Back to New York Comic Con

Last year, I attended my first New York Comic Con. Before I finished my first day, I knew I would be back again. When NYCC runs October 6-9, I will be back, immersing myself in pop culture amusement.

Debuting in 2006 at Javits Convention Center and managed by ReedPop, NYCC drew about 33,000 attendees, triple what was originally expected. It attracts more fans each year, with more than 250,000 in 2018. Even with extra COVID procedures, NYCC staffers worked hard last year to make the experience fun and smooth.

My NYCC experience started months earlier, when I was granted a press pass. NYCC kept all updated along the way with guest announcements, schedules, health procedures and all other relevant info.

Arriving at NYCC, I was prepared for anything regarding health clearances, but was very pleasantly surprised at how smooth that process was. It was one extra step in the entry process, but a very minor one that took only a few minutes the first day. After that, it was a whirlwind of fun for the entire four days.

I always get caught in the excitement and have convention overload when I first get in the event. As usual, I had a plan though.

First, I did a basic walk through of all areas to get a feeling of the layout. Along the way, I briefly connected with several convention regulars, like artists Sara Richard, Art Baltazar, Franco, K Lynn Smith and others. They were mostly busy settling in and so was I, but I knew I would catch up more later.

Perhaps the biggest celebrity I met was WWE superstar John Cena. Unfortunately, our picture had the clear divider. While a bit disappointing, it was completely understandable considering the situation. This year, there won't be dividers. Similarly, masks were mandatory last year and will be again, but the policy is relaxed for pictures, at the discretion of the celebrities. These potential restrictions are a small price to pay for the experiences gained.

This year, the celebrity guest list includes Brendan Fraser, Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson, Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Drew Barrymore, Jamie Lee Curtis, Svengoolie, Ice T and so many more. Wrestlers will also hae a major presence with Sting, Mick Foley, Jack "Jungle Boy" Perry, Britt Baker and several others at various booths, like Michael Kingston's Headlocked booth.

In addition to meeting many celebrities and creators, I spent time with Ashley Prester, my East Coast buddy. I also saw other convention pals and made some new ones.

Celebrities and Artist Alley are my main interests, but NYCC has a lot more. Panels, Q&As, screenings, cosplay contests and lots of other great events happen. There are also hundreds of vendors selling pop culture merch of all sorts. I could spend days just roaming around the convention floor, being amazed at all the cool stuff.

As I write this, I am more and more excited about NYCC 2022. It's less than three weeks away and I can't wait. Check back here for my post-event coverage.