Subcultures and Identities

Denver Comic Con founder Charlie La Greca on what makes this con special

In just its second year, Denver Comic Con is poised to take the pole position among the region's many fandom conventions. Sporting a stellar lineup of geek-culture icons, including Wil Wheaton, George Takei, Colin Baker, Chris Ware and last-minute guest William Shatner, as well as hundreds of panels ... More >>

Play Station

Marijuana poll: Majority of Americans support legalization, oppose federal interference

It's been nearly a month since Attorney General Eric Holder said a decision about a federal response to Amendment 64, which allows adults 21 and over in Colorado to use and possess small amounts of marijuana, would be coming soon. And the longer he waits, the harder it may be to sell a full-bore cra ... More >>

Twenty best costumes at Animeland Wasabi 2013

This past weekend, Animeland Wasabi turned the Doubletree Hotel into a veritable fashion week for wannabe manga characters, video-game stars and anime legends. And this is not kidstuff, as you will see: The most serious cosplayers spend months and big bucks preparing for their closeups. Our photogra ... More >>

Nan Desu Kan 2012: Next level anime convention awesomeness

I am in no position to call anyone a "nerd." Coming from me -- a mere observer/outsider at this past weekend's Nan Desu Kan Sweet 16th annual Anime convention -- that word wound be derogatory...and wrong. Sure, anyone could snag a ticket (or a three-day pass, as I did) to the gathering celebrating a ... More >>

Comic Relief

Lana Del Rey is both hipster and poseur

Nan Desu Kan 2012 dates announced: September 14 to 16, 2012

It's still more than seven months away, but if you're a fan of anime and cosplay in general, you're already looking forward to the sixteenth -- "sweet sixteen," in the words of organizer A. Jinnie McManus -- edition of Nan Desu Kan.

A n00b's first Nan Desu Kan anime convention experience

I think that's a pillow.​My theory about life is, whatever you do, go hard. If you're into fantasy football or Phish or being Irish, by all means, tell the world. This weekend's installment of the fifteenth annual Nan Desu Kan anime convention experience was just that, an exemplary parade of a ... More >>

Dirtbikers can stake out their turf at Cheapskates Action Sports Bar

Comment of the day: Watch your back, Neustifter

Neustifter got lucky.​Contrary to popular cultural belief, not all cosplayers are mouth-breathing weirdos with no social skills -- in fact, the vast majority of them are just normal folks who like to represent their fanhood by dressing up, and what's so strange about that? That's the gist of T ... More >>

Camel's appeal to hipsters is ironic, but not in a good way

​Keeping in line with Camel's historically "urbane" branding strategy, the tobacco company has for the last few months been pushing a series of specially branded cigarette packs commemorating select cities known for their cool: Austin and Seattle, for example, have been highlighted. And while ... More >>

Hipsters versus cowboys: When fashion worlds collide

Hipster or cowboy? You decide.​When Westword staff writer Melanie Asmar called out the announcer and rodeo clown at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo yesterday for using Brokeback Mountain references to make gay jokes (personally, I'm more offended they haven't updated their material since ... More >>

Here Comes the Weekend

Tiger Burning Bright