The sun is out, shorts and sandals are the only acceptable outdoor wear, and the temps are hitting near the 110’s in the lovely state of Arizona where The Nerd Repository resides. Must be time for Phoenix Comicon 2014!

This is the premiere nerd event in our humble desert state, while also serving as the Nerd Rep Staff’s pre-game warm-up for the “Mother of all Cons” in San Diego at the end of July. The 2014 lineup for Phoenix Comicon is quite possibly the biggest and best it’s ever had (not joking), resulting in more content than the average convention-goer can ever hope to fit in.

With that in mind, I decided to put together a handy-dandy list (the internets like lists, right?) of my strictly personal picks for the top stars making appearances that you must make time to fanboy/girl out for during your weekend at Phoenix Comicon 2014.

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#7 – MANU BENNETT

Who?

Manu Bennett

Why Should I Know Him?

He was Crixus on Starz’ Spartacus. Currently portrays Slade Wilson/Deathstroke on The CW’s Arrow. Can also be seen doing mo-cap work as Azog the Defiler in The Hobbit trilogy.

Why Should I Care?

Drinks and Discourse listeners will know that we’re big fans of Arrow on the site, so I may be a bit biased, but Manu’s popularity is sky-rocketing and he’s been hitting the Comic-Con circuit hard this year, interacting with fans and going the extra mile. Spend five minutes on Arrow‘s subreddit and you’ll see numerous photos and stories of the actor making a splash at Cons around the country. And aren’t you dying to hear that Australian accent whisper-growl thing he does in person? Oh, and the fangirls seem to like him.

Where Can I See Him?

Manu Bennet Spotlight : Friday 10:30am – 11:30am in North Ballroom 120. Autograph and photo opportunities throughout the weekend on the convention floor.

#6 – ADAM WEST

Who?

Adam West

Why Should I Know Him?

He’s freakin’ Batman. The original. Period. You youngins that watch the Family Guy know him as Quahog’s Mayor West.

Why Should I Care?

Because it’s Adam West. Did I mention his spotlight will also include Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman) from the 1960’s Batman television series? But seriously, West is a true icon that can tell a great story while being effortlessly charming. I mean, whole else could pull off that old school Batman camp and still be cool while doing it? “How come Batman doesn’t dance anymore? Remember the Batusi?”

Where Can I See Him?

Batman: with Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar: Saturday 10:30am – 11:30am in North Ballroom 120. Autograph and photo opportunities Saturday and Sunday on the convention floor.

#5 – STAN LEE

Who?

Stan Lee

Why Should I Know Him?

He’s the creator of basically every Marvel superhero ever. ‘Nuff said.

Why Should I Care?

Stan Lee is the stuff of comic book legends. It’s easy to forget that comic books are still the true spirit and origin of these events. With the age of superheros truly upon us in pop culture, Stan Lee is seen as one of the most influential men in the business, as well as one of the most entertaining and likable people in the industry. No doubt he has stories to tell that could fill a whole day about the comic book industry, the explosion of the Marvel comics big budget films, and his incredibly interesting life – but we’ll have to settle for an hour.

Where Can I See Him?

Stan Lee Spotlight: Sunday 1:30pm – 2:30pm in North Ballroom 120. Autograph and photo opportunities only Sunday on the convention floor.

#4 – STEPHEN AMELL

Who?

Stephen Amell

Why Should I Know Him?

He’s the emerald archer Oliver Queen on The CW’s Arrow.

Why Should I Care?

Did I mention I really dig Arrow? Personal preference aside, Arrow is one of the hottest geek television shows currently on the air thanks, in large part, to the charismatic portrayal by Amell as DC Comic’s Green Arrow in-training. But off-camera and online, Amell is just as entertaining and has one of the best social media presences of any star in Hollywood, proving he’s just as awesome in any medium. If he’s half as entertaining in his Spotlight panel as he is with his Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Vine posts, the audience is going to leave happy, laughing and counting the days until Arrow’s third season.

Where Can I See Him?

Stephen Amell spotlight : Saturday 3:00pm – 4:00pm in North Ballroom 120. Autograph and photo opportunities only Saturday on the convention floor.

#3 – BRUCE CAMPBELL

Who?

Bruce Campbell

Why Should I Know Him?

He’s Ash Williams in the Evil Dead/Army of Darkness films. He’s Brisco County Jr. Not to mention numerous TV and film appearances for the last couple decades including all three Sam Raimi Spider-Man films.

Why Should I Care?

Hail to the King, baby, because Bruce Campbell is a geek god. His rabid following started with Evil Dead and only grew through numerous cult classic TV and film roles. If you have to ask someone who Bruce Campbell is they probably just won’t get it anyway, or even know just how groovy it is that he’s going to make his first appearance this year at Phoenix Comic-Con. Long live The Chin!

Where Can I See Him?

Bruce Campbell Spotlight: Saturday 1:30pm – 2:30pm in North Ballroom 120. Autograph and photo opportunities Saturday and Sunday on the convention floor.

#2 – NATHAN FILLION

Who?

Nathan Fillion

Why Should I Know Him?

He found a crew, found a job, and kept flying as Captain Malcolm Reynolds in Firefly/Serenity. He was the lovably aloof Captain Hammer in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog. For non-nerds: He’s Castle.

Why Should I Care?

Because if Bruce Campbell is the original geek god, than Nathan Fillion is the heir apparent. Never has a role been more missed by nerds than his bullheaded captain of Serenity, portrayed in the single season of the television show and later the feature film. It helps that Fillion is enormously hilarious and can easily light up any room, and his Spotlight appearance will be the closer of a huge Saturday in Ballroom 120 because he’s just that badass and shiny.

Where Can I See Him?

Bruce Campbell Spotlight : Saturday 1:30pm – 2:30pm in North Ballroom 120. Autograph and photo opportunities Saturday and Sunday on the convention floor.

#1 – JOHN BARROWMAN

Who?

John Barrowman

Why Should I Know Him?

He’s the swashbuckling Time Agent Captain Jack Harness on Doctor Who and Torchwood. Currently portrays Malcom Merlyn on The CW’s Arrow.

Why Should I Care?

Already a fan of Barrowman? Then you know you can’t miss his Spotlight appearance. Not that familiar with his work? It doesn’t matter. I can personally say from experience that nobody puts on a better show at Cons than John Barrowman. He sings. He dances. He tells stories that will make you laugh and then make you cry. He can’t sit down as he constantly gets the audience involved while the energy becomes infectious, igniting everyone in the house. Barrowman is a whirlwind variety show that just can’t be missed. The only negative is when the the appearance finally ends, you’ll be happily worn out and need a nap.

Where Can I See Him?

John Barrowman spotlight: Saturday 12:00pm – 1:00pm in North Ballroom 120. Autograph and photo opportunities Friday, Saturday and Sunday at booth/table #V1 on the convention floor.

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That’s it folks! Before you send me your hate mail, just realize these are my personal picks and there are numerous other awesome stars/talent that will be a part of Phoenix Comicon that didn’t get mentioned in my list. It’s a great lineup this year, so The Nerd Repository hopes to see you all out there on the convention floor or geeking out in North Ballroom 120.

Phoenix Comicon kicks off this Thursday June 5th and runs through Sunday June 8th downtown at the Phoenix Convention Center. For more event details visit PhoenixComicon.com. Follow @NerdRepository for all your Phoenix Comicon news updates. Follow @SpoonAZ for Kyle’s live tweets from the weekend’s events.