The "Signature Pop-Culture Event of the Southwest" arrived in style during Preview Night on Thursday, May 24. Bookmans was in the middle of the action. For months a team of Bookmans employees worked diligently to make sure we offer you the best experience possible during Phoenix Comicon, so please come see us. We arrived at the Phoenix Convention Center early to unload the behemoth truck loaded with our signature orange shelves, goods for reaping (comics, action figures, graphic novels -- all things geeky) and exclusive T-shirts. We're ready to geek out along with you.

Typically con goers take the stance of "do not buy on Preview Night" but that’s not what we saw. Attendees found a variety of items they had been looking for and excitedly received our Geeking Out Is Half The Fun tote bag free with purchase. We also debuted what became a wildly popular new Geeking Out T-shirt. Near the end we snuck away long enough to witness the wonders of the Phoenix Ultimate Geek Smackdown hosted by none other than Jeff Moriarty of Ignite Phoenix fame. His partners in crime were none other than Lightning Octopus and the Midnite Movie Mamacita.

Lovingly nicknamed PUGS. This year the event was named "PUGS II: The Wrath of Con" by Jeff but we'd rather call it "PUGS 2: Electric Boogaloo". That's our story and we're sticking to it. In a comedic debate style format, geeks throw down head to head with topics such as:
- Which kills children more effectively? Battle Royale or The Hunger Games?
- Which is the better spaceship? The Millennium Falcon or Serenity?
- Who has the more brilliant mind of the mid-1980s? Doc Brown or Egon Spangler?
- Who has the better chest? Batman or Khan? This one quickly became my personal favorite, though a little confusing at times.
The finalists will battle for the title of Phoenix Ultimate Geek and go home with possibly the most ridiculous trophy ever created. (Trophy may or may not have been donated by the Mesa Bookmans.)

We'll see you this weekend in the exhibitor hall and at the Kids Need to Read Geek Prom. Give the staff a high five we'll appreciate it. And thanks for your support because you're the reason why we have so much fun!

Find us on Flickr for more great photos from preview night.