by @geekgirls
I got to spend some time yesterday with Jonah Weiland, executive producer of Comic Book Resources which is the hub for all things comic. The site features breaking news, interviews, and a community link that allows fans and experts to connect and share.
Jonah has been attending the San Diego Comic Con for over 17 years and graciously offered his time and experience to GGN readers.
GGN: What do you find id the biggest difference between today’s comic-con, and comic-con 17 years ago?
JW: It’s the size and scope. Its was always nuts, and just keeps getting bigger and bigger. A lot of people say that Hollywood has adopted today’s con as their own. Its true that Hollywood plays a very big role here, but they were here 17 years ago: Lucasfilm had a booth here in 1976, a year before Star Wars even came out. So to say that Hollywood hasn’t always been here is wrong; they do have a larger presence today and that’s due to the fact that 17 years ago we couldn’t make movies like we do today. We couldn’t make Lord of the Rings 20 years. So the growth of Hollywood’s ability to create the spectacular films is directly proportionate to the growth of the con. And its still a comics show.
GGN: Has anything suffered as a result of the growth of this convention?
JW: Its depends on your perspective. A lot of people think comics have become overshadowed, but at the same time, the Cup of Joe and DC panels are always packed with 4000 attendees. And if you want to meet you favorite comic creator, you have a better chance of meeting him/her here than any at other show.
GGN: Are their any other substantial cons that you think are expanding to catch up to SDCC?
JW: SDCC is an entity on to its own; it is a special event, a unique event. The other excellent big conventions in North America are Wonder Con, NYCC, and Fan Expo in Toronto. Some of the other great regional shows are Emerald City in Seattle, Heros Con in North Carolina, C2E2, and the Long Beach Show in California.
GGN: There are rumors that this con will be moving from San Diego to LA. (more…)