It’s been a long time between posts my fellow dorks. Life has a way of throwing curve balls but I’m back and couldn’t pick a better time than now with my recap on New York Comic Con 2018.
Fan Verification and Pre-Sale process
Since 2016, the only way into NYCC is to be fan verified. There is still no 4 or 3-Day passes sold for this event which I know annoys many fans but I think the process is still fair and with expansion of the Javits Center in full swing, the future is looking brighter which may give fans what they want when it comes to ticket choices later down the road. With that said, my biggest concern is the appearance that the same amount of tickets were sold even though the square footage of the center itself was reduced because of the construction. This made for the already challenging maneuvering that much more.
Grade: B-
The Green and Blue Entrances
Relatively smooth from my experience. Press, Industry and Exhibitors were able to go through the Blue Entrance with ease and usually about an hour or so before the show floor opened to the public. The only complaint and it seems to be a yearly one, is the security at the Javits Center. Not those who work for ReedPop but those who work for the Center. The personal experience I had with one on Saturday morning and witnessing how this person treated a mother who wanted to change her child’s diaper and asked to be let in so that she could use the family restroom was both disturbing as a parent myself and disappointing given that a ReedPop member stood there and let it happen. I understand rules but sometimes compassion and common sense should supersede. It is a major health violation having to change a baby’s diaper on a city sidewalk. Shame on Citadel Security and the staff member of ReedPop for not having the courage to even speak up when he clearly looked uncomfortable for the mother.
Grade: C+
The Main Stage (Tap and go)
Not sure if it’s the multiple locations that NYCC has created for its panel selections but it has never been easier for convention goers to get their passes scanned for panels taking place on the Main Stage. Is it the type of panels? Perhaps. I think there’s enough variety to please all. The key to panels and enjoying them is simply to pick one you really want and get to the queue hall early. Once you secure that one, any other panel you can see should be considered a bonus.
Grade: A
Photo Ops and Autograph Alley
This was the first time that I didn’t get any pro pic but it didn’t stop me from visiting my friends over at Epic Photos. They are the premier professional photo team for conventions for my money. The only thing that looked problematic is their new location due to the construction. Photo Ops and certain Autographs were held in the former Empire Stage where Artist Alley appeared last year. It’s a VERY tight fit and the flow was challenging. That is not Epic Photos problem but it did act like a deterrent for those who thought about getting a photo-op or seek an autograph.
Grade: A-
Show Exclusives
I have to say overall I wasn’t too impressed by the exclusives this year. Maybe as I get older, I don’t get as excited by them or maybe this year nothing stood out to me as a must have. At least not on the show floor. That was a little different for the ReedPop Show Store where the two hottest items were the new Spirit Jersey and Retro Pin. The spirit jersey is a nice addition to the clothing line and makes you feel like you’re at Disney for getting your hands on them. The retro pin is a nice collectible and this year was the first time that pin trading had taken place. Did I mention Disney? Anyway, it’s a nice addition to the convention experience especially for children. I do like the idea that the FUNKO booth (arguably the most sought after booth at the convention) would open its booth to the general public sometime in the late afternoon or early evening. Granted its slim pickings at that point of the day but at least it allows people who didn’t win the pre-show lottery an opportunity to snag some exclusives.
Grade: B
Artist Alley
Where Photo Ops and Autograph Alley took a hit with their new site, the benefactor was Artist Alley. The location was so much better and spacious that it allowed for better flow and interaction between the artists and the fans. It is now my hope once the expansion is completed that all areas like Artist Alley, Photo Ops and Autograph Alley will have comfortable accommodations they so richly deserve.
Grade: A
In other news…
Much like last year, there has been an increase in the interactive experience. Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or Stargate or any other fandom, NYCC did its best to surprise us. Another neat feature was the portable charging stations. With all of us carrying some form of media device that requires constant charging, having these stations was a godsend. A godsend anyway for most of the 4 days. By mid-to-late Saturday, the charging stations which required a credit/debit card to insure that no one runs away the device, was getting a little wonky and wasn’t working as good as it had the earlier days. Overall, I like the idea of them and I hope to see more stations going forward.
So another year has come and gone and I was finish this piece I can’t help but think of October 3, 2019 when NYCC comes back. If I am fortunate to go, it will be year 11 for me but who’s counting? 😉
My Top 10 highlights are:
10. Exclusive first look at Reign of the Supermen.
9. Scoring the FUNKO Pops exclusives especially The True Original b/w Mickey Mouse 90th Birthday collectible.
8. Walking through the Alex Ross exhibit.
7. The World of LORE! Panel with Aaron Manhke.
6. Batman the Animated Series Blu-Ray celebration panel.
5. Lois and Clark 25th Anniversary Reunion Panel with Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher.
4. Boys Meets World Reunion panel was beyond awesome. Seeing the love from the fan base for Ben Savage, D.F. and Wil Freidle shows how a TV program can make an impact on that still not only affected us as children and young adults but as men and women with families of our own.
3. Meeting Aaron Mahnke from the LORE podcast. My original intention was to get information about his in booth signing and after meeting and chatting with him, I became a bigger fan.
2. Meeting Dean Cain and having a wonderful discussion with a genuine and kind man who gets it when comes to the fans. He embraces the legacy of what it means to play the role of Superman. He unlike so many have an understanding that it’s not a curse, it’s a privilege. Thank you Mr. Cain for being awesome.
1. This year my biggest highlight was sharing this comic con experience with the people I hold very dear to me. Yes panels, exclusive collectibles and celebrating the genre that brings everyone together is so much fun to be a part of but sharing the experience with someone you love makes the experience priceless.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
