Guests of Honor
Author Guest James J. Butcher
James J. Butcher spends most of his time in places that don’t exist; some of which he even made himself. What little time he has left is usually spent writing or exercising. He is the son of #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher, who introduced him to books, movies and games. He lives in Denver, and is working on his next novel.
Musical Guest The Microphone Misfitz
The Microphone Misfitz is an all elements (MCing/Rapping, DJing, Breakdancing, & Graff,) Hip-Hop & Nerdcore ensemble. The group was recently featured in the River City Girls 2 video game score and soundtrack. They have performed at Super MAG Fest, cosplay Expo NV, Fan Expo/Wizard World, Pocket Con, Anime Midwest, Keystone Comic Con, C2E2 & More. In 2018 The Microphone Misfitz became the first Hip-Hop group allowed to tour China since the country banned Hip-Hop. Each of The Fitz 6 albums come inside of a comic book written by D-Nick The Microphone Misfit with artwork by Derrell Spicy & Daimion Hampton. The group performed with such acts as KRS ONE, Mega Ran & K Murdock, Jeru Tha Damaja, Crucial Conflict, MC Lars, MC Chris, Dead Prez, Big KRIT & More.
Artist Guest Jeff Lee Johnson
I grew up in rural Minnesota far enough from town and friends to have nothing else to do but read and draw. Luckily, my mom could draw and paint as well, and provided me with an endless supply of materials, tools and patient instruction. We had a house filled with books by authors like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Kenneth Robeson, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein and Arthur C. Clark, and the stories and art left a deep impression on me.
Following that childhood, I dedicated both time and money at Moorhead State College and The University of Minnesota to learning quite a bit more about art. The idea of making a living doing art, however, did not comport with the reality that I had come to know, so I left school to travel the world, do odd jobs, wait tables, and ultimately, build houses.
Fast forward 20 years, to the time when my carpenter career had taken its toll on my knees and elbows. I woke up one morning and decided it was time to finally try to make a living doing art. I simultaneously discovered the world of digital illustration and the world wide web, put two and two together, and decided to take the leap. With the tireless support and encouragement of my wonderful wife, I began plying my craft professionally in 2000. My first jobs were in commercial illustration but my real love was sci fi, fantasy , and horror, and after a bit was able to build a career painting in those wonderful genres. I now split my energies between personal projects and art directing for the wonderful folks at Fantasy Flight Games, where I am currently Senior Art Director.
I am six illustrations into a series of images I have titled “Dark Reflections” that pay homage to my love for distant times, places, people, and events. In them I balance a deep strain of heartfelt nostalgia and optimism with a slightly devious inclination to subvert expectations. We all have a dash of mayhem in us, and shadows almost always have monsters lurking in them (at least in our minds.) It’s not possible for me to witness a charming scene without seeing through to a possibly sinister hidden narrative, which always tickles me, and this series is probably as close to my personality and worldview as can be. I am delighted that it has a worldwide fan base, and am amused to note there is at least one print of my work on all seven continents (including Antarctica). Anyone know someone in NASA? The space station is my next target 😉
Fan Guest Kat Pepmiller
Toastmaster Tadao Tomomatsu
Tadao Tomomatsu (aka TNT or Uncle Albert) is a local celebrity within the Los Angeles science fiction community. He is also an actor, comedian, and a general all-around good guy. Really, what other guest of a convention is willing to come in a day early and stay a day late to work as hard at setting up and tearing down a convention as the convention staff.
He was born in Texas on a date which only his parents know for sure, but his age is suspected to be within the range of 25-85. However, he grew up in the Midwest in an area which could boast few Asian heritage inhabitants. As self-defense against being signaled out in a negative way, Tadao developed a quick sense of humor and a wide range of voices. He is truly a man of many voices. Ask him for an impersonation and he may not even know which voice will speak. This ability soon led to his participation in theater productions and the discovery of a love for the field of entertainment.
The son of a preeminent food scientist, he was encouraged to continue his academic career which resulted in his attaining a Bachelor´s in the Communication Studies from the University of Iowa. During these early years, he was employed as a Chicago DJ as well as in several other eclectic jobs. In college, he became an active participant in Mid-Western Fandom.
In recognition of his involvement in Mid-Western fandom and because he´s so much fun, he has been a Fan Guest of Honor at DemiCon, ConQuest and ICon as well as serving as Toastmaster at both Icon and Demicon. Following his history in the Midwest, he moved to the West Coast in 1992 in order to take on a production assistant position for the then-new series Friends.
The following years saw his active involvement in many aspects of the entertainment business (see his resume). It also saw his slow increasing involvement in local science fiction fandom in the forms of both the Time Meddlers of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS).
In 1999 he became involved with the world´s first internet 24/7 broadcasting station, CyberRadio. He not only wrote and produced, but also was a Cyberjock/host.
One of his most recognized characterizations is a Lead Actor in USA Network´s Banzai Movie Friday and Banzai TV United Kingdom as Mr. Shake-Hand´s Man.
His most recent project was a short film by Canon to introduce their new camera, the “XXIT”, playing opposite Nicolette Sheridan. Apparently, there is some behind the scenes footage of Tadao doing knife flipping bits…
Professional Guests
We have many local, regional, and national professionals that attend DemiCon. They contribute to many areas of the convention, such as the art show, the music venue, and programming.
If you would like to be considered as a professional guest, or if you know a professional that we should invite to DemiCon 36, please fill out this form to let us know.
DemiCon Hall of Fame
At DemiCon 15 we wanted a way to extend special acknowledgement those who have helped make DemiCon what is today. The DemiCon Hall of Fame was created to recognize those particularly influential individuals.
Rusty “James” Hevelin
At DemiCon 15, Rusty Hevelin was our first inductee to DemiCon Hall of Fame. Rusty had started as our Fan Guest of Honor at DC 1, but somewhere before our first convention came around, he was named Toastmaster. From that day forth, he was our Toastmaster. When Rusty became a member of the DemiCon Hall of Fame, he was given the title of Toastmaster Emeritus, but he did not rest on his laurels and has been at every DemiCon until DC22 when health problems kept him away. Rusty passed away in 2011.
To learn more about Rusty, follow this link to the Hevelin Collection at the University of Iowa.
Joe and Gay Haldeman
Gay and Joe had an intricate part in growing the love of science fiction in those who created DemiCon when they were members of Science Fiction League of Iowa Students (which Joe created) and running ICON. Gay and Joe have been dubbed by those that were under their tutelage as the “Grandparents” of DemiCon.
Joe Haldeman is a multiple Hugo and Nebula award winning author. For his spectacular career in writing science fiction and fantasy, he was given the honor of SFWA Grand Master. Joe has been our Author GOH for DC 2 and DC 20 where the Haldemans were inducted into the DemiCon Hall of Fame.
Gay Haldeman was our Fan Guest of Honor at DC 2 and was a regular guest, besides Rusty Hevelins’ travel buddy through the many years. Mary Gay Potter Haldeman (a name familiar to those who read The Forever War) has a Master’s Degree in Spanish Literature and another in Linguistics. Joe and Gay are retired in Florida after many years of teaching at MIT . But, Joe is not the only one with an award or two. Gay shared a Skylark Award with Joe in 1996, and in 2011 was given the Big Heart Award at the World SF Convention in Reno, Nevada. Both Gay and Joe have thespian talents and have graced our stage as TICC performers, as well.
Glen Cook
Glen was made a member at DemiCon 25. Glen Cook Author guest of honor for DemiCon 5, known for his stellar The Black Company military fantasy series and so much more, told DemiCon this: I was born and am still under foot. Hit the ground in NYC in 1944, lived there, Indiana, and California growing up. Served in the Navy, attended U of Missouri, worked for General Motors and retired therefrom. Began writing with intent to commit publication late 1960s and have since produced 51 published books (#51, Working God’s Mischief, will come out between now and the convention), some short fiction, some articles and some essays. I have three sons, an Army officer, an architect, and a symphony musician, plus numerous grandchildren, all but one of whom seem determined to be female. And I have an amazing wife who has been with me for almost 45 years. These days I am, extremely slowly, working on expanding the Black Company chronicles by two novels and a story collection. I have become a victim of Ambition Deficit Disorder, which is what has put the slow in slowly.
Glen has been at almost every DemiCon selling books to all who love the joy of reading. Signing his and making DemiCon even more special. Thanks Glen.
Carol Eis and Karen Eis
Carol and Karen Eis are the unsung heroes of the Art Show. Lovingly known to all as the Eis Sisters, these two showed up on a DemiCon of many years past to volunteer and stayed. Coming in to help behind the scenes for both show and auction, they make sure all runs smoothly. The Eis Sisters have even helped train some of our art show department heads on the little tricks of the trade. DemiCon is fortunate to have Carol and Karen as volunteers throughout the years.