Attending New York Comic Con is an annual tradition for me. I’ve been attending the second biggest comic con in the U.S. since it’s inception on Feb 2006. Back in 2010, I had even had a table in Artist Alley.
This year brought back so many memories. I had a table in Artist Alley back in 2010. Doubt that will ever happen again, but at least I can say I sold my comics in NYCC.
While I did enjoy myself, there was a sad feeling I couldn’t shake off. Upon returning home, I read about a cosplayer’s passing on location.
Comic book artist Kim Jung Gi was slated to have a table at Artist Alley this year, when he passed away suddendly. Fans dropped by what was supposed to be his table, leaving flowers in his tribute instead.
One of the highlights of my NYCC experience 2022 was the George Perez panel. The artist passed away on May 6, 2022. Colleages and friends gathered on the panel to pay tribute to the well respected penciler who was known for his work on Wonder Woman, The Avengers, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Teen Titans, and many others. Perez not only had a long career in the comic book industry, but also much beloved in his personal life. At the panel it was discussed how he took in friends, making them honorary ‘family’ members and his dedication to his wife Carol. After the panel, free enamel pins bearing his signature were given out to the panel attendees.
Before I begin, allow me to explain my absence. It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted on this blog. For starters, I threw out my knee in February, around the time of the Super Bowl. This set off a few health issues, which I’m only beginning to recover from. No, I did not get Covid19 in 2021. I’m in fact, a very negative person. My test results have proven how negative I am, thanks to three antigen and one PCR test results. Was that a very bad joke? Of course it was.
Due to these physical health issues, I decided to lay low for most of 2021. Things started to pick up during the late summer, which I might discuss in another blog post.
It was a last minute decision to attend New York Comic Con 2021. Originally I wasn’t going. Turn of events led to me to change my mind. Before an attendee was allowed in, proof of vaccination was required. Once the attendee showed proof either through a cellphone app, or showing other methods, the process to get in was surprising quick. Considering the circumstances, ReedPop did the best they could.
The die-hard cosplayers came out, and there were some eyecatchers.
Cosplay from NYCC 2021
The only panel I attended this year was titled Disney’s Winnie The Pooh to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Moderated by puppeteer Johnathan Rockefeller, the panel discussed how nostalgia plays a part in Rockefeller Productions successful puppet shows. So far they’ve adapted the 80s sitcom The Golden Girls into a puppet play, as well as beloved book characters such as The Hungry Caterpillar. The puppet versions of Winnie The Pooh characters were brought out to audience members. Afterwards, panel audience members were invited to take photos with various puppets, with social distancing in place.
Meet and greet after the NYCC panel of Rockefeller Productions puppeteers.
Checking out Artist Alley were both established and upcoming artists.
Among some of those who had a table in Artists Alley: Keith Williams, Geraldo Borges (who flew all the way from Chile for NYCC, and speaks three languages), and Sara Richard. In the Small Press section, there was the team behind Turtle vs. Bunny, published by Digital Pimp.
Scenes from NYCC 2021
To summarize, NYCC 2021 was definitely low-key, very subdued but still a magickal time for it’s attendees. Here’s to next year.
Artist Alley at NYCC 2018. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2018.
As someone who has been attending New York Comic Con since the very beginning, one of the best things about this event are the panels. Each year the attendance at NYCC grows, attending panels is often a nice relief away from the crowds. It’s also beneficial because one gets to see how various comic book professionals share their experiences about creating, putting together a story, industry advice, etc.
NYCC 2018 panel featuring European comic book artists. Oct. 2018.
Among some of my personal favorites was attending the international comics panel, moderated by Heidi McDonald. Titled The Beat Presents: The World Comics Invasion, on the panel were artists Ana Miralles (Spain), Mateusz Skutnik (Poland) Emanuala Luppaccino (Italy) and Fabio Moon (Brazil).
Later I got sketches by Mateusz Skutnik and Ana Miralles. They were both respectively promoting their titles “Revolutions:Eclipse” and “In Search of The Unicorn: The Land of The Moors Vol. 1” French-Canadian artist Mikael was also doing sketches, promoting his title “Giant – V1.”
Mateusz Skutnik is also known the the video game industry for creating games. Getting a sketch from him was one of the highlights of my NYCC 2018 experience.
Ana Miralles also did a beautiful pencil sketch. In the U.S., artists have to nickel and dime you so they charge for sketches. Who can blame them, especially in this economy? However, both Miralles and Skutnik offered free sketches. Ana Miralles explained that in Europe, doing sketches for fans is considered a gift. Apparently in Europe an artist might still be able to make a comfortable living compared to American artists. Therefore they are able to honor the fans with free sketches. It gave me the impression that artists are still more respected in Europe than in the United States.
If you would like to check out the work of the following artists seen at NYCC 2018, please check out the following links below.
As you geeks know, New York Comic Con happened last month. Let’s just call it NYCC for short. I attend every year, even if my own comic book tastes run more towards alternative than Marvel or DC. I’ll go to do the ‘networking’ thang, check out the current trends, but it’s also become a bit like a mini-vacation. NYCC also reminds me why I got interested in comics, sci-fi and other related genres in the first place.
The first five years of attending NYCC, I got caught up in all the buzz, the excitement, the cosplay, etc. Things shifted a few years ago. Like last year, a lot of time was spent attending panels.
This blog post will focus on NYCC 2018 cosplay. I was surprised on the type of cosplay seen this year. Despite Black Panther being huge at the box office, I didn’t see a lot of Wakanda. There’s this photo:
Black Panther cosplay at NYCC 2018. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Was more surprised on witnessing more Harry Potter cosplay. Doctor Who cosplay went down. Bob’s Burger cosplay went up. Star Wars cosplay from any era will always be a staple of any comic book convention. That’s a given.
Another reminder about many years I’ve been attending NYCC. In 2008, I saw a man outside the Javits Center play the accordion while wearing a Boba Fett helmet. Exactly ten years later, he was back!
Boba Fett playing the accordion outside 2018 NYC. First saw him back in 2008. Renegade Accordion on FB and IG. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Oct. 2018.
Deadpool cosplay was still going strong, but it was usually in some form of mash-up/crossplay.
Pope Deadpool. NYCC 2018. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2018.
Cosplay at NYCC 2018. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2018.
Ending part one of NYCC 2018 is the inescapable photobomb. None other than good old Deadpool himself.
When you’re photo bombed by Deadpool. NYCC 2018. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct 2018.
This report on NYCC 2018 will be continued on another blog post. Until then, enjoy some tasty grub from the Bob’s Burgers food trucks outside of Javits Center.
This past weekend was New York Comic Con 2018. NYCC for short. I spent all four days at Javits Center, and now I’m literally exhausted. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
While NYCC felt like a second home, the MTA was an entirely different story. What genius decides to close off the 7 train stop right during the busiest weekend in the Hudson Yards area!?! On Saturday I decided to attend the CBDL after con party. Made the mistake of taking that wretched shuttle bus. It was the cattle call from f’ing hell. The bus driver himself had no clue what he was doing. Instead the driver did this zig-zag route that barely made it to West 44th street. The original destination was West 42nd street. The L train chimed in by doing it’s shuttle run from Williamsburg instead of it’s usual run to Canarsie. Then the R train joined in the fun.
Once inside NYCC, it was smooth sailing. If the subway didn’t drain you first.
Due to my exhaustion, I will blog about NYCC 2018 in another post. Lots of photos, panel reviews and good times. In the meantime, here’s the Psycho Bunny sketch of the week for Oct. 8th, 2018.
Psycho Bunny tries to commute to NYCC 2018. The MTA has other plans. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo on WitchesBrewPress. Oct. 2018.
Get yourself some cool stuff on RedBubble, featuring my designs. There’s dresses, tee shirts, notebooks, etc. The notebooks, and the Quentin Crisp tees seems to be one of the best selling items.
End of October, I will have a table at a small comic con in Upstate NY.
The title says it all. Usually I’m not that tardy. Now with some free time I can finally post the New York Comic Con 2017 review.
Star Trek cosplay with a Tribble, on the way to NYCC 2017.
For NYCC 2017 I attended mostly panels. As usual, the most interesting panels were all listed on either the same days, and/or times. The Reed Pop folks also changed the ways the major promotional panels (i.e., television, films, etc.) were accessible. For example, to get into any panel on the main stage. Before you just had to be willing to wait one hour on line before being let inside the auditorium. In 2017, that was no longer possible. First you had to get a wristband. Once the wristbands were gone, that meant the auditorium was filled to capacity. By the time I figured this out, it was too late.
Now that you’re getting the idea, the rest of NYCC was crowded as usual, full of faithful geeks, pop culture consoeurs, and cosplayers.
The entrance into Artist Alley at New York Comic Con 2017. Taken October 2017.
Artist Alley was moved due to the renovations inside the Jacob Javits center. Which made everything compact. The good news Artist Alley was across from the professional lounge which I spent much time inside, mostly to charge my cellphone.
One of the first panels attended was titled ‘Representation Matters! How To Respectfully Write & Draw POC and LBQT characters in comics.’ That weekend it seemed like NYCC was really focusing on diversity, especially during the age of Trump. On that panel was a representative from Women In Comics, a local collective that puts on it’s own comic con in the Bronx.
A bad photo of the “Representation Matters panel. NYCC 2017.
In between panels, we mostly checked out various cosplay. Have to admit, a lot of the cosplayers were on point this year.
The phenomenon of those inflatable dinosaur costumes continue.
Inflatable T-Rex costumes at NYCC 2017.
Another panel attended was titled PW Presents: The European Comics Invasion. Some of the panel speakers were artists Mahmud Asrar (Turkey), Zep (Switzerland), Fabrice Nury and Patricia Lyfoung (France).
Group photo after the PW Presents: The European Comics Invasion. NYCC 2017.
Onwards through more cosplayers.
Here’s my favorite cosplay out of all NYCC 2017. A mash-up of Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead, and a Stormtrooper.
A mash-up of Lemmy from Motorhead and a Stormtrooper. NYCC 2017.
For the occasionally energy boost, there was free samples of Death Wish coffee. Very strong coffee I might add.
Free samples of Death Wish coffee at NYCC 2017.
The next few panels attended focused on Jack Kirby. It was Kirby who created many superhero characters, such as Captain America, and Black Panther, which will be on movie screens very soon. The below bad photo was from the panel Jack Kirby: The King’s NYC.
Panel for Jack Kirby: The King’s NYC. NYCC 2017.
Time for more cosplay photos.
Here was my second favorite cosplay. Pennywise from the film It.
Cosplay of Pennywise from the film It. NYCC 2017.
Back to Artist Alley, where you could meet artists such as Terry Moore (Strangers In Paradise, Echo) Ed Piskor (Hip Hop Family comics) and Joe Staton (E-Man)
Here’s my third favorite cosplay. Prince as portrayed on the Dave Chappelle show.
Prince as portrayed on the Dave Chappell show. NYCC 2017.
It’s time for this blog post to come to a close, so I’m just going to round it out with assorted photos.
Here’s a belated post. Trying to catch up with the Psycho Bunny and Inktober sketches.
The annual New York Comic Con 2017 happened during the weekend of Oct. 5 – 8. Had my pro pass for all four days. The cosplay was on point this year. Saw some friends, checked out what NYCC had to offer. Back in 2010, I had a table at NYCC, in Artist Alley. Perhaps one day I’ll have a table again.
Yet Psycho Bunny himself wasn’t too happy. Introducing the Psycho Bunny sketch of the week.
Psycho Bunny goes to New York Comic Con 2017. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo, from WitchesBrewPress. Oct. 2017.
Will get around to posting the other sketches in the 2017 Inktober theme. Meanwhile, here’s the usual plugs. Check out the various social media: Facebook pages for Psycho Bunny and Michele Witchipoo – WitchesBrewPress, Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter accounts for Psycho Bunny and Michele Witchipoo. You can purchase items from my RedBubble shop. And if you’re going to stalk me, at least be classy about it. Actually stalking’s not funny, but I digress…
Stay tuned for my NYCC 2017 recap, and Inktober sketches.
From Thursday Oct. 6 to Sunday Oct. 9, I felt as if I lived at the Javits Center. That’s because it was the annual New York Comic Con. Earlier this year I received my Pro pass for which itself felt good.
As usual it was packed and the cosplayers were out in full force.
NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2016
To the left as you walked into the main entrance, there was a entire section dedicated to Wonder Woman. Not just because the Wonder Woman movie will be released in 2017, but Oct. 2016 marked the 75th anniversary of the character’s first appearance. There were also a lot more Wonder Woman cosplay than ever before.
Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
Wonder Woman booth at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
Wonder Woman cosplay at NYCC. Oct. 2016. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
To my relief there wasn’t as many Harley Quinns, but plenty of Pokemon characters. There was some unique ones that stood out above the others. Darth Maul looks happy here.
NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2016
NYCC 2016 had an increase in Bob’s Burgers cosplayers. Louise and Tina Belcher were the most seen. Occasionally you would run into the entire family.
NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
During the course of the four day event, I checked out a few panels. Panels are very good. For one, they give you a wealth of information in regards to the comic book industry, or discuss pop culture. If all else fails, you can rest your weary feet in the seat closest to an outlet to recharge your cell.
The Panel for Trump Magazine (No, not Donald!), a short-lived publication from the 1950s.
The other panel that grabbed my attention was the panel titled ‘Bringing Stories To Life: Holding a Comic Con at Your Library.’ Here local librarians from Connecticut explained the ins and outs of operating local comic cons from the library.
Librarians from CT discuss how to do comic cons at the local library. NYCC Panel. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.
Back for more cosplay.
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
Classic Planet of The Apes. NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
One thing you cannot forget. The real reason why we have comic cons in the first place. To promote comics. As in artists, writers, pencilers, inkers, etc. Onward to Artist Alley.
Walking around the Javits Center was exhausting. It was time to head home and come back another day.
During the NYCC, I found out there was going to be a panel for the latest Planet of The Apes reboot series. Since I was a huge fan of POTA, I trekked all the way out of the Javits Center to the Theater At Madison Square Garden. That’s where they held the special events, like the one for Doctor Who earlier during NYCC.
Point blank, this Q&A ‘career conversation’ with actor Andy Serkis, who portrays Ceasar in the Apes reboot was the only letdown during NYCC 2106. This might be clarified why in separate blog post.
Actor Andy Serkis after finishing his Q&A panel during NYCC 2016.
I stuck around however to catch the Stan Lee panel at the same venue. Which went off much smoother. Moderated by film director and famous geek Kevin Smith, the panel also had Walt Simonson and Chris Claremount. The packed house was treated to an oral recollection of Marvel comic history. Insert very crappy photo of the panel itself.
Very bad, blurry photo of the Stan Lee panel at NYCC 2016 with Kevin Smith, Walt Simonson and Chris Claremount.
Barely getting enough rest, it was time to head back to NYCC.
Classic Star Trek cosplay on the NYC subway. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.
Since NYCC has become so popular, expect free swag. During the weekend I got a free Monster energy drink which I usually never touch, some wafer cookies and a complimentary sample of Death Coffee.
The cosplaying continued.
Ronald McDonald as Thor. NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.
The last day of NYCC was spent getting merch I didn’t need like this Muttley POP. Then off to cruise Artist Alley once more.
Troma booth at NYCC 2016. Photo by Michele Wtichipoo Oct. 2016.
Adult Swim book at NYCC 2016.
Various Planet of The Apes art
Planet of The Apes motion book display as seen during NYCC 2016
This year there was some new interesting talent in Artist Alley, as well as those established such as Terry Moore (Strangers In Paradise), Joe Staton, and Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon).
One person that stood out was graffiti artist Andre Charles, otherwise known as ACharlesNYC. I brought a pin from him. He was so kind to give me a second one for free. Which was a score because I was having trouble which color to choose from. Besides, it’s always good to share old school NYC memories with someone.
Another new comic I discovered during NYCC was titled Pugly.
Also snagged a free issue of Faith, a popular comic book title now published by Valiant.
Of course some more cosplay.
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
NYCC cosplay. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016
Some T-Rex creatures were spotted as well.
Another trend I noticed. This year people were cosplaying with their pet dogs. I asked someone cosplaying a character from Adventure Time how he got his dog in. He replied listing your pup as a service dog. While it’s cute, I was left wondering if it was safe at all for the dogs themselves.
Adventure Time cosplay. NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.
Another curious observation during the NYCC weekend. I kept on seeing something scribbled on the bathroom doors inside the ladies room. Later I discovered it was a quote from The Handmaid’s Tale in Latin: ‘don’t let the bastard grind you down.’ Quite fitting for these times, especially during the current U.S. Presidential election, in which NYCC was the perfect escape from. Ironically, this was the same weekend that news broke out about Trump ‘grabbing pussy.’
Quote from Margaret Atwood’s book The Handmaid’s Tale in Latin: ‘Don’t Let The Bastards Grind You Down.’ NYCC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
In all it was fun as always. Maybe one day I’ll have another table at NYCC Artist Alley again. Till next year.
Superheroes resting at the shoe shine stand. NYCC 2016. Photo taken by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2016.
I’ve been attending the New York Comic Con every year since it’s first inception back in 2006. Since then it’s moved into a powerful second place right next to the San Diego Comic Con. Just like with SDCC, the NYCC has developed into mass marketed con going across the board with not just comics, but with film, television, toys, videogames, cosplay, fashion, etc. Pretty much anything and everything, really.
The NYCC of 2013 was no exception. One good thing the NYCC did was to make the artist alley section bigger, locating that part to the other side of the Jacob Javits Center. Smart move. Back when I had exhibited in 2010, artist alley and the rest of the con was all on one floor, just separated by sections. Making it hard for fans to locate artists, get sketches, etc. While some indie comicbook publishers, organizations and artists can still be found on the main floor, the artist alley department can be easily reached now. So thanks to NYCC for making the smart move in 2012. The result has made artist alley a lot more calmer and successful.
I’ll get back to Artist Alley 2013 in another post.
The NYCC 2013 overall seemed to focus on media, like with television. Luckily one of my current favorite shows is Bob Burgers, and some of the key players associated with Bob’s Burgers was having a panel.
A fan waiting to ask a question at the Bob’s Burgers panel at NYCC 2013. Many were dressed like the characters Louise and Tina. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Oct. 2013.
Safe to say, the two most popular characters from Bob’s Burgers are the two daughters. There’s Louise, the cynical and defiant yet charismatic youngest daughter. The oldest daughter Tina is the melancholy lovesick misfit who likes to write fan fiction. On line there were quite a number of Louise clones, but fans dressed like Tina could also been seen.
On the panel was the show’s creator, Loren Bouchard along with H. Jon Benjamin who not only does the voice of Bob Belcher, but also of Archer, another animated program. Representing Tina Belcher was Dan Mintz, whose regular speaking voice sounds just like Tina. Unfortunately the actress who does the voice of Louise couldn’t make it, as with the case of comedian Eugene Mirman who voices middle brother Gene. However John Roberts was on Linda Belcher’s behalf. Filling out the rest of the panel was Larry Murphy who does both voices of Mort the funeral director, and Teddy Francisco the diner’s loyal and sometimes only customer.
A rough clip of an upcoming Christmas episode was shown. The true highlight was when a fan who dressed and walked exactly like Tina requested that someone one the panel read her “Erotic Friendfiction.” Dan Mintz was happy to oblige, as he read the fantasy of the panel being so impressed, that they paid off the person’s college loan. Yes…le sigh…if only it was that easy.
Fan rush to get Dan Mintz’s autograph after panel ends. Mintz does the voice of Tina Belcher, one of the most popular characters from the television show Bob’s Burgers. Photo taken by Michele Witchipoo, NYCC, Oct. 2013.
Bob’s Burger creator Loren Bouchard after the NYCC Panel Oct. 2013. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Before Sandy came along and made everything rather messy. NYCC entrance. Jacob Javits Center, NYC. Oct. 2012. Photo by Michele Witchipoo
Before the mess of Hurricane Sandy and the U.S. Presidential elections, there was the seventh annual New York Comic Con. The NYCC took place at its’ usual spot at the Jacob Javits Center. From 2006 onwards, the NYCC has become the second largest comicbook convention in the United States. It’s second only to the infamous motherload of them all, the San Diego Comic Con.
In 2010, I had a small table at the NYCC over in the Artist Alley section. Perhaps one day I’ll have another table again. For now I’m content walking around with a professional badge around my neck, observing everything.
Monsters. NYCC. Oct. 2012. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Mainstream comic book conventions are good for highlighting current pop culture trends. As mentioned in my previous post, Doctor Who and The Avengers were huge among costumers this year.
In the Doctor Who catagory, you had both genders doing the Matt Smith look, complete with fez hats. There were a few David Tennants as well. I did spot someone dressed as the fifth doctor, and one lone Tom Baker clone. Even children got in on the act.
Baby Dalek. NYCC 2012 Photo by Michele Witchipoo
There was a small collective of Harry Potter fans. Of course, no comicbook con is complete without people dressing like their favorite characters. For example, I saw a Spiderman with a pot belly, a Venom with a sizable crotch bulge, one Rorschach, a few Jokers from The Dark Knight era, a few Harlequins, plenty of Deadpools, Blackcats, and who can forget Star Wars. My faith in humanity was briefly ignited for one second thanks to a couple dressed like Dr. Frankfurter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
My faith in humanity was briefly restored when seeing this couple. Doctor Frankfurter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. NYCC, Jacob Javits Center, NYC. Oct. 2012. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Here’s some photos from the weekend of Oct. 11 – 14th, 2012.
Crowd towards the end on Friday night. NYCC. Jacob Javits Center, NYC. Oct. 2012. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Women posing for photos. NYCC, Oct. 2012 Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Angel costume. NYCC. NYC Oct. 2012. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Some men love being underneath women’s feet. NYCC, Oct. 2012. NYC Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Rapper Jean Grae after participating in a panel about Hip Hop and comicbook culture. Also a fellow Love and Rockets comicbook fan. NYCC. NYC. Oct. 2012. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
Wanna smell like a member of The Avengers? That’s actually kind of scary…considering you’re in battle inside sweaty metal armor all day. Ironman cologne. NYCC. NYC. Oct. 2012. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
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