Denver Comic Con Sells Out in Second Year

In only its second year, Denver Comic Con stunned the comic world with another record-setting year with Friday andSaturday sellouts and over 61,000 in full attendance. Due to overwhelming advance ticket sales, convention organizers doubled the convention space this year, and it was needed, as tens of thousands packed the Colorado Convention Center to take part in Denver's best new public show.

Denver Comic Con's staff, volunteers, the city of Denver, security staff and Colorado Convention Center organizers all rallied together to accommodate the enormous unprecedented attendance. "We are ecstatic about the turnout from Colorado and across the globe and what it means for the city and Comic Book Classroom. We were hoping for an increase of 30% from 2012 and instead had a massive growth of 120%, making our show a top-five Comic Con," said Charlie La Greca, Co-Founder of Comic Book Classroom and Denver Comic Con.

Vendors and artists saw record success with sellouts of art, books and product and Denver Comic Con has already seen pre-registration retention of close to 50% for exhibitors and over 60% for artists with more than a year out.

Comic book legend George Peréz, who has had a long, successful career and attended hundreds of conventions made his first appearance in Denver, stating, "I was honored to be a guest...It was truly incredible just how well-run it was and how great all the staff and volunteers were in taking care of both guests and fans. Even the entire city and the host hotels got into the spirit of the show."

The convention's organizers attribute its success to the fact that it reaches out to a previously-untapped audience of fans, such as families (kids 10 and under got in free), women, minorities and members of the GLBT community. Hundreds of hours of programming and many of the event's media and comics guests were brought in to serve Denver Comic Con's twin missions of Community and Diversity.

In addition, all proceeds from Denver Comic Con go to benefit the nonprofit Comic Book Classroom organization, which promotes kids' literacy through its free after-school programs using the media of comics and graphic novels. The public clearly responded to the nonprofit's mission, as the 5,000-square foot "CBC Corral" at the front of the Convention was always packed with kids, taking part in the (free) activities, cartoon voice actor guests and kids' comic artists, and demonstrations on the Corral Stage - including readings by Star Wars' Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and a surprise rendition of Where the Wild Things Are by William Shatner (Star Trek's Captain Kirk).

The after-hour events of DCC were also a huge hit, with the Four Color Mixer and Rock Comic Con, the nerd rock festival, created by band H2Awesome, selling out yet again. The Costume Shindig stepped it up in its second year with radio station KBPI's Willie B. giving away a $250 grand prize to a packed room.

The effect of the massive turnout was also felt outside of the convention center and throughout the city. Long lines at the airport were reported as well as packed hotels and restaurants throughout the weekend.

Jayne Buck from Visit Denver said, "It (Denver Comic Con) really is becoming so much more popular here and bringing more people in to spend more money, stay in our hotels and bring economic impact."

Denver Comic Con is already making plans for its triumphant third year, June 13 - 15, 2014, at the Colorado Convention Center. The three-day event will again boast an impressive roster of celebrity guests, comic artists, vendors, and a loyal and passionate fan base that made the first two years such a successful and exciting event. You can get convention news throughout the year at www.denvercomiccon.com, as well as follow the Comic Book Classroom and its students' success stories at www.comicbookclassroom.org. The organization intends to expand to reach even more schools and students in need throughout Colorado and nationally with its partnership with the Stan Lee Foundation.

ABOUT DENVER COMIC CON: DCC is Denver's premiere fan experience, covering the worlds of comic books, film, and related media, taking place May 31-June 2, 2013 at the Colorado Convention Center. For the latest news and information, visit www.denvercomiccon.com

ABOUT COMIC BOOK CLASSROOM: Comic Book Classroom is a charitable organization that educates through alternative approaches to literacy, learning, and character development. CBC creates programs for underserved students, schools, and communities via comic books, graphic novels, and related media. CBC is the organizer and producer for the DCC/LC. www.comicbookclassroom.org.

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