You’re in Midtown, New York. It’s the third week of October. As you walk, you see hundreds of people dressed as superheroes, horror movie characters, or straight out of fairy tales, books, video games, TV shows, or anime. You see them getting on and off the train. They’re everywhere. If you think it’s early Halloween celebrations, you’re wrong. Most likely, they’re showing off their cosplays for the New York Comic Con (NYCC).
The event, which took place from October 17th to 20th this year, has been held since 2006 and is the largest in North America. In 2023, attendance was estimated at over 200,000 people, surpassing even the original Comic-Con in San Diego, California. In New York, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, also known as the Javits Center, is the perfect venue to accommodate such a large crowd.
The Javits Center doesn’t just hold massive numbers of people, and NYCC isn’t merely a gathering where a horde of nerds wear their best and most amazing cosplays for four days. Inside, attendees are immersed in a vibrant world of exhibitions and panels that explore everything related to geek entertainment. In addition to bringing together the most talented comic book artists and illustrators, companies like Amazon, eBay, Bandai Namco, VIZ, Topps, Funko, TikTok, NECA, Marvel, and other giants in the entertainment industry set up huge booths to the delight of visitors.
Another major part of NYCC is the themed panels. Here, attendees can talk to actors and creators and also get exclusive, front-row access to sneak peeks of upcoming films and even full episodes of their favorite TV shows. This year, standout panels were dedicated to shows like The Penguin, Mayfair Witches (AMC+), What We Do in the Shadows (FX), Star Trek(Paramount), The Simpsons (Disney), Ghosts (CBS), The Walking Dead (AMC+), and the highly anticipated HBO series DUNE: PROPHECY. Studios like Sony (showcasing Kraven The Hunter, Karate Kid Legends, Venom – The Last Dance) and Blumhouse (previewing M3gan 2, Drop, Wolf Man) also had their chance to present trailers of their upcoming films.
What if someone wants an autograph or a photo with their favorite actors? Well, NYCC has that covered too. By making a reservation and paying a fee that varies depending on the actor, die-hard fans have this opportunity. This year, for four days, there were endless lines of people waiting to see Josh Brolin, Paul Bettany, Ella Purnell, Danny Elfman, Matt Smith, Elizabeth Olsen, Marisa Tomei, Walton Goggins, Hayley Atwell, Mads Mikkelsen, Aaron Moten, and Kyle Maclachlan, to name a few.
Fans of memorabilia, comic books, action figures, and other collectibles had plenty to keep themselves busy at New York’s Con. More than 600 exhibitors showcased their products on multiple floors of the Javits Center. Walking through the aisles can be overwhelming—I speak from experience—because at every corner, something amazing made me stop and look, from action figures to bookshelves filled with original illustrations. The booths are so captivatingly decorated that it’s hard to keep your eyes still.
NYCC always has something to offer fans of the entertainment world. It doesn’t matter if you’re an introvert, feel out of place, the weirdo in your class, or the odd kid in your family. Your love life preferences or gender are also irrelevant. NYCC is an inclusive community that celebrates diversity and creativity. You can be whoever you want to be and express your imagination without limits. New York Comic Con truly is a safe space to unleash the geek inside you.