The 3rd Annual Tucson Comic Con!

Tucson may only be the second largest city in the state of Arizona, but the passion, flare, and love for comics in the southern desert is second to none. The Third Annual Tucson Comic Con was held last weekend, and as always, the one-day event was absolutely free to the public. The intimate affair was packed into the Hotel Arizona convention room with fans, local creators, and all of Tucson’s local comic shops like Fantasy Comics, who knows how to treat Con-goers with a booth that was covered in free buttons, posters, and comics.

Evil Robo Productions, Arizona’s hottest and fastest growing indie publisher, and regular art coordinators for the event, held a panel discussing life and the hardships of an independent comic book company, as well as the joys and satisfaction of seeing the fruits of their passion printed and sold on comic shelves.

Dave Baker and Eric M. Esquivel, the guys of Modern Mythology Press, were on hand with their graphic novel Horrible Little People, side by side with tons more of Tucson’s up-and-comers of comics like Zac Finger and his comic Retrofit.

But even with all of Tucson’s top creative minds promoting their new comics, the real stars of the show were of course the fans — more specifically, the Cosplayers!

Like they do at every Arizona based Con, be it the grand stage of the Phoenix Comic Con, or the growing gathering of the Tucson Comic Con, the Arizona Avengers stole the show with some of the best cosplay you’ll find in the west. The AZ Avengers are a group of the state’s most passionate cosplayers paying tribute to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and they help in fund raising and charity events, as well as throw a hell of a Halloween party.

I can’t mention cosplay without mentioning Vader’s 501st Legion, always with stunning Star Wars costumes, and the Arizona Ghostbusters, a team of Arizona’s most hardcore Ghostbusters fans with beautiful movie quality uniforms and Proton Packs.

But enough of me telling you about it. See the Con for yourself! Until next November, Tucson! Here’s to you!