Recently I got a chance to speak with Jim Demonakos, the Director of the Emerald City Comicon in Seattle. The convention has grown rapidly in the last few tears and has become a massive draw for fans of comics, movies, television, pop culture, gaming and more.
Jim was kind enough to take a few moments from his busy schedule to speak with us about the 2012 show.
Where and when will the show be held this year?
The show will be held at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle on March 30, 31 and April 1, 2012.
What is new for this year and how has the show evolved over the past few years?
We’re expanding our gaming area to a brand new section in The Conference Center. Otherwise, our footprint is the same, but we’ll be bringing brand new comic and media guests, along with lots of new exhibitors and programming, and some amazing exclusives.
What guests do you have lined up?
Adi Granov, character designer for the Iron Man movies, Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead, Bruce Timm, Executive Producer for WB Animation, Dan Slott, writer of The Amazing Spider-Man, Tony Moore, artist of The Walking Dead, Steve Niles, co-creator of 30 Days of Night, Georges Jeanty, illustrator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and so many more.
How have you balanced Hollywood and movies with comics as it must be tricky and how do you keep the so called Hollywood factor from being to dominant?
We run a comic book show and that’s our primary focus, we continue to bring in interesting Hollywood elements but only as it fits in with our show.
What are the biggest challenges you face after 9 successful years and how do you grow the convention yet still keep it fresh?
Entering in to our 10th year, we want to maintain a sense of fun and excitement, while at the same time expanding the show to fit a broad demographic of fans that we can continue to please.
How many people does it take to pull off the convention in terms of organizers, support, etc?
This show takes the combined effort of hundreds of people, from volunteers to staff, to make sure it all goes smoothly.
Looking forward, where would you like the convention to be in 10 years?
I would love to have the show continue to grow and be a staple of Northwest nerd culture, something that people look forward to each year, and I’d like to continue to make sure it’s a fun and enjoyable experience for all who attend.
