Zombie lovers in the Denver area may start to celebrate as another zombie icon is coming to town for Denver Comic Con.  Max Brooks, a name that may sound familiar as his father Mel Brooks was a staple in the comedy industry for many years.  

Max started to follow in his dad's footsteps, starting off as a writer for Saturday Night Live for a brief stint but found his calling when he came up with the wildly popular Zombie Survival Guide in 2003.  Establishing himself as one of the top writers on the subject, Max has also written World War Z, which was produced into a blockbuster motion picture starring Brad Pitt.

One of my favorite authors on the subject on the living dead is coming to town in June and I will not be too afraid to speak with him as in every interview you have seen with Max Brooks, he is a down to earth individual and always willing to give you his advice if you are willing to take it.  

For me, it's about his fresh take on the genre in general.  The Zombie Survival Guide was just a treat to read.  It was a laugh out loud book in so many ways and it left you thinking at the same time since well...it had some pretty sound ideas in it. But his finest work really is World War Z. I can't tell you how many times I've read that amazing book.  

I am ecstatic to have such a talented author coming to DCC, and the best part of him coming to town, aside from being able to teach us how to make it through the impending zombie apocalypse unscathed, is that he will be holding a special meet and greet Saturday at the convention. Make sure to keep your browsers ready to refresh www.denvercomiccon.com for details. Either way, I hope to see you all at DCC this year as I am getting just a bit more excited every day, especially after this announcement.

As Friday and StarFest fast approach, I can't help but find myself excited beyond belief.  The sights, the sounds, the people and well...the vendor room are all dancing in my head as I get ready to attend another weekend at the Denver Marriott DTC.  

With the excitement building for this weekend, I find myself thinking of StarFest Past, remembering the many laughs and new friends that I've made, and these memories amplified after I wrote my last article about StarFest and there are some things I want to expand upon from that very article today, the fact that my favorite memory of StarFest was the first time I ever attended any convention.  

Really, I owe my love of conventions to my brother.  Had it not been for the VIP Pass that he purchased for me I never would have stepped through the doors and quite frankly, see my life change.  

Everything felt right about entering StarFest for the first time.  The costumes that surrounded me.  Seeing George Takei on stage telling incredible stories of his experiences on Star Trek.  I had never seen such treasures in my life like the ones that I saw in the vendor room, it was just one incredible sight and experience after another.  The only part that was missing was the camaraderie that I experience now.  

But it was still an amazing experience, one that left me wanting more.  It was a feeling that I just plain belonged there.  That's a feeling I didn't want to end and that's why I keep coming back, year after year.   See everyone this Friday, it's going to be another incredible weekend.  

StarFest has been one of my main staple cons for the past few years. Admittedly, when I first moved here I didn't know about it (apparently that's a common theme amongst Colorado Cons and me!) But, ever since a friend took me there, I've been hooked. This is one of the largest Cons that still has that family feel to it, at least for me it does. I've watched it get bigger over the past few years. While it's been here for far longer than I have, it's been a major influence in my con life! 

Every year, I get a hotel room with a group my close friends, we decorate the balcony, and then we spend the weekend wandering around and having a blast with everyone. It's not hard to know nearly everyone who comes to these year after year. As I've said before, it's like a family reunion. Once a year, you meet up, share drinks, and catch up on life's happenings before debating who was the better companion on Doctor Who. This year is bound to be no different. 

With some amazing guests, StarFest promises to be a con to remember. Mattie and I have already secured a room with a few friends, and my little sister will be joining us this year. Of course, costumes have to be involved because it's not a convention without costumes. That's where our official Star Trek uniform dresses come into play. Mattie has gold, my sister has red, and I, of course, have blue! 

On top of that we also have a Supernatural cosplay to wear, because, why not!? It's always fun to just throw on a wig and walk around the con! Seeing friends, having fun, and hitting up some amazing panels. I actually work with a friend who is already planning to be in the costume contest, so you know we have to go and support her. Plus, it's fun to cheer for your friends!

And, the best part, in the evening, the bar area is in full swing where many a celebrity has gone to chill and hang with their fans. It's also a good place to unwind with friends after a long day of being in costume. Have a drink, chat up some new people, and by morning, you're tired and only slightly sorry you tried the Romulan Ale from the Klingon Party in the Suite upstairs! This convention is near and dear to my heart and I cannot wait for it to happen! I've got so many amazing memories from staying up late and just talking with people, it's so amazing. The life stories you hear, the debates you get into, and the fun that is to be had.

If you find yourself near the Denver Tech Center next weekend, stop by the Marriott and see what StarFest has to offer you!

I've seen it all when it comes to conventions.  In the last couple of years working for Girls of Geek I would like to think I've explored the worlds of close to every fandom out there.  I've been introduced to genres and fandoms that I never knew existed thanks to this site and I am proud of the fact I have been able to open my horizons by covering these wonderful events.  

But there is one convention that always holds special meaning for me.  Simply because you always remember your first convention and mine was StarFest. Growing up it was something I always wanted to go to, because mailers arrived every year at my home.  I had no idea what a con was at the time, but the fact that my favorite sci fi actors were going to be in town was enough, so I asked my dad if we could go.    

Sadly, the chance to head out to this awesome convention never quite worked out and that's okay, because everything happens for a reason and well, thanks to my brother I was able to enjoy StarFest properly.  He snagged me a pair of VIP passes a few years ago and I was finally able to take it all in and quite frankly I was hooked.   

I've attended StarFest every year since simply because man...it's fantastic and on a personal level, it goes beyond the incredible guests that arrive year in and year out.  Don't get me wrong, I love hearing the guests speak.  I love the incredible stories they have to tell, I love the intimate setting the fans get when meeting these wonderful people and heck, if you haven't had the chance to experience the Meet and Greet, do so.  

But past that, it's the people that are equally as important to see. There are some amazing people that I've met at this convention.  People that I likely walked by or sat in close proximity to that first year I attended, since they attend the con year in and year out and I'm proud to call many of these folks my friends and well...this is the only time I get to see them.  Some of them live far away where it isn't easy to just hang out and grab some lunch but here...we can finally catch up.  

This is where my love of conventions all began and next week, I'll step through the doors of the Denver Marriott DTC and say hello to old friends and new ones, create new memories and share in old ones and flat out have a good time and I cannot wait to see all of you there.

If you're a fan of comic books, you're undoubtedly a fan of motion pictures as well.  In fact you've probably sat in the theater, watching your favorite comic book come to life and once in a while wondered what it might be like to get into that industry yourself, or know that there was a flaw that you could have fixed or done better.  

Or you may simply be in love with the idea of filmmaking period, taking the time to sit down to pound out a screenplay or make movies on the weekend with your friends.  Yet, you wonder more about what the industry has to offer.  You wonder what it will really take to get into the film industry or where you can showcase your latest work.  

Well have no fear, because Denver Comic Con is here to help with its "Reel Heroes" programming block.  DCC will be offering a slate of programming based around filmmaking by featuring quite a few professionals from the industry to talk about their experiences and educate those looking to break into film.  In fact here are some of the professionals you'll be able to learn from: 

• Alexandre Philippe – Philippe is a writer, director and producer known for “The People vs George Lucas,” “The Life and Times of Paul the Psychic Octopus” and “Left.”

• Greg Weisman – Executive Producer of the newest entry in the animated Star Wars Franchise, Star Wars: Rebels, was also the producer and writer of Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man, and Gargoyles.

• Make-Up Professionals – Hollywood make-up artists from the SyFy show “Face Off” communicate their process in panels and hands-on workshops for teens. Also, walkers from “The Walking Dead” will share their experience with attendees.

• Mark Grove – Grove is a stuntman, actor, director, producer known for his work on “Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords,” “Spin” and “Brother Tied.”

• Vincent Gonzales – Gonzales is the second assistant director on “The Walking Dead” and “Transformers: Age of Extinction.”

• WETA – WETA is a five-time Academy Award-winning conceptual design and physical manufacturing of film-ready weapons, armor & chainmail, specialist props, vehicles, specialty costumes, models and miniatures, special makeup and prosthetics and public art and displays.

If that isn't enough for you, know that Denver Comic Con is currently accepting film submissions from filmmakers to allow them to showcase their work, which the deadline for submissions online is May 1st.  Those who submit and are selected do need to be ready to participate in a Q&A regarding their film and if by chance you have a diverse resume based around film and filmmaking, you can also submit panel suggestions for DCC 2014.

Either way, this is a fantastic fold to add to Denver Comic Con's already incredible slate of programming.  It will truly give anyone a chance to learn more about film, or help someone enhance their filmmaking skills.  For more information in general, and to submit your film and see the complete list of programming please go to: http://denvercomiccon.com/dcc/reelheroes.   

Finding a superhero on television when I was growing up was nothing short of a rare treat.  In fact, they rarely had legs when it came to television.  There was a short lived version of The Flash years ago and Superman stories came and went since the Man of Steel that everyone wanted to see was on the big screen when Christopher Reeve donned the cape.  

It was nothing like now, with Arrow, Smallville and in a way, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. but there was one show growing up that certainly stood out above the rest of the superhero shows that were coming and going back in the day, there was the always awesome The Incredible Hulk.  

The plot of the show was pretty simple, Doctor Bruce Banner was on the run and in search of a cure for the creature that lurked inside him...a 7 foot green monster known only as The Incredible Hulk.  Truth is, you didn't really watch the show for the stuff about Banner, at least I didn't.  I wanted to see the transformation into the Hulk because well...at the time special effects wise it was amazing.  It was just so well done, to see Bill Bixby become this believable massive creature that I often recall doing more good than harm.  

The Hulk was played by a bodybuilder named Lou Ferrigno who looked the part week in and week out and well, Denver Comic Con has announced that he is coming to DCC 2014.  This is another huge guest announcement for DCC if you ask me. Simply because Lou became an instant pop culture icon for his work on the show and the fact that he left a generation in awe of his performance as the Hulk and holy cow...we all get to meet him!  

I tell you, if there is one thing Denver Comic Con continues to do in the three years of its existence...is that they bring our childhood back to life and this announcement is no different.  In a few short weeks I'll have the chance to stand before Lou and shake his hand and thank him for his contribution to the comic book world.  What an incredible moment that will be.  But don't worry...I'll be sure to do it in the most polite manner possible because I don't want to make him angry.  You wouldn't like him when he's angry...

I had to think long and hard about what to say about last weekend's Anomaly Con. Not because the con was awful, far from it.  But because, well...I've covered a lot of cons in the last two years.  In fact I'm pretty sure I've seen all that our lovely city has to offer when it comes to conventions.  I've been introduced to new genres I've never seen before all thanks to conventions.  

Anomaly Con is one such convention.  I knew OF steampunk a year ago, and I knew nothing of it until I set foot in Anomaly Con.  It taught me just how much of a beloved fandom this truly is and how it will continue to grow.  Everyone at these conventions is happy to educate you, guide you because it is their passion and there is nothing they won't do to share the wonder of what they love most.  

That's the first thing I saw this weekend.  So much passion and joy revolving around the genre.  Everyone wearing their 19th Century best with pride and taking every moment they could to share the genesis of their costume or why they love steampunk. 

But there was something else that Anomaly Con taught me this past weekend that quite frankly, I wasn't expecting.  You see, all weekend long, I ran into people I knew.  Staff from other conventions, artists and people that I haven't seen since a particular con.  I saw familiar cosplayers, faces that I've met over the last two years covering conventions when it finally dawned on me.  

There's a reason we have so many conventions in Denver. There's a reason that many of you reading this article go to them...because they connect every last one of us in their own special way and quite frankly we need them.  Let's face it, three days is not enough time.  We get to see some old friends sure.  But sometimes these weekends are the only time we get to see them.   

Conventions are in their own special way, a surrogate family reunion.  Doesn't necessarily mean we are all being jerks to one another because we don't always hang out.  Some folks live far away where it isn't easy or work wild hours and request the time off for these things. That's all okay.  The important thing we get to see one another again.  I think now about how many times I say to my team "we need to go say hello to..." because this is where we all belong.  These conventions bring our con family together and it was great to see everyone again and Anomaly Con adds to this.  Sure it isn't something we see on television every single day, but we all believe in the passion and we all believe in sharing in it.  It was a joy to be a part of another fine convention filled with such dedication and I cannot wait until the next one to reunite with all of you and share the next one. 

Whenever I think of Denver Comic Con, joy is the first emotion that I feel and for many reasons.  The fact there is an awesome Comic Con in my home town is one part of that.  The fact I've met some incredible people both on the celebrity side and on the staff side add to that as well, but on a personal level, there is one thing that brings me the most joy when it comes to this convention, Comic Book Classroom.  

I've had the opportunity to step inside these classrooms and quite frankly it blew me away.  To see those children so engaged in reading and art, well it was quite a moving experience and an honor to be able to document it for Denver Comic Con TV.  It's that unique experience that made me realize just how important this convention is, and how it is truly changing lives.  

So it pleased me to no end when I saw a press release come across my desk today that Denver Comic Con will be releasing 200 Friday single day passes to educators.  Why do this? Well because Comic Book Classroom works in a simple manner, it takes the power of pop culture and puts it into the classroom.  

So if you're a teacher, paraeducator, administrator, PTO representative, education student, professor or a scholar, you have the opportunity to sign up for this unique opportunity.  Of course, there is criteria that comes with this, educators will have to attend at least three hours of education tract programming at the convention on Friday, June 13th.  Once these courses are complete, the educators will all receive the CBC unit of study, “Storytelling Through Comics” and a gift bag of CBC/DCC merchandise.

So what kind of programming can be expected for educators?  Here is a preliminary listing that is of course, subject to change: 

“Introduction to Comics, Graphic Novels and Pop Culture” – Basic anatomy of comics and graphic novels, what is pop culture, and why they are important

“Top 15 Graphic Novels and Comics for the Classroom” – Resources and suggestions on how to identify and select material for instructors who would like to include them in their classrooms

“Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Video Games” – Using video games to teach and support critical thinking and problem solving skills

“’Cult’ Culture” – Using popular television shows to discuss themes, universality, and characterization)

“Using Comics and Graphics Novel in the Special Education Classroom” – Specifically to support reading and writing

“Carving out a Career in the ‘Geek’ Industry” – How to make a career as an artist, writer, designer in comics, television, gaming, etc…

This of course brings us to the most important part of all, how does an educator sign up to obtain one of these passes?  First and foremost, follow this link: http://svy.mk/1dNIA3x and fill out the application.  The application process for this will end on May 1st.  

This is an incredible way to not only experience Denver Comic Con, but allow educators to discover a new way to integrate pop culture into their curriculum and do what they set out to do, teach and inspire children.  

As Anomaly Con has come and gone in Denver once again, I am left in awe.  Being pitched as one of the largest Steampunk cons in Denver may leave several people from wanting to attend but they pull it off for fans of Science Fiction as well.  With panels galore, Anomaly Con does not disappoint with all different types of topics that can tickle anyone’s fancy. 

The dealer room was something else with everything that was put on display.  From a great collection of Sci-Fi and Steampunk literature, several titles that I have been lucky enough to read to some fantastic creations that have come from the mind of the mad scientist Gary Alan Weston who had just put the finishing touches on his new R2-D2 unit that houses an ice bucket.  With anything and everything that the heart could desire being put in front of you, it is next to impossible to leave the vendor room without something in your hands.

I managed to work my way over the Artist and Author valley and that is for some reason where I always end up spending most of my time and money at any con these days.  I had a fun discussion with author Mark Everett Stone about how the con was treating him and how some of the topics in the panel rooms can go a completely different direction than intended left a smile on our faces.  Moving over to one of my favorite artists, Robert Elrod, I ended up purchasing one of the pieces I have been pining over for the past couple of months.

With everything else that was going on, the largest pull of the day had to be the costume contest.  When anyone puts their mind to it, they can come up with some of the most amazing get ups imaginable.  This contest should go down as one of the finest that I have seen in recent history.  Plenty of originality and shorter catwalk times made this very enjoyable and fun to watch.  As night started to move in and the valley started to clear out, the guests of started to move over into the more interesting panels and keep their nights going. 

A very enjoyable con, this being the first year I have attended Anomaly Con and not being disappointed as I am slowly starting to learn about the Steampunk culture and find the highs that go along with it.  Everyone was in high spirits and seemed to be enjoying themselves and everything was running like clockwork.  This was a con that had in attendance some of the nicest people that were willing to educate you on what you might have missed from the genre and not make you feel like an outsider while doing so.