Phoenix Fan Fusion is a speculative fiction entertainment and comic book convention held annually in Phoenix, Arizona. It was founded as the Phoenix Cactus Comicon in June 2002, and originally consisted of a one-day six-hour event held in Ahwatukee, Arizona. The convention plays host to comic related panels, programming events, art contests, and autograph signings for all ages. It is a three-day event (Friday-Sunday) held during the summer at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix. On Thursday evening prior to the official opening of the event, there is a preview for professionals, exhibitors, and select guests pre-registered for all four days.
The Phoenix Convention Center has hosted the annual convention since 2010.
Phoenix Comicon 2017
Stan Lee addressing attendees at the 2014 Phoenix Comicon.
Cosplay, a portmanteau of "costume play", is an activity and performance art in which participants called cosplayers wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character. Cosplayers often interact to create a subculture, and a broader use of the term "cosplay" applies to any costumed role-playing in venues apart from the stage. Any entity that lends itself to dramatic interpretation may be taken up as a subject. Favorite sources include anime, cartoons, comic books, manga, television series, rock music performances, video games and in some cases, original characters. The term is composed of the two aforementioned counterparts – costume and role play.
Cosplayers at Yukicon 2014, a fan convention in Finland
Three cosplayers at the Comic Con in Long Beach 2014, representing a Star Trek character, the superheroine Wonder Woman (DC comics universe) and supervillain Loki (Marvel comics universe)
A Mr. Skygack – an early modern costuming or cosplay outfit, Washington state, 1912
Forrest J Ackerman and Morojo at the 1st World Science Fiction Convention in "futuricostumes" designed and sewn by Morojo