The comic con comeback we’ve all been waiting for… New York Comic Con made its way back to the Javits Center from October 7-10, welcoming back fans from around the world!
Adapting to the times, this year’s NYCC complied with New York City’s COVID-19 mandates where proof of vaccine was required (with a wristband good for the weekend issued thereafter) and masks needed to stay on at all times (except when in designated dining areas). Additionally, attendance was slightly limited as well as vendor availability.
But in the end, it made for a safer experience for all those attending & exhibiting! New York Comic Con 2021 still had all the elements that make it the greatest comic con like some of the best entertainment guests around: John Cena, David Harbour, Hayden Christensen, William Shatner, George Takei, Dante Basco & Janet Varney, and the stars of The Boys (Antony Starr, Chace Crawford, Erin Moriarty, Jack Quaid, Karen Fukuhara). And, of course, all the comic books, panels, reveals, cosplay, gaming, and one-of-a-kind fan experience activations you can imagine! It was so cool to see the Funimation Sakura Park, Star Trek Prodigy installation, and Chucky Ice Cream Truck:
Located on the Show Floor, these unique destinations make for great photo ops and a way to walk away with unforgettable memories. And with thousands of other booths to browse, you’ll want to spend as much time as you can at NYCC! Tons of fan-favorite brands and licenses were showing off their latest products and offerings including Bandai, Topps, Viz Media, Diamond Select Toys, Cryptozoic Entertainment, and the recently-launched collectibles app Whatnot, who had hard-to-find exclusives and hosted live trading card breaks & collectibles auctions.
Let’s not forget about the NYCC 2021 exclusives all around, which makes the whole weekend become *the* collectible hunt of the year as you secure all of the items that’ll make your friends jealous. Even the official show store was stocked up on this-year-only merchandise! So, pro tip: do your homework, keep your eyes peeled, and move swiftly!
And though major publishers like DC Comics, Marvel, IDW, and Penguin Random House were not at this year’s NYCC, there was still so much to walk away with, whether it was buying merchandise like apparel, enamel pins, Funko Pops, and other collectibles… or scoring sweet freebies & giveaways like trading cards at the Metazoo booth or comics at the Jamie Tyndall booth! There was absolutely no shortage of comic books here. We’re talking about key issues, graded books, signed books, trade paperbacks, and so many exclusives… with a really good chance that you can find its artists and/or writers downstairs in the Artist Alley!
The heart of New York Comic Con 2021 was definitely the art. Whether it was upstairs on the Show Floor or down below in the Artist Alley, you’ll find the best art that the industry has to offer while in the presence of fellow collectors and enthusiasts. With up & coming creators, as well as mainstream guests in the Artist Alley, leaving the con with an amazing piece of art is a given. Some of the featured guests included Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Donny Cates, Ryan Stegman, Brian K. Vaughan, Rob Liefeld, Brian Azzarello, Chris Claremont, Amy Chu, and Sean Gordon Murphy… and nearly 500 other talented creators! So be sure to stay up to date at all times with the latest guest list and maps (like via the official NYCC app).
But it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to get a little lost… That’s how we found these guys:
Cosplayers are fast! Above are characters based on the hit Netflix show Squid Game that released only a few short weeks ago. But you’ll see that as soon as you step inside, NYCC cosplayers always bring the most creative and most impressive costumes to the show! And that’s pretty much New York Comic Con in a nutshell… all the vendors & artists put so much work & creativity into their craft that it’s truly a jaw-dropping experience no matter how many times you attend!
And, believe it or not, the dates for New York Comic Con 2022 have already been announced! Be sure to mark your calendars for October 6-9, 2022 and maybe we’ll see you there too! In the meantime, swipe through for a few more pictures:
LesDudis 