NYC COMIC CON 2017 TIPS- AN AWESOME KIND OF CRAZY
Here comes NYC Comiccon, comic nerds unite!
The NYC Comic-Con fan convention is dedicated to all things Super Hero. From comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies and television, if you like to dress up as your favorite anime or comic book character, hang out with thousands of other people doing the same thing, you will not be disappointed.
For those of you attending your first Comic Con this year, here is a brief history of this insanely wonderful and crazy event.
Comic-Con was born in Detroit, in the middle of the peace and love decade. The brainchild of Shel Dorf, Comic-Con originally started as a one-day convention that Dorf penned “Triple Fan Fairs”. After moving to San Diego he organized the first San Diego Comic Con, held in March of 1970. He called this one-day event “Golden State Minicon”.
Dorf’s first 3-day event, Golden State Comic Book Convention, was held in August of 1970, attended by roughly 300 people. Through the next few decades, Dorf’s event, now named the San Diego Comic-Con International, or CCI, grew into such a spectacle that it required board members, full-time employees and hundreds of volunteers. By 2009, the CCI had the largest attendance ever with more than 140,000 people joining the fun.
The industry’s other well-known event, NYC Comic Con, was created in 2006 by organizer ReedPOP. It grew into a $50 million a year business, boasting the biggest event to date in 2016 when over 180,000 people attended the 4-day convention.
Since this year’s NYC Comic Con is expected to be even larger than last year, there will a lot of events that you want to see and a quite a few that you won’t get a chance to see. That’s the way it goes and just another reason for you to go next year.
When is it?
NYC Comic Con runs from Thursday, Oct 5th through Sunday, Oct 8th; doors at 10 am
Where is it?
This year’s geek-a-palooza is being held at the Jacob K Javits Convention Center in Hell’s Kitchen. There will be events held at many other participating locations as well.
Tickets?
Tickets are going fast so if you don’t have yours yet, click here to get them now: NYCC website
Hot Spots–
There is something happening everywhere however much of the main draw is the main floor. All kinds of vendors, comic book stores, comic companies, apparel, collectibles, you name it, you will find it on the main floor. Just walk.
Best Comic-Con Panels-
Thursday, October 5th
- 12pm-1pm: Spider-Man Author Jason Reynolds joins Black Panther and Between the World and Me comic book writer Ta-Nehisi to discuss the comic book world and how it has evolved.
- 1:30-2:30 pm: Todd McFarlane- Comic Book creator best known for his work on The Amazing Spider-Man and horror-fantasy series Spawn, shares tips on how to make it in the biz during his crazy Q&A session. He will also discuss the upcoming Spawn reboot.
- 3pm-5pm, Price $10: Author R.L. Stine. Sometimes known as the Stephen King of children’s literature and author of hundreds of horror fiction novels, including Goosebumps books, Stine will discuss the heritage of the series.
- 6:30-7:30 pm: Actor Keanu Reeves and Director Jeffrey Nachmanoff are here to discuss their upcoming sci-fi film Replicas.
Friday, October 6th
- 12:15-1:15 pm: Voice actors Lane Toran, Francesca Marie Smith, Anndi McAfee and Olivia Hack, from the movie Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie. These original series voice actors will be here chatting about their experiences.
Saturday, October 7th
- 2:45-3:45 pm: Jeffrey Cranor and Joseph Fink, writers of Welcome to Night Vale, are here to talk about their new book in the mystery saga It Devours!
- 4-5pm: Celebrating 100 Years of Jack Kirby- The King’s New York. In honor of Kirby’s 100th birthday, Greg Young dives into Kirby’s hometown descriptions in comics like Fantastic Four, Captain America, and the Avengers.
Sunday, October 8th
- 10:45-11:45 am: Kicking Ass, Taking Names- Women of Color in Comics. A group of writers and editors discuss the incredible impact of female superheroes of color; where they started, how far they’ve come, and how far they still have to go. Guests include Desiree Rodriguez, Vita Ayala, Janice Chiang, Sheena Howard and Amy Chu.
- 1-2pm: The X-Files, actors Chris Carter, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson and Mitch Pileggi discuss the 11th season
- 4:15-5:15 pm: Batman, the Animated Series 25th Anniversary. Kevin Conroy (Batman), Tara Strong (Batgirl), and Producers Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett, take a look at how this series raised the bar for superhero storytelling.
- All day, Warner Bros panels
Madison Square Garden- Top Picks
Most of the television-related panels and musical acts will take place at Madison Square Garden. This includes AMC’s The Walking Dead and Netflix’s upcoming series, The Punisher. Musical acts, Nerf Herder and Jonathan Coulton, will require separate tickets.
October 7th, 2-3:15 pm: Also check out Marvel and ABC’s Agents of the S.H.I.E.L.D panel. A must-see for Marvel tv fans!
New York Public Library- New Event
October 5th, the NYPL, and ReedPop are holding a panel and networking session for librarians and educators to get together with creators and publishers. This event requires an NYCC badge.
Hammerstein Ballroom- Top Picks
October 7th, 12:30-1:30 pm: Ash vs Evil Dead panel with lead actor/executive producer Bruce Campbell, as well as co-stars Ray Santiago, Dana DeLorenzo, Arielle Carver-O’Neill and Lindsay Farris. The show will host a panel, followed by an autograph signing session between 3-4pm at Table 21 Autographing Area Hall 1-B
October 7th, 3:30-4:30 pm: The Magicians, a look at season 3
Also make sure to check out the happenings at the Lincoln Center, BB King Blues Club, Hudson Mercantile, Alamo Drafthouse, Rock Bar NYC, and many more!
If you are a newbie to Comic Con or a hardened veteran, you should always be prepared for huge crowds, a ton of walking, spotty Wi-Fi, not enough bathrooms, and long, long lines.
Make a list of the panels, guests, and artists that you want to see, and make it happen.
If you have questions about tickets, panels, what you can bring and what you can’t, check out the most Frequently asked questions.
Good luck and have fun!
If you love comic books, superheroes, and all else in-between be sure to check out our Super Tour of NYC to see real-life superhero locations from on the page and on the screen.