Boom! Studios is going to be a presence at the Phoenix Comic Con for the first time this week (May 23rd-26th), and they are setting out to make a strong impression with a range of variant covers and signings throughout the con. We’ve been watching the rise of the small and mid-sized con for the past couple of years, but this year it’s a trend that’s becoming impossible to ignore. Newgenesis_cvr_PHXCON_JangSuddenly comic cons are big social events that are drawing in new readers and pop culture fans, initiating them into the subculture whether they are committed geeks or just curious.

SR_01_COVER_PHOENIXBoom’s exclusive variant covers at PCC will be KaBoom! Titles ADVENTURE TIME ANNUAL #1, and REGULAR SHOW #1, both highly successful comics already, and it’s a nice nod to the location of the con that the variant covers will feature a south-west theme by Meredith McClaren (HINGES). They are bringing in partnership with a local retailer, too, Jesse James Comics, to produce two limited edition variants for SUICIDE RISK #1 (by Joelle Jones of HELHEIM) and CLIVE BARKER’S NEXT TESTAMENT #1 (by Haemi Jang of HELLRAISER: THE ROAD BELOW). All variants are going to be available at their booth throughout the show (or until they sell out, booth #559).

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Two of their guests for signings and sketches will be Steven Grant (PUNISHER, 3 GUNS) and Travis Hill (ADVENTURE TIME, CARS). Another perk they are offering at the con will include a free limited edition variant ADVENTURE TIME #16 for those who attend the Bleeding Cool Fan awards on Friday exclusive to the awards show. That’s a fair amount of bling from BOOM! on their first appearance at Phoenix Comic Con, and with Phoenix running as a four-day con, it’s enough to make you jealous if you don’t live near enough to go and check it out. We’re spoiled for choice these days, but that’s something to celebrate, even if we can’t possibly go to every great con this year. To those of you who are making it out to Phoenix, we expect a full report (and I believe the Beat’s own Henry Barajas may be filling us in on the experience in due course).

Hannah Means-Shannon writes and blogs about comics for TRIP CITY and Sequart.org and is currently working on books about Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore for Sequart. She is @hannahmenzies on Twitter and hannahmenziesblog on WordPress. Find her bio here.