Convention Brings Celebrities, Costumes, Comics to Phoenix
Fifth Annual Amazing Arizona Comic Con hits Phoenix Convention Center Feb.13-15, 2015

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 1, 2015) – The Amazing Arizona Comic Convention returns to the Valley in February to entertain fans once again with the latest and greatest from the world of comics, featuring the creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kevin Eastman, and including the artists behind many recent blockbuster movies, such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. 

The fifth annual convention will take place at Phoenix Convention Center Feb. 13-15, 2015. The event’s guest list is indeed one of the best of any comic convention in the southwest, sure to thrill the most die-hard comic book fans, but the weekend also offers exciting entertainment for the general public, including special Friday the 13^th programming and a Valentine’s Day costume contest that promises to be a visual spectacle!

Throughout the weekend, more than 150 exhibitors will pack the show floor, and more than 200 talented artists will sign autographs and do sketches in the artist alley. Fans will also have weekend-long access to many of their favorite comic book creators doing Q&A sessions.
Featured Guests (and the architects of today’s popular culture):

·       Kevin Eastman – for more than three decades, kids (and adults) have watched the TMNT movies, enjoyed the cartoons and played with the toys. Eastman created TMNT and started the whole enterprise as an independent comic book.

·      Steve McNiven – the most important Marvel Comics artist of the century; best-known for top-charting Civil War and Old Man Logan, and for revamping Guardians of the Galaxy. His most recent work is perhaps his most monumental: Death of Wolverine. This will be his first appearance in Phoenix, at Amazing Arizona ComicCon.

·       Rob Liefeld – creator of Deadpool, the most popular character in the Marvel Universe, whose title movie will be released by Fox next year. Liefeld created popular X-Men mainstays such as Cable, Domino, Shatterstar and X-Force before launching Image Comics. This will be Liefeld’s only Phoenix appearance in 2015.

·       Greg Capullo – his pencils have placed Batman on the top of the charts more than any single artist in the last four years. His previous work includes Spawn, Haunt and Creech for Image Comics, and a fan-favorite run on X-Force for Marvel Comics.

·       Steve Epting – creator of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, released last year

·       Power Rangers – an all-star lineup of actors from the popular TV series will attend the event all weekend long.

Additional programming highlights:

-       Family Feud Cosplay – Friday night: A twist on the popular TV game show, teams of cosplayers will compete in a Family Feud-style game of geek fandom.

-       Friday the 13^th Make-up Contest – Friday night: Make-up context hosted by Alana Rose, fan favorite from SyFy Channel’s FACE/OFF.

-       Wolverine Spotlight Panel – Saturday afternoon: Elite group of Wolverine creators converge on Phoenix at Amazing Arizona ComicCon, from the very first artist Herb Trimpe to the artist who “killed Logan,” Steve McNiven, and original artist Adam Kubert. Group autograph session following panel.

-       Costume Contest – Saturday night: Phoenix is home to one of the best cosplay communities in the southwest, and this annual contest never disappoints! Two separate divisions: New-Comer and Expert with prizes awarded to the best in each group, as well as a grand prize for Best in Show!

-        Kids’ Day – Sunday, all day:

o   Free sketches by Mat Nastos, one of the artists behind the Disney Channel’s Phineas and Ferb, and artists from Adventure Time and My Little Pony. For kids 10 and under only.

o   Costume parade, with all participants receiving a special prize

o   Spotlights on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers and more!

o   Video Game Arena with favorite titles including Call of Duty & Mario Cart, on the newest platforms (Xbox One and PS4)

-       All weekend long:

o   DIY Workshops – local family of costumers, GARAGE FX, will demo DIY makeup and costuming on the floor of the main hall, where fans can craft their cosplay and props from everyday items

o   Spirited costume groups – including Arizona Avengers (an exclusive costuming group based on Marvel Comics’ The Avengers), live action Star Wars troop The 501^st, and Justice League Arizona (a ‘cosplay’ group based on DC heroes), who will pose for pictures and engage with fans and media

o   Guest appearances by stars of the reality show Heroes of Cosplay: enthusiastic newcomer Chloe Dykstra and friendly veteran Jessica Merizan

TICKET INFORMATION:
Friday- or Sunday-only passes – $25
Saturday passes – $35
Weekend passes – $60
VIP tickets – $160-$200
Kids 10 and under – FREE all weekend with a paid adult

Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Phoenix Convention Center box office, and online. Ticket information, VIP upgrades, and regular event updates are available at www.AmazingArizonaComicCon.com.

Programming is updated almost daily, so please check http://amazingarizonacomiccon.com/programming/ for the latest.

About Amazing Arizona Comic Con:
The Amazing Arizona Comic Con is a convention spanning the latest and greatest from the world of comic books. Hosted by family-owned Jay Company Comics, one of the largest comic book dealerships in the country, the event will bring the best of popular culture to the American Southwest. The fifth annual event will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 13-15, 2015. The event will feature a show floor packed with more than 150 exhibitors, an exciting artist alley, and autograph sessions giving fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators.