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Jim Demonakos

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Jim Demonakos
Born
James Demonakos

1977 (1977)
Occupation(s)Film Director, Writer, & Convention Organizer
Notable workThe Silence Of Our Friends, Emerald City Comic Con, Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters

Jim Demonakos (born 1977) is an American director, graphic novelist, and event organizer noted for his work in comic books, conventions, and documentary films. He is most often noted as the founder of Emerald City Comic Con and LightBox Expo, as well as the director and producer of the award-winning documentary film, Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters.

Early life

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The child of Greek immigrants, Demonakos was born in Montana and moved to Seattle, WA when he was six years old. He grew up in the food service world, working from his early teens in his parents' restaurants. After graduating high school, he enrolled at The University of Washington, and then transferred to The Art Institute of Seattle, where he graduated with a degree in computer animation.

Career

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Jim opened his first comic book store, The Comic Stop, in March 2000, followed by a second store in 2002. Eventually the stores expanded[1] to a total of four locations, making The Comic Stop the largest chain of comic book shops in the Pacific Northwest. He also served as PR & Marketing Coordinator for Image Comics from 2005-2006.[2]

He founded Seattle's Emerald City Comic Con[3] (ECCC) as a one-day event in 2003, with an attendance of 3,000 people.[4][5] He then spent over a decade growing and developing ECCC into the largest independent comic convention in the United States. Emerald City Comic Con was acquired by ReedPOP (RELX) in 2015[6] and Demonakos ceased being involved in the event as of 2017.[7]

Alongside Mark Long, he wrote the New York Times Best Selling graphic novel, The Silence of Our Friends,[8] which was illustrated by National Book Award winner Nate Powell.[9] The graphic novel was awarded a Great Graphic Novel for Teens[10] by YALSA.

Jim is a founding member of the pioneering nerd rock band Kirby Krackle,[11][12] where he was the songwriter and lyricist from the bands start in 2009 until 2014, when he left the band.[13]

He launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to bring back The Classic Comic Book Spinner Rack,[14] including creating a variant which was specially designed to hold Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) graded comic books, which he manufactured and distributed from 2018 to 2021.

Demonakos co-founded LightBox Expo[15][16] which debuted in 2019[17] and has already become a must-attend event among animation, illustration and concept art creators and fans.

Most recently, he produced and directed[18] (alongside Kevin Konrad Hanna) Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters, an award-winning feature length documentary about Mike Mignola and the creation of his comic book universe centered around Hellboy.[19]

Filmography

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Bibliography

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Awards

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References

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  1. ^ "Comic Stop expands comic book store chain in Seattle area". The Seattle Times. February 6, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  2. ^ "The Comics Reporter". www.comicsreporter.com. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  3. ^ Dyer, Oxley (March 12, 2018). "The PNW's reemerging geekonomy". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  4. ^ McInnis, Andrea (March 29, 2007). "Look! Up in Seattle! It's a comics convention". The Everett Herald. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  5. ^ Dyer, Oxley (March 12, 2018). "The PNW's reemerging geekonomy". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  6. ^ Reed, Patrick (January 13, 2015). "Emerald City Comicon Joins The ReedPOP Family Of Conventions". Comics Alliance. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  7. ^ MacDonald, Heidi (April 25, 2017). "Jim Demonakos to leave ReedPop". The Beat. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  8. ^ Wolk, Douglas (March 12, 2018). "ynda-barrys-blabber-blabber-blabber-and-more". New York Times. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  9. ^ Williams, Erin (February 22, 2022). "Giving a voice to "The Silence of our Friends"". Washington Post. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  10. ^ "The Silence of Our Friends | Awards & Grants". www.ala.org. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  11. ^ Selinker, Mike (January 8, 2013). "Geek Love: Kirby Krackle, The Doubleclicks, and the soul of nerd rock". Wired. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  12. ^ "Raise the Roof! 15 songs inspired by Superman, Hulk, and other comic book heroes". May 12, 2020.
  13. ^ "Business 3x3: Jim Demonakos, Currently Enjoying Life". icv2.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  14. ^ Comments, Jude Terror | (April 4, 2018). "Emerald City Comic Con Founder Launches Spinner Rack to Compete with Diamond on Kickstarter". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  15. ^ Windsor, Harry (March 12, 2018). "Lightbox Expo (2022)". Screen Rant. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  16. ^ LANG, JAMIE (March 12, 2018). "Lightbox Expo Returns To Pasadena With More Than 500 Confirmed Guests And 150 Panels". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  17. ^ Windsor, Harry (March 12, 2018). "Lightbox Expo (2022)". Screen Rant. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  18. ^ COUCH, AARON (March 12, 2018). "Documentary on 'Hellboy' Creator Mike Mignola in the Works (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  19. ^ Muir, Nathaniel (June 29, 2022). "[CFF '22] 'Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters (The Secret Origin of Hellboy)' review". Washington Post. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
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