Phoenix Comicon is evolving into a can’t miss con for everyone.
2016 was another banner year for Phoenix Comicon. The con began as a small, six hour event in June of 2002 and has evolved into one of the best cons in the country. Over 75,000 fans attend the event, which has continued expanding their programming each year.
The charm of Phoenix Comicon is the small con, personal feel with all the benefits of the big cons. Director Matt Holberg frequently posts lengthy explanations on the con’s Facebook page in response to common criticisms or questions about how the con is run. As an event organizer myself, I think he does an excellent job explaining the behind-the-scenes details of what goes in to making the con what it is, and why things are the way they are.
Celebrity guests are quality stars from a number of genres and fandoms. This year’s lineup included Alex Kingston and Billie Piper from Doctor Who, Sean Astin of Lord of the Rings fame, and Ralph Macho, the Karate Kid himself!
Perhaps the most important measure of a comic book convention is the artists’ alley and comic retailers. Artists range from small and local to big names like Kurt Busiek, and all offer a stunning array of talent and excellent products at decent prices. This year marked Mile High comics first year in attendance, and that is a badge of honor of sorts, marking Phoenix Comicon as a legit contender among the big annual cons. Deals could be found on comics for as low as 50cents an issue, with most retailers offering dollar comics or 10/$12 deals. My collection grew substantially this year thanks to these offerings. It took a full eight hours for my husband and I to walk the entire convention floor, shopping and viewing the excellent art and stopping to talk to a few favorite artists. This is definitely my favorite part of any con, and Phoenix Comicon delivers in this area!
There are two types of con-goers I believe, those who shop and those who attend panels for days. Neither will be disappointed at Phoenix Comicon. The panels are excellent, varied and numerous. Although I sometimes wish they wouldn’t schedule two panels on similar topics at the same time because I cannot be in two places at once, this just goes to show how large the programming selection is. Everything from anime to cosplay, film and television to comics are covered in detail in panels ranging all four days of the con.
Few complaints can be had about Phoenix Comicon, but there are a few areas they can improve in, and they are always open to hearing from attendees so they can better themselves! Some complained that bigger panel rooms are needed for the more popular topics, as some panel rooms filled to capacity leaving people wishing for seats out in the hall. Friday posed a unique problem for con staff when their check-in system went down and long lines snaked outside in the 113 degree heat for several hours. Staff sprang into action to make space inside for the line as quickly as they could, and issued a statement apologizing and saying they will learn from this experience.
The next event on their schedule is Keen Halloween, but we are eagerly anticipating the announcement of guests for Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest in December, a smaller version of the con in cooler temperatures. And be sure to check out our gallery of Cosplay photos from the con to see some of the amazing cosplay fans brought this year!
Thanks Phoenix Comicon for another great year!
