Oh, New York Comic Con, you are a fickle bitch. 2011 was our 3rd Con and it was just as joyous and infuriating as the last 2. In years past what had struck me was the clear overcrowding and lack of organization. This year was the worst of them all.
Let me go chronologically. Thursday was easily the most enjoyable day. This is the 1st year NYCC opened up on the Thursday and it was just for pros, press and 4 day pass holders. It was amazing! You could actually walk around and see things! And also purchase things. Thursday was the only day I could stop at a booth long enough to pull out my wallet. I basically bought t shirts (as is my custom) and I was in my geeky glory.
There were some awesome Hasbro displays that included a ton of Jem toys. It was a welcome blast from the past. It was fun chatting up all the vendors and scoping out the varied wares they were peddling. Many of them had come from clear across the country. I wish I could have spent 4 days doing what I did Thursday. Alas, that was not to be. Friday I had my sights set on a panel and signing with Jane Espenson. She is a TV writer and one of my idols. Most of the work I am familiar with is sci-fi (Buffy, BSG, Torchwood), but she was there promoting her new web series, Husbands. While waiting in line to shower her with my undying admiration I scoped out Eliza Dushku, Alan Tudyk, James Marsters, Clare Kramer, Felicia Day, Jewel Staite and Adam Brody. Aside from Brody, it was a pretty massive Whedon geek-out. It was admittedly one of the most awesome things ever. Oh, then I procured a Mondo print for I Saw the Devil and promptly ripped a corner off. A meltdown ensued and then I bought some cool Twilight Zone stuff. (See how I gloss over the meltdown?)
Saturday was a nightmare and I have nothing nice to say about it. NYCC’s main event seemed to be The Avengers panel. I recently tweeted that the trailer made me tear up. They got me, and I was one of many looking to get into the IGN Theater for the panel. We went to stand in line nearly 3 hours before the event and were sent to haphazardly line up in a hallway. Not only did this make no sense, it was also an unsupervised fire hazard. Soon after they told us to disperse; the IGN Theater was full and no one would be admitted. There were still 2 panels to go before The Avengers! But since they weren’t clearing the theater, everyone was just staying. Don’t ask me how that’s fair or makes any sense. The floor was packed and impossible to traverse. It all made me murderous. If you’ve heard Comic Con gets crowded, they ain’t kidding. I said it last year after the Adrien Brody debacle, and I’ll say again now, I will never go on a Saturday. (Maybe this time I’ll stick to my guns.)
By Sunday I wanted to kill someone. The floor opened at 10:00 AM and for about a half hour it was great. I was able to get one of The Avengers shirts they were giving out all weekend. That was a small victory. It’s Iron Man themed and about 2 sizes too big, but it’s still a victory. We left early with a bad taste in our mouths. I suppose it’s just the nature of the beast. Hopefully NYCC will continue to do the pro/press day on Thursday. If they do, I’ll be there.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how fantastic the Magnet booth was. They were giving out Tucker & Dale swag, one sheets and selling awesome DVDs. On Saturday we got to meet Ti West and give him a copy of the magazine. Truly, this booth was an oasis in my sea of anger. In the midst of my overwhelmed frustration, I attempted to take as many photos of relevant and interesting film related goodies. Check out more of our photos HERE on Facebook.
