Bam!: Tucson Comedian-Con to take over the TCC this weekend

The primary Tucson Comedian-Con happened within the exhibition area of a Sheraton lodge close to the College of Arizona in 2009. Comedian e book author Henry Barajas attended together with his sister and he famous that it was a small occasion in these days.

“It was a small room,” the Tucson-born Los Angeles-based creator stated. “You could possibly do an entire present in like 20 minutes.”

500 folks attended that 12 months, and the conference grew over the next years. This 12 months’s Comedian-Con is a three-day occasion. Organizers reported greater than 19,000 folks moved among the many exhibitors and distributors final 12 months on the Tucson Conference Heart.

“There was the entire objective of Tucson Comedian-Con: to create a comic book conference that promotes literacy and celebrates the medium,” Barajas stated. “It was at all times about breaking even, however with Brian and Francisco Pulido concerned now and turning into main stakeholders within the present, they’ve introduced a enterprise acumen.”

32-year comedian skilled Brian Pulido was a part of a brand new management group that got here into place in 2016. His problem over time has been to develop the occasion whereas preserving issues centered on comedian books and related fandoms.

“Our distinctive promoting proposition for Tucson Comedian-Con is that it’s a pleasant regional occasion. I’d prefer to assume that we provide a steadiness of company and experiences,” stated Pulido. “Although we do have outstanding comedian e book professionals, we additionally herald some celebrities in different fields like high-profile folks on this planet of video games… I’d prefer to assume that it’s balanced and focusing broadly on popular culture.”

Along with comedian creators, this 12 months’s occasion will embody company like wrestling’s Honky Tonk Man, actress Tracy Lynn Cruz and recreation designer Luke Gygax.

Blatant localism

One of many points of interest for the conference in Tucson, Pulido notes, is the “superb” expertise right here, whether or not or not it’s in comedian books or different kinds of artwork.

One perennial exhibitor is Cynthia Naugle, who’s the proprietor of &gallery. She sees Comedian-Con as an awesome alternative for native artists, a lot of whom might be featured within the occasion’s “artist alley.”

“It’s at all times a extremely great spot to see new artists,” Naugle stated. “Sequential artwork, fan artwork too… it’s all legitimate. It’s a cool time to take a look at and spotlight that sort of stuff.”

Her gallery might be operating a “worlds collide” present along with Comedian-Con, that includes pairings of native artists that normally wouldn’t work collectively.

Naugle may also be internet hosting a panel on ladies in comics on Sunday afternoon.