2024 Arctic Comic Con event is this weekend

ANCHORAGE — The 2024 Arctic Comic Con event is this weekend at the Dena'ina Center in downtown Anchorage.

“It's going to be a lot of fun,” Arctic Comic Con co-founder Mike Lajoie said.

Lajoie established Arctic Comic Con in 2018 with Brad Erickson. Lajoie said the annual event is a labor of love that's designed to serve as an all inclusive and safe space for all corners of fandom together- from Anime and comic books to motion pictures and video games.

“This has all been a work of passion for me. It's my lifelong hobby,” Lajoie said. “It's such a great community event it really brings people together. That is really gratifying. It's really humbling… It's really important for me to have something for everybody and I think we do a great job of putting that together.”

Lajoie said they were unable to hold two Arctic Con events due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, but the public returned with gusto.

“It came back pretty rapidly and it's been steadily increasing every year," Lajoie said. “I think we're starting to see people get back to fetting back and starting to do the things we normally do and enjoying life again, and I think this is a reflection of that.”

Lajoie said they've had a great response since they started Arctic Comic Con which has continued to this day.

“Everyone has such a great time," Lajoie said. “The feedback is overwhelmingly positive, it really is.”

One of the staples of Arctic Comic Con is its ability to bring in celebrities and industry experts from across the country. Visiting talent ranges from movie stars and voice actors to comic book writers and artists. This year's roster includes big names such as Brian O'Halloran from “Clerks,” and Seth Gilliam from “The Walking Dead" There will be Q&A panel discussions with all the special guests.

“I think we've got a great list. There's really a great representation of the various parts of fandom," Lajoie said.

Each Arctic Comic Con event features a variety of booths and activities for visitors to enjoy. This year's event includes numerous a professional wrestling demonstration, a video game tournament featuring Tekken 8 that's sponsored by MTA, and cosplay contest hosted by Cosplay Alaska.

“There is literally everything,” Lajoie said wirh a laugh.

Lajoie said there's a lot to take away from reading comic books and other mediums aside from the entertainment.

“I've always looked at it like this: that it's our modern day mythology. Comic book characters expose the best and worst of humanity, and it all plays out on the page rendered by artists who work with writers to bring you these things,” Lajoie said.

For more information, visit arcticcomiccon.com

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com