New York Comic Con has been a staple of nerd-culture, with a mixture of movies, TV, games, comics and so much more all assembling with their fans in tow at the Javits Center every year in Manhattan’s midtown. For a long time, I attended every year and loved it, but after attending in 2021 (the first con post-COVID) I haven’t been able to justify attending, since there wasn’t much drawing me in. This year, even with the price increase, had me excited. Did it live up? Let’s talk about it!
I was only able to attend Saturday, but the reviews for the rest of the days seem about the same- so let’s discuss what all I did (or didn’t) do, then we’ll talk about the positives and negatives
ROPE DROP
From Penn Station, I walked about 15 minutes to the Javits center, and then proceeded through the South entrance. You scanned your badge, but that was pretty much the only security. No bag checks or anything else to be honest. I got there at nine-ish, and they let us in at about nine fourth-five. It was a pretty unorganized rope drop with no clear order of how the lines are being released. People were SPRINTING to the Marvel booth for the Secret Lair Magic X Marvel collab, where they had 250 free Wolverine comics and then a Doctor Strange card. It stayed pretty clear for the first hour the floor as open, so even though it was hard I would recommend researching what you would want to do, getting there early and running.
VENDORS
On the main floor, Bandai had a huge presence towards the front as usual, with a Little Nightmares 3 booth, which I didn’t play the demo of but they had a large inflatable photo-op that looked cool. There was a Gundam booth, with a statue photo-op and a free mini model (they were selling it for thirteen dollars otherwise) but they only gave a select few every hour. I checked in multiple times all day and I wasn’t able to get it. There was a S.H. Figuarts booth showcasing the offerings. I bought a Monkey D. Luffy figure from One Piece (the only anime I can 100% say I love). There was also a Godzilla and Ultraman photo-op with Mascots and booths selling figures.
CAPCOM had a booth with Marvel Vs. Capcom and Monster Hunter, which had a very long line all day. The game looked cool, but I had very limited time and didn’t want to wait in line for any video games since a majority were already out.
100 soft and kidrobot had a joint booth, and passed out tickets to come back, but when I came back, they said the line was capped but they still honored the ticket- and I got pins of Mr. Fantastic and Doctor Doom.
The price to be a vendor at NYCC is super expensive, so all the prices you can expect to be over whatever you’d expect. I was looking for a lot of Marvel Legends and McFarlane DC Multiverse figures I want to collect, and the few figures I did find, the prices were at least 20% over retail.
DC’s Creature Commando’s had a short popup where you get themed dog tags and then a video taken of you. The highlight was the person giving out free dog tags at the front- he talked to me and my friend about how much we disliked recent DC Films, and how exciting the new DCU is. Also about how great recent Miles Morales characterization.
McDonald’s gave away free Chicken Big Macs and Fries. Baller.
ARTIST ALLEY
Artist Alley is usually the same old same old- stuffy small area, overheated basement, tons of people, long lines and disorganized. This year is no different, but since the last time I was at NYCC my knowledge of the inner workings of comics and the industry have changed a lot. I met a bunch of creatives who I adore and love their work, but because I’m in the middle of a move I had no books to get signed (sorry Jason Aaron!)
I networked a lot though. Fingers crossed I get some absolute-ly awesome interviews soon! (wink wink!)
PANELS
The main event, and the main reason I attended, was for the Creature Commandos panel. With all the cast attending and James Gunn (my long time idol) it became a must to attend the first in-person panel of the DCU.
Unfortunately, I had no clue you could make reservations for panels, so I missed it. I sent emails to PR people at Max and WB, I DM’d countless other creators with no luck… meaning I had to brave the STANDBY LINE!!! (Dun, Dun Dunnnn!)
It wasn’t that bad actually. The panel started at 4:45, and I decided to work my way over at 3:30. I knew I would get lost somehow, but I didn’t realize how quick. I went all the way to the bottom floor past artist alley to the ‘Main Stage’, but there was noone there. After asking around, I realized it was at the top floor in the very back at the ‘Empire Stage’, apparently very different things.
It wasn’t looking good. The line was already pretty long and there were a lot of reservations it looked like. My Dad was sending the crying laughing emoji over text. I was cooked.
But after waiting, I got in. Somehow, the great nerd-gods blessed me with middle seats, and it was perfect. I made it!
But the MC from the panel before was playing music, and offering the best dancers VIP seats. I was confused and thought I had good seats, but I’m a high risk, high reward type of guy. I went up and asked him to dance off, and he just gave me a VIP seat. It was FOUR rows from the front, with a great view. I stepped on someone’s foot and I apologized and they didn’t even care that much, we talked about our days and how excited we were. The cast comes out. Then Gunn. The crowd was electric. They played a trailer- (now on YouTube) and the song is STILL stuck in my head. Clayface is in it. (fantastical Batman!!!) The panel was great, and a ton of fun, and I ended up with a photo of me and Gunn, and one of Frank Grillo and SEAN GUNN (for all my JLI-Heads, He is the actor for Maxwell Lord in the upcoming DCU)
So, TLDR, buy tickets early and make reservations. Or have a dance off. Up to you.
PROS AND CONS
Pros, it was fun, and people were friendly. It’s always nice to go somewhere with people with the same interest who are happy to be there.
Cons, It smelled. Deodorant is not something I believe a lot of these people use often sadly. There was a lot of indoor smoking, and so it also smelled of… those smells. There were a large quantity of inflatable costumes making the already hard to walk around in show floor harder to walk in. There were a lot of young children who I felt a little bad for as not everything there is for kids. There were A LOT of lines. It was SUPER expensive and you’re better off eating before or after the con.
Conclusion
In short, I’m so happy I went. It was a ton of fun, and reignited passions for certain nerd stuff I forgot about (One Piece… I miss you honey!)
I would recommend anyone on the fence who’s never been, to go, and try it out!
P.S. GO WATCH THE CREATURE COMMANDOS TRAILER!!!
One thought on “My Experience with NYCC 2024”
Hands down some of the best moments I had In a while were at comic-con! I wouldn’t dare to miss it next year !