Denver Comic Con

Denver Comic Con
Status Active
Genre Fan convention
Venue Colorado Convention Center
Location(s) Denver, Colorado
Coordinates 39°44′31″N 104°59′46″W / 39.74194°N 104.99611°W / 39.74194; -104.99611Coordinates: 39°44′31″N 104°59′46″W / 39.74194°N 104.99611°W / 39.74194; -104.99611
Country United States
Inaugurated June 15, 2012 (2012-06-15)
Most recent June 17, 2016 (2016-06-17)
Attendance 114,500 in 2016.[1]
Organized by Pop Culture Classroom
Filing status 501(c)(3)
Website
denvercomiccon.com

Denver Comic Con (DCC) is a 3-day multigenre convention held annually in Denver, Colorado, in the United States. The inaugural convention was held June 15–17, 2012,[2] and was created as a program for the non-profit educational organization Comic Book Classroom.[3] In 2013, Denver Comic Con was held May 31-June 2. The 2014 event was held June 13–15, 2014 at the Colorado Convention Center. And in 2015 it was held over Memorial Day Weekend, from May 23–25.

True to its association with the re-branded Pop Culture Classroom, Denver Comic Con embraces a host of popular arts including comic books, tabletop and video games, anime, manga, cosplay, horror and science fiction, webcomics, movies, television and literature.

Overview and history

Comic Book Classroom was founded in 2010,[4] a Colorado charitable organization focused on enhancing and improving student’s learning experience through the use of comic book media. At the same time, the founders of Comic Book Classroom also created the Denver Comic Con event. The original founders of Comic Book Classroom and Denver Comic Con are Charlie LaGreca, Frank Romero, David Vinson, and Kevin Vinson.[5]

Between 2010 and 2012, the original founders were joined by accomplished educators Illya Kowalchuk and Christina Angel, and experienced event organizers Michael Newman and Bruce Macintosh, who became an integral part of organizational development as the foundations of both Comic Book Classroom and Denver Comic Con educational programs were developed simultaneously.

The Classroom program debuted the first version of its “Storytelling Through Comics” curriculum to local area schools, and with the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers and generous donations, the Denver Comic Con event became a reality on Father’s Day weekend, June 15, 2012. It was an unexpected and overwhelming success. The 2013 and 2014 Denver Comic Con’s built on that success.

Proceeds from Denver Comic Con fund the staffing, supplies and infrastructure of The Classroom program that promotes literacy through the medium of sequential art and storytelling. “Storytelling Through Comics” is a graphic literature creation program that is offered free of charge to schools, teachers and community organizations. The program currently offers students an educational experience that includes instruction in reading & vocabulary, writing stories, and eventually the creation of the students’ own comics. Completed entries are then published in a class collection.

In 2014, the Comic Book Classroom Board of Directors removed both co-founders Charlie LaGreca and Frank Romero,[6] then voted to change the name to Pop Culture Classroom (PCC).[7] The name change reflects the board’s broader vision for the organization to go beyond comic books. The “Classroom” program delivers tools (curriculum) and training using comic books, graphic novels, and related pop culture media to create educational engagement with students.[8]

In 2014, Denver Comic Con’s Comic Book Corral (CBC) and 8-Bit Lounge gave more than 9,000 students the chance to meet artists, create comic book-themed crafts, and get hands-on experience with everything from stop-motion animated shorts to professional makeup jobs.

At DCC 2015, the Pop Culture Classroom Kids’ Laboratory (PCC Kids’ Lab) continued building on this success. Along with the usual mix of artist discussions, arts activities and exhibits, the PCC Lab featured activities focused around S.T.E.A.M. subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and pop culture topics beyond comic books. They also expanded the 8-Bit Lounge to connect even more artists, educators and professionals with students ages 12–19.[9]

Convention attendance continues to grow for this family friendly and kid oriented convention. First-year attendance in 2012 was 27,700. In 2013 that number grew to 61,000 and in 2014 it increased again to 86,500. The most recent event in 2015 recorded 101,500 attendees.[10]

Programming

The Denver Comic Con executes one of the largest programming schedules of any major genre convention, with almost 400 distinct events and panels. The convention includes celebrity panels, seminars with professional creators, actors, and artists, workshops with comic book professionals, and the DCC's Reel Heroes Independent Filmmakers Series. DCC's programming and guest line-ups are unique among conventions in that they actively promote the convention's twin missions of Community and Diversity. Among the distinct tracks of programming, for instance, the convention focused on comics and media featuring or produced by Colorado-area comics creators, women, minorities and the LGBTQ Community.[11]

Like most comic book conventions, Denver Comic Con also features a large floorspace for exhibitors. Elements of the Con floor in Denver include celebrity autographs, large areas like "Artist Valley" and "Celebrity Summit", comic book dealers and collectibles merchants, as well as fan-based organizations like the 501st Legion.

Guests have included William Shatner, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, Garret Wang, and Wil Wheaton from the Star Trek franchise; Gwendoline Christie from Game of Thrones; Chandler Riggs, Scott Wilson, David Morrissey, and Michael Rooker from The Walking Dead; Evil Dead's Bruce Campbell; Peter Mayhew of Star Wars; a Weird Science 30th Anniversary with Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Kelly Le Brock; Colin Baker, Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, Daphne Ashbrook, and Karen Gillan from Doctor Who; Rebecca Mader and Sean Maguire from Once Upon a Time; Alan Tudyk and Jewel Staite from Firefly; X-Files' Mitch Pileggi; Manu Bennett, Stephen Amell, and Caity Lotz from Arrow; as well as a number of famous voice actors, including Patrick Warburton, Vic Mignogna, Mark Meer, Maurice LaMarche and Rob Paulsen.

Comics and artistic guests have included Max Brooks, Fiona Staples, Neal Adams, Trina Robbins, Carey Pietsch, Denny O’Neill, Marguerite Bennett, Chris Ware (Building Stories), Jeffrey Brown (Darth Vader and Son), Marvel legend Jim Steranko, and indie artists Peter Bagge and Jim Mahfood.

Cosplayers are featured during the annual DCC Cosplay Shindig, the Opening Ceremonies with acts and other surprises, and associated events have included the Four Color Mixer and a genre-themed concert traditionally held at the Hard Rock Cafe Denver.

Dates, attendance, and guests

No. Dates Attendance TV, Film, and Animation Guests Comics, Artist, and Literary Guests
1 June 15–17, 2012 27,700[12] Aaron Douglas (actor), Billy West, Bruce Boxleitner, Chandler Riggs, Cindy Morgan, Colin Ferguson (actor), David Uslan, Greg Weisman, James Marsters, Jasika Nicole, Khary Payton, Kristin Bauer, Lauren Cohan, Mark Ryan (actor), Michael Uslan, Steven Seagle, Tom Kane Adam Van Wyk, Allen Bellman, Amy Reeder, Barry Kitson, Ben Templesmith, Bob Layton, Carrie Vaughn, David Uslan, Ed Stein (cartoonist), Ethan Nicolle, Glenn Kardy, Gail Simone, Georges Jeanty, Greg Guler, Herb Trimpe, J. Scott Campbell, James O'Barr, Jason Aaron, Joseph Michael Linsner, Katie Cook, Laura Allred, Manga University, Matt Kindt, Michael Allred, Michael Uslan, Michael Zulli, Mike Baron, Mike Grell, Mike Keefe, Mike McKone, Monte Moore, Noah Van Sciver, Peter Gross, Rebekah Isaacs, Sean Gordon Murphy, Sean Tiffany, Steven Seagle, T.K. Miller, Zach Howard
2 May 31-June 2, 2013 61,000[12] Anthony Montgomery, Clare Kramer, Colin Baker, Daphne Ashbrook, Dee Bradley Baker, Eddie McClintock, Ellyn Stern, Erin Gray, Felicia Day, George Takei, Greg Weisman, Hal Rayle, J. August Richards, Jamie Katonic, Kelly Hu, Khary Payton, Nelsan Ellis, Peter Mayhew, Phil LaMarr, Raphael Sbarge, Robin Thorsen, Sandeep Parikh, Saul Rubinek, Steve T. Seagle, Steven L. Sears, Wil Wheaton Action Lab Entertainment, Adam Van Wyk, Alfred Trujillo, Allen Bellman, Amy Reeder, Ande Parks, Andrew Pepoy, Andy Runton, Anthony Montgomery, Arthur Suydam, Ben Templesmith, Brian Pulido, Chris Moreno, Chris Ware, Clayton Crain, Dan Parent, Denny O’Neil, Dexter Vines, Doug TenNapel, Farel Dalrymple, Fiona Staples, Frank Beddor, Gabriel Hardman, George Pérez, Georges Jeanty, Glenn Kardy, Greg Guler, Greg Weisman, J. Scott Campbell, J.K. Woodward, Jamal Igle, Jeffrey Brown (comics), Jeremy Whitley, Jim Mahfood, Jim Steranko, Joe Kelly (writer), Joel Adams, John K. Snyder III, Jon Bogdanove, Josh Adams, Katie Cook (writer), Andy Price, Kevin Freeman, Man of Action Studios, Manga University, Matt Kindt, Matt Wagner, Michael Zulli, Mike Baron, Mike McKone, Mike Raicht, Moritat (comics), Neal Adams, Noah Van Sciver, Paul Ryan (comics), Peter Bagge, Phil Jimenez, Ramona Fradon, Simon Roy, Steve T. Seagle, Thom Zahler, Tony Fleecs, Zach Howard
3 June 13–15, 2014 86,500[12] Adam West, Aimee Major Steinberger, Alexandre O. Philippe, April Stewart, Bruce Campbell, Burt Ward, Caity Lotz, Chandler Riggs, Christy Marx, David Yost, Denise Crosby, Edward James Olmos, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Gates McFadden, Gigi Edgley, Jason David Frank, Jennifer Hale, Jeremy Bulloch, Jeremy Shada, Jim Cummings, Jonathan Frakes, Julie Newmar, Karen Gillan, Kevin Conroy, Kimberly Brooks, LeVar Burton, Lou Ferrigno, Marina Sirtis, Mark Grove, Mark Meer, Max Charles, Michael Dorn, Michael Koske, Michael Rooker, Nicholas Brendon, Peter Davison, Rachel Skarsten, Rashaad Santiago, Robert Axelrod (actor), Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Stephen Amell, Sylvester McCoy, Tyler Green, Veronica Taylor, Victor Cook, Walter Emanuel Jones, Walter Koenig, William Hart, William Shatner Action Labs Entertainment, Adam Van Wyk, Alfred Trujillo, Allen Bellman, Alé Garza, Amalie Howard, Andrew Robinson (artist), Andy Kuhn, Andy Price (comics), Batton Lash, Ben Templesmith, Betsy Dornbusch, Big Dog Ink, BOOM! Studios, Brian Pulido, Cara Nicole, Chemistry Club, Christopher Jones (comics), Christopher Ryder, Colleen Doran, Damian, Dan Parent, David Farland, Derek Fridolfs, Derek Hunter, DJ PharoahMoan, Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg, Dr. Kyle William Bishop, Edgar Delgado, Ellie Ann, Emily C. Martin, Eric Shanower, Fiona Staples, Francisco Herrera (comics), Frank Beddor, Gareth Hinds, George Pérez, Georges Jeanty, Ger Tysk, Glenn Kardy, Greg Guler, Greg Horn, Greg Weisman, Humberto Ramos, James O’Barr, Janelle Asselin, Jason Henderson, Jason Howard, Jeremy Bastian, Jeremy Whitley, Joan Hilty, Joe Benitez, John Eaves, John Layman, Katie Cook (writer), Kevin J. Anderson, Kristi Helvig, Langdon Foss, Lea Hernandez, Manga University, Mark Brooks (comics), Mark Irwin, Matthew Inman, Max Brooks, Michael Golden (comics), Mike Grell, Mike Kunkel, Neal Adams, Nei Ruffino, Papercutz, Patrick Gleason (artist), Peter J. Wacks, Raphael Sbarge, Renee Witterstaetter, Rich Buckler, Robert Weiner, Ron Randall, Ryan Ottley, Sean Murphy (artist), Shane Bitney Crone, Sherry D. Ficklin, Stant Litore, Steve Lieber, Steven L. Sears, Ted Naifeh, Tess Laeh, The Doubleclicks, The Stubby Shillelaghs, Thom Zahler, Tim Miller, Tim Sale (artist), Tony Fleecs, Troy Little, Two Girls with Guitars, Ty Templeton, Tyler H. Jolley, Victor Olazaba, Vincent Gonzales, Yanick Paquette, Zach Howard, Zenescope
4 May 23–25, 2015 101,500[12] Alan Tudyk, Amy Acker, Anthony Michael Hall, Austin St. John, Brian Cummings, Clare Kramer, David Morrissey, Emma Caulfield, Eric Canete, Garrett Wang, Gwendoline Christie, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Jess Harnell, Jewel Staite, Karen Gillan, Kelly Le Brock, King of Nerds, Lindsay Wagner, Lou Ferrigno, Manu Bennett, Mark Grove, Martin Olson, Maurice LaMarche, Michael Hogan (Canadian actor), Mitch Pileggi, Nichelle Nichols, Olivia Olson, Patrick Warburton, Randy Rogel, Rebecca Mader, Rob Paulson, Scott Wilson (actor), Sean Astin, Sean Maguire, Tress MacNeille, Vic Mignogna Ahmad Nassri, Alane Adams, Allen Bellman, Amalie Howard, Amanda Conner, Amanda Strong, Andrew Robinson (artist), Art Baltazar, Batton Lash, Becky Cloonan, Ben Templesmith, Bonnie Burton, Brian Pulido, Buzz, Carey Pietsch, Chrissie Zullo, Crystal Skillman, Dan Jurgens, Dan Wells (author), Dave Dorman, Dave Johnson (comics), David Baron (comics), David Petersen (comics), DelSheree Gladden, Elliot S! Maggin, Eric Canete, Evan Palmer, Fred Van Lente, Fábio Moon, Gabriel Bá, Gail Wagner, Garth Ennis, Gene Ha, Glenn Kardy, Greg Guler, Howard Chaykin, Ian McGinty, Jacen Burrows, Jackie Estrada, Jason Henderson, Jeremy Haun, Jhonen Vasquez, Jim Butcher, Jimmy Palmiotti, John Beatty (illustrator), John Sazaklis, Jonathan Stroh, Joëlle Jones, Justin Ponsor, Kevin J. Anderson, Kieron Gillen, Klaus Janson, Kristi Helvig, Kyle Higgins, Liz Prince, Manga University, Marguerite Bennett, Mark Irwin, Mark McKenna, Max Brooks, MC Lars, Meghan Hetrick, Mike Baron, Mike Kunkel, Neal Adams, Nei Ruffino, Nick Spencer, Peter J. Wacks, Protomen, Randy "Rantz" Kintz (artist), Rafael Albuquerque, Ramon Perez, Rob Weiner, Robert Moses Peaslee, Shawn Crystal, Sherry Ficklin, Stant Litore, Steve Leialoha, Steve Lieber, Sue Duff, Sunnydale High (band), Ted Naifeh, Tim Miller, Tim Sale (artist), Tom Rasch, Tommy Lee Edwards, Tony Fleecs, Trina Robbins, Tyler Jolley, Van Jensen, Zach Howard
5 June 17–19, 2016 114,900[13] Alec Peters, Alex Kingston, Andrea Libman, Andy Mangels, Brent Spiner, Brian Cummings, Bruce Logan, C. Thomas Howell, Camren Bicondova, Cary Elwes, Clare Kramer, Clark Gregg, Dan Povenmire, David Acord, David Mazouz, Eric Canete, Garrett Wang, Greg Guler, Hayley Atwell, Ian Somerhalder, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jenna Coleman, Jennifer Shiman, John Barrowman, John de Lancie, John Eaves, John Rhys-Davies, John Stork, Judy Burns, Karl Urban, Katee Sackhoff, Lee Ross, Lena Headey, Manu Bennett, Manu Intiraymi, Martin Kove, Matthew Wood (sound editor), Paul Wesley, Peter David, Ralph Macchio, Sean Pertwee, Shannon Farnon, Shea Fontana, Stan Lee, Susan Eisenberg, The Hillywood Show, Todd Haberkorn, Vic Mignogna, Vincent Gonzales, William Zabka Aaron Michael Ritchey, Alex Saviuk, Allen Bellman, Amalie Howard, Andrew Robinson (artist), Andy Schmidt, Aspen MLT, Barbara Randall Kesel, Betsy Dornbusch, Billy Tucci, Brett Booth, Brian Pulido, Comic Book Certification Service, Carrie Vaughn, Cary Nord, Cat Staggs, L.J. Hachmeister, Chad Hardin, Chrissie Zullo, Colleen Oakes, Copic, Cyanide & Happiness, D.J. Butler, Dana Simpson, Dave Johnson, DC Comics, Drew Litton, Ellie Ann, Eneasz Brodski, Frank Mastromauro, Georges Jeanty, Glenn Kardy, Heather Finley, Ivy Doomkitty, J. Scott Campbell, Jae Lee, Jason Henderson, Jeanne Stein, Jim Shooter, Joe Benitez, Joe Corroney, Joe Staton, John Romita Jr., Jordan Gunderson, José Delbo, Karen Hallion, Kevin Hearne, Kevin Ikenberry, Kevin Maguire (artist), Kidrobot, Kristi Helvig, Lisa Manifold, Manga University, Marguerite Sauvage, Mario Acevedo, Mark Irwin (artist), Martin Pasko, Matt Webb, Matteo Scalera, Mike Keefe, Mindy Newell, Molly Tanzer, Norm Rapmund, Peter Steigerwald, R.C. Harvey, Rick Sternbach, Robert Atkins (comics), Roger McKenzie (comics), Ron Randall, Sarah A. Hoyt, Sci Fi Speed Dating, Shawn Crystal, Sherry Ficklin, SKYBOUND, Sphero, Stant Litore, Stephen Graham Jones, Steve Leialoha, Steve Lieber, Sue Duff, T. L. Morganfield, TeeTurtle, Terry Brooks, Tim Sale (artist), Timothy Truman, Todd Nauck, Tom Hutchison, Tony Moore (artist), Top Cow, Trekyards, Trina Robbins, VALIANT COMICS, Vivian Caethe, Yanick Paquette, Zach Howard.
6 June 30-July 2, 2017

Partnerships

Since the inaugural 2012 Denver Comic Con, Breckenridge Brewery has collaborated with the Denver Comic Con to brew and sell a specialty beer, with the name chosen by a fan contest.[14] The 2012 beer, an American wheat ale, was named, “The Fantastic Pour.”[15] The 2013 beer, a Belgian Wit brewed with Buddha’s Hand fruit, was dubbed "The Caped Brewsader.[16] The 2014 beer, an amber ale, was named "Brews Wayne."[17] In 2015, “Hulk’s Mash”, a pale ale brewed with mosaic hops and mango puree, was debuted. "Snape-ricot”, an Apricot American Lager, was voted 2016's beer name, in honor of the late Alan Rickman.[18]

Aurora Rise, a non-profit group founded to provide financial support to victims of the 2012 Aurora shooting, appeared at the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Denver Comic Cons.[19]

In 2016, Denver Pridefest was partnered with Denver Comic Con and there was LGBT related content at DCC.[20]

Awards

In March 2013, Denver Comic Con was voted “Best Fan Convention”[21] by the editors of Westword, a local alternative press publication.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Record attendance at Denver's Comic Con".
  2. ↑ Wenzel, John. "Denver Comic Con goes beyond most sci-fi and fantasy festivals". Denver Post.
  3. ↑ Moore, John. "Pow! Comic Book Classroom project takes on illiteracy in metro schools". Denver Post.
  4. ↑ "Pow! Comic Book Classroom project takes on illiteracy in metro schools". Denver Post. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  5. ↑ "Our History". Pop Culture Classroom. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  6. ↑ "DENVER COMIC CON: CONVENTION HEADS RESPOND TO CO-FOUNDER CHARLIE LA GRECA'S ALLEGATIONS". Westword. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  7. ↑ "Education Wrap-Up: Denver Comic Con 2014! (Part 1)". Pop Culture Classroom. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  8. ↑ "Pop Culture Classroom - What we're about!". Pop Culture Classroom. Retrieved 2015-05-26.
  9. ↑ "Kid's Lab". Denver Comic Con. Retrieved 2015-05-26.
  10. ↑ "Record attendance at Denver's Comic Con". 9News. Retrieved 2015-05-26.
  11. ↑ "Denver Comic Con announces guests, diversity commitment".
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Denver Comic Con : About Us". popcultureclassroom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  13. ↑ "Denver Comic Con draws about 114,900 people". 2016-06-20. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
  14. ↑ "Breckenridge Brewery and Denver Comic Con will team up again on a superpowered beer". Westword.
  15. ↑ Shikes, Jonathan. "Fight evil with the Fantastic Pour, a Denver Comic Con/Breckenridge Brewery beer - Denver - Restaurants and Dining - Cafe Society". Blogs.westword.com.
  16. ↑ "the caped brewsader - First Drafts". Denver Post.
  17. ↑ "Brews Wayne". www.breckbrew.com. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  18. ↑ "Snapricot Release Party @ Stoney's Bar & Grill – PorchDrinking.com". PorchDrinking.com. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
  19. ↑ Parker, Ryan. "Aurora Rise officially founded, will appear at Denver Comic Con". Denver Post.
  20. ↑ http://popcultureclassroom.org/2016/03/24/denver-comic-con-announces-partnership-with-pridefest-2016/
  21. ↑ "Denver Best Fan Convention - Denver Comic Con - Best Of Denver". Westword. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
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