New York City Comic Convention
By Taylor Adamczyk
Once known for its comics alone, the New York City Comic Convention now features popular culture’s newest video games, movies, and television shows as well. Held this past October, at the Jacob Javits Center, in Manhattan, 77,000 fans, in one of the largest conventions ever, met their favorite artists and even gained constructive criticism and helpful tips. In fact, fans inspired to pursue a career as a comic or graphic novel artist could visit Artist Alley to meet their favorite artists. Grant campus student Spencer Renna Goldfarb got the most out of his Artist Alley experience. “It was an entertaining, enlightening, and an overall inspiring experience to see my favorite artists in their element,” he said. “As an aspiring animator and comic book artist, I was provided heavily with great perspectives from all the artists that made me feel I was going in the right direction.”
An artist whom visitors were excited to see was Stan Lee, Marvel Comics legend and creator of such popular superheroes as Spiderman and The incredible Hulk. Lee told fans about his most recent project, in which he teams up with BOOM Comics to create three new superheroes named Starborn, The Traveler, and Soldier Zero. These characters are set to make their debut in 2011. Fans of films and television shows attended the Internet Gaming Network Theater for sneak peeks at new blockbusters and programs to be released in 2011, as well as to meet face to face with casts and directors. Fashion Institute of Technology student Samantha Colon said, “I’ve been coming to the convention for years now, and it’s definitely grown beyond comics. There are panels and sneak peeks at new movies and TV shows, and that’s definitely drawn a larger crowd. I think people realized how valuable the ‘nerd’ community is, and they’ve started taking us seriously.”
One panel featured the feature film “Your Highness,” starring James Franco(Pineapple Express), and Danny McBride (Eastbound and Down). The story follows two opposite brothers, who set out on a crazy adventure to save their father’s kingdom. The comedy is set to hit theaters in 2011. Another popular panel featured “The Walking Dead,” an AMC television series that debuted in October, based on the comic books created by Robert Kirkman, about a police officer leading a group of survivors in a world taken over by zombies. The panel included the entire cast, with previews of a couple of scenes from the series.
Other big attractions: Convention visitors could take a look at the newest "Marvel vs. Capcom" video game before it hits stores in 2011. During the "Michael Jackson Experience" interactive video game, gamers could learn Jackson’s greatest dance moves and perform a show.
The next New York City Comic Convention is scheduled for October 14 through October 16, 2011, also at the Jacob Javits Center.
- Taylor Adamczyk
Once known for its comics alone, the New York City Comic Convention now features popular culture’s newest video games, movies, and television shows as well. Held this past October, at the Jacob Javits Center, in Manhattan, 77,000 fans, in one of the largest conventions ever, met their favorite artists and even gained constructive criticism and helpful tips. In fact, fans inspired to pursue a career as a comic or graphic novel artist could visit Artist Alley to meet their favorite artists. Grant campus student Spencer Renna Goldfarb got the most out of his Artist Alley experience. “It was an entertaining, enlightening, and an overall inspiring experience to see my favorite artists in their element,” he said. “As an aspiring animator and comic book artist, I was provided heavily with great perspectives from all the artists that made me feel I was going in the right direction.”
An artist whom visitors were excited to see was Stan Lee, Marvel Comics legend and creator of such popular superheroes as Spiderman and The incredible Hulk. Lee told fans about his most recent project, in which he teams up with BOOM Comics to create three new superheroes named Starborn, The Traveler, and Soldier Zero. These characters are set to make their debut in 2011. Fans of films and television shows attended the Internet Gaming Network Theater for sneak peeks at new blockbusters and programs to be released in 2011, as well as to meet face to face with casts and directors. Fashion Institute of Technology student Samantha Colon said, “I’ve been coming to the convention for years now, and it’s definitely grown beyond comics. There are panels and sneak peeks at new movies and TV shows, and that’s definitely drawn a larger crowd. I think people realized how valuable the ‘nerd’ community is, and they’ve started taking us seriously.”
One panel featured the feature film “Your Highness,” starring James Franco(Pineapple Express), and Danny McBride (Eastbound and Down). The story follows two opposite brothers, who set out on a crazy adventure to save their father’s kingdom. The comedy is set to hit theaters in 2011. Another popular panel featured “The Walking Dead,” an AMC television series that debuted in October, based on the comic books created by Robert Kirkman, about a police officer leading a group of survivors in a world taken over by zombies. The panel included the entire cast, with previews of a couple of scenes from the series.
Other big attractions: Convention visitors could take a look at the newest "Marvel vs. Capcom" video game before it hits stores in 2011. During the "Michael Jackson Experience" interactive video game, gamers could learn Jackson’s greatest dance moves and perform a show.
The next New York City Comic Convention is scheduled for October 14 through October 16, 2011, also at the Jacob Javits Center.
- Taylor Adamczyk
