New York Comic Con 2012 Part I

Before Hurricane Sandy and the US Presidential Elections, there was the 2012 New York Comic Con.

The New York Comic Con has become an annual event in NYC since 2006, making it the second largest comicbook convention in the United States, next to the San Diego Comic Con.

My ‘Professional’ pass for the 2012 NYCC.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

I had a small table in Artist Alley back in 2010. Perhaps one day I’ll have another shot at having a table in that section. In the meantime, I was perfectly content to walk around with a professional badge around my neck.

Greetings Earthlings. NYCC Entrance. Oct. 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Like all such events, there are trends. Particularly pop culture trends, and comic book conventions are no exception. This year the 11th regeneration of Doctor Who, (currently portrayed by Matt Smith) was in vogue. An interesting development in this craze was there were just as many females dressing up as ‘the doctor’ as there were males. There were more female doctors, as a matter of fact, fez hats and all.

In the autograph section was British actor Peter Davidson, who was the fifth doctor in the ongoing series. Currently in the UK version of Law and Order, he was gracious enough to pose for fan photographs.

Doctor Who fan Ben Herman shakes hands with British actor Peter Davidson, who played the fifth Doctor Who. New York Comic Con 2012. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2012.

One sidenote: his current son-in-law is the tenth doctor, David Tennant.

Besides Doctor Who being in vogue, there were The Avengers (not the American punk band from the late 70s, I meant the comic). There were especially a lot of fans dressed like Captain America, no doubt thanks to the hit movie. All the cosplayers were out in full force, of course. I did see two people in attendance dressed like characters from The Rocky Horror Picture show.

Hip Hop/Rap & comics panel. Went here by accident, but stayed because of some of the righteous stuff that was being said. Reminded me of some of the globalization lectures I heard in Austria this past spring.
Fuzzy photo taken by Michele Witchipoo

By accident I walked into a panel discussing Rap and Hip-Hop’s connection with comic-book culture. Instead of turning around, I stayed due to some of the key points being discussed during talks. My eyebrows were raised when female rapper Jean Grae mentioned reading my all-time favorite comic Love and Rockets during her formative years. Afterwards I approached her, informing her that I was also a huge Los Hernandez fan. Well she gave me an unexpected sincere hug, and that converted me into being her fan.

Joel Hodgson from Mystery Science Theater 3000. NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

On Sunday there was a pleasant surprise. Joel Hodgson from Mystery Science Theater 3000 from Mystery Science Theater 3000 was signing autographs.

Onto Artist Alley. A major improvement when it came to this department. It was much more organized than in previous years. Therefore it was easier to walk around, checking out assorted artists, ranging from established to the independent. For example, George Perez (Wonder Woman circa 1980s) had a table selling his work.

Here’s some additional photos from this year’s event, which took place at the Jacob Javits Center.

Proof that social media and/or iPhone apps have made it into the heart of pop culture consciousness. Instagram app. NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Love in an elevator. NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Felix The Cat! At the NYCC, you might need more than a bag of tricks.
NYCC Oct. 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Even at comic cons, it might be a nice day for a white wedding.
NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Cosplayer. NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Fan dressed as the 10th Doctor. As in Doctor Who. NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Checking out the activities before extermination.
NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

One of these days, I’m gonna dress like a furry for Halloween. But that’s all. No funny business. Just the costume.
NYCC 2012
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Orko!
NYCC 2012
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Punk/Batcave 80s throwback.
First spotted her during in the “Art Takes Times Square” event in June 2012.
NYCC 2012
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Punk/Batcave 80s throwback.
First spotted her during in the “Art Takes Times Square” event in June 2012.
I want her skirt.
NYCC 2012

More photos to be added. To be continued.

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NYCC 2010 Photos Part II

A week later, and here’s part two of the NYCC 2010 blog post.

During the the three-day weekend of the NYCC (New York Comic Con) 2011, I was stationed mostly behind my table. When Sunday rolled around, figured it was time for some quick explorations. Inside the Jacob Javits center, the NYCC took most of the main floor, while New York Anime Festival was downstairs.

Costumes from the NYCC/New York Anime Festival, Oct. 2010. Jacob Javits Center, NYC.

I’m not really familiar with the whole Manga/Anime/COS underworld. It’s not my thing, although I like some of Osamu Tezuka’s work. Like upstairs, the lower level where the Anime Festival was jammed packed.

Downstairs at the New York Anime Festival, Jacob Javits Center, NYC. Oct. 2010.

Upon entering the Anime section, it was crossing into a whole other world. The general age of this Anime/COS crowd was probably tweens, to early teens. Almost everyone other than the artists and vendors were sporting some kind of costume.

New York Anime Festival/NYCC 2010. NYC

Don't ask, don't tell. New York Anime Festival, downstairs at the NYCC/Jacob Javits Center, NYC. Oct. 2010.

On the mini-stage was some sort of singing contest, with a costumed female contestant warbling off-tune. I walked around the Anime section some more, when some sort of COS conga-line broke out. Half-scary, half amusing, I figured that I had my fill of this mini-Neverland. Time to go back upstairs.

COS play outfit from the New York Anime Festival. NYC, Oct. 2010.

New York Anime Festival 2010. Jacob Javits Center, NYC.

My favorites were the like the frilly Victorian-style of the “Lolita” costumes. If I could get away with it, maybe I could have one of those Lolita dresses hanging in my closet.

From the New York Anime Festival/NYCC 2010. NYC, Oct. 2010.

NYCC/New York Anime Festival 2010. NYC

NYCC/New York Anime Festival 2010. NYC

Back upstairs to the NYCC:

BuzzBuzzBuzzBuzz...or as someone said on Facebook: "Where's the bug spray?" NYCC 2010. NYC

Is it a peanut? Is it a waffle? The result of too many carbs. NYCC 2010, NYC.

The real reason why I was at the NYCC 2010; I had a table in the Artist Alley section:

The section my table was located, NYCC 2010.

My DIY sign. NYCC 2010. NYC

Jammed full of goodies at my table. Artist Alley section at the NYCC 2010. NYC

My next two appearances: Welcome To My Nightmare 5, Williamsburg Brooklyn, March 27th 2011. MoCCA Art Fest 2011, NYC, April 10-11, 2011.

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NYCC 2010 Photos Part I

Okay, so I’m late with this…better late than ever. Here’s some photos I took at last year’s New York Comic Con (NYCC 2010)

My table at the NYCC 2010.

I think this one was an Ugly Doll, not too sure. NYCC 2010

Costumes like these, I love it. This one is Angry Penguin. I've seen him before at other cons. NYCC 2010

Why so sad? One of the many patrons from the NYCC 2010.

Salior Moon is a staple now at comic cons. This one being no exception. Salior Moon drag, NYCC 2010.

More costumes at the NYCC 2010

From the shoulders up, they remind me of the "Way-Outs." The Way-Outs was a garage type band on a Flintstones episode. NYCC 2010.

Not just for comicbook and anime costumes. Someone went as The Old Spice dude. Brilliant if you ask me. NYCC 2010.

I do not get this "Free Hugs" thing. His costume was cute and all, but I do not get this free hugs trend. Maybe it's because I'm become slightly misanthropic over the past few years. I dunno. Plus I'm weary of hugging strangers. Ever heard of scabies? Still, a cute costume. NYCC 2010.

Part two will be photos of various Cosplay/Anime costumes. Stay tuned!

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Despondency Oct. 2010

This past weekend at the New York Comic Con (NYCC 2010) was interesting. As always you learn new things, etc. Sold some items, did a commission. Sold mostly Babalon Babes issue four and Tales of Woe. Looking back, when there’s plenty of well established artists in your section, people who are ten times more known than you…moving books and being asked to do a piece, its not too bad.

More about the NYCC 2010 later. Don’t have the time to spare at the moment, so I’ll have to post about the NYCC later. In the meantime, here’s a pencil sketch done over the weekend:

Despondency. Done Oct. 2010. Pencil sketch by Michele Witchipoo.

Been working more with pencil lately, thanks to my current drawing class.

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Update August 2010

This has been a happy, productive time for me. The book I did six illustrations for, Tales of Woe finally saw the light of day! Written by John Reed, it’s published by MTV Press and distributed by Powerhouse Books. Apparently this book has already gotten great reviews. You can buy the book here, here, or here.

Another two of my illustrations have also been published in Worlds Beyond. That one is more of a quasi-pulp anthology, published by Comicbook Artist Guild, otherwise known as CAG. The genre is Sci-fi/Horror.

I’m back doing the webcomic with writer John Reed titled Shitty Mickey. The fourth episode is up now.

Finally, I have a table in the Artist Alley section of the New York Comic Con 2010 (NYCC 2010). Yay! Other comic con appearances I had within this year have all turned out to be successful. My table at the Mocca Art Fest 2010 was the best ever.

I’m working on other projects, although that’s been coming along slow…slow…slow…not finished as I would have hoped, but it’ll get there.

My Facebook group has more members: facebook comic con/michele witchipoo.

Surprisingly, I’ve kept up regularly this blog promoting myself, in regards with my art/comics/illustrations, comic cons, appearances, interviews, etc. Occasionally, I’ve rambled with what’s been on my mind, observations, and whatnot. Yeah, all that good stuff. After all, on the internet, everyone and anyone has an opinion about everything. Then again, as the saying goes; opinions are like (fill in the blank), everyone’s got one.

What do I know? My political beliefs are half Democratic and half Libertarian. Never a Republican though. Republicans can go kiss my big fat white ass.

Finally, I’m back in school after so, so, so many years. Yeah, its kinda odd, but I’m going back to college really for myself. Let’s face it, the art world, no matter what field, can be pretty snobby. They still wanna see a degree somewhere. Not that I ever cared about what people think, but still. In a rare moment of candidness, I’ll admit the regret of not doing well in school. During elementary and some parts of junior high, I was a decent pupil. Somewhere along the way, rebellion kicked in. Aggravated by the general ignorance of my peers, not ‘fitting in,’ and later on, not wanting to ‘fit in.’ I developed into a perpetual truant. Ironically, when I would cut out of school, it was spent going to museums, reading sub-cultural literature, exploring new places, films, and all that nonsense. Therefore in a way, I believe I would consider myself self-taught in some subjects. Well, somewhat self-taught, but I’ll get to that in a minute.

My interest in learning was reignited when I discovered, let’s say ‘alternative spirituality.’ Been reading tarot cards for years. One day decided to dive head first into esoteric practices. I went on a few different paths like Wicca, Thelema, Chaos Magick, Gnosticism, Theosophy, Eastern Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Yoruba, what-have-you. My conclusion: it’s all the same crap people. Anyway, I realized that as much as I self-taught myself some things, there was also a case of ‘stunted growth.’ I went from thinking I knew it all to realizing I barely knew jack shit. As I quote Robert Anton Wilson…“If you think you know what the hell is going on, you’re probably full of shit.”

So…long story short, I’m back in college for myself. Starting from the beginning too, ’cause I sucked as a student from way back when. However, those are the consequences. Then again, the past is the past. I didn’t have the drive back then as I do now, so things have a way of working themselves out. Although I feel tinges of feeling as if I’m back in high school, and slight bouts of misanthropy, I’m enjoying myself. One of my plans is to separate my school work from my so-called online/comicbook/illustrator/artist persona. Feel its better this way. Having said that, this will be the last time I will mention school within any my online social networking sites.

The only thing that’s missing now is maybe a band. Would like to form a post-Industrial/Electronica/Power-Electronics/Noise/Neo-folk band. Well maybe.

Here’s an illo I did last summer, with a school theme. Enjoy:

Monster In The School Library

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