I’m going to break Internet Writer Rule #1 right now, because I’m going to invite you to take a quick look at another website, but only if you promise me, you’ll come right back. Do we have a deal? Okay, check out what happens to your monitor at newyorkcomiccon.com. I’ll wait.
How wild was that? It was sensory overload! Why did I want you to see it? Well, if a website about an event can affect you like that, imagine what actual New York Comic-Con would have been like in person. Fortunately, our Lev Radin was in attendance at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Hells Kitchen the weekend of Oct. 4-7. He provides the photos to go along with our description of the mayhem and madness, along with the serious discussions of the state of comic book culture in 2018.
New York, NY – October 5, 2018: Atmosphere with fans during New York Comic Con at Jacob Javits Center (Photo: Lev Radin)
The good people who ran San Diego’s Comic-Con set the gold standard last July in what was described then as “best ever.” Since New York has never ceded leadership to any other city, (much less one in California) they had to produce in a big way. So, they did.
Netflix led off with a presentation appropriate to the Halloween season. The iconic streaming service brought the spooky to New York City with The Haunting of Hill House, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and The Umbrella Academy. Stars were in abundance, including Mary J. Blige, Michiel Huisman, Kiernan Shipka, and Ellen Page.
The automotive Apocalypto-fest known as Mortal Engines showed up at NYCC Comic-Con. Star Hugo Weaving took questions alongside Lord of the Rings mastermind Peter Jackson. The movie releases Dec. 14.
Neil Gaiman returned to New York Comic-Con, accompanied by the cast (most of it, anyway) of American Gods in support of the show’s second season. Gaiman hinted at some big information drops and came through with more than a few. (But, sshhhh. Gildshire promised secrecy.)
New York, NY – October 6, 2018: Cast and crew attend Amazon Prime Good Omens panel during New York Comic Con at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden (Photo: Lev Radin)
Can you believe that “Archer” is entering its 10th season? H. Jon Benjamin, along with his co-stars were on hand to discuss the show’s past, present, and future. As far as we know, Mr. Benjamin failed to bring samples from his latest gig with Arby’s. In other words, he didn’t have the meats.
The CW never messes around when it comes to a Comic-Con. “Riverdale,” “The 100,” “Legacies,” and “Roswell, New Mexico” were all on hand drumming up public buzz for the new seasons on the way. Representatives from “Riverdale” even aired a sneak peek. “Legacies” aired its pilot for an appreciative, cosplaying, crowd.
Finally, you knew we wouldn’t forget Marvel. Their TV line-up has continued its steady takeover of the known world, with “The Gifted,” “Marvel Rising,” and The Runaways, all in attendance. Daredevil’s Comic-con appearance gave attendees a look at what is causing all the buzz about the very near future. “Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors,” was screened in its entirety at NYCC.
New York, NY – October 6, 2018: Atmosphere with fans during New York Comic Con at Jacob Javits Center (Photo: Lev Radin)
Fans of the legendary She-Ra (and who isn’t?) and the equally popular Princesses of Power got up close and personal with voice actors Karen Fukuhara and Aimee Carrero, who appeared alongside Noelle Stevenson, the executive producer of the show. Voltron: Legendary Defender, was a huge hit in San Diego last summer, and fans are super-anxious to find out how the shows will end.
Informational and entertaining? You bet, but everyone knows that folks who go to Comic-Con go not just to see, but to be seen. I mean, if it wasn’t for Comic-Con and the costumes involved, the guys on “The Big, Bang Theory” would lose half their plot points. So it was with New York City’s 2018 Comic-Con. The creative juices flowed like a river as the attendees planned and carried out their costume ideas. Were they superheroes at the height of their powers, or were they nuts in costume? The vote on the street might be 50-50. But, inside the Convention Center, mad respect was given to anyone who turned up in an outlandish article of clothing and attended the event they wait for all year long.
When is the next NYCC? Oct. 3-6, 2019. If Gildshire was you, we would start planning our costumes today.
