(The following was written from memory three days hence and edited over the week to include photos and video.)
DAY ONE
Arrived at the convention by 9:20, went upstairs to press room to get acclimated before heading to the show floor. First stops were the book booths to catch any signing tickets possibly needed for later in the day. From there an exploration of the show floor was made. Major stops were Civil Regime, Walmart, Elegoo 3D Printers, DC Comics, etc. Made way to the other end of the show floor, entered the queue for the Camp Crystal Lake immersive experience (would not get in that, received word funnily later that night shortly after the Crystal Lake panel). Checked out the All Nippon Air booth, then made a visit to Epic Desk (I am currently testing out the new pad they gifted me to review and I can tell you right now, it’s getting high marks).
Checked out a few other booths like Whatnot, Monogram, Culturefly, etc. but then went down to Artist’s Alley to say hello to my long time friend Rick Parker on my way to a panel featuring Ivan Velez Jr. discussing Tales of the Closet. I was a little late to the panel getting turned around understanding Javits layout, despite been going there for years. A little more exploration including the community room where I picked up a lot of the NYC Board of Education comics I’d missed since the last time I came to NYCC. Was excited to see Nick Bertozzi had a new one. Also went to the show floor for books I had signing tickets for and exploring.
At this point it was time for the Marvel Television & Animation panel which had some excellent clips from X-Men ’97 season 3, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man season 2, footage from Daredevil Born Again season 3 and then the entire first episode of Visionquest. Seeing that on a huge screen was pretty dang cool. I have no since seen episode 2 as it has launched. After the Marvel panel was the Crystal Lake panel I mentioned earlier where they showed the first episode and had a lovely cool talk exciting me to binge the entire series which by the time you’ve read this I will have. After I decided to check out the Coney Island 18+ show but instead of being sexy freak show it was just burlesque. I stayed for a bit but then decided I would TRY to go to some events I knew at bars. I didn’t realize their distance from the convention center though, got turned around and ended up at 8th avenue starving, so I stopped at Tick-Tock diner for foods before heading home to unpack, wash up and crash for another day of excitement and fun.
DAY TWO
I hopped on the Virtual queue for the Crystal Lake experience and got 70th in line. I killed time on the floor checking out the Tenacious Toys booth, a few other small press booths, saying hello to my neighbor Kyle Baker at his table, doing the Marvel booth experience and somehow losing the stool I had bought for the weekend (not a big loss, things happen).
After the Crystal Lake thing which was pretty dang fun I had a little more exploring but then had to get over to the Bloodaxe panel followed by press room.
Then back to the floor for signings, fun and such before the Titmouse x Meow Wolf panel which was amazing. Got to talk to Kate Miccucci, the Creator director at Meow Wolf and got a free skate deck (plus stickers and a pin).
My evening finalized at Scholastic offices for a presentation and party with great food, great conversations and great gifts. They do things right. Carying too much and it being past 10 PM I took a ride share home from the city getting in around 10:30 PM.
DAY THREE
I had an 11 AM meeting at FANHOME, so before that I hit up some signings and give aways. After the excelleny hobbyist kit building booth I went to see my friend Frankie for a moment for a long long afternoon away from the convention center, but not away from the convention itself.
First up was GAK To The Future, a street art and gallery show at the Hudson Yards Hotel on 42nd street. Some really excellent pieces. If you pay attention to stickers and graffiti in the boros you have seen WIGS, KEST, COMA, etc. etc.
From there I used the hughline to get down to 14th street for the Blade Runner 2099 immersive experience. This involved some actors, a free drink, great set design and a give away. It was fun and while both it and the panel later that night really hid the story, I’ll be checking the series out.
From there it was the Visionquest art show on 24th street which I used the highline again to get over to. They had some really awesome pieces on display and there was also some immersion and the gallery became larger as hidden doors opened.
After it was back to the convention but all that walking meant taking a short break on a park bench and eating some food and then relaxing. I had been barely sleeping the last three days including the day before convention and with everything I was carrying, all the social interaction, etc. my body was feeling it.
Once a second wind came in I headed back to the convention, killed some time with what I can exploring booths and more before the mentioned Blade Runner panel.
After I made my way back to the GAK show to see if any friends were there, but so such luck. I probably could have waited longer but I was feeling it and getting home as I planned to take the subway this time was an ordeal. I took the train out to main street and grabbed an amazing meal in Flushing while getting home in time to catch GCW Fight Club Night One War games before washing up and crashing out.
DAY FOUR
My main thing for this day was a panel and signing with Graham Anabele and Scott C. of video game, animation, comics and picture book fame. Graham’s wife Malena is also currenly back at Double Fine for the foreseeable future. The panel and signing were both fantastic.
The rest of my day was trying to see as much of the convention I had missed,buying some stuff at major discounts, saying hello to friends and goodbye as well since I only see some of them during conventions cause of distance and time.
It rained absolute buckets on this day. Getting home was hell. I ended up stepping in a puddle, some books got water damage that I worked hard on saving them from when finally back home.
This convention experience was amazing and I have loved reliving and will continue to do so watching videos, reading the books I got and playing with all the stuff I got.
