Attention, all comic book and sci-fi fans: comic book convention season is upon us in Phoenix. That means it's time to break out your favorite character costumes or, at the very least, your favorite comic book t-shirt.
Phoenix Comicon takes place every year during the long Memorial Day weekend at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown. The convention – which shines the spotlight on genres like sci-fi, anime, horror, steampunk, fantasy and animation – has become one of the biggest gatherings of comic book talent and aficionados in the country.
Nearly 80,000 writers, actors, artists and fans have attended Phoenix Comicon in recent years.
The Phoenix Comicon draws thousands of comic book, sci-fi and fantasy fans to downtown Phoenix every May — Photo courtesy of Phoenix Comicon
As in previous years, the convention schedule is packed with a fun mix of educational panels, celebrity photo ops, extravagantly costumed cosplayers and a marketplace of hard-to-find comic books and collectibles.
Fans can mingle with their favorite comic book writers and artists, along with a roster of marquee names from TV and film.
Some of the big names at Phoenix Comicon 2015 include Back to the Future star Christopher Lloyd; actress Alyson Hannigan (How I Met Your Mother, American Pie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer); veteran actor Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy, Hellboy); and David Morrissey from the hit TV series The Walking Dead.
Some celebrities will be available for autographs and photographs with fans. (Fees vary.)
But the Phoenix Comicon isn't just celebrity photo ops and Q&A sessions. The convention also features a film festival, a music video contest, art auction and exhibits, a tabletop and electronic gaming space, costuming workshops and even a dance party or two.
Phoenix Comicon 2015 is scheduled to take place from Thursday, May 28, to Sunday, May 31. Admission ranges from $15 to $40 for daily attendance, and it's $70 for a pass to attend all four days of the festival. The price of admission goes up as the event date nears. Kids under two are free with adult admission.
This year, Phoenix Comicon is offering a Fast Pass option that will give guests preferred line access to celebrities for photos and autographs. The Fast Pass starts at $399.
Visitors traveling to the Phoenix Comicon can nab a hotel room discount at one of the convention's partner hotels, some of which will be hosting after-parties and evening events.
Partner hotels include the Westin Phoenix Downtown, Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, Renaissance Phoenix Downtown, Hilton Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Holiday Inn Downtown. Hotel parking discounts are also available to guests attending the Phoenix Comicon.
