Tucson Comic-Con, celebrating 15 years this weekend, will feature local artists, vendors and guests of honor Marvel Comics writer and editor Roy Thomas and actor Doug Jones, best known for his roles in “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “What We Do In The Shadows,” “Star Trek: Discovery” and “The Shape of Water.”
The convention began as a one-day event in 2008 and it has evolved over the years to be a three-day event with more than 10,000 attendees. There will be more than 40 guests ranging from comic book artists and cosplayers, and 100-plus exhibitor booths to visit.
Attendees will be able to enjoy diverse programming such as gaming sessions, themed arts and crafts, panels, family activities, workshops and costume contests. There will be three scavenger hunts, a quiet zone and a photo booth.
One of the guests is Tucson artist and co-owner of Hex and Hew, a sticker production company, Rudy Flores, who works on the Army Man Project, in which he 3D scans people and 3D prints the scans into army men toy figurines.
The figurines get displayed as part of a permanent display in the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures called Tiny Tributes, where there are now 172 figurines of people and qualities depicting their pastimes, interests and careers. This is the second time Flores is a guest at the convention.
“Tiny Tributes is dedicated to Tucsonans and their daily lives,” Flores said. “We want to promote the project at the Comic-Con and get people involved. Everyone involved gets a figurine of themselves and a second copy is donated to the museum.”
Flores is also working on a graphic novel, “Mosca Roja,” which he said is his long-term project. Plus, he illustrated the covers of the Little Tucson Book Series.
Tucson Comic-Con is a family experience for Flores; he’ll be taking part with his wife and children.
“One of my kids is six and he drew Godzilla at school. He’s in first grade. So, we made stickers of his drawing and he’s so excited,” Flores said.
Flores’ booth will be in the Artist Alley, AA096. He said the winner of the costume contest will get a figurine and a copy of it will be displayed in the Tiny Tributes collection at the Mini Time Machine Miniatures Museum.
Tucson Comic-Con admission prices vary per type. It will take place Friday, Aug. 30 to Sunday, Sept. 1 at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave.