Tucson Comic-Con brings out followers from all walks of life for enjoyable and fantasy

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Tucson Comic-Con is bringing collectively followers of comics, anime, motion pictures, tv and extra this weekend, with costumes starting from Wild West cowboys to anime characters and Stormtroopers filling the Tucson Convention Center.

The annual conference, which started Friday and continues by means of Sunday, has grown right into a regional popular culture occasion that includes celeb and creator friends, cosplay, gaming, collectibles, panels and screenings. Organizers say this 12 months’s occasion contains practically 500 exhibitors, starting from artists and comedian creators to fan teams and nonprofits.

For Shelby Turnbeaugh, the conference’s development has been seen firsthand. She started volunteering at Tucson Comic-Con 10 years in the past and has watched the occasion develop from a smaller gathering into a serious regional attraction.

“I feel like just little by little, fandoms have got more of a backing, more of a place to meet up,” Turnbeaugh mentioned. “And comic cons are the place for that.”

Turnbeaugh, now the conference’s director of public relations and advertising, mentioned the occasion is designed to welcome followers throughout the spectrum.

“We do have something for everyone,” she mentioned. “One of our slogans is pop culture for all, and we follow through with that. We have something for everybody.”

That range is mirrored all through the conference flooring. The 2026 exhibitor listing contains comedian artists, gaming teams, anime distributors, cosplay organizations and fan golf equipment, together with the Arizona Ghostbusters.

For Roy Wageman, the conference is a chance to share a fandom that has been a part of his life since childhood.

Wageman, a Tucson occasion coordinator for the Arizona Ghostbusters, mentioned he has been a fan of “Ghostbusters” since he was 3 years previous.

“The combination of comedy and horror — that just sucked me in,” Wageman mentioned. “So it’s always been my favorite movie.”

Today, Wageman helps arrange appearances and occasions for the Arizona Ghostbusters, utilizing the group’s recognizable proton packs and costumes to assist charitable causes.

“The Arizona Ghostbusters is a 501c3 nonprofit, so we’ll do charity drives, raffles, and a lot of times just do public appearances,” Wageman mentioned. “To bring more attention to worthy causes.”

Tucson Comic-Con supplies the group with one in all its greatest alternatives annually to succeed in new individuals. Wageman mentioned that publicity can translate into further invites and fundraising alternatives.

“And our biggest exposure of the year, so more people know about us to invite us to more events,” he mentioned. “And we’re able to raise more money for charitable causes at Tucson Comic-Con.”

The conference continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to six p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to five p.m. on the Tucson Convention Center.

Beyond the conference flooring, official after-hours occasions are additionally scheduled at a number of downtown Tucson venues, together with the Rialto Theatre, Hotel Congress and Cobra Arcade.

For followers, the weekend presents greater than a chance to decorate as a favourite character. It can also be a spot the place completely different fandoms — and the individuals behind them — can discover frequent floor.