Monthly Archives: October 2012

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The Cosplay of NYCC 2012

There were so many awesome costumes at this year’s New York Comic Con! I think this year may have boasted the most impressive cosplayers since NYCC began. Here are some of my favorites!

New rule: all dealers need to cosplay, just like Absorbing Man here. 
The most dangerous hazard with crowded escalators: getting hit in the face repeatedly by Bark the Mog’s wagging tail.

Arcee, ready to roll out.
And one of many 11th Doctors in the background. 

“There’s money in the banana stand.”
The only way this costume could have been better is if it was self-immolating.
This might not be a George Costanza costume. Maybe this guy just really likes Seinfeld and tucking his shirts into his denim shorts. I hope this is a George Costanza costume.

War time Captain America and the Scarecrow partying it up like an intercompany crossover.
I was really impressed by this woman’s Captain Marvel costume for a couple of reasons: 1. This costume just debuted in the comics a couple of months ago! 2. She even incorporated Carol Danvers’s new hairstyle.

There were so many Doctors at NYCC, but only one Doctor Strange. I want this cape. 

I’ve seen many guys dressed as Ghostbusters over the years, but none as elaborate as this duo. They even had a Slimer! 

A very manly Mera.

While not a costume, this remote control R5-D4 was amazing. 

Venom

I really wish this picture came out clearer. 
These three had awesome Wasp, Scarlet Witch and Ant-Man costumes. 
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone cosplay Ant-Man before!

Weeping Angel.
Don’t blink….but feel free to tip generously.
Starro 
This guy needs a “Free Face Hugs” sign.
I don’t get the whole Free Hugs thing. But Free Shrugs, I get that. 
Cassandra Cain Batgirl and Red Robin. 

I was very happy to see someone cosplaying my favorite Batgirl, Stephanie Brown.
My absolute favorite costumes from this year’s NYCC all have something in common: wings. 
Sorceress and Skeletor
Does He-Man know about this?

Victoria’s Secret Stormtrooper Angel
This guy rocked the runway that is Artist Alley!
But my absolute favorites…
Steam Punk Hawkgirl and Hawkman
There two win! The attention to detail in their helmets. The individually feathered metal wings. This Steam Punk Hawkgirl and Hawkman pair are amazing!
Written by David Henehan. Photos by Billy Henehan, David Henehan, Nicholas Doyle and Graig Kreindler.

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The Dos and Don’ts of NYCC 2012

Whether New York Comic Con 2012 is your first convention or your five hundredth, following these dos and don’ts will almost guarantee you and the people around you all have a good time.

DO: Plan ahead!
New York Comic Con is big. There are many cool panels to attend, writers, artists and actors to meet, dealers to buy from and publishers’ booths to check out. To make sure you don’t miss out that piece of exclusive merchandise that you really want, or meeting your favorite creator, plan ahead. Check out the maps and schedule on the website. Use your phone’s calendar to remind you of special events. Make a checklist.

DO: Download the NYCC app for your iPhone or Droid!
There have been NYCC smartphone before. They have for the most part been useless. This year’s NYCC app has changed that. They’ve rebuilt it from the ground up. It’s a great resource to have before and during the convention. It’s packed with information: panel schedules, a full list of guests, floor maps and a live Twitter stream of NYCC related tweets. If you’re looking for information regarding, NYCC, the app probably has it.

DO: Bathe! Every morning! With soap!
I will stop recommending this when you stop smelling. If you don’t bathe with soap, you will smell, thus both perpetuating a foul odor and a foul stereotype. Let’s start a new stereotype: The freshly washed nerd!

DO: Mind your obnoxiously overstuffed backpack.
It’s easy to not notice when you hit someone with your backpack. You probably don’t feel it. The other person definitely does. Better yet, pack a messenger bag instead. They are the perfect size for holding books, look more stylish, and make you more maneuverable. But if you’re a fan of looking like King Koopa, please be mindful of where your backpack is in relation to other people’s faces.

DO: Stay healthy!
Your immune system is going to be weakened by the marathon sessions of being on your feet all day for four days. There will be lots of people in an enclosed space, all recirculating the same air and pawing over merchandise likely that hasn’t ever been cleaned. This all leads to one thing: Nerd Flu. Don’t get it. Wash your hands. Pack a travel size container hand sanitizer.

DON’T: Push!
New York Comic Con is going to be crowded, especially on Saturday and Sunday. Expect to be stuck in slow moving traffic. Don’t be that guy who pushes the person in front of you to signal you’d like things to be moving faster. It doesn’t make the crowd move faster, lowers the mood, and makes you an asshole. NYCC 2012: No Assholes. It’s a motto we can all get behind.

DO: Take a break!
Sure, there’s enough to do at NYCC to fill the whole day. But if the crowds start getting to you, take a break. Get some sunlight and fresh air. There’s a deli a couple of avenue blocks away on 34th St that has a good selection of food and drinks, and plenty of seating. Head there. Decompress. Get a bite to eat. Then head back to the Javitz refreshed.

DON’T: Even think about asking for more than 3-5 signatures at 1 time!
It’s obnoxious to show up with a stack of 30 books, especially if there are other people waiting, or if an artist is signing your books while also working on a commission.

DON’T: Be afraid to haggle with a dealer!
If you see something you like, don’t be afraid to politely ask if the dealer can do a little better on the price. If the price is $60, ask if they can do $50. Maybe he’ll say yes, maybe he’ll counter with $55 and maybe he’ll say no. If he says no, don’t be afraid to walk away. Maybe you’ll get the deal you’re looking for at another booth. Maybe that first dealer will call you back over instead of losing out on a sale. A lot of dealers are selling the same merchandise and want your money to end up in their pockets, not the guy’s in the booth next to them. This is doubly true on Sunday. Whatever these guys don’t sell, they have pack, carry, load, unload, carry and unpack later.

DON’T: Be creepy!
It’s interesting how weird people can be when they’re around someone they love or someone they hate. Whether it’s your favorite writer, or “that bastard who ruined _________,” they’re all people, just like you and me. Be cool.

DO: Eat the soft pretzels!
They’re delicious!

DON’T: Eat all the soft pretzels!
Save some for me!

Written by David Henehan

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Sunday at NYCC 2012 Planning Guide

If this year is anything like last year, Sunday at NYCC 2012 will be very crowded. It won’t be Saturday crowded, but it will still be crowded, especially in the early afternoon. With it being Kids Day, at least the average height of the crowd will be greatly reduced.

Need a break from the crowds on the show floor? Get thee to a panel! There aren’t as many options as Saturday, but there are some very, very good options.

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM Minimates Turns 10: Small Toys, Big Plans
People seem to either love or hate Minimates. I’m in the love camp, despite not actually currently owning any Minimates. With Marina getting a Minimate this year, I have to ask what Marvel character is left that hasn’t received the Minimate treatment? D-Man? Maybe this is his year!

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM Marvel NOW!: Amazing Spider-Man and Beyond
Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott has said that he will have to go into hiding once Amazing Spider-Man #700 comes out. What is he planning?! Expect some ominous clues here. And Mark Waid will also be here talking about my current favorite Marvel title, Daredevil.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM DC Entertainment – Meet the Co-Publishers
The line for this was LONG last year. With the New 52 still as popular (or unpopular, depending on the person you ask) as last year, expect this to be crowded again this year, with Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Dan DiDio and Bob Wayne talking about the plans for the New 52 in 2013. Get here early if you want to get a good seat. When do you think the first Wally West/Donna Troy question gets asked? I predict it will be before the 3rd question in the Q&A.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM 666 Park Avenue Special Video Presentation and Q&A
It looks like the whole cast and the executive producers will be at this panel. I haven’t watched 666 Park Avenue yet. Is it any good? I did like Terry O’Quinn in Lost and once had a crush on Vanessa Williams when I was about 14.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Tom Felton Q&A
I really hope a young fan treats Tom Felton as if he were actually Draco Malfoy and asks why he’s always such a jerk to Harry. Or better yet, a middle aged fan does this.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Arrow Special Video Presentation and Q&A
Executive Producers Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, and the cast of Arrow are going to discuss the show and give a sneak peak of upcoming episodes. Arrow is very smartly making its TV debut the night before New York Comic Con starts. I’m excited for Arrow, but I think if I went to this panel, I’d end up asking questions about my current Netflix obsession, Eli Stone.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM DC Comics: Batman – Death Comes to Gotham
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are killing it on Batman right now. I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed the main Batman title this much. The Joker is returning in the upcoming Death of the Family. If you read the other Bat-titles (I don’t), creators from most of those will be here as well, including Grant Morrison. At SDCC, DC handed out Court of Owls masks at the Batman panel. Hopefully we’ll get lucky as here.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Kirkmania!
An hour of Robert Kirkman taking questions directly from fans. Remember people, questions begin with what and how, not I.

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Ian McDiarmid Spotlight
The listing says that Ian McDiarmid is going to talk about his entire prolific career, but I’m pretty sure I’ve only ever seen him play one role across five movies.

Written by Nick Doyle

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Saturday at NYCC 2012 Planning Guide

Saturday is the most popular day at New York Comic Con. You will find yourself in the middle of some slow moving crowds. But you will be rewarded with the best programming of the weekend.

8:00 AM Robot Chicken Autographing Ticket Giveaway
8:00 AM AMC’s The Walking Dead Autographing Ticket Giveaway
NYCC doesn’t start until 10 AM on Saturday, but if you want to get in on either of these autographing sessions, plan for an early morning. The lines for these officially start forming at 7:00 AM, but I wouldn’t be surprised if people show up even earlier. Assuming you can only get tickets to one, do you line up for Robot Chicken or The Walking Dead? And what do you do between 8:01 AM and 9:59 AM?

10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Celebrity Autographing and Photo-Ops
Miss getting your picture taken or your DVD signed by your favorite Hobbit/evil wizard/brother-kissing Rebel leader on Friday? You’re in luck! They’ll happily take your money today too!

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM The Image Comics Experience
Come here and hear announcements for what may be the best new series coming to your LCS in the months to come!

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Kill Shakespeare: The Live Stage Reading
Are you fan of this IDW series? Then maybe you’d like to see the story performed by live actors. The costumes are almost guaranteed to be better than the Green Goblin’s from Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2
See exclusive footage of the second half of the animated Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Movie. DC Animation Legend Bruce Timm will be on hand for this one.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Mattypalooza
If you’ve got one (or more!) of mattycollector.com’s subscriptions, I’m guessing you are really going to want to be here to find out what is coming down the pipe for Masters of the Universe, DC Universe, Watchmen and Ghostbusters.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM The Big Quiz Thing
Do you always get the comic book question right whenever there’s one at your local pub quiz? In that case, you might want to show up for this and clean house!

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM DC Comics – The New 52
I wonder if they’ll be making a New 52 Wave 4 announcement. I also wonder at what point we’ll stop calling it the “New” 52. It’s been over a year now!

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Marvel NOW!: The Avengers
It’s hard to remember when Brian Michael Bendis wasn’t writing The Avengers. Now that he’s decided to move on to other projects, Marvel is putting two of their biggest writers on The Avengers: Rick Remender and Jonathan Hickman, who will both be on hand for this panel.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM From Fight Club to Hell and Back
Chuck Palahniuk, the author of Fight Club, will discuss his latest novel, The Damned, which has the tag line “Welcome to the Inferno by way of The Breakfast Club. I am intrigued.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Vertigo – Fables: 10th Anniversary!
Fables is 10 years old? Wow. Time flies when you’re one of the best comic book series on the stands every month. You read Fables, right? The collections are all in print. Start now and get a head start on 2022’s 20th anniversary.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM AMC’s “The Walking Dead” Panel Event
Practically the entire cast of The Walking Dead are being interviewed by Talking Dead host Chris Hardwick. I’m not sure how you could make this more enticing. This is must-see for me.

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM DC Comics: Justice League
When the New 52 was announced, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s Justice League was my most anticipated series. Unfortunately  it hasn’t lived up to the admittedly very lofty expectations I had for it, but with Lee leaving and longtime Johns collaborator Ivan Reis coming on for art duties, maybe we’ll see a turnaround in the New 52’s flagship title? I’m interested to hear what will be coming up for Justice League in 2013.

6:15 PM – 7:15 PM Firefly 10th Anniversary Special Event – First Look
On 11/11/12, the Science Channel will be airing a Firefly 10th Anniversary Special Event. They will be showing an exclusive preview of it at NYCC. There will also be “special surprise guests” at this panel. Maybe an appearance by Nathan Fillion? That would be awesome.

6:45 PM – 7:45 PM Saga: Sex, Drugs and Rock N’ Roll
Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples are going to take about their new series Saga. Why does this have to overlap with the Firefly panel?!?

7:45 PM – 8:45 PM Bleeding Cool Panel With Rich Johnston
Are you constantly hitting f5 on comics news and rumors sites? Then you will definitely want to be here, as Rich Johnston is promising to break some secrets about 2013’s major events that no one has reported before.

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM NYCC Charity Art Auction
The art that’s already up on the New York Comic Con website for this auction looks amazing. I can’t wait to see everything that makes its way into this event. The money raised goes to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, so don’t feel bad about bidding high.

Written by David Henehan

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Friday at NYCC 2012 Planning Guide

Friday is the first full day of NYCC. If you can get out of your day job, I highly recommend going on Friday. You won’t face anything near the large crowds of Saturday and you’ll have much more programming options than Thursday. Friday is the sweet spot on the NYCC baseball bat.

10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Celebrity Autographing
If you’re interested in meeting Adam West, Burt Ward, Tom Felton, Sean Astin, Peter Davison, Lou Ferrigno or Christopher Lloyd, they’ll all be signing autographs today. Costs vary by person. For example, Batman’s signature is $10 more than Robin’s.

11:00 AM  – 12:00 PM CBLDF: The History of Comics Censorship
Attention all Media Studies majors!

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Wondrous Worlds, Fractured Futures: Speculative Fiction and Image Comics
A few years ago, I saw Brian K. Vaughn speak with JMS, Colleen Doran and Jeff Smith at a panel called World Building. Brian K. Vaughn quipped that the comics he was writing both took place in New York City, so he wasn’t sure why he was invited to the panel. His new comic with Fiona Staples, Saga, takes place far, far away from New York City. This is a can’t miss panel for fans of what Image Comics is doing right now.

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Marvel: House of Ideas
The focus of this panel is on Marvel’s digital comics offerings: Infinite Comics, Marvel.com and the Marvel mobile app. Oddly, Mark Waid will also be on this panel. Not sure what that’s about. Maybe a digital Daredevil exclusive?

11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Comics, Hollywood – What Creators Need to Know
Thinking about turning that spec script you wrote into a graphic novel? Thinking about trying to sell your graphic novel as a feature? This may be the panel for you.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Marvel Now! All-New X-Men
Rick Remender is going to be here talking Uncanny Avengers. That’s really all you need to know, right?

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM How to Get a Job in the Video Game Industry with Capcom
Go to this and get your girlfriend/mom/loan officer off your back about not paying your bills and spending all your money on video games.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Adam West and Burt Ward Spotlight
I picture this being very similar to the famous William Shatner Star Trek convention skit from SNL.

12:15 PM – 2:45 PM The 501st Legion’s “Shoot a Trooper”
If you’ve been to NYCC before, you’ve no doubt spotted at least a few members of the 501st Legion. They’re the guys in the very well done Stormtrooper costumes. These guys are super fans. They’ve even been incorporated into the Star Wars expanded universe and had an action figure made after them. They’re showing their softer side at NYCC this year: for a small donation to charity, you can take shots at Troopers with a Nerf gun.

12:30 PM – 1:20 PM – Tom Felton Photo Op
4:35 PM – 5:35 PM – Tom Felton Photo Op
To Do List: 1. Buy a Slytherin robe. 2. Pick up a twig. 3. Head to Tom Felton Photo Op.

1:20 PM – 1:45 PM – Sean Astin Photo-Op
Wear your Hobbit feet and your Notre Dame jersey.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Oni Press – RevolutiONIzing Comics
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Marvel NOW! Join the ReEvolution
What’s the theme of NYCC 2012? Fun with the word revolution! Oni wins this round for working their company name into it.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Inside “The Batmobile”
On the down side, they didn’t work the word revolution in this title. On the upside, you get to see the entire one hour documentary on The Batmobile before anyone else. I will probably be here. If I am, I will definitely have a review of it up soon after NYCC. Going to this kind of derails my “Draco and Me” photo idea though.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Digital Price Showdown
Maybe you want to debate how much digital comics should cost. Or maybe you want
to see a bunch of people yell at the co-founder of comiXology that digital comics cost too much.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Vertigo: A View From the Cutting Edge of Comics
American Vampire and Fables are two of the best comics being published every month. Both American Vampire writer Scott Snyder and Fables writer Bill Willingham will be on hand for this panel.

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM Grant Morrison Spotlight
News on Multiversity, please?

1:45 PM – 2:40 PM Stan Lee Photo Op
One of my regrets from this year’s Pittsburgh Comic Con was not springing for the Stan Lee Photo Op. Sure, the background screen that Froggy uses couldn’t be tackier, but a picture with Stan Lee would be a very cool souvenir from this year’s NYCC.


2:15 PM – 3:30 PM Writing to be Drawn (Comic Book Writing and Art Tutorial)
If you didn’t get enough Bill Willingham at the Vertigo panel, he’ll be here with Jerry Ordway, Cully Hammer and Michael Oeming to talk about the specific methods of storytelling in comics. Learn how to effectively break down a script and the ins and outs of story flow.

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM DC Comics: Green Lantern – The Third Army Arrives
With Green Lantern, Geoff Johns is writing one of the most consistently best comics on the market. On the one hand, I’m excited to see some preview artwork and hear Geoff talk about the title. On the other hand, I feel like this panel is going to mostly be cryptic announcements from Johns and non-answers to questions from the audience. I’m not complaining about that. I’d hate for this story line to get spoiled at a con panel. I’m setting the over/under of number of people dressed as Guardians of the Universe at 1.5.

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM VALIANT: The Future of VALIANT
I was a huge Valiant fanboy the first go-around. In fact, I stuck on the Valiant train way too long. On the upside, it meant I was one of the lucky few reading Quantum and Woody. On the downside, I also read The Visitor. There were rumors for years of a Valiant comeback. Now that it’s finally here, it’s almost hard to believe it’s actually happening. According to the listing, everyone in attendance gets a special door prize. Gold books, anyone?

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Skybound On The Rise
Skybound is the current jewel in the Image crown. If you have a bad case of Kirkmania, get yourself here, stat!

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Robert Kirkman Autographing at the Image Booth
Don’t show up to this line at 4 PM. With the popularity of all things The Walking Dead, the line will be capped by that point. I’d say to get there by 3:15 at the latest…which means leaving the Skybound panel early. Hello, Catch-22.

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Carrie Fisher Autographing
I met Carrie Fisher a few years ago at a Big Apple Con. Childhood dream fulfilled. Now’s your chance!

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM Terry Pratchett Meet and Greet
According the NYCC website, Terry Pratchett won’t be signing anything, but will be handing out pre-signed book plates. BUT MY COPY OF GOOD OMENS IS ALREADY SIGNED BY NEIL GAIMAN AND IT NEEDS TERRY PRATCHETT’S AUTOGRAPH!

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Carrie Fisher Photo Op
Keep it clean, gentlemen.

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Be a Comic Book Retailer!
Don’t go to this panel if you’ve ever been talked into buying a time share. With a shrinking market and an ever increasingly move to digital, this seems like an equally bad idea.

6:30 – 7:30 PM Robot Chicken
Last year’s Robot Chicken panel was my favorite panel of NYCC 2011. Don’t miss this panel. Unless you have no need for joy in your life, then by all means, miss this panel. I am half hoping, half dreading that the pothead who sat near me last year who cackled at everything that was said sits near me again.

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CollegeHumor Live at New York Comic Con
I love comics, sketch comedy and stand-up. I can’t think of one reason why I would miss this.

9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Steampunk 101
If you buy a top hat, goggles and a velvet topcoat, you can proceed directly to Steampunk 102.

Written by Sarv, who likes us on Facebook. You should like us on Facebook too.