Posted by Meg
This year’s New York Comic Con was my very first con. Like ever.
Here are some tips for other first timers:
Accept that the show floor will be crowded
I’m not great with crowds, so I was nervous riding the escalator up to the show floor, badge and program in hand. For those who don’t know, the show floor is where all the booths are set-up. These include booths where you can buy stuff, publishing house booths, comic booths, video games, LEGOs and more. It can be entirely overwhelming.
Actually, it is entirely overwhelming. No question.
But the thing about the crowds at a con: it’s not Grand Central. People want to see the booths, peruse comics and try on steampunk goggles, but they are not really trying to get anywhere fast (can be frustrating if you are trying to get to a signing on time). My advice? Resign yourself to the crowded aisles. I found myself being gently swept along in the stream of my fellow nerds, some in full superhero regalia or outfitted in bowties a la the eleventh doctor.
And there is stuff to see EVERYWHERE. Even if you don’t know much about comics, like me.
Have a buddy (or two)
Friday, the first item on my agenda was heading over to the Random House booth on the show floor and hanging out with Peat while he signed free books for a seemingly never-ending line of fans.
It was so nice (after wandering the floor) to meet up with people and stay in one place for a while chatting about the crazy costumes passing by.
And I got to meet Mia! She was wearing awesome steampunk goggles.
Also in the queue to get The Warded Man was a girl named Ginny Potter!
Quite the name. You can check her blog out here.
After Peat’s signing, I meandered down to the autographing hall where Myke was signing books and stood VERY close to Amber Benson (Buffy fans, she’s the actress that plays Tara).
Decide what’s most important to you
Since I am a huge book nerd (big surprise right there), I wanted to attend as many signings and panels as I possibly could without my head exploding.
No easy task.
There are tons of awesome panels, from the ones that draw the crowds like the Firefly panel to Geek Geek Revolution, a game show based on nerd trivia where the audience tries to stump authors for cool prizes.
Myke, Anton Strout, Beth Revis, Andrea Rift playing Geek Geek Revolution
For those of you who haven’t been to NYCC, it is simply impossible to do all the things you want to do. I realized I would have to kill my whole saturday to see the Firefly panel because the line was so long, so I decided to give up on TV and stay on the literary track.
One of the highlights was a panel telling everyone what exciting fantasy and sci-fi books were coming from all the major publishing houses. Noted the ones that sounded thrilling. One in particular caught my eye:
Other panels included YA post-apocalyptic fiction, Cory Doctorow talking about SOPA and Internet freedom and steampunk ladies talking about their careers in literature and publishing.
One of the highlights of the weekend for me was hearing Chuck Palahniuk speak. Ever since reading Fight Club, I have been a huge fan and was able to snag a second row seat right in front of the stage.
Chuck reading a brand new story
Some people I went with spent a lot more time on the show floor or in Artist’s Alley. Just depends on what you are most interested in.
Note all the adorable/awesome costumes and tell all your friends
There were some pretty kickass costumes at Comic Con. Many doctors from various seasons of Dr. Who. (Saw a pretty amazing Rose and Ten). Harry Potters and Luna Lovegoods running around, wands drawn. Superheroes and heroines I am not nerdy enough to name.
Sunday was kids day, and there were dozens of adorable children in superhero costumes as well as one little girl in pigtails cosplaying Sailor Moon. I saw a grandma, mother and daughter all dressed up as super heroines descending the escalator into the autographing room.
It’s definitely not required to go dressed up. I would say about half the attendees were dressed up. But be forewarned, if your costume kicks ass, expect lots of posing and pictures!
Wasn’t in costume, but still got to stand next to Han Solo
Bring your own food
The Javits Center has you trapped, and therefore raises the prices as high as movie theaters. ($4.40 for a Snapple!). I learned the hard way on the first day when I payed $10 for a small portion of chicken tenders and fries. The next day I subsisted on a homemade turkey sandwich and 3 granola bars. I’d rather spend my money on books. Speaking of books …
When people give you free books, take them
One of the most exciting things about Comic Con was all the loot I picked up.
I acquired seven free books, including another copy of Peat’s book that I will be gifting to one of my fantasy reading friends. Not to mention free comics, graphic novel previews and T-shirts.
If you want to buy something, don’t wait until the last minute
A lot of stuff (like posters, T-shirts and sonic screwdrivers) sell out by Sunday or even Saturday. I bought most of my stuff on Friday afternoon.
Posing with a Dalek … only at Comic Con
Also, you will be tired. Very, very tired. But it’s worth it to be part of something so big and so dedicated to the love of everything nerdy.
Peat said if I could survive NYCC, I am more than prepared for most other cons. San Diego, here I come!
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 8:00 am by megelizabeth
Filed under Appearances, Events, Meg, Warded Man
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