Halloween is already over, but don’t worry. You’ll have a chance to dress up as your favorite comic book character — or anyone, really — for this Saturday’s second annual Tucson Comic Con at Hotel Arizona.
Mike Olivares, one of the convention’s organizers, hopes to maintain last year’s intimacy while supporting local talent.
“”The one main thing about this is that it’s free. I plan on keeping it free for as long as I can,”” Olivares said. “”I would rather those people spend the money they were going to pay to get in on the comic book creators.””
Last year’s convention could barely contain the students, visitors and Imperial storm troopers from the Dune Sea Garrison of the 501st Legion at the tiny location behind the Sheraton Four Points.
The move to the larger convention space at Hotel Arizona should help ease the crowding, and a guest roster that includes Tucson Roller Derby, Chaos! Comics publisher Brian Pulido and “”Red Meat”” creator Max Cannon promises there will be someone to see and hear.
You’ll even get a chance to meet current and former UA students who have adorned the pages of the Daily Wildcat with their comics. (Whether or not they’ll admit to it, however, is another matter.)
Besides, the convention is probably the only place this weekend where it’s OK to walk around wearing a mask, full body armor and an oversized gun-sword and then be stopped to pose for photographs.
Olivares offers this advice for those new to the convention: “”Hit up every table, talk to every artist, every store. Get to know the comic book community,”” he said. “”Go with an open mind and just have fun.””
For more information, visit: http://tucsoncomic-con.com.