Another New York Comic Con in the Books

I survived another NYCC! This one actually felt closer to one set in Manila, given that the early October weather clung to the mid 80s with tons of humidity in the air.

Javits Center cosplay; credit: Steve Bunche

Because of the Javits Center's undergoing multi-year construction project, the airy annex that once housed Artist Alley is gone, leaving creators to squish themselves tightly into the subterranean space the convention outgrew long ago. That, and sales practices preferring single day admission tickets meant that over 200,000 attendees were uncomfortably close at times, some wondering if they'd make the return in 2018 or seek out new and smaller, more specialized shows.

Still, it was great to see so many cosplayers, new action figures, inspiring art, and to speak with so many people in real life that I tend to only catch up with on social media these days.

A gallery of my photos can be found here, and my roundup of the 7 Coolest Booths at the Con can be found on the fabulous ComicsBeat.com. The full thing, as is my life is documented on Instagram.

New York Comic Con 2013

Last weekend, I attended the 8th annual New York Comic Con and had a grand ol' time shopping at The Block, trolling pics of cosplayers for my day job, lurking at toys and visiting with friends in Artist Alley. As usual, there was an abundance of overstimulating imagery - and some oddly out of place celebs, Darlene Love's booth, anyone? - at the show. And though several articles have been published about the continued harassment of female cosplayers, which truly is a shame in this day and age, I felt that this was probably the most girl-friendly con I've been to yet.

First off, there were cosplayers of all shapes and sizes doing their thing, which I imagine has to be liberating for those participating - not letting body image issues (possibly triggered by looking at women illustrated in comic books) distort one's desire to rock heels, fishnets with no pants and a top hat despite not being a size 6. Curvy Zatanna, I got you, girl!

What's up, sexy Psylocke?

Sure, the Arizona Iced Tea "We Heart Big Cans" setup in the main lobby was tacky as hell. But there were at least three booths offering manicures - not bad for the nerdy girl on the go. And there were tons of booths selling all sorts of niche apparel - Star Trek, steampunk, anime, mega-booths pushing Batman lingerie and pajamas, even Ricky's Halloween shop - with impulse items galore for everyone.

Also more prevalent this year: sexy, shirtless MALE cosplayers. See below (yum, Latino Spartans!).

Some pretty incredible celeb sightings occurred; Whoopi Goldberg even showed up to pitch her comic to DC's Dan DiDio! (Sidebar: "Whoopi Goldberg was at Comic Con!" is also the leading boner-killing sentence one can convey to my boyfriend.)

Stolen from DiDio's Facebook page.

Speaking of (fem)boner killing, here's "Uncle" Jerry Only of the Misfits copping a feel on me during a photo op. I guess that can count as harassment. 

Another advent at this year's NYCC was the "tapping" in and out of badges. Rather than just having security eyeball peoples' passes as they came through, we were required to be electronically tagged in and out of the hall. The result? A massive decrease in bootlegged badges, and dare I say, slightly more elbow room when walking through the main room.

Of course, there were also tons of panels and breaking news of comic happenings, but I can't be bothered waiting in line for that when there's Alex Pardee art to be purchased. The only one I wished I'd made it to was the Chucky 25th Anniversary panel, but was too busy in Times Square on Friday making little girls cry.

For me, the coolest thing was the incorporation of street and "pop" art. Both Roebling Wall (located around the corner from Williamsburg's Cotton Candy Machine gallery) and KidRobot sponsored live painting events on-site, and such prominent names as Ron English, Skinner, Wayshak and Tara McPherson were there autographing and selling pieces.

Overall, a good time. Even as NYCC continues to struggle with some growing pains. To check out all my photos head HERE.

Countdown to New York Comic Con

Doesn't this NYCC App logo look like some shitty hardcore band's T-shirt?

It's almost that time of year again... New York Comic Con. And while I may not be the stereotypical con-goer (who IS a "typical" con attendee these days?), I am WAY excited about this weekend's festivities. Scanning through their app last night, I found some highlights I thought I'd share.

I. Celebs Galore
Since Joe Harris' X Files Season 10 comic series had inspired me to revisit the TV show on Netflix, it's actually quite exciting that both Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny will be appearing together at NYCC. Other A-listers include Patrick Stewart, Sigourney Weaver, Aisha Tyler, a ton of Walking Dead cast members (including Norman Reedus, meow!), The Office's BJ Novak, Chloe Grace Moretz, Felicia Day, George Romero, Kathy Najimy and William Shatner. And apparently Sylvester Stallone is charging $300 per pic. Go, Sly!

II. Wrestlemania
Your favorite '80s wrestlers are also coming through, specifically: Hulk Hogan, Sgt. Slaughter and Hacksaw Jim Duggan.

III. Metal People, What's Up?
The fine gentlemen of Metal Sucks (and Metal Injection) are teaming up with Vertebrae33 and are hosting signings with Monster Magnet's Dave Wyndorf and Anthrax's Frank Bello over the weekend.

IV: "Alt" Art or Attack the Block
In addition to hosting comics, manga, celebs and other vendors, NYCC has an area called "The Block" devoted to surrealist and pop art, collectible vinyls and toys, apparel and tons more. This is where I tend to spend WAY too much money at the Zero Friends and Kid Robot booths.

V: EXCLUSIVES
Besides "limited edition" is there another term that can get collectors' hearts to beat faster? Check out NYCC's listing right here.

If you see me at NYCC, say hi and hopefully I'll remember the last time we interacted. I'll be the shorter-in-person brunette with the fancy camera and the Press pass.

New York Comic Con 2012

That's just the lobby overflow on Saturday. Artist Alley was past that Walking Dead poster at the end.

A comic con is my happy place. This happy place is made exponentially better when I don't have to get on a plane to get there. And though I'm one of "those" people who generally walks past the superhero stuff to get at the oddball vinyl toys (or stare at the Masters of the Universe display), shop the lowbrow art mini pop-up stores, or explore the more eclectic booths on the show floor, New York Comic Con has always been a good time. As a total bonus, I also get to check in with all the wonderful people I met during my brief stint in the comics world.

Even now, in its sixth year, as NYCC struggles to satisfy the sold-out capacity crowd with an exhausting amount of panels, screenings, show floor space, anime festival, autograph sessions, video game demos—in addition to the core of comics-based programming—it's still impossible to see it all. Craftman Tools had a booth, as did Hallmark and Taschen. NYCC even hosted a Trapped in the Closet sing-along. (Fun fact: according to a Crain's New York Business report, NYCC is the second largest event in New York City.)

Then there are the cosplayers. Few things in the world are more wonderful to see. Walking down aisles crowded with grown men and women dressed as Adventure Time characters, Poison Ivy, Dr. Who, Batman and a myriad of other pop-culture icons is just about the most insightful urban anthropological study one can be privy to.

This guy rules.

Want to talk about people giving no fucks? Cosplayers had no shame in their games and it was inspiring to watch. And photograph—since almost everyone's goal seemed to be finding a spot in a blog's photo gallery (mission accomplished). Truly, it's the least any of us can do to pay tribute to the many hours some spent on homemade costumes, perfecting every detail. And those who half-assed it were even more funny to check out.

On the metal tip, Kirk Hammett signed copies of his new book, the Metal Sucks bros shared a booth with Vertebrae 33 and hosted autograph sessions by Dee Snider, Alex Skolnick (who actually plugged in and played in the middle of the show floor) and tattoo legend Paul Booth. And Integrity frontman Dwid Hellion released a really ugly looking toy. As much as I love the band, there's no way I'm paying $85 for a figure that looks like a tar-dipped plucked turkey (and couldn't stand without holding the included staff).

Thee Black Heksen by Dwid Hellion

Things I bought included three of the five Frank Kozik x Kidrobot Goon Squad busts, the first Alex Pardee book, mini card prints by an artist named Seymour who showed at the Strychnin Gallery booth (a really cool Berlin-based gallery) and the graphic novel tribute to Mercyful Fate. Want to see what I saw? Check out my gallery here.

Until next year...

Into Another's T.A.I.L. Video

Not a bad way to cap off the night... and get me excited for their October shows. Below is the recently unearthed video for Into Another's "T.A.I.L." Such wonderful weirdness.

Think Into Another will play a longer set at Saint Vitus the night before their headlining spot at Revelation 25? Still can't believe that event is the same weekend as NY Comic Con.

Rewind: New York Comic Con 2010

I was good for what, two consecutive days, before I took an unscheduled leave of absence? The last few weeks have been pretty packed with New York Comic Con, CMJ, family commitments and day job activities, so there's sadly been a slowdown of posts. But some things, like NYCC, just can't be denied... so here goes.

The fifth annual convention has quickly become a destination event for thousands of comic culture fans from across the world, and it crackles with the same bubbling energy that San Diego Comic Con once generated before becoming an ADD nightmare awash with Hollywood poseurs. And to up the ante even further this year, ReedPop, the company behind NYCC decided to pair it with its other franchise—the New York Anime Festival—so the gatherings were happening concurrently on different floors of the Jacob Javits Center. Result? A glorious, anthropologically fascinating culture clash between under-aged cosplayers and 40-year-old dudes dressed as Green Arrow. Ah, my people.

Among the varied highlights were appearances by superstars like Jim Lee, Bruce Campbell and Amanda Conner, early trailers of AMC's incredible zombie mini-series The Walking Dead, announcements from DC that Anthony Bourdain will be writing a Vertigo graphic novel and a previews of a variety of digital comics. Even cartoon-theme cover band Powerglove had a booth. Add to that over 300 panels, a wide selection of vendors, hundreds of talent appearances and enough liver-butchering after parties to momentarily appease Charlie Sheen, you can be sure that there was something to be had for everyone... even if that something was a pair of Chubby Hubby sexy undies.

Yet I somehow managed to break down my very favorite moments from the con. Check 'em out below.

My Top 5 Favorite Things From NYCC 2010:

1. Boba Fett, Renegade Accordionist busking outside. To quote Stan Lee: "'Nuff said!" Photo by Tim Shey.

2. The Michael Jackson Experience Wii Game preview and watching people (especially kids) in costume playing it onstage for hours. So on my holiday wish list.

Jay & Silent Bob dance to "Beat It."

 3. The Marvel Comics Costume Contest... and all the amazing outfits it inspired (see: Bishop with boombox gun). And if you didn't witness the dance-off, you really missed something magical. More official Marvel pics here.

4. Freaks Meet Geeks—we all know who's who (the Anime people are definitely the former). Photo by excalipoor.

5. Forget Modern Family, we've got your real nuclear family right here. Several costumed families were seen meandering the halls. I figure there's about a fifty-fifty chance that kid's going to be in therapy. Even greater odds of family LARPing.

Want to see more photos? Check out the full set on Flickr.

Mastodon + Comic Con = 2x Love

Here are two things I love separately, finally joined together courtesy of VBS.

New York Comic Con '09

Normally, I'd be all over New York Comic Con. But with one of my best friend's wedding falling on Saturday, my participation in the con and all the partying associated with it was sadly kept to a minimum. In the end, though, it was all worth it. Dannielle and David's wedding was a lovely affair and went off without a hitch—and it even had a few comics-related moments of its own.

For one thing, the ceremony and reception were held on West 37th Street, a short distance from the convention. As I exited the cab, I had to chuckle when spotting some light saber-weilding Jedi neophytes migrating east. Then during the cocktail hour, I was surprised to see the groom's cousin, comic book artist Judd Winick (yes, that was him on Real World: San Francisco), was also in attendance. What can I say? The nerd cred just materializes.

Though I'm sure I missed the best costumes and attractions on display at the NYCC on Saturday, I was still happy to bask in my comic book and Japanese toy obsessions on Sunday. As usual, it was great to gossip with friends in the business, see the latest movie trailers and people-watch. (For the full photo gallery, click HERE.)

And for those of you who are more word-oriented, here's a detailed recap of the trends and cultural anthropology that caught my eye as I made my way across the Jacob Javitz Center floor.


WATCHMEN FEVER
With the lawsuit settled and a firm March 6 release date in place, the biggest buzz at the convention was the forthcoming Watchmen movie. A panel and preview of the film was held before a capacity crowd, and people lined up for four hours in advance of artist Dave Gibbons' autograph signing. Bright yellow promotional items, deluxe-edition graphic novels, action figures, props and costumed conventioneers were everywhere.

How cool is this giant chalk drawing?



DUDES IN BODYSUITS
This look goes way beyond standard fanboy behavior—especially since most of the guys who dress up in tight, shiny costumes generally don't have the bodies to fit them. Trust me, seeing The Flash coming was a lot more painful than seeing him going. No homo.

As for the ladies, there were many a Baroness in the house... to various degrees of success [see below].




COSPLAY FAMILIES
I suppose the family that dorks out together, stay together—but the least they could do was pick a unifying theme and stick with it.



...Just like these guys! Blue is a theme, right?



FYI: The foam toilet seat cover around the girl's neck is a promo item for the full-length film version of the defunct Showtime series, Dead Like Me. Apparently its an obscure reference to a death scene in the pilot.

CELEBS LOVE COMICS
All weekend, the talk of the NYCC was about which NY-based celebs were seen perusing the aisles and making unlikely appearances. Everyone from Jon Stewart to Method Man were reported to be in the building. Shit, even the Mastodon dudes were spotted taking light saber lessons on Friday.

The only celeb I spotted was 30 Rock's Scott Adsit. Not too shabby!




SWAG & GIMMICKS RULE
Though I was too antsy to stand on line for a 15-minute demo of the Wolverine video game to get the bonus giant foam clawed hand that came with it, I made sure to get my hands on a Wonder Woman tiara from the DC booth (thanks, Vince!). Exhibitors resorted to all sorts of interactive stunts to grab the attention of the sold-out crowd, including Cinemax, who provided hyperbaric chambers in which anyone 18 or older could watch scenes from their softcore porn/medical series, Forbidden Science.



KID ROBOT STILL MAKES MY NIPPLES HARD
Though I'm balling on a budget these days, I couldn't resist picking up a mini blind-pack Kid Robot toy from their line with Portland artist Ryan Bubnis, Heroes and Heartbreakers. Appropriately enough, I got Lil Franky. I also picked up a Things That Hurt zipper pull (and got a money bag! Hopefully a good omen).



That's the wrap for '09. According to Reed, the company that runs the New York Comic Con, next year's festivities will be pushed back until October 2010. Will we be buzzing about the Preacher flick?