Phoenix Comicon: Laser gun wielding geeks duke it out for charity in Maricopa

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When Aaron Valencia gives back to the community, he knows exactly what to wear.

The 38-year-old’s suit for charity work consists of white body armor, white shoes and a fully enclosed helmet. Stick a futuristic rifle into his hands and the Phoenix resident is ready to go. 

“My costume is based off the sandtrooper from the original Star Wars,” he said. 

Valencia will be one of many costume-wearing geeks competing in a charity-driven laser tag competition Saturday at the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center off State Route 347. Members of super hero and movie-themed fan clubs from throughout the Valley will take part in the tournament, which also is open to the general public.

Phoenix Comicon and the movie and gaming news website Skewed and Reviewed is presenting the event. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the national nonprofit group Kids Need to Read. 

Fan clubs, like Valencia’s The 501st Legion – named after a soldier unit in the Star Wars movies, are groups of people with a common interest in a particular comic series, movie franchise or other pop culture following. Dressed in costumes, they head to conventions such as Phoenix Comicon and make appearances at charity events.

Not every group has a Hollywood tie. Bronies of Phoenix is a men-dominated club – “bros” – who share an interest in My Little Pony, a franchise developed by toy company Hasbro. Between 10 and 15 members plan to attend this weekend’s tournament. 

“The members who are going seem to be pretty excited about it,” said Grae Ellman, a club organizer.

Ellman said the group is pushing for more community work, and the fact the event is benefiting a charity is one reason the club is drawn to participate. 

Saturday’s competition isn’t typical charity work. Taking place inside UltraStar’s two-story laser tag arena, Star Wars, Star Trek and super-hero enthusiasts are expected to duke it out wearing their costumes. 

“(Laser tag) works well because of the futuristic nature of it,” said event organizer Gareth Von Kallenbach, the founder and editor of Skewed and Reviewed. 

Those expected to participate are familiar with the lasers seen in the Star Trek and Star Wars movies, he said. That hook made it easier for Von Kallenbach to attract fan clubs to the tournament than another type of fundraising activity. 

In addition, the tournament facility itself is a draw. 

“UltraStar built this incredible new venue,” he said. “It’s got a top-of-the-line facility in there. The equipment is fantastic and the venue is very spacious actually once you get inside.”

Skewed and Reviewed, a multi-media company with offices in Seattle and Maricopa, organized a similar event more than 10 years ago in Washington. Von Kallenbach said he mentioned this to management at the new UltraStar center and it piqued their interest. Using connections he had with Phoenix Comicon, the three organizations came together to create the charity event. 

“We chose Kids Need to Read as the charity because that is the one associated with Phoenix Comicon,” he said. “A lot of their events and activities benefit them. So it’s just natural to bring them into the mix.” 

The number of super heroes and space travelers expected to step foot inside the laser tag battleground is difficult to predict, Von Kallenbach said. But the expectation is high, especially as news of the tournament spreads. 

“In addition to the ones that we’ve talked to personally that have signed up already, we’ve had a list from Phoenix Comicon of about 20-plus clubs, all of whom have said they’re going to be sending at least five people and probably more,” he said. “Plus, we’re expecting a pretty good late rush. There’s been a big push on social media since last weekend for it.” 

Tournament organizers plan to divide players into teams – various fan clubs – with a 20-person limit in the laser tag arena. Prizes will be given to clubs with the best overall scores and also to individual high scorers. 

Prizes have been obtained through donations including video games, game controllers, collectible figurines and other items. Everyone who competes will receive gift bags. 

Von Kallenbach said organizers were in talks with Universal Studios to send items promoting the new movie “Oblivion,” which stars Tom Cruise and opens April 19. 

The fee for playing in the tournament is $10, but there’s no charge to come and view the costume wearers. An auction also will be held with the money going toward Kids Need to Read.