With the Albuquerque Comic Con swiftly approaching – I decided it was time to get in touch with the promoter of the event – and find out what kind of fantastic ‘nerdyness’ we can look forward to next month.
Q: What your name?
A: Jim Burleson
Q: What is Albuquerque Comic Con?
A: A trade show designed to bring comic and film fans, comic industry, and film industry professionals together; fun for the whole family. It gives fans access to celebrities and dealers that are not normally as accessible.
Q: Who is behind the convention and what do you do?
A: I organized it in 2010 and ran the first show with the help of 100 volunteers. I’m also a film producer, so it takes a lot of support during the year to promote the event from co-organizers Tina Borek and Cody Candelaria.
Q: How long have you been putting it on?
A: Three years
Q: How and why did you start the event?
A: After promoting cage fighting events for the last 12 years, I felt the need to host events I could include my kids in, so as a fan of comics I saw no better option. I took all of my promotion experience and friends in film and started hosting Albuquerque Comic Con.
Q: Tell me a little about the festival this year.
A: This is the first year we focused so heavily on the comic legends that before we spread out. Yes, we still have amazing film and TV stars, but also comic creators such as Bill Morrison of the Simpsons, Bill Stout, who created Wizards, Wendy and Richard Pini of Elfquest, and many more.
Q: What are you most excited about this year?
A: Good question. I have a blast at these things, but after the dust settles I love the impact we make on other’s lives. We are doing a charity drive for four-year old Lilly, who has Leukemia and lives in Los Lunas. I’m hoping to help raise lots of money for her and her family, so she can focus on getting better. That will be the best thing at this show.
Q: What kind of vendors should I expect to see there?
A: Everything from Comics and trading cards to jewelry and costumes. People from California to Connecticut come to Albuquerque Comic Con.
Q: Which is your favorite Star Wars movie?
A: I’m gonna’ be stoned for saying it, but I love Return of the Jedi. It meant the most to me growing up. Love the characters and the action. And the crappy characters are fuzzy half bears instead of fish faced goof balls.
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: Mini Me! Lex Luthor!
The Albuquerque Comic Con takes place January 12-13 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on the outskirts of Albuquerque.
How can it not be a good time with former WWF wrestlers Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Honkey Tonk Man; actors like Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters I&II), Verne Troyer (Mini Me in the Austin Powers franchise), and Denise Crosby (Star Trek: The Next Generation); comicbook icons Bill Stout (conceptual artist on Pan’s Labyrinth and many others), Sam De La Rosa (Spider-Man, Venom), and Jim Valentino (Co-founder of Image Comics); as well as a plethora of Cosplay people from around the country. Come out and support this local event and its many vendors and fellow nerds. Don’t miss it. I know I won’t.
My thoughts go out to Lily; I hope this event helps her in any and every way. Also, don’t feel bad Jim, Return of the Jedi is my favorite as well. Just “sing it loud, so all those haters can hear,” or so the brilliant Ewok gospel song goes.
Jeremy Shattuck
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