Tucson Comic-Con turns 15 when it returns on Aug. 30

Tucson Comic-Con will celebrate its 15-year anniversary later this month, and it’s coming back bigger than ever.

Tucson Comic-Con runs this year from Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. The three-day event will feature over 200 vendors and more than 50 guests, including “Cheers” and Pixar actor John Ratzenberger, “E.T.” and “Critters” actress Dee Wallace, WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart, “The Shape of Water” and “Hellboy” actor Doug Jones and Marvel writer and editor Roy Thomas.

“It’s going to be a major year for us,” said Tucson Comic-Con spokeswoman Carrie Eutizi. “(Thomas) hardly ever makes appearances, so I know there’s a huge fanbase for him that’s super excited.”

The event launched in 2008, drawing about 500 visitors. Eutizi says guests and vendors at the time were mostly comic-related, but over the years, the event has grown to include more pop-culture sub-genres.

“It was a small gathering, and over the years it has grown exponentially,” Eutizi said. In 2016, she says attendance was about 11,000. Last year, that number doubled, reaching about 22,000.

Longtime guest and multi-award-winning comics illustrator Jay Fotos says he’s enjoyed returning to Tucson every year for the annual event.

“Tucson’s incredible, it’s got a little bit of grit to it,” Fotos said. “Tucson Comic-Con is getting to be pretty big, but it still has that hometown feel to it.”

Fotos, who’s worked on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Locke & Key, Transformers and more, looks forward to spending his birthday Aug. 30 surrounded by fans at this year’s convention.

“I always recommend artists or other creators to do the show,” Fotos said. “The people are just amazing, they’re more into it.”

Eutizi says this year’s convention had so many vendor applicants that there are over 200 people on the waiting list. “We want to accommodate everyone, but there’s just not enough space.”

From comic books and themed water bottles to collectables and themed dog collars, vendors sell a little bit of everything. Spark Project Collective will also do flash tattoos specific to Tucson Comic-Con, and Goodwill is bringing comic and pop culture-related clothing for resale.

“I have never had anyone come here and say, ‘There’s nothing here for me,’” Eutizi said. “There’s something here for everyone.”

Eutizi says Tucson Comic-Con has become one of the most inclusive and family-oriented conventions in all of Arizona.

“We do our best to make sure we’re including everyone, so having high ADA accessibility, having quiet spaces, having prayer rooms and lactation spaces,” Eutizi said. “We also have so many options for families to come and have a whole day. They can come and paint together and play games together, and they can look at vendors or go take pictures with superheroes.”

Before the event opens on Saturday, it will hold the annual “Little Heroes” program where children with developmental disabilities from Davis-Monthan and children with cancer from Tucson Medical Center can meet superheroes in costume and receive a package of comics and convention merch.

“They get to take pictures with all of the superheroes before the convention even opens,” Eutizi said. “It’s really awesome, I get tearful every time I watch.”

This year, Eutizi says downtown venues including Hotel Congress and Cobra Arcade will host after parties with music and dancing to celebrate 15 years of Comic-Con.

Exhibit floors during Comic-Con will be open from 2-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1. Tickets can be purchased at the convention or here. Daily admission starts at $10 for kids and $20 for adults. Weekend passes are also available. Bring money for food and vendors.

This year’s guests

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Tucson Comic-Con has lined up several celebrities and local artists to appear at this year’s event. Here’s a primer on who’s coming.

Roy Thomas: After seeing Hugh Jackman reprise his role as Wolverine in the newly released “Deadpool and Wolverine,” you might want to meet the character’s co-creator. Stan Lee’s first successor in Marvel Comics, Roy Thomas also helped create Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel), Vision, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Ultron. Thomas will have panels at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 and 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 1.

Doug Jones: While you might not recognize the actor who wears heavy makeup and is often CGIed for his roles, you may have seen one of Doug Jones’ monstrous characters on the big screen — Abe Sapien in “Hellboy,” the Faun in “Pan’s Labyrinth” or Saru in “Star Trek: Discover.” Tucsonans can meet their favorite monster in his human form in a panel at 1:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.

John Ratzenberger: Your parents might remember him as Cliff Clavin, the bar’s know-it-all in “Cheers,” but Ratzenberger has also become a recognizable Pixar voice to the younger generations. Hear from the voice of Mack in “Cars,” Hamm in the “Toy Story” franchise and the Abominable Snowman in “Monsters, Inc.” in a panel at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.

Jimmy Hart: WWE fans from the '80s and '90s will know the always abrasive professional wrestling manager Jimmy Hart. The 2005 Hall of Famer is best known for having his trademark megaphone and crazy antics to help out his clients, including the Honky Tonk Man, the Nasty Boys, King Kong Bundy and Hulk Hogan. Hear from the “Mouth of the South” in a panel at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.

Dee Wallace: '80s movie junkies will recognize Wallace from her roles as Mary in “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” and Helen in “Critters.” A well-accomplished Hollywood actress, Wallace has appeared in nearly 200 films and five television shows. Hear from Wallace in a panel at 3:10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.

Jon Proudstar: Born and raised in Tucson, Proudstar has been featured in over 47 movies and is most known for his role as Leon in the Hulu series “Reservation Dogs.” Proudstar is also the creator of Tribal Force, America’s first all-Native superhero comic book.

Cosplay guests

You can count on cosplay groups to liven up the event, paying homage to the Ghostbusters, Avengers, Star Wars, Star Trek, Justice League, Steam Punk and more. 

You can also catch Sapphire Nova, a featured cosplay guest at over 150 conventions who has been on the cover of 15 comic books. The 20-year cosplay veteran creates the majority of her own cosplay costumes and loves sharing costume tips with attendees.

Cosplayer and model Cara Nicole has been on the pages of Heavy Metal Magazine, Kotaku, Forbes and Bleeding Cool. According to her convention bio, she enjoys hosting panels about cosplaying, performing music and being a stand-up comedian.

Attendees can also get in on the action and dress up as their favorite characters, though they will have to abide by the convention’s costume policy. All costume props and weapons must be inspected and “peace bonded” prior to entry. Guidelines can be found on the event website.

Visit tucsoncomic-con.com for a full schedule, appearances and more.