Arctic Comic Con returns to Anchorage, highlighted by big stars & big fun

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Dust off your favorite cosplay and call your best buds: Arctic Comic Con is coming back to Anchorage and will run from April 26 to April 27.

In the name Arctic Comic Con, “con” is short for convention, and you can expect respectively-sized crowds for the weekend event. The convention is expected to again fill the Dena’ina Center with a wide variety of vendors, activities, and panels, as well as meet-and-greets with some big stars of pop culture, available to attendees.

Essentially, it’s a celebration of all things comic books and pop culture entertainment.

Event organizers said Friday that if you’ve never been to a comic con, you’ve been missing out on a wonderful family experience. The event is very inclusive, with positive vibes only, they explained.

“The inclusivity is one of the most positive aspects of comic cons in general,” said Arctic Comic Con co-founder Mike Lajoie. “All are welcome, and you’re just free to express yourself and your fandom.”

Fandom can relate to many different genres at a comic con, and Anchorage’s version is no different.

“Everybody from 6 to 600 is gonna enjoy what they find here at Arctic Comic Con,” Lajoie said. “From art to trading card games, video games, role-playing, cosplayers, comic books, Movies, TV, Netflix, it’s all here.

“And it’s a it’s really everything under one roof,” he continued, “and there’s vendors that come from not only across the state, but they’re coming from the Lower 48 now too.”

Vendors are coming from all over the country as well, he said, “there’s something for everybody.”

“I’m convinced that if you can come to a Comic Con and [do] not have a good time, you’re the problem,” he laughed.

This year’s event is highlighted by a group of legendary Canadian comics, including the Kids in the Hall.

“The Kids in the Hall are here, all of them,” Lajoie said proudly. “We got all the kids, so I’m super stoked about that.”

Arctic Comic Con 2025 will also feature Patrick Warburton, aka The Tick, and David Puddy from Seinfeld.

“[Warburton] did two [comedy] shows at Koots last night,” he said. “Two shows sold out, and he’s an amazing guy.

“You’ll also have the opportunity to meet Jason Mewes of Jay and Silent Bob fame, Sam Jones, and more!” he continued. “Diedrich Bader is here, from the Drew Carey Show. He also did the voice of Batman for Batman: The Animated Series. Very talented actor. We’ve got voice actors and actresses as well, and anime and video games. Some Cobra Kai cast members will be here, so there’s a little bit of something for everybody this year on the guest list.”

Alaska’s largest comic book and pop culture convention runs Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. at the Dena’ina Center. Tickets can be purchased at the door or via the Arctic Comic Con website.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.