r/comiccon • u/HappinessTornado • 1d ago
NYCC - New York Con Suggestions
Hey!! I went to NYCC this year for the first time and it was sort of really disappointing? I might have like missed smth and admittedly did NO research before buying tickets so this was very possibly well known but it felt really anime centered and don't get me wrong I love anime!! But I also chose to get tickets to NYCC instead of ANYC for a reason, you know? So it was a huge let down to go and not really see what I was hoping for at all :c
Anyways, I'm just on asking for some suggestions of like less anime centered comic conventions.... preferably on the East Coast! Thank you!!
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u/onlyifitwasyou 1d ago
My recommendation in the future is to do research before attending a large convention.
NYCC has a larger anime presence compared to ANYC because ANYC falls after North Americaâs largest anime convention, AnimeExpo, so exhibitors choose to go there instead of AnimeNYC. Many ANYC attendees often end up at NYCC because ANYC did not offer the anime content they were looking for but NYCC did.
Crunchyroll is also NYCCâs largest sponsor and this year VIZ Media sponsored the badges. Thatâs 2 anime companies putting out large amounts of money for this convention.
Marvel and DC donât offer these things to NYCC so NYCC favors who will help pay for these things.
Also if youâre looking for less popular Marvel/DC comics, youâll need to search for people who work on those comics and find out if theyâre appearing at the convention you want to go to. The reality is you will end up missing out if you donât know where to look for something youâre interested in. There are specific areas in the show floor just for comics vs for experiences/activations.
Hopefully if NYCC isnât your jam, you find a convention that offers what youâre looking for.
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u/roundeking 1d ago
Fan Expo exists in a lot of major cities as a kind of general media con.
If youâre interested in less mainstream comics, I love going to indie comics expos like MICE in Boston. The Brooklyn Expo of Comics is happening next month.
Flame Con is a really fun one centered on queer media. The focus tends to be on American comics and books, not really anime at all.
If youâre into video games, MAGFest in Maryland is great.
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u/HappinessTornado 18h ago
TYY!!! I will be looking into Flame Con and MAGfest for next time! and already planning on going to the Brooklyn Expo of Comics!!!
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u/ILoveChickenFingers 21h ago
I will also say that Heroes Con in NC and Baltimore Con are very comics focused conventions. Just comic guests with a large artists alley and a lot of comic dealers.
NYCC does have a very good artists alley and it seems have more "big name" artists in their alley than any other convention. Or at least it did the last time I've been there.
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u/HappinessTornado 18h ago
Thank you!!!! Someone else mentioned both of those and I will definitely be trying for Heros Con tickets (and woah that price comparision! I need to stop going to events in NYC)
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u/Osinuous 15h ago
I did Baltimore for the first time this year and it was great for comics.
Weâre going to try heroes next year as well.
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u/middleageyoda 1d ago
What exactly were you hoping for?
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u/Timmayyyyyyy 1d ago
For comics to be centered over anime at Comic Con, itâs a fair criticism. I have a blast and let it go, but Idgaf about a majority of that shit.
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u/onlyifitwasyou 1d ago
When the biggest anime company in the world is your largest sponsor, itâs very easy for anime to become centered at a convention. Conventions will pivot where the money is. Marvel and DC need to do their end to reestablish their presence at NYCC if anyone wants comics to have a larger presence than anime again (and they wonât.)
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u/post_nyc 16h ago
Marvelâs presence was definitely smaller than I remember from previous years, but I thought DCâs booth was great!
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u/HappinessTornado 1d ago
Mostly merch of some characters I like, especially Two Face and Hellblazer, and maybe some video game stuff though admittedly that's not comic related, which was my main struggle, I do feel like a lot of the games I play have a player base that seems pretty nerdy and therefore I think they'd like comics too! Some of the highlights of my experience was seeing some pretty pricey statues of Cyberpunk 2077 characters and a print w Absolute Two Face in it if that paints a decent picture?
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u/middleageyoda 1d ago
I do think at any con you have to seek out what you want in it. You said you did very little research. Merch is a small part of a con. You have to explore panels, if the opportunity presents itself meet guests you love. If you are looking for super specific merch you will likely be disappointed. I like to go up and down the aisles in a pattern to see as much as possible because you can always find something cool. If you like a specific character consider saving up a bit of money and commission an artist in artist alley to create a drawing of them. It can be pretty pricey so itâs ok if thatâs not your thing but itâs something to think about.
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u/Cool_Aioli_8307 1d ago
Despite being the 20th Anniversary this year was a big let down in terms of interesting panels. The main big ticket event was AMC's panel. Star Trek fell flat because everyone knows that there is nothing coming on the horizon - Paramount canned all shows. Blumhouse did their annual horror/gore panel where they showed a new film coming out. Marvel TV was okay with some promotion for VisionQuest including the premier of the first episode, S2 of Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman; the final season of DD, and a teaser for a possible new series. Marvel Comics panel was mid with the big promo being for the Midnight series and fan favorite Hickman returning for Midnight X-Men. DC didn't even bother with a push for their new film Clayface and the comics appeared to be retreads of prior storylines.
This is year one of the transition as Skydance begins to tank pulling DC down with it.
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u/onlyifitwasyou 1d ago
Idk why this was downvoted. Itâs true that whatâs happening with the companies merging and canceling content is affecting the convention experience!
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u/mzx380 1d ago
If youâre looking for comics then nycc is the right place. Itâs not the most comic centric but itâs the largest comic book convention in the country . SDCC is more Hollywood
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u/abdep 1d ago
Hard disagree. If you want to go to a comic focused comic con, Baltimore or Heroes Con are better choices. Speaking as a NYCC / SDCC â26 attendee, both are similarly comic focused
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u/mzx380 1d ago
Baltimore and heroes are nowhere near the size of nycc. Thatâs why I said it like that
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u/Swervies 22h ago
If OP is looking to meet comics creators, get books signed, and actually buy comics from dealers then they will not find better conventions in the US than Heroes Con in Charlotte or Baltimore con. I have been to them all, and those are the best two for actual comic fans.
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u/HappinessTornado 18h ago
Yay! I do NOT care about size at all so those do both sound like way better opportunities!!
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u/CoolTony429 19h ago
NYCC is being gradually taken over by anime, and I don't see that trend reversing any time soon. The con has been on the decline for years now. As someone who has gone every year but one since 2014, this was likely my last. There are definitely other cons around that are getting better and better in comparison to NYCC. I also recommend looking at Terrificon and Great Philly Comic-con in addition to those already mentioned. Smaller in comparison but proportionally much less anime (imo).
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u/Tall-Celery-4804 16h ago
Have you tried SDCC?
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u/HappinessTornado 16h ago
No! Unfortunately can't rationalize going that far for like anything, especially a con! :c
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u/Tall-Celery-4804 16h ago
been to nycc and its ok just everything is inside the javits and nothing outside , but sdcc is a different monster. i travel from texas half way too California , near future might do nycc again but for now its sdcc for me.
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u/HappinessTornado 5h ago
Hmmmm maybe I'll try to save up for it, seems like a huge commitment but if its that good I'd love to check it out!!
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u/rabar13 15h ago edited 15h ago
I donât think it was anime centered at all. I just think there were two big classic anime that have relevant projects coming out soon so it makes sense to focus on that. There were so many comic book panels and events for people to partake in. Even the other publishers that arenât the big two had their own decently sized panels. A ton of comic book artists and writers in the alley to meet as well. A lot of exclusives that were centered around comics. I always advise people to do research and plan it out once schedules drop. If you are looking for a convention mostly based around comics though I recommend Baltimore Comic Con!
Update:
Sorry I just noticed BCC has already been mentioned. I will say Iâve been multiple times since I was 11 and Iâm now 32. Iâve always enjoyed it! It got me into comics when I was younger. Sometimes big announcements get made there as well. I was there the year DC announced the New 52.
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u/Top-Tomato-2246 14h ago
Long Island has a lot of smaller conventions. I recommend CradleCon in Garden City.
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u/Ravenous_Goose_9051 13h ago
ricc in rhode island is a great con always with an impressive line up of guests, panels, and an awesome artists' alley! first weekend of nov
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u/corndogs102 13h ago
Now OP if u didnât like the crowds at NYCC just know that Rhode Island is 100 times worse. Youâll be packaged like sardines and hard to walk for minutes.
Rhode Island gets great guests tho. Just unorganized with crowds.
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u/Scepafall 12h ago
The only comic convention Iâve been to that doesnât center on anime thatâs still around is Richmond Indie Comic Expo (RICE)
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u/NewAgeLand 8h ago
Went back in 2014, it was my first time ever. I had 0 expectations going in so I wasnât shocked or anything but it was very meh. I didnât understand the hype, it was really more just a place for people to show off their costumes and do social media. I did pick up a rare board game though and an âalternateâ football player action figure I had wanted so it was evenly balanced for me and worth the price. Never went again though and 0 interest in going back now due to what you said. Friends I know commented that it was deeply anime centric and has gotten more so
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u/FARKALICIOUS 7h ago
IDK NYCC was great for me. You have to sift through all the cosplayers and pops and anime booths, but there are plenty of comics at NYCC! The panels are great because they announce a lot of new stuff at NYCC. There are tons of comic vendors. And Midtown Comics hosted some signings the same week, which was cool. But yes I do agree Baltimore is more comic centered from what I hear. I plan to go to that next year!
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u/IconoclastJones 6h ago
It might be easier to be helpful if you mention why you didnât enjoy it.
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u/HappinessTornado 5h ago
I feel like I did? It really was just that both the artist alley and a lot of the big booths seemed really anime centered and I was hoping for more comic stuff!
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u/IconoclastJones 4h ago
The big cons are all full of anime merch because they are the booths that make money and they draw a lot of anime kids. If youâre looking for long boxes of vintage stuff, a local con is your best bet.
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u/Passiko 1d ago
Dragoncon
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u/Swervies 22h ago
For comics? I would say no, it is a fun con but hugely slanted towards cosplay and connected media.
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u/lampbane 1d ago
I think you're going to have to be more specific about what you're looking for, as NYCC does have a lot of non-Japanese comics content. The artist alley was full of Western creators, there were plenty of panels for Marvel, DC, Image, etc., and the northwest corner of the exhibition hall was dedicated to booths for DC, Mad Cave, IDW, etc etc.
But, I will tell you that if you're looking for indie/small press stuff, you might enjoy Brooklyn Independent Comics Showcase (which is free), MoCCA Fest, and this event next month: https://www.brooklynexpoofcomics.com/