In the realm of nerd, one can always go a little deeper.

And for area self-proclaimed nerds and fans of the pop culture phenomenon, that’s where the Denver Comic Con comes in.

“We’re putting on a show that we’d want to attend,” said Christina Angel, director of Denver Comic Con. “That’s one of the beautiful things about maintaining an independent con. We’re unique in the landscape of cons, reflecting Denver’s pop culture interests, but we’re also different each year with new themes and focus.”

Beginning Friday, June 17, local fans, artists, cosplayers, game designers and authors will descend upon the fifth annual Denver Comic Con, a convention focused on the popular culture of comic book, graphic novel, science fiction, fantasy and animé worlds. Founded by Pop Culture Classroom, a charitable organization that uses comic book media to promote student literacy, it also offers specific programs, panels, vendors and artists, along with celebrity photo ops and signings.

A big part of the fun is cosplaying, where fans dress up in elaborately designed, often handmade, costumes of their favorite characters.

Last year, more than 100,000 people attended the Denver convention, making it one of the fastest-growing in the country. This year's convention runs through Sunday, June 19, at the Colorado Convention Center.

But the con’s not-so-secret mission is education.

“The coolest thing about this year’s con is the same thing that is cool about it every year,” Angel said. “PCC (Pop Culture Classroom) is in the Colorado community year-round, engaging kids in literacy and education through its programs that use comics and pop culture in the classroom.”

Proceeds from the Comic Con pay for staffing, supplies and infrastructure of the program, which is offered for free to schools.

For area educators, such as Elle Skelton, who teaches seventh-grade English at Pinnacle Charter School in Federal Heights, the con is an amusing and educational experience.

“Most people don’t realize the people who put on the Comic Con have a big focus on education,” she said. “I’m going there to find ways to incorporate pop culture and comic books into my classroom and using them for literature purposes.”

The con’s educational mission, said Arvada fan Robin Melberg, is one she accepts with her whole heart.

“It’s the only nonprofit con and it all goes to kid’s literacy and reading,” she said. “It makes you feel so good.”

From video game design to meeting the godfather of Marvel Comics, Stan Lee, and everything imaginable in between, fans will be immersed in an overwhelming sea of nerd, one many local con-goers say is the place to be.

“Comic Con is a way to embrace different personalities,” said Katie Hartkopp, a Wheat Ridge author and fan of nerdy things. “It’s a chance to say it’s OK to be whoever you want … it’s a group celebration of individuality.”“We’re putting on a show that we’d want to attend,” said Christina Angel Denver Comic Con director. “That’s one of the beautiful things about maintaining an independent con — we’re unique in the landscape of cons, reflecting Denver’s pop culture interests, but we’re also different each year with new themes and focus.”

Beginning Friday, June 17, several local fans, artists, cosplayers, game designers and authors will descend upon the fifth annual Denver Comic Con, a program of the charity Pop Culture Classroom. The con brings specific programs, panels, vendors, artists and celebrity photo ops and signings to excited Colorado fans.

But the con’s not-so-secret mission is education.

“The coolest thing about this year’s con is the same thing that is cool about it every year,” Angel said. “PCC (Pop Culture Classroom) is in the Colorado community year-round, engaging kids in literacy and education through its programs that use comics and pop culture in the classroom.”

For area educators, such as Elle Skelton, who teaches seventh-grade English at Pinnacle Charter School in Federal Heights, the con is both an amusing and educational experience.

“Most people don’t realize the people who put on the Comic Con have a big focus on education,” she said. “I’m going there to find ways to incorporate pop culture and comic books into my classroom and using them for literature purposes.”

The con’s educational mission, said Arvada fan Robin Melberg, is one she accepts with her whole heart.

“It’s the only nonprofit con and it all goes to kid’s literacy and reading,” she said. “It makes you feel so good.”

From video game design to meeting the Godfather of Marvel Comics, Stan Lee, and everything imaginable in between, fans will be immersed in an overwhelming sea of nerd, one many local con-goers say is the place to be.

“Comic Con is a way to embrace different personalities,” said Katie Hartkopp, a Wheat Ridge author and fan of nerdy things. “It’s a chance to say, it’s OK to be whoever you want … it’s a group celebration of individuality.”