Today I’m leaving the temperate climate of Los Angeles and driving out to a reportedly 108 degree Phoenix for the town’s annual Phoenix Comicon. “It’s as hot as liquid asphalt,” one friend tells me. Why am I doing this? Because I’m devoted to getting the best convention reportage I can for you guys! And because I have copies of X-Men Omnibus 1 and 2 that are in desperate need of mutant mastermind Chris Claremont’s signature… Claremont will be joined by other comic greats like Stan Lee, Neal Adams, Michael Golden, and our own Nerdist podcaster Len Wein, as well as TV stars like Arrow‘s Stephen Amell and John Barrowman, and geek icons like Adam West, Bruce Campbell, and Nathan Fillion. Here’s a breakdown of the weekend’s best offerings.
On Friday you would have found great panels like:
–The Roast: Goku, an 18+ event in which the anime legend is lovingly ripped apart. From 6:30 to 8:30 PM in North 221
–The Everything Goes Dating Show, another 18+ event that will seek to pair geeks of all persuasions in a presumably wacky way. From 9 to 10 PM in North 222 ab
–Nerdist Writer’s Panel: Comic Edition – Francis Manapul That’s right — we present a chat with the Batman comic creator extraordinaire. From 1:30 to 2:30 PM in North 129b
–Batman 75: Batman Rogues Manapul is back and joined by Kevin Maguire and Ken Brown for a 75th anniversary celebration of the best rogues gallery in comics. From 6 to 7 PM in North 129b
On Saturday, the real fun begins with:
–Karaoke! While some may prefer dating shows, my favorite way to socialize is by tearing into an ’80s power ballad in front of a room full of total strangers. At Phoenix Comicon the emphasis will be on anime tunes, but I won’t let that stop me from requesting Queen’s Flash Gordon theme. From 9:30 PM to 1:30 AM in Renaissance Salon 1-2
–Zombie Obstacle Course sponsored by Evil Dead the Musical: Mesa Arts Oh yes. Ain’t no obstacle course like a zombie obstacle course ’cause a zombie obstacle course makes you run for your life. From 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM, and from 7:30 to 11:30 PM in South 164-165
–Phoenix Comicon’s Fright House sponsored by Lady Luck Tattoo Phoenix Halloween in June, baby! From 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, from 2:30 to 6:30 PM, and from 7:30 to 11:30 PM in South 162-163 (Also on Sunday from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the same location.)
–Syfy Creature Features with Mike MacLean Learn how to create a Syfy monster mash from the creator of Sharktopus & Dinocroc vs. Supergator From 1:30 to 2:30 PM in South 167
–Predator Themed Wedding Yes, you read that right. Not a Star Trek wedding, not a Star Wars wedding, but a Predator wedding. A most blessed event indeed. From 7 to 9 PM in North 229ab (Seating starts at 6 PM.)
–Stephen Amell spotlight Oliver Queen himself, live and in person. From 3 to 4 PM in North Ballroom 120
Then on Sunday you have:
–Todd McFarlane Autograph session exhibitor hall authors area VIP 20 The former enfant terrible of comics returns. From 10:30 AM to 12 PM in exhibitor hall authors area VIP 20 table
–Zombie Obstacle Course sponsored by Evil Dead the Musical: Mesa Arts It’s back for an encore. From 12 to 4 PM in South 164-165
–Nerdist Writer’s Panel: Comic Edition – Mike Baron We proudly present a conversation with the famed Flash writer and Nexus creator. From 3 to 4 PM in North 129b
–Iron GM Tournament The Man in Orange and his Kung Fu DJ host a RPG extravaganza, with the winner will be going to the Iron GM World Championship at Gen Con in August. From 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Hyatt Cowboy Artist
See you at the show, folks!
