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Fan Expo Denver

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Coordinates: 39°44′31″N 104°59′46″W / 39.74194°N 104.99611°W / 39.74194; -104.99611
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Fan Expo Denver
StatusActive
GenrePopular Culture
VenueColorado Convention Center
Location(s)Denver, Colorado
Coordinates39°44′31″N 104°59′46″W / 39.74194°N 104.99611°W / 39.74194; -104.99611
CountryUnited States
InauguratedJune 15, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-06-15)
Most recentJune 30, 2023; 13 months ago (2023-06-30)
Next eventJuly 4, 2024; 28 days ago (2024-07-04)
Attendance114,500 in 2016[1]
Organized byPop Culture Classroom (2012-2020)
Fan Expo HQ/Informa Connect (2021-present)
Websitefanexpodenver.com

Fan Expo Denver (previously Denver Pop Culture Con and Denver Comic Con) is a speculative fiction fan convention held annually in Denver, Colorado, in the United States. The event is a celebration of comics, books, movies, TV, gaming, and other pop culture.

The non-profit organization, Pop Culture Classroom, founded the convention in 2012.[2][3] After being acquired by Informa/Fan Expo in 2021, the convention was renamed Fan Expo Denver.[4][5]

History

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The inaugural convention was held June 15, 16, and 17 in 2012 with 27,700 people in attendance.[2] Founded as Denver Comic Con, the convention was created as a program for the educational organization, Pop Culture Classroom (formally Comic Book Classroom), and funded the nonprofit's year-round efforts.[6]

In 2015, attendance at the event exceeded 100,000, making it one of the largest fan conventions in the United States.[7]

In 2019, the convention's name was changed to Denver Pop Culture Con in response to the San Diego Comic-Con lawsuit.[8][9]

Pop Culture Classroom organized and ran the convention from 2012 to 2019. The event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]

In March 2021, Fan Expo HQ acquired the convention from Pop Culture Classroom and renamed the event Fan Expo Denver.[5] Pop Culture Classroom will remain a part of the event as its featured charity and by providing educational programs.[4]

Programming

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The convention includes celebrity panels, seminars with professional creators, actors, and artists, workshops with comic book professionals, and the Reel Heroes Independent Filmmakers Series. Elements of the convention floor 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. Cosplayers are featured during the annual Cosplay Classic (formerly known as the "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.

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] In 2014, the conventions'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.[citation needed] In 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.[12]

Dates, attendance, and guests

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No. Dates Attendance TV, film, and animation guests Comics, artist, and literary guests
1 June 15–17, 2012 27,700[13] Aaron Douglas, Billy West, Bruce Boxleitner, Chandler Riggs, Cindy Morgan, Colin Ferguson, David Uslan, Greg Weisman, James Marsters, Jasika Nicole, Khary Payton, Kristin Bauer, Lauren Cohan, Mark Ryan, 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, 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 Michael 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[13] 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, Jeremy Whitley, Jim Mahfood, Jim Steranko, Joe Kelly, Joel Adams, John K. Snyder III, Jon Bogdanove, Josh Adams, Katie Cook, Andy Price, Kevin Freeman, Man of Action Studios, Manga University, Matt Kindt, Matt Wagner, Michael Zulli, Mike Baron, Mike McKone, Mike Raicht, Moritat, Neal Adams, Noah Van Sciver, Paul Ryan, Peter Bagge, Phil Jimenez, Ramona Fradon, Simon Roy, Steve T. Seagle, Thom Zahler, Tony Fleecs, Zach Howard
3 June 13–15, 2014 86,500[13] 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, 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, Andy Kuhn, Andy Price, Batton Lash, Ben Templesmith, Betsy Dornbusch, Big Dog Ink, BOOM! Studios, Brian Pulido, Cara Nicole, Chemistry Club, Christopher Jones, 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, 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, Kevin J. Anderson, Kristi Helvig, Langdon Foss, Lea Hernandez, Manga University, Mark Brooks, Mark Irwin, Matthew Inman, Max Brooks, Michael Golden, Mike Grell, Mike Kunkel, Neal Adams, Nei Ruffino, Papercutz, Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Wacks, Raphael Sbarge, Renee Witterstaetter, Rich Buckler, Robert Weiner, Ron Randall, Ryan Ottley, Sean Murphy, 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, 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[13] 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 Paulsen, Scott Wilson, Sean Astin, Sean Maguire, Tress MacNeille, Vic Mignogna Ahmad Nassri, Alane Adams, Allen Bellman, Amalie Howard, Amanda Conner, Amanda Strong, Andrew Robinson, 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, David Baron, David Petersen, 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, 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, Tom Rasch, Tommy Lee Edwards, Tony Fleecs, Trina Robbins, Tyler Jolley, Van Jensen, Zach Howard
5 June 17–19, 2016 114,900[14] 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, 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, Kidrobot, Kristi Helvig, Lisa Manifold, Manga University, Marguerite Sauvage, Mario Acevedo, Mark Irwin, Martin Pasko, Matt Webb, Matteo Scalera, Mike Keefe, Mindy Newell, Molly Tanzer, Norm Rapmund, Peter Steigerwald, R. C. Harvey, Rick Sternbach, Robert Atkins, Roger McKenzie, 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, Timothy Truman, Todd Nauck, Tom Hutchison, Tony Moore, Top Cow, Trekyards, Trina Robbins, VALIANT COMICS, Vivian Caethe, Yanick Paquette, Zach Howard.
6 June 30-July 2, 2017 Morena Baccarin, Millie Bobby Brown, Kevin Conroy, John Cusack, Felicia Day, Eliza Dushku, Lou Ferrigno, Nathan Fillion, Greg Grunberg, Phil LaMarr, James Marsters, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Carey Means, Kate Mulgrew, Khary Payton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Andrea Romano, Michael Rosenbaum, Chris Sabat, Sean Schemmel, Dana Snyder, Catherine Tate, Garrett Wang, "Weird Al" Yankovic Neal Adams, Jennie Breeden, J. Scott Campbell, Frank Cho, Katie Cook, Larry Hama, Chad Hardin, Erica Henderson, Jae Lee, Mark Morales, Dan Parent, Andy Price, Humberto Ramos, Philip Tan, Ben Templesmith, Ty Templeton, Catherynne M. Valente[15]
7 June 15–17, 2018 John Barrowman, Charlet Chung, Greg Cipes, Jason David Frank, Sean Gunn, David Harbour, Amy Jo Johnson, Val Kilmer, Pom Klementieff, Daniel Logan, Jamie Marchi, Jason Momoa, Kristian Nairn, Ray Park, Ron Perlman, Billie Piper, Lucie Pohl, Monica Rial, Chris Sabat, Jeremy Shada, Mark Sheppard, Joonas Suotamo, Alan Tudyk, Eric Vale, Bonnie Wright Neal Adams, John Beatty, J. Scott Campbell, Greg Capullo, C. Robert Cargill, Kevin Eastman, John Eaves, Tony Fleecs, Gene Ha, Adam Kubert, Andy Kuhn, Ken Lashley, Darryl McDaniels, Frank Miller, Paul Pelletier, Raina Telgemeier, Billy Tucci, Chris Uminga, Mike Zeck, Chrissie Zullo[16]
8 May 31 – June 2, 2019 George Takei, Matthew Lewis, Dan Fogler, Michael Rosenbaum, Clifford Chapin, Jewel Staite, Summer Glau, Jerome Flynn, Christopher Lloyd, Gigi Edgley, Justin Briner, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Justin Cook, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, Tom Wilson, Michelle Gomez, Tom Welling, Victor Garber, Jim Beaver, Patrick Warburton, Ming-Na Wen, Benedict Wong, Charles Martinet, Tara Strong, Lana Parrilla Laura Bailey, Brian W. Foster, Taliesin Jaffe, Matthew Mercer, Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham, Mark Steven Grove, Ginny Di, William Katt, Claudia Christian, James Lew, John Eaves, Keith Tucker, John Davey, The Wolf and the Crows, Sam Jones, Melody Anderson, Michael Gray, Fred Van Lente, Ryan Dunleavy, James Silvani, Amy Mebberson, Kyle Puttkammer, Khary Randolph, Ben Bishop, Crystal Skillman, Joel Adams, Neal Adams, Andy Kubert, Evan K. Pozios, Patrick Thomas Parnell, James Hostler, Jim Mehsling, Walter Ostlie, Andrea Molinari, Brian Fyffe, Greg Capullo, Vic Carrabotta, Joe Corroney, Jose Delbo, Christina Blanch, Chip Zdarsky, Mark Morales, Laura Martin, Mark Brooks, Andy Mangels, Allen Bellman, Afua Richardson Steve Orlando, Sherry Thomas, Tricia Levenseller, Amalie Howard Pamela Clare, S.J. Reisner, Frankie Love, Lisa Manifold, Meghan Scott Molin, Cindi Myers, Lisa Brown Roberts, Heather Webb, Kevin Hearne, Alexa Donne, Carrie Vaughn, Terry Brooks, Cat Winters, Nathan Hale, Delilah Dawson, Laurel McHargue, Wendy Terrien, Sherry Ficklin, Sue Duff, Corinne O'Flynn, Greg Neri, David Slavin, Cinda Williams Chima, Terri Libenson, Colleen Oakes
— July 10–12, 2020 Rescheduled, then canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]
9 October 29–31, 2021
10 July 1–3, 2022
11 June 30 – July 2, 2023 TBA TBA TBA

Partnerships

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Since the inaugural 2012 event, Breckenridge Brewery has collaborated with the convention to brew and sell a specialty beer, with the name chosen by a fan contest.[18] The 2012 beer, an American wheat ale, was named, "The Fantastic Pour."[19] The 2013 beer, a Belgian Wit brewed with Buddha's Hand fruit, was dubbed "The Caped Brewsader.[20] The 2014 beer, an amber ale, was named "Brews Wayne."[21] 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.[22]

Aurora Rise, a non-profit group founded to provide financial support to victims of the 2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting, appeared at the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 conventions.[23] In 2016, Denver Pridefest was partnered with the convention, and there was LGBT related content.[24]

Awards

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In March 2013, the event was voted "Best Fan Convention"[25] by the editors of Westword, a local alternative press publication.

References

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  1. ^ MacDonald, Heidi (20 June 2016). "Record attendance at Denver's Comic Con". The Beat.
  2. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Salkowitz, Rob. "Comic Con-Solidation: Fan Expo HQ Adds Huge Denver Show To Its Portfolio". Forbes. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Denver Pop Culture Con Changes its Name to FAN EXPO Denver". 303 Magazine. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Pow! Comic Book Classroom project takes on illiteracy in metro schools". Denver Post. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  7. ^ "Record attendance at Denver's Comic Con". 9News Denver. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 2015-05-27.
  8. ^ Wenzel, John. "Denver Comic Con will change its name to Denver Pop Culture Con for 2019". Denver Post.
  9. ^ Bohlen, Teague. "Why Denver Comic Con is Changing Its Name to Denver Pop Culture Con". Westword.
  10. ^ "Denver's Pop Culture Con Canceled For 2020". Denver CBS4. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Denver Comic Con announces guests, diversity commitment". 18 February 2014. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  12. ^ "Kid's Lab". Denver Comic Con. Retrieved 2015-05-26.
  13. ^ a b c d "Denver Comic Con : About Us". popcultureclassroom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  14. ^ MacDonald, Heidi (2016-06-20). "Denver Comic Con draws about 114,900 people". The Beat. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
  15. ^ "Denver Comic Con 2017 Information". Fancons. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  16. ^ "Denver Comic Con 2018 Information". Fancons. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  17. ^ "Denver's Pop Culture Con Canceled For 2020". Denver CBS4. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Breckenridge Brewery and Denver Comic Con will team up again on a superpowered beer". Westword. Archived from the original on 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
  19. ^ Shikes, Jonathan. "Fight evil with the Fantastic Pour, a Denver Comic Con/Breckenridge Brewery beer - Denver - Restaurants and Dining - Cafe Society". Blogs.westword.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2013-04-15.
  20. ^ "the caped brewsader - First Drafts". Denver Post.
  21. ^ "Brews Wayne". www.breckbrew.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  22. ^ "Snapricot Release Party @ Stoney's Bar & Grill – PorchDrinking.com". PorchDrinking.com. Retrieved 2016-05-28.[permanent dead link]
  23. ^ Parker, Ryan. "Aurora Rise officially founded, will appear at Denver Comic Con". Denver Post.
  24. ^ "Denver Comic Con Announces Partnership with PrideFest 2016". Archived from the original on 2016-07-12. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  25. ^ "Denver Best Fan Convention - Denver Comic Con - Best Of Denver". Westword. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
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