Last year, I had the immense pleasure of attending my first Convention, and it was none other than Denver Comic Con, now Denver Pop Culture Con, and it was simply an amazing experience, one that took my breath away. Yet, while I had a fantastic time, I learned a few things that I feel will serve me well in improving this year’s experience, and they might help you, regardless of whether or not you’re new to the con, so, here are my takeaways.
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First and foremost, I can not emphasize enough the difference comfortable footwear and clothing will have on your overall Con experience. The Colorado Convention Center main hall is solid concrete and it is massive. No matter how carefully you plan, you will likely be walking miles during the convention. The last thing you want ruining a good time is blisters and the like. When it comes to clothing, specifically cosplay, remember you will be wearing this all day. Can you sit down for lunch? Does it take 20 minutes to use the restroom? Consider these things when planning your costume. That said, if you have planned a truly fabulous cosplay that will wow all who encounter you, go for it! Some of the best costumes I saw last year likely violated a lot of what I suggest. If that’s the case, enlist a partner in crime to help you through the day, and prepare to be asked for your photo a lot. The bottom line, you will be able to have your best experience when you feel your most comfortable.

DPCC is awesome in every sense of the word, and you need to realize ahead of time that there is no way to partake in everything. It is simply a physical impossibility. You may wish to plan ahead to ensure that you don’t miss out on the parts most important to you. However, I highly recommend not scheduling every hour that you’ll be there. Some of the best parts will be unexpected, spontaneous and totally satisfying. You never know when you might encounter the pure dedication of someone dressed as a wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing-tube-man relentlessly flapping around with such convincing consistency that at first you think it is actually a mechanical one. I recommend leaving plenty of time for wandering and just taking in all that there is to see. I found it extremely helpful to take time the first day to get the lay of the land and collect my bearings. I also find great comfort in planning ahead, you may prefer to fly by the seat of your pants. The key is to make the experience the best it can be for you as an individual.

Finally, remember to have fun! DPCC can be both awe inspiring and overwhelming. I was actually quite apprehensive prior to attending the first day. I initially found myself almost feeling like an impostor. Then I relaxed and began to realize what a wonderful, fun, inclusive environment it was. I came away fulfilled, completely exhausted, and totally stoked for the next Con. It is truly rewarding to experience so many different fandoms, and to not get that too-cool-for-you vibe. I felt at home amongst my fellow nerds and geeks, and if you’re new to DPCC, I hope you have as positive an experience as I did your first time attending.

Over the past few days, we here at Nerds That Geek have been sharing what has the team excited to attend Denver Pop Culture Con 2019 and with good reason. For this is really is Denver’s premier convention all around, and once again they’re offering so much to see and so much to do and well, I thought I would join in on the fun today, and discuss what has me jazzed to walk through the doors of the Colorado Convention Center come tomorrow and, I have to be honest in saying that the film and television guests that are in attendance this year are one big reason that I’m primed to attend DPCC 2019, because this line up is a dream come true.
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Because looking over this year’s massive roster, brought about a hint of nostalgia in my mind, for there are some iconic actors coming to this year’s convention that I quite literally grew up with over the years and really, the first set of guests that I’m excited to see in person are Tom Wilson and Christopher Lloyd. In large part due to their work in the Back to the Future franchise but they’ve both had rich careers that I’d love to hear more about if given the opportunity, especially Tom since he’s done just about everything in the industry. I would also love to attend Cary Elwes’ panel as well, because he was the man when I was a kid, and while I’m sure everyone is dying to learn more about his time on the set of The Princess Bride, I want to know more about what it was like to be a part of Robin Hood: Men in Tights because that’s a comedy classic I pop into my Blu-Ray Player often.

Yet my need to take a walk down memory lane doesn’t end with those stars. After all, I’m a huge Star Trek fan, and hearing George Takei speak about his storied career would be an absolute joy through and through and I would love to learn more about his contributions to the upcoming second season of AMC’s The Terror. However, so far, we’ve talked about household names when it comes the stars in attendance, but there some cult favorites coming, whose panels would be well worth my time. Take for example William Katt, the star of The Greatest American Hero, because I’m certain he has some amazing stories to tell about his time on that show. Plus, Sam Jones and Melody Anderson from the cult classic Flash Gordon will be in attendance as well, and that panel is probably going to be utterly amazing because how can you go wrong with hearing stories about a movie as wild and off the wall as Flash Gordon?

However, at this point, I’m sure you’re asking yourself, jeez John, is there anyone you want to meet from this current era? And the answer to that question is, I’m old and yes, there is. Because the Marvel stars would definitely be a treat to meet since Benedict Wong stole the show in Doctor Strange and there would be no Rocket Raccoon without Sean Gunn’s work and let’s be honest, Dave Bautista is just a phenomenal actor through and through and while it would be wonderful to hear more about his time as Drax, I’d love to learn more about what he brought to the table as Sapper Morton in Blade Runner 2049. Plus, meeting Cooper Andrews and Dan Fogler would be awesome because, Walking Dead and I won’t lie, it would be an honor to meet Michelle Gomez, because her work on Doctor Who was stunning and learning more about the depth she injected into the Doctor’s greatest enemy would be fascinating to say the least.

So, yeah, as you can see, I have a busy weekend ahead because that’s a lot of stars and a lot of panels. Will I be able to check them all off? Who knows? Because Denver Pop Culture Con really is a feast for the eyes and the mind, and it’s easy to get lost in the wonder of everything happening around you. But, I love film, and I love television and getting to meet some of the people I’ve written about and see them for the talented person they are would be a true treat and that’s really the magic of DPCC, in that, it allows for fans to get up close and personal with the stars that inspire them, all in the name in of a great cause since we can never forget that Denver Pop Culture Con fuels Pop Culture Classroom, a program that promotes literacy and that makes shaking hands with an icon a special occasion, since our joy is helping others and that’s quite amazing when all is said and done. 

For the past few years I’ve been covering panels at Denver Pop Culture Con (formerly Denver Comic Con) for Nerds That Geek. Afterwards, I would write an article geared towards people who were interested in one of the panels I had gone to but didn’t get a chance to go themselves. Rather than giving a ‘review’ of the panel; my opinion about whether or not the content was valid and useful (because let’s be honest, who wants that?), I tried to give a detailed summary of all of the information presented, including any links that readers could follow if they wanted to explore the topic further. With all of the rebranding happening this year, however, I thought it might be a good opportunity to rethink my process a little bit. I will still be covering panels and writing articles, as well as making my ‘Top Ten Booths’ list, but something occurred to me this year: if someone is interested in something I’ve written about, it’s too late for them to experience it firsthand. So, in honor of this being the first year of the Denver Pop Culture Con, I will write a preemptive article, telling everyone all of the things I am looking forward to ahead of time, in case they want to actually check them out during DPCC!
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Let’s start with celebrities! If you are a Back to the Future fan, Christopher Lloyd and Tom Wilson are going to be at DPCC (along with a DeLorean), and if you are a fan of Firefly, then you can see Jewel Staite and Summer Glau. It would be great if I could get Patrick Warburton, to say something like, ‘Oh right, the poison. The poison for Kuzco. The poison chosen especially to kill Kuzco. Kuzco’s poison. That poison?’ or ‘You owe me a new acorn.’ I would love to get a picture with Cary Elwes, who was one of my favorite actors when I was a kid (I even went as Westley for Halloween one year), and also a picture with Dan Fogler, where I’m holding a sign that says, ‘you have to go back to your mom’s garage,’ and he’s holding a sign that says, ‘It’s a carriage house.’ My dream for DPCC was to have my picture taken with Tom Welling, who is my favorite Clark Kent/Superman and Michael Rosenbaum, who is my favorite Lex Luthor, but last I checked, Tom Welling has cancelled :’(

As far as Artist Valley goes, False Fox Art, who was at the top of my favorites list last year, will be at T17 [Fionnula Willman is a freelance illustrator, comic artist, and painter. She is ‘committed to telling and bringing to life stories that resonate with the world we live in.’ Her website (falsefoxart.com) includes a gallery with her portfolio, comics, tattoo designs, and fan art, as well as her bio, contact info, and blog. Follow her on Patreon, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and email her (falsefoxart@gmail.com) for inquiries]. If I’m looking for a little gift for my wife, I’ll probably check out Whimsical Whiskers at DD13 [Brenna Deutchman makes stuffed dragons, and cats… and clothes and accessories for the stuffed dragons and cats… or for real dragons and cats if they are small enough and you can get them to sit still long enough. Her website (whimsiwhiskers.com) has separate pages for the dragons, cats, and accessories, as well as a bio, blog, portfolio, store, and contact. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and email her (brenna@whimsiwhiskers.com) to check stock or for a custom order]. While looking through this list, I did find two new people that I am excited to check out: Anadia at 100 (anadia-chan.com), and Drawn This Way at Q14 (robbycook.com).

In Author Alley I’m looking forward to checking in with ayA Studios LLC to see the progress of their comic Pilla at E5 [‘We tell the stories, ones that have been overlooked, that need to be told.’ They do comic publishing, motion comics, and educational workshops. Their website (ayastudiosllc.com), has a pages for their stories, news, a calendar of event dates, and their store (where you can pick up issue #1 of their comic Pilla. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and email them (create@ayastudiosllc.com)].

In the Merchant Mesa I’m going to revisit Angelarium at 698 [Peter Mohrbacher ‘is the creator of Angelarium and the driving force behind the project since he created it in 2005,’ when he ‘discovered that there were thousands of named angels throughout multiple mythologies.’ On the website (angelarium.net), he has divided the angels into categories: The Emanations of the Tree of Life, The Watchers, The Seraphim, and The Zodiac, as well as a page about the angelic script. There are also links to a news blog, info about his team, and his store. Follow him on Patreon, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and email him (trueangelarium@gmail.com)], Artovision at 634 [Artovision makes ‘collectible artwork for your home entertainment system ... inspired by popular culture, video games, food and Americana.’ Their website (artovision3d.com), displays and sells their 3D Shadowbox Art, Desktop Art, Art Prints, Originals, and Merch. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter], and Brick Bunch at 199 [They sell ‘brick’ minifigures. Their website (BrickBunch.com) groups the minifigures into categories, including DC, Marvel, Star Wars, movies, Disney, animated, miscellaneous, Ninjago, television, and video games. Whatever figure you’re looking for, they probably have it, and it’s probably $5. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and contact them here]. I’m also excited to check out Blizzard Entertainment at 1237 (https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/), and UltraSabers at 119 (https://ultrasabers.com).

Now we come to my biggest focus of the weekend: panels. This can sometimes be complicated and even stressful if you don’t prepare and eliminate as much as possible before the weekend starts. Don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t mean you should narrow it down to just one or two. You definitely want to have some options in case one ends up being full, or you don’t find the room in time, or if you’re in the middle of something else really fun and you don’t want to drop everything to go to a panel. I suggest creating a hierarchy of priorities: Which ones do you definitely want to go to at all costs, which ones seem interesting if you have time, and which ones would you go to only if you missed one of the ones that you are really interested in. I’ve also learned to pace myself and not try to cram in too many in one day. I shoot for one to two on Friday and Sunday and two to three on Saturday. Here is a list of the panels that I am most excited about.

5:30p All the World’s a Stage in Pop Culture (Room 605) - Theatre is the original form of pop culture - but these writers are not your grandfather's Shakespeare! Playwright Crystal Skillman (King Kirby) and stage actor Andy Mientus (The Flash and Backstagers) talk about incorporating comic books and creators into their stories and stage careers.
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7:30p From Script to Screen: How to Make Movies (Room 504) - Have a dream in film, but not sure where to start? This panel is for you. Learn the process of filmmaking from pre-production to production to post-production. Learn every aspect of the filmmaking process and you'll be ready to make your own movie. Want to be a writer, actor/actress, director, cinematographer, or anything else film related? Please join us to learn how to take that step to get your movie made.

11:30a Stepping into the Film Industry (Room 504) - “Stepping into the Film Industry” is a multi-panelist discussion on the different ways a student can get into the film industry. With a variety of perspectives, audience members will learn about filmmaking in Colorado versus other states, the different schools available to film students, the things you don’t learn in film school, and the pros and cons of starting your own production company or working for an established studio. The last 10-15 minutes of the panel will be left open for Q/A.
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2:30p Colorado Ballet Presents Avengers: Dance Battle (aLAB - 8bit Stage) - Avengers: Dance Battle will explore speed, size, and energy in relation to movement and will end in a "battle" as opposite sides of the room display their top moves. Will you be as small as Ant-Man? As sharp as Black Widow? As fast as Black Panther? Come show us!

3:30p Ask A Game Developer - Kids & Teens talk with Blizzard (aLAB - 8bit Stage) - Wonder what it takes to become a game developer? Have questions about what goes into creating a video game? Come to this Q&A where you ask the questions.

5:00p Storybuilding with Blizzard Game Developers Mike Koizumi & Matt Burns (DPCCP 2 Metropolis, Main Events) - Join storyboard artist Mike Koizumi and writer Matt Burns from Blizzard Entertainment’s Story and Franchise Development team as they talk about their role in creating cinematics and the constant collaboration between storyboard artists and writers.

1:30p ED158 - Psychology of Jessica Jones (room 704/706) - This panel will expand people's knowledge of Jessica Jones by examining how Jessica responded to the trauma she endured by Kilgrave and other past experiences. Based off of the Jessica Jones TV show, I will explain how trauma affects the brain, the body, and emotional health of individuals who have Complex PTSD. I will also explain different treatments and coping skills that help individuals. On the other end of the coin, I will also discuss the psychology of Kilgrave and explain how an individual can develop Anti-Social Personality Disorder. I will also explain possible treatments for people with this type of personality disorder.

1:30p Video Games and Game Developers Panel 2019 (room 708/710) - Do you enjoy video games? Be sure to join us for the 2019 Denver Pop Culture Con Video Games and Game Developers Panel. The panel is made up of current industry professionals who will discuss the past, present and future of games and game development. We will discuss topics like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), eSports, crowdfunding, and more. This year we will also have an extended Q&A segment.

3:00p The Music of ‘Star Wars’: The Deep Cuts (DPCCP 6 Coast City) - Much as has been said about the classic Star Wars soundtrack themes – the iconic Main Title, the Wagnerian Leia's theme, and the powerful Imperial March. But what about the lesser known musical gems like Jabba the Hutt’s ponderous theme and the impish March of the Ewoks? Join Tristan Rennie, bassoonist with the Colorado Symphony, and his merry band of musical nerds as they explore John Williams’ obscure side. With live musical demonstrations and fun Star Wars trivia, join us for a journey through The Deep Cuts!

4:30p Take an Idea from Concept to Creation - HBO's Asunda (DPCCP 1 Happy Harbor) - How to take an idea from concept to creation by HBO’s Asunda creator and Executive Producer, and Stranger Comics CEO Sebastian A. Jones creator of Niobe and The Untamed, and the Executive Producer and writer of HBO’s new World of Asunda series will share exclusive art and offer insight on how to take an idea from concept to creation (without selling your soul)! Using sneak peeks and sharing firsthand experience he will share tips and tools in this “How to” Panel. For young aspiring creators and fans the following questions seem to be the most frequent: How do I start? Where do I start? For how long? And how do I take a comic to television/film? Stranger Comics President Sebastian has lectured at universities worldwide. From personal experiences he will share tips on how an independent creator can make it happen while sharing first ever looks at his new comics, as part of the Asunda series picked up by HBO. If you want to know trade secrets, this is a panel not to be missed and EVERYONE will have a chance to win free books!
 
If you check out any of the same panels or people that I'm planning to, be sure and tell ‘em “Tim from Nerds That Geek sent ya’.” Maybe I’ll see you there!

​As we count down the final days to Denver Pop Culture Con, it’s important to take a moment and gather one’s list of people they’d like to meet. As a writer and aspiring novelist, myself, I always look forward to the list of Authors that will be in attendance. After all, what is a Pop Culture Con without authors!? The very driving force of Pop Culture! Not to mention the con itself promotes literacy, an even better reason to check out the Authors. I’ve never met a community of people more genuinely encouraging than authors, and I’ve certainly never missed an opportunity to check them out. This year’s line-up is nothing short of absolutely impressive.
 
Admittedly, two of my favorite authors, Amalie Howard and Sue Duff, are in attendance again this year and I absolutely cannot wait to see them again. Howard is a local author that has inspired me in many ways with her writing and kind words. While she has many series out, I highly recommend looking at her Tartans and Titans series. A very gifted writer, Howard has a wonderful was of incorporating cultural attributes to her novels, highlighting East Indian culture in a way that is often lost with other mediums.
 
Sue Duff’s series Weir Chronicles is a must read for any fantasy fan! Duff’s creativity has found a way to bring the fantasy world to our very own in this series, and it’s one of my favorites. Duff is also a wonderful author to speak to. She’s a writer with a talent and passion that is so great to see in person. I always love getting to see her and I’m so happy that she’s returning this year!
 
With many returning we also have some new faces this year. Adam Ellis is a former member of Buzzfeed and has since dedicated his life to his comics. Of which I have been following ever since they appeared online. His sense of humor is right up my alley, so I absolutely cannot wait to meet him in person! His latest book, Super Chill, features a compilation of his comics in his style that many of us know and love.
 
Now, what would be a con dedicated to the literacy of children be, without an amazing children’s book author? Claudia Mills has written many children’s novels and she’ll be unveiling her latest at Denver Pop Culture Con; Nixie Ness: Cooking Star, which will be available at the con ahead of its scheduled release date. While I haven’t read any of these yet, myself, I do love her art style and I can’t wait to pick some up for my mom, since she’s a nanny!
 
Ants and Worms and Snails, oh my! Author Kevin McCloskey is here to share his novels about the animal kingdom! Well, mostly the animals we know little about, like worms and snails! This author got his start when his wife asked for a fun book about worms, hoping to help kids learn more about the little wrigglers. Thanks to her, we now have many interesting books on animals most of us don’t really consider as animals! But really, why don’t ants wear pants? Guess we’ll have to find out together!
 
The last author I’m excited to meet has me so curious. As I was looking through the list, I caught sight of this book title, Can I Be Your Dog, and I almost died just then and there. Troy Cummings is both author and illustrator and I have to meet this man. If anyone knows me, you know of my love of dogs is only rivaled by my love of cats, and I barely love cats more. So, I have to check this book out. His list of works is really impressive and the fact that he also illustrates his own work is a rather fantastic feat!
 
For more information on these authors and to see a full and complete list please visit here! 

Denver Pop Culture Con is right around the corner and we know what that means: New Year, New Con, New Name, and most importantly: New Merch! This past week DPCC unveiled its new merch and there are some sublimely nerdtastic designs. With T-shirts paying homage to their Back to the Future heavy guest lineup, Pokémon, and Harry Potter, plus some gorgeous riffs on the Pop Culture Classroom Logo and the shimmering design of this year’s convention Mascot the Night Lynx, it’s really starting to feel like the Con is upon us.
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But this year DPCC has one particularly understated design that speaks volumes as to its taking ownership of the convention’s rebranding this year. Though I have not been able to confirm that this year is the first that this particular design has been available, it’s inclusion under the DPCC rebrand seems particularly pointed. This year’s ‘Approved by PCC’ shirt strikes at the heart of the comic/pop culture con brand identity debate, by referencing the now defunct ‘stamp of approval’ used by the Comics Code Authority from 1954-2011 to censure and prohibit the content of comic books. The censorship of horror, gore, depictions of dubious established authority figures, or sexual content that occurred as a direct result of the CCA stamp’s enforcement by advertisers and comic book wholesalers inhibited the kind of stories that comics were able to tell, and dramatically crippled specific comics publishers.

The CCA was in essence about exclusion, about preventing the exploration of certain kinds of stories and images in comic book form. DPCC’s riff on the defunct logo, the way their own stamp of ‘Approved by Pop Culture Classroom’ is worn, weathered, and has the ink bleeding through reflects the convention’s evolution from a comic con into a pop culture con. This adoption of the CCA stamp is a clear sign that the organizers of DPCC understand their history, and the comic-centric tradition of the kind of conventions they’ve organized. But in the same way that the censorship brought about by the CCA silenced stories that it didn’t deem appropriate to be told, the comic-centric implication of the ‘Comic Con’ branded convention is exclusionary also. With explosion of fandom across all media and the way the convention culture has evolved, ‘Comic Con’ is no longer a true representation of the content of or attendee population for these kinds of conventions and serves as a semantic barrier for fans who don’t necessarily identify with comic books.

This design, subtle and understated as it may appear indicates to the comic book fandom that DPCC knows its history, and understands the comic book origins of the convention culture. It also signals their understanding that in order for that culture to grow in the ways it should, to become the inclusive safe space that it’s meant to be, defunct labels like the CCA stamp of approval, and the ‘Comic Con’ brand have to be abandoned.

What’s in a name? The organizers of Denver Pop Culture Con (DPCC) hope that the new moniker sounds as sweet as the old one to long-time fans and newcomers alike. 2019 marks the first year that the convention operates as DPCC, rather than under the old name of Denver Comic Con. The shift marks the end of a tumultuous legal war between two other conventions, the beginning of a brand alignment for the Denver con, and the opening of a window of opportunity.
 
First, the history. In a winding legal saga, the veteran San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) went to battle with an up-and-coming Salt Lake Comic Con (now known as FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention). SDCC has a long history of using the “Comic-Con” name, debuting as Golden State Comic-Con in 1970, switching over to San Diego Comic-Con by 1973, and being organized by the Comic-Con International non-profit. Hoping to maintain sole ownership of its name, SDCC brought a $12 million lawsuit against Salt Lake for infringing on their trademark by using the “Comic-Con” title. Despite Salt Lake’s claim that “Comic Con” was a common and widely used term, a federal jury ruled in favor of SDCC in late 2017, stating that Salt Lake did use the trademark without permission. However, the ruling found that the violation was not a “willful infringement” and awarded SDCC only $20,000.
 
The dagger truly came in a follow-up case in August 2018. SDCC appealed the $20,000 it was awarded in the initial case, seeking coverage of attorney fees and other costs. A federal District Court, again, ruled in SDCC’s favor, requiring the Salt Lake organizers to pay nearly $4 million to SDCC. This second ruling sent shockwaves through the convention community. It left con organizers with a couple of options: stop using the “Comic-Con” identity or risk the potential costs of a lawsuit from SDCC. Quite a few notable cons still use “Comic-Con”, including Alamo City Comic Con, Baltimore Comic-Con, Motor City Comic Con, and New York Comic Con. Some, such as Rose City Comic Con in Portland, have licensed the ability to use the name through SDCC. For others, it was easier just to transition away. That brings us to DPCC.
 
Comic Book Classroom, the non-profit organization behind DPCC, was founded in 2010. The convention itself debuted in 2012 as Denver Comic Con. By 2014, Comic Book Classroom changed its name Pop Culture Classroom to better capture the wide array of work that the organization does. So, in 2019, the perfect storm pushed Denver Comic Con to change its name to Denver Pop Culture Con. The SDCC lawsuit was one factor, sure, but it wasn’t the sole reason why DCC became DPCC. That change had been looming.
 
While some may initially feel like DPCC’s hand was forced, the new title actually opens up a window of opportunity for the convention’s branding. In a recent Westword interview with DPCC convention director Christina Angel and programming director Bruce MacIntosh, Angel stated that organizers “have long felt that ‘comic con’ doesn’t entirely describe what (they) do, and it never really did”. If you’ve attended a DPCC before, you know that to be true. While DPCC always has and always will feature a plethora of comics and comic creators, it’s also long been a trove of cosplay, celebrity guests, TV and movie fandoms, authors, and countless other facets of nerd and pop culture. The Denver Pop Culture Con name gives attendees a better idea of what’s in store for them when they buy a ticket.
 
It’s also important for the DPCC brand name to be aligned with Pop Culture Classroom, just as it was when Denver Comic Con was aligned with Comic Book Classroom. Since 2010, Pop Culture Classroom has expanded its reach far beyond comic books. Pop Culture Classroom still maintains its traditional resources, including graphic novel teaching guides and comic related school curricula. But it also fulfills its mission of promoting literacy and educational engagement through pop-culture themed community outreach and student drop-in times, professional development for educators, and workshops. Some recent workshop topics truly give you a feel for the non-profit’s shift towards pop culture wholistically: “Digital Ink: Drawing in the Digital Age”, a film discussion titled “Gotta Watch ‘em All: 20 Years of Pokemon Movies”, and “Cheap, not Cheap!: Creating Quality Cosplay on a Budget” were all on the docket this last semester.
 
Denver Pop Culture Con fans have a lot to look forward to in 2019. While the new name will take some getting used to and while it doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as easily with the old name still lodged in your brain, it’s a much better fit for the product and experience. Attendees of DPCC 2019 will find a star-studded list of film and TV guests, an expanded authors roster, another year of the PCC Kids’ Lab, a batch of attractions, and over 600 hours of programming. In its eighth year, Denver Pop Culture Con is truly cementing its identity as a convention and as a brand. You can tell just by looking at its name.

If there’s one thing I think is safe to say about all of us nerds and geeks that attend conventions on a regular basis, it’s that, we are definitely creatures of habit. We basically have it mapped out in our minds, when we walk through those doors, exactly how our weekend is going to go. We know exactly what celebrities we are going to meet on Friday, what panels are on our agenda for Saturday and what vendor booths we will hit up on Sunday because the con in question has so much to see and do that winging it leaves one feeling as though they’re missing out.
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But, while that’s quite the efficient plan to work with, since it allows for you to see a great deal at the con, let’s be honest, you’re still going to miss stuff at the show. In part because it’s simply not possible to see it all and because sometimes, you’re simply trading one event for another in the hopes of maximizing your experience and that’s something I’m definitely guilty of. Because sometimes I simply have to pick and choose what I think will provide folks with a better story, and when I’m going over a schedule for a con, one of the events I tend to sacrifice first is whatever opening night ceremonies the con is planning. Because, in many ways, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, since they offer up a greeting, and a few quick opening statements before a little music plays and just like that, you’re off into the night.

That doesn’t make them bad by any means since it is wonderful that a convention will take the time to welcome its fans to the event, but clearly Denver Pop Culture Con realizes that fans want more from every single facet from their favorite con and that’s why DPCC has taken the time to revamp their opening night ceremonies to offer up a different experience than the norm, and well, what they’re featuring at this event, sounds like a lot of fun. Because this year, in addition to the usual welcome and hello from the con, DPCC’s opening event, which is sponsored by Canada, is also going to focus on making you smile, by way of a grand Tournament of Laughs.

Which means that you’ll get to watch a live stand-up comedy competition which sounds like a blast because anytime you get a group of amateur comedians in a room, fun things happen, and the laughs won’t end there. Because shortly after the Tournament comes to a close, there’s going to be a Dueling Piano Comedy Show, which should be a blast since people will be able to shout out requests for their favorite songs, and while those two events sound pretty epic and sweeping in their own right, there’s still more to look forward to when it comes to this revamped event. Because there will be guests in the house as well, such as comic historian Hope Nicholson, and comedians D.J. Demers and Eric Reid and even a special appearance by Jewel Staite, and all of this will be guided along by your master of ceremonies, Ken Reid.

So, yeah, that’s actually the most jam-packed roster I’ve ever seen for an opening event and well, I’m quite curious to see how this is going to turn out and well, for the first time in a long time, I’m going to have to alter my own schedule and plans to fit this opening ceremony into the mix, simply because it seems like a fresh approach to such an event and I love the fact this revamped ceremony focuses on fun and laughter. Because, that’s precisely why we go to Denver Pop Culture Con in the first place and I will hopefully see plenty of your smiling faces at this newly redesigned opening ceremony come next weekend. 

In my many years now of writing for the web, I’ve been able to experience some incredibly nerdy moments by way of some pretty awesome events. But of the many places I’ve been and the wild things I’ve seen, few of them ever compare to the wonder of Denver Pop Culture Con. Because this is a home grown convention that I’ve been fortunate enough to attend and cover since its inception, and seeing this convention grow through the years has been a true treat since it’s gone from its humble beginnings as the largest con in Colorado to one of the biggest and most popular conventions in the United States.
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That kind of growth and outright popularity and sheer demand definitely holds weight, because it means that bigger names from every corner of the pop culture industry are willing to take the time to appear at the convention and greet the seemingly endless lines of nerds and geeks waiting to meet them, and over the past several years, we’ve seen that happen since some incredible guests have graced the Colorado Convention Center and their fans with their presence. But as fate or luck would have it, DPCC’s stellar attendance numbers and reputation as a solid destination for some of the industry’s biggest names has now helped to bring one of the most iconic gaming companies to the Mile High City since Blizzard Entertainment is going to be at DPCC 2019.

Now for those who aren’t 100% familiar with that name, that’s okay, I totally understand that not everyone out there dedicates their time to video games. But that name should sound familiar simply due to the fact that this company has brought some supremely iconic franchises to the market. So, if you’ve heard of World of Warcraft in any capacity, you’ve definitely heard of Blizzard and if you ever picked up Diablo or Starcraft back in the day, you’ve enjoyed their product and this company’s rich legacy of putting together quality and dynamic games continues in this day and age, thanks to the release of their most recent juggernaut, Overwatch.

Which means having them at DPCC is quite the big deal because not only will they have a booth at the con (Booth 1237 to be exact) that will undoubtedly be a feast for the eyes, they’re bringing some incredible Denver Pop Culture Con exclusives with them and the wonder of their appearance at the con doesn’t end there. Because there will be Blizzard themed panels happening as well during the con, allowing for fans of this company, and folks who want to learn more about them a chance to hear first-hand, how their creative teams craft their incredible stories and really, this is quite the awesome addition to DPCC’s already incredible roster when all is said and done.

Because Blizzard really is no joke, and as a casual gamer who sticks to like to a handful of franchises, I’m both excited and intrigued by their appearance at the con simply because their reputation and their legend outright precedes them and well, if you’re as curious as I am, or you’re a huge fan of everything they’ve ever brought to the gaming market, you’ll get your chance to meet them next weekend when DPCC kicks off and if by chance you haven’t picked up your tickets yet for the con, and you’re a huge fan of Blizzard’s work and want to meet folks from the company and get your hands on those exclusives, then get your tickets ASAP since the con really is just around the corner, and we will see you at Booth 1237 come next weekend at Denver Pop Culture Con 2019.