that the 2012 Phoenix Comicon is already over since our minds are still buzzing from the high-energy, 4-day event that sprawled over Downtown Phoenix. Over 32,000 people packed into Phoenix Convention Center for the largest geek gathering in the Southwest and Bookmans was front and center for the entire event.
The largest fundraiser at Phoenix Comicon is the Kids Need to Read (KNTR) Geek Prom and Bookmans supported this Geektacular event for the third year in a row. We believe in KNTR's mission to provide inspiring books to underfunded schools, libraries and literacy programs across the United States, especially those serving disadvantaged children. We feel at home from start to finish at the Geek Prom because everyone fits in. Attendees are encouraged to get beyond "cool" by wearing out-of-style formal wear, costumes and jet-setting space ensembles and dancing 'til the sun comes up. That was a direct order from our Intergalactic Overlords who watched us throughout the prom.
Thank you to the citizens of Panem who sent tributes from all 12 districts to take part in the first Bookmans Survive The Hunger Games. This event was created by fans for fans. No matter if you've seen the film or read the book, everyone recognizes the phrase, "May the odds be ever if your favor!" The odds were in everyone's favor as all survived the Hunger Games at Bookmans Mesa.
Memorial Day 2012 Phoenix Comicon will celebrate its 10th Anniversary. 2012 also marks the 25th Anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Imagine the excitement of several hundred Phoenix Comicon attendees as we hungrily awaited the big announcements of 2012. Yes, we waited through the comic book, author and anime guest announcements but what everyone was really after were the celebrity announcements. Jaime Paglia, Gigi Edgley, Casper Van Dien and John Bernthal were announced to everyone's delight. However, you couldn't imagine the tension as Phoenix Comicon Director Matt Solberg began to list Levar Burton, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis and Brent Spiner. Everyone was on the edge of his or her seats as Solberg hinted at the last guest that would be attending. Then he made it so. All our dreams came true as Patrick Stewart was announced. I've not experienced screams so loud since attending a Twilight panel at San Diego Comicon.
It's over? Already? Phoenix Comicon 2011 attracted people en mass over an extended four-day Memorial Day weekend. We were impressed with its growth in 2010 but were blown away this year. The convention extended over five floors in the Phoenix Convention Center along with additional programming at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Phoenix. Phoenix Comicon Director Matt Solberg says that 24,000 memberships were sold, not including free youth admissions. That's 10,000 more than last year! You can find a letter thanking the attendees and exhibitors for their time and ideas for 2012 on the Phoenix Comicon website.
We made our own thank you in video form to everyone for stopping by our booth or supporting the Bookmans sponsored KNTR Geek Prom.
While it was missed by many, we retired our prize wheel this year to try something new. Thousands welcomed our Bookmans Photo Booth where we encouraged everyone to geek out with the Bookmans Crew. Geeking out is more than half the fun as many put on our silly props and word bubbles to show off in picture form. Everyone went home with an exclusive Bookmans "Geeking Out Is Half The Fun" photo magnet to show off their souvenir. Many of you purchased our Geeking Out T-shirts, which made their debut in our booth, and politely reminded us that Geeking Out is ALL the fun! We wholeheartedly agree. You may have seen guest appearances in our booth by Silk Spectre and Mario. Big thanks to Max Brooks, Wil Wheaton and P.J. Haarsma who also stopped by and showed support.
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It may be early in the game for most, but for us pop-culture junkies the 2011 Phoenix Comicon Kick-Off Event was exactly what we needed! I was still riding the high from this past May, but now I'm even more jazzed with all of the announcements I witnessed this evening. It's amazing that with just nine events under its belt The Phoenix Comicon has gone from 400 estimated attendees in 2002, to almost 14,000 in 2010! It's rumored that expectations for 2011 attendance are for 20,000 fans.
Read More...For the last two days, several members of the Bookmans staff and myself have been setting up our booth at the 2010 Phoenix Comicon at the Phoenix Convention Center. A lot of time and love has gone into the decision making that it required to come up with the really cool items that we will have available for the convention attendees.
This year everyone will be spinning our prize wheel, hoping to win one of our exclusive Bookmans Phoenix Comicon t-shirts. My favorite part? It's always free to win Bookmans schwag! What I am really looking forward to over the weekend is to see months of planning come together for the First Annual Kids Need to Read Geek Prom that Bookmans is sponsoring.
Read More...The Phoenix ComiCon was in Bookmans Mesa this weekend presenting their Comic Create event. Local artists, including our very own T.J. (from The Konamis!) provided demonstrations and insight into how their characters have evolved from mere ideas to putting them on paper. Each artist answered questions, posed for pictures, and allowed new artists to sit and draw with them all in an informal environment. Some even handed out swag and free comic books!! (I am going to frame my Konamis one)
Were you their next inspiration? Or have they inspired you?
Read More...Who has two thumbs and loves everything from film, comics, and video games to costume design, books, and art? This girl right here! Now in it's eighth year, the Phoenix ComiCon has become a a definite contender in conventions not to be missed. Now dubbed “the signature pop-culture event of the southwest”, I have to be honest, I enjoy it even more than the San Diego ComiCon. In the last five years I have attended PCC, I have seen the convention outgrow it's current venue and continue to get bigger and better. The level of programming and professionalism has continually blown me away every single year. While not one to normally "fangirl" I have to admit I am incredibly excited about Felicia Day, Will Wheaton, and James Marsters.
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