Denver, CO – After a near-record-breaking first year, event organizers at Denver Comic Con have been hard at work booking some real star power for 2013. Names on the guest list include George Takei (Mr. Sulu in the original Star Trek series), Felicia Day (creator and star of the web series “The Guild” and co-star in “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”), and Denver Comic Con’s “2013 guest of honor,” Stan Lee, co-creator and “father” of some of the world’s most loved comic book heroes and villains.
With a slew of big stars, this year’s convention has transitioned to a larger hall at the Colorado Convention Center in anticipation of a huge second run. Last year (2012) saw the second largest attendance for any first-year Con, drawing 27,200 people and lagging just behind New York’s first year of 32,000. Denver Comic Con 2013 VIP tickets, exhibitor booths, and artist alley spaces have been sold out for months, and general ticket sales are up drastically from last year.
This year, the convention runs May 31st – June 2nd and will be loaded with geeks galore from all walks of movie, TV, comic book, and video game fandom, bringing out some of the best cosplaying talent from Colorado and beyond. Panels, meet-and-greets, autographs, and photo ops are a few of the main draws, along with the opportunity to pocket some signed originals while strolling down Artist Alley or to pick up other collectibles, from action figures to fine, embroidered velvet fezzes in the exhibitor’s area. If you need some time off your feet, film screenings and video gaming will be running full-tilt along side card games like Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Warhammer, and Pokemon.
Not only are die-hard fans eagerly awaiting the second incarnation of Denver’s quickly growing convention; so are the headliners. Fifty two talented guests are scheduled to strut their stuff. Comic book artist Alfred Trujillo, creator of the recently launched “Project: Shadows” comic series, has a positive outlook for 2013.
“Denver Comic Con is an amazing Con that has a great organization and staff, not to mention a fan base of very dedicated comic book fans who really appreciate both new books and original art. It is basically an artist’s dream convention.”
Cosplayer and writer Cara Nicole, a.k.a. AZ Powergirl, is also ready for some high-altitude fun.
“Cosplayers can enjoy being themselves and nerding it up “to the hilt.” If you can’t draw, you can always try your hand at pumpkin carving! Denver Comic Con has something for everyone. This is one of my favorite conventions.”
Comic book artist Peter Bagge is excited to make his way to Denver, too.
“I’m really looking forward to visiting the Mile High City. It’s my first visit, other than changing planes at the airport! And it’s home to many friends and fans of mine.”
Along with providing an unparalleled level of entertainment, Denver Comic Con is about giving back by raising funds for Comic Book Classroom, a non-profit charity dedicated to helping teach children in low-income schools and communities reading and writing skills. The program uses comic books to engage and teach kids who, by the end of the six weeks, will have created a comic book of their very own.
Another charitable endeavor will be spearheaded by a local cosplay group fashioned in the spirit of everyone’s favorite evil pharmaceutical company, the Umbrella Corporation. In association with Colorado Movie Cars, the loveable Umbrella Corp. Denver will be on site (with their tricked out K-9 Unit cruiser) selling “sexy zombie” calendars and other branded products to raise money for Wounded Warrior Project. They will also be auctioning off some sweet gear donated by Slant Six Games, the independent studio responsible for “Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City,” including signed copies of the game and post cards, Umbrella Corporation mints, and U.S.S./Spec Ops. patches.
So throw on your best cosplay, bring your autograph book, and keep on the lookout for our GNN Photographer while you enjoy Denver Comic Con 2013!
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