HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The annual HansCOMICON Comic & Game Expo returns on Friday, April 4.
This free, base-wide event will bring the Team Hanscom community together for shared interests and fun activities.
“I think it’s a good way to network at Hanscom,” said Staff Sgt. Rose O’Houlahan, one of this year’s project officers. “We are a small base, and I don’t see a lot of people around, so this is a nice way to meet new people.”
HansCOMICON is the first “Big 4” event of the year sponsored by the 66th Force Support Squadron. It connects fans of popular movies, TV shows, comics, video games, board games, and even music genres.
“Events like this offer everyone on base a chance to experience something that includes groups with many different interests,” says 2d Lt Ashley Vazquez, the event’s lead project officer. "Military life can move at a very high speed and puts a lot of stress on both the member and their families.”
Vazquez added, “Big events like HansCOMICON give back to the community, raise morale, and bring people together.”
Attendees can expect a packed vendor hall, arts and crafts, cosplay characters, outdoor activities, pop-culture trivia, free food, boba tea, and more.
Gamers will see the return of Air Force Gaming (AFG). This year’s tournaments feature Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Produced by the Air Force Services Center, these competitions will offer contestants the chance to win prizes. Registration is open now, and all Air Force Total Force are encouraged to sign up.
AFG is also supporting an open-play retro arcade, a board game arena, a Dungeons & Dragons activity, and a speed chess tournament hosted by the Hanscom Chess Club.
Not exclusive to gamers, the Hanscom Typist Championships will also return, challenging typists to go head-to-head for the highest words-per-minute scores.
“We’re putting a lot into the space at the Minuteman Commons, so keep an eye out for the schedule that will soon be posted on social media,” said Vazquez. “That way you can plan ahead and see what you’re most interested in.”
For questions about volunteering, or the event in general, please reach out to the project team via email at hanscomicon2025@gmail.com.