EVENT | ALBUQUERQUE
Find out who鈥檚 coming to this year鈥檚 Albuquerque Comic Con
Published
Described as 鈥渓ocal Disneyland鈥� by founder Jim Burleson, Albuquerque Comic Con is welcoming anime, sci-fi, comic book lovers and everyone in between to the Albuquerque Convention Center Friday, Jan. 16, through Sunday, Jan. 18.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not just a comic convention,鈥� Burleson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of a pop culture gathering of all things cool.鈥�
With over 150 guests, including John Barrowman (鈥淒octor Who鈥�), Amy Allen (鈥淪tar Wars鈥�) and Stephen Amell (鈥淎rrow鈥�), plus 500 vendors, the convention spans three floors at the convention center and Burleson said it is everybody鈥檚 show.
鈥淔or us to be successful, we have to basically put it out there for every potential fan, to have access to the things that excite them,鈥� Burleson said.
The event takes over the convention center every January, Burleson said the tagline is 鈥渋f it鈥檚 January, it鈥檚 Albuquerque Comic Con.鈥�
He said New Mexico鈥檚 ties to the film industry make Albuquerque Comic Con different from shows across the country.
鈥淲e have such direct access to the stars that have grown through the pop culture phenomenon of what comic books have meant to the industry,鈥� Burleson said.
Comic films like 鈥淭hor鈥� and 鈥淭he Avengers鈥� filmed in New Mexico, he said.
Burleson said he thinks Albuquerque Comic Con gives people firsthand experience with the actors and actresses in the industry who drew them to their hobbies, including cosplay.
鈥淭his provides a safe environment for people that dress up to really explore their creativity,鈥� Burleson said.
鈥淲e get to see just the most advanced, creative sides of the cosplayers that live in New Mexico,鈥� Burleson said. 鈥淭hey come to impress.鈥�
There is an adult cosplay contest on Saturday, Jan. 17, and a kids cosplay contest on Sunday, Jan. 18.
He said while some guests charge for autographs, do not go into the con thinking you have to spend a lot of money.
鈥淵ou can meet every one of these guests without spending one more dollar,鈥� he said.
He said the atmosphere at Albuquerque Comic Con is just folks hanging out and it is not like a sporting event where emotions get crazy.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e just there to have a good time,鈥� Burleson said.
Elizabeth Secor is an arts fellow from the New Mexico Local 近距离内射合集 Fellowship program. You can reach her at esecor@abqjournal.com.
