Information:
http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/
Read this for all your needs:
How to Survive NY Comic Con in 12 Easy Steps.
See these videos for all your needs:
Artist Alley Tips
Show Tips
Maps:
- Detailed Show Floor Map/Detailed Map layout of the entire Javits Center including exhibitors and what not
- Javits Center Overview Map
- Show Floor General Layout Map (includes bathrooms and booths)
Every year, NYC has this big ass convention that's full of thousands of cosplayers with elaborate costumes as well as Comic books, video games, movies, and all that jazz. Last year was my first Comic Con experience.... as a volunteer working behind the scenes which was a fun and interesting experience. I got a ton of good memories from it and plenty of stories to tell among other things.
This year, I'm once again reprising my role as a Crew member (an upgrade from last year's Volunteer title) which means I'm getting payed to do it and I get several perks so I'll be working there again. I'll let you guys know at which area I'll be working at by this Wednesday since I'll get my schedule by then. Any way, last year was pretty crazy; The Avengers was nuts or so I heard from coworkers. Will this year be crazy? Let's find out.
Each subsequent year, NY Comic Con gets bigger and better. This year looks to be even bigger than last year's Comic Con. A random moment for me was seeing a topless woman with her boobs out in full force in front of the Javits Center as I was making my way in. So my question to you NYC GAF and Gaffers who plan on coming from other states and countries is do you have a pass?
Important Information:
- 3 Day and 4 Day passes are sold out on the Comic Con website (but not secondhand retailers). As you all know, Saturday is the biggest and busiest day. Friday and Sunday passes are still available on to purchase on the site; secondhand retailers are selling passes for every day (see bullet #9 below for details). You can view the tickets here: http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/Buy-Tickets/
- Again, I will be working there so if you see me in action come say hi to me and shoot the breeze with me while I work for a bit. I'll be wearing a "Crew" shirt (color to be TBA) UPDATE: On Thursday afternoon I'll be working at Panel. I'll be working on the Show Floor on Saturday and Sunday all day. I'll be down to meet up on Friday after 6 since I have class. I might be there in the morning before I go to class (class is at 2) if anything as well. I'll let you guys know.
- For screenings/Panels, it is highly advised that you get there early. Otherwise, consider yourself screwed. Last year's screenings were massively overcrowded to the point where people were standing. The Avengers was absolutely nuts last year. We'll see if this year things are different.
- Before anyone says "Yo Jipan, hook me up with a free pass," I can't hook anyone up with free passes. It's against the rules and it would jeopardize my job if I did. Besides, free passes aren't exactly left out in the open for me to take. I will try to hook you up with anything that I may come across if anything (no promises).
- I highly recommend that you all wear comfortable sneakers/shoes, bring a bottle of water, snacks (e.g. trail mix is perfect), maybe gum, a good quality camera (for the inevitable pictures with the thousands of cosplayers), and good chunk of money if you plan on buying anything there or get stuff autographed. It tends to get pretty hot in there, plus there barely any reception beyond the entrance. Comic Con tends to be pretty pricey even though there's a ton of free swag as well. Especially if you're a big fan of X person who's autograph you've been dying to get. There's a lot of unique stuff you can get there for sure. I would also recommend you not buy anything to eat from there since the food is ridiculously over priced. There are several places in the area where you can eat for much cheaper; Wendy's, Quiznos, Friday's, etc. (thanks Amir0x)
- Since video games are huge, expect lots of announcements at this year's event. One thing of interest that is going to get unveiled is the Sleeping Dogs single player campaign DLC (which I'll be keeping my eye on as well). Expect big ass lines to play a game (like anything at Comic Con). Last year, when I managing the lines for Street Fighter X Tekken/ Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, it was a royal pain in the ass keeping the floor cleared to keep things moving as people wanted to spectate as well.
- The Masquerade Parade has been vanquished. There are now daily costume contests instead so no more funneling whiny people into the IGN Theater.
- A word of advice: don't be shy to ask cosplayers to take a picture with you. Speak up. Especially very attractive cosplayers or cosplayers with extremely cool costumes; chances are they will say yes because that's what they're there for. They're pretty nice. In general, it's very easy to build a rapport with a group of attendants; Comic Con is a good place to make some easy friends because of the commonality.
- If you have a smart phone, it is highly encouraged that you download the NYCC app (well my employers highly encourage it to everyone) to make your life much, much easier. Don't ask me anything about it because I don't know much about it despite having it on my phone. I heard the app was cumbersome to use last year so maybe they made a significant update to it this year.
- Worried about where to get a pass at? Are you sure you want to go? Do not fret my friends, eBay's got you covered(click this link). Also if you didn't click my ticket link, do not worry, here's a list of approved secondhand stores that got you covered for passes for any day(s) you want. So now you have no excuses not to go.
- 3DS Owners: Make sure you bring your 3DS to gather up a ton of Street Passes and play people locally during the down time while on a line (thanks Tom_Cody).
- Do you think Comic Con passes are pricey? Don't want to pony up the cash for Comic Con, but still want to go? Well then my fellow Gaffers, this exhibitor is looking for volunteers to work their booth for a couple of 6 hour shifts in exchange for a free pass, free shirts and discount. Click this link to apply now.
NYC GAF October Meet up:
Please note that this thread also serves as the NYC GAF October Meet up thread because of this event. Comic Con is the main meet up of the month. If you guys wanna meet up before the Comic Con dates or after, let me know and I'll post events of interest and what not. Preferably before Halloween since I know you guys are busy people; a Halloween GAF meet up would not work for many people.
Panels and Autograph Signings that might be of interest to you (I'm just pointing out random stuff so don't mind me; there's a ton more events that are probably more interesting):
For a full list of all Panels and Screenings click this link
- Hasbro: Transformers
Date: Thursday, October 11
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Location: 1A06
Description:
Transformers Brand & Design team members and Hasbro Studios will present big news for what's new and next with the "Robots in Disguise!" Fans won't want to miss this panel featuring exciting, never before seen "More Than Meets The Eye" reveals of what's to come in animation, action figures and more!
- Jason David Frank Autographing
Fee: $20
Date: Friday, October 12
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
Location: Autographing Table 2
Speaker: Jason David Frank
Description:
Come meet guest Jason David Frank! 8x10s with autograph for $20 each. Picture with Jason free with purchase. Shirts on sale for $25 each.
- Yoshitaka Amano and Yu Asakawa Autorgraph Ticket Giveaway (Part 1; thanks for clearing it up Kisaya )
Fee: Free
Date: Friday, October 12
8:00 am - 8:01 am
Location: Queue Hall, 1C
Description:
Autographing tickets will be available in the Queue Hall on Friday, October 12 at 8AM. Tickets are free, but extremely limited, and will be given out on a first come first serve basis. Note fans line up early for autograph ticket giveaways.
- Dark Horse Presents: Yoshitaka Amano (Part 2)
Date: Friday, October 12
1:45 pm - 2:45 pm
Location: 1A21
Speakers: Michael Gombos , Yoshitaka Amano
Description:
Legendary Japanese artist, Yoshitaka Amano makes a rare stateside appearance at New York Comic Con! Join Dark Horse in celebrating the life and work of Amano, just before the highly anticipated release of Sky: The Art of Final Fantasy.
- Yoshitaka Amano, Moyoco Anno, and Danny Choo Autograph Ticket Giveaway (Part 3)
Fee: Free
Date: Saturday, October 13
Saturday:8:00 am - 8:01 am
Location: Queue Hall, 1C
Description:
Autographing tickets will be available in the Queue Hall on Saturday, October 13 at 8AM. Tickets are free, but extremely limited, and will be given out on a first come first serve basis. Note fans line up early for autograph ticket giveaways.
Track:
Autographing
- Marvel Video Games
Date: Saturday, October 13
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Location: 1E13
Description:
Get the latest scoop on upcoming blockbuster Marvel video games spanning all of today’s hottest platforms (sorry, ColecoVision!). Upcoming titles include Deadpool, Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth, Marvel Heroes, Marvel: War of Heroes and more, plus the latest additions to current releases like Avengers Alliance, Avengers Initiative, Marvel Pinball (new table announcement!), HeroClix Online, Super Hero Squad Online and The Amazing Spider-Man. And just what is Marvel XP? All this, plus questions from the audience – and maybe even some other surprises. Don’t miss out!
- See the Sleeping Dogs DLC expansion announcement/Q&A (Sunday) session plus try out Hitman: Absolution (Saturday). See this thread for details/PR (thanks Nirolak). UPDATE: Monkeythumbz is accepting questions for the Sleeping Dogs DLC Q&A. Send him a PM via GAF or comment on the website. See this post for details.
Events (click this link to view):
This where all the big screenings happen. Chaos and madness and more headache inducing madness at the IGN Theater. Good luck to those of you who plan on going to them and godspeed. Remember, patience is a virtue. They sound like fun.
Here's a few of panels of interest to you all with their respective links:
Friday:
Saturday (AKA the busiest day of the Con):
- Evil Dead (Bruce Campbell is also going to be signing stuff as well on a separate event; expect a huge queue to form hours before it)
- AMC’s "The Walking Dead" Panel Event (there's probably going to be a huge amount of people waiting to get into this one)
- FIREFLY 10th Anniversary Special Event - First Look (this one's probably gonna be The Avengers Panel huge)
Sunday:
Gaffers Attending (will make a formal banner for this soon):
Note: Please specify which day(s) you're going to be there on so it can be clear and specify a place where you want to meet up at. Ideally, it'd be best to meet up by the entrance near the Javitz statue or an area that's not heavily populated. Alternatively, you can also hold up a GAF banner and/or wear a GAF shirt.
Admiral Snackbar (3 Day? Will be cosplaying as Beat and his girlfriend will be cosplaying as Korra)
Amir0x (4 Day; will be with his sisters and fianceé)
BravoHalo (4 Day)
captmcblack (Days TBD)
cosmicblizzard (Saturday and Sunday)
Charoncaori (4 Day)
Dax01 (4 Day?)
djtiesto (Friday and Saturday)
DTJAAAAM (4 Day)
Edag Plata (3 Day)
Eric_ J (Working there in the weekend)
Evil Benius (Sunday; will be there with his wife)
fallengorn (4 Day)
Father_Brain (volunteering for the Geek Out Booth on Saturday evening)
Gary Whitta (Friday and Saturday; Moderating the Aliens: Colonial Marines Panel on Saturday)
Greymatter (working with The_Baroness on Table F6 at Artist Alley; all days)
Hypertropper (4 Day)
JackHerer (4 Day)
Jipan (working at Panel A on Thursday afternoon; free Friday night; working all day SA and SU at the Show Floor)
Kaiwing (Weekend; will be with his girlfriend)
Kisaya (Friday; Saturday?)
MG310 (4 Day; will be at Artist Alley)
m0dus (3 Day; GAF mod/artist in the house; tagging along with SouSouRocket)
ncsuDuncan (4 Day)
NihonTiger90 (Press; all week; working for Tomopop, sister website of Destructoid)
Old Lace (3 Day)
Penguin (Press; will be at parts of it)
quickwhips (4 Day)
Rafa=FedKilla (4 Day)
rayner (3 Day; will be there with his wife; going to Walking Dead Panel)
Salaadin (3 Day; Friday and Saturday for sure)
Samus4145 (Press)
Shadow780 (4 Day)
Shin Johnpv (3 Day)
SouSouRocket (3 Day; tagging along with m0dus)
SUPARSTARX (4 Day; going dressed up as Bane for 2 Days)
Tashi (all 4 days)
Tapwgun (Saturday)
The_Baroness (working at Artist Alley, Table F6 along with Greymatter; all days)
Tom_Cody (4 Day; view his schedule here)
Trancetronic (3 Day)
WyndhamPrince (3 Day; thanks DMPrince for pointing it out
yencid (3 Day)
I hope to see you guys there if you can make it. I'll be making updates to the OP as necessary on a regular basis adding meet ups, few images/banners in, and other stuff. Subscribe to this thread to keep track of it if you want to meet up as well as update the thread with impressions of games, events, pictures, and what have you.
The Con has officially kicked off and is open to the public. Be there or be square.
