The Nerdist Podcast is being recorded live in Phoenix next week.

Every year, on the first Saturday of May, geeks around the world gather at their local comic shops to celebrate ‘Free Comic Book Day‘. On this beloved geek holiday, comic shops provide a variety of free comics to all those who come in and are interested. A little way to give back to the established comic community and also hopefully luring in some new fans. Chris Wood (‘Big Chris’), of Big Chris Art, is pretty well known in the comic community as not only a fantastic artist but also an …

Chris Burkheart is one of the founding members and creative geniuses behind the local art collective known as Oddity Commodity. In 2008, Chris and his super-team of eccentric artists took Phoenix by storm and became cult favorites at pop-culture events throughout the valley as they produced their unique brand of original art on-the-fly for long lines of rabid fans who would enthusiastically cheer, “Woo OddCo,” with every completed sketch.
The OddCo collective has recently disbanded as its members pursue individual projects under their own names, but the group of friends still …

In case you missed out on the festivities last weekend, here is a look at the fun you might have missed out on when we visited 3 shops around the valley. Despite Free Comic Book Day having come and gone, you can still get in on some of comic book awesomness this weekend at Pop Culture Paradise’s 10 year aniversary party/grand re-opening this Saturday.
Be sure to check out all 3 videos, links are at the end that are clickable.

Alice Cooper’s ‘Dark Shadows’ costume on display at MIM bit.ly/IT72zi
— Nerdvana (@nerdvana) May 10, 2012
 

Scott Shehi is the founder, owner and head artist of the local independent creative group known as T.R.I.B.E. Studio Comics. Known as “Bub” to his friends and fans, Scott is hard-working and passionate about his art and dedicated to the success of his books, as well as the comics by other creators in his stable.
Since 2004, Scott’s T.R.I.B.E. Comics has worked with several valley creators, including Joe Flores, Frank O’Rourke, Hatch Tarr, Mandela Addah and Vincent Morris. He has published a myriad of titles including Tribal Stories, Hot Dog Man, …

Geekssociated Press was at the Harkins Theaters at Tempe Marketplace for the midnight release of the long awaited ‘Avengers‘ movie. We weren’t the only one’s excited about this movie, all 13 theaters here were sold out! I was expecting long lines outside the theater but Harkins was kind enough to let people in a few hours early. There were plenty of people who waited in line for hours before the doors were opened though. Inside the lobby the Arizona Avengers, along with several other costumed fans, mingled and talked about …

Patrick Stewart will NOT be appearing at Phoenix Comicon this year after all.

Friday night Phoenix’s creative community came together for Ignite Phoenix #12 to hear 18 local presenters each give a five-minute look at what they’re most passionate about. You can read a recap from Bob Leeper here.
Now the videos of the presentations themselves are online, and you can catch them at YouTube. Below I’ve gathered some of the nerdiest entries, many of which come from friends of Nerdvana!
Hanging Out With Hackers, Trekkies, Steampunkers, and Monsterologists by Jonathan Simon aka @electricoctopi

Bronies: The internet phenomenon from nowhere by Joseph Plate

Wires! by Carl Jimenez aka @cactuscarl

Women …

Wow, what an incredible event! Last Friday’s Ignite Phoenix #12 was my first Ignite show, but it will certainly not be my last. This was the most amazing mix of comedy, drama, creativity, community, social commentary and social media technology that I have ever seen, and as someone who has dabbled in community event coordination I was inspired, impressed and even envious at the expertise in which this entertaining event was executed. Bravo Ignite! Bravo Phoenix!
Ignite Phoenix showcases 18 local individuals (out of dozens of submissions) who are passionate about …