Oh my God, all the costumes, crowds, excitement! God I love New York Comic Con! There is something for everyone, from comic books, to new video games free for the testing, to panels featuring casts from sci-fi and cartoon shows. There were interactive experiences such as Audible’s “Harry Potter, a Pensieve Experience,” which celebrated 20 years of Harry Potter. Harry Potter books from the J.K. Rowling series were presented by Audiobooks, narrated dramatically by Jim Dale. Visitors could pick from the six main characters of the Harry Potter series—Harry, Hermonie, Ron, Lord Voldemort, Dumbledore and Snake.
You pick a bottle that has the memories of one of those characters and in a mystic setting with fog above your head and shimmering, white curtains around you, you stop at a station, put on headphones and listen as Dale tells you a memory of one of the characters. My 16-year-old daughter Jasmine choose Hermonie, and I choose Ron. Listening to the memories of these characters really helped one to realize how deep Harry Potter movies go and how they give you these amazing young characters who are fighting evil and risking their lives to make sure that good wins out. It was inspiring to listen to the memories of these characters.
There were amazing sports cars on display with themes for Disney’s 90th anniversary of Mickey, the 25th anniversary of the “Nightmare Before Christmas” and Disney princesses. There were panel discussions happening all over. They featured participants such as the cast and creative team of “Gotham.” There were artists all about in booths with original paintings, drawings and photos of superheroes.
Everywhere you looked, there was an abundance of themed T-shirts being sold for cartoon characters, comic characters and sci-fi TV show characters. There were dolls, stuffed animals and figurines. There were interactive rides, and you could take a picture that placed you on Mars and it was emailed to you for free. There were a lot of free giveaways for fans. There were free T-shirts and a place in the fan lounge for fans to create art or become a work of art as artists painted fans faces for free as whatever character they desired. You could also charge your cellphone for free.
Comic Con is something that for four days takes over New York City and it should. It is something that you will never forget. You see people in some of the most phenomenal costumes—Captain Marvel, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Venus, Harley Quinn, Princess Sincerity, Snow White, Alphaba, Glenda the Good Witch, Rick and Morty, the Incredibles, the Riddler, Mulan, Starfire (Teen Titans), Giselle, the Black Panther, the Scarecrow, Jason, Freddie Kruger, Spiderman, Belle, Wonder Woman and so many more. And, it’s not just adults in costumes, there are children dressed in costumes from head to toe.
Comic Con is just an amazing family event. It’s like the entire Jacob Javits Center is filled with absolute fun everywhere you look. The atmosphere is electric as you hear games being played and you hear fans cheering for celebrities they spot. There are celebrity photos and autograph opportunities. I recommend this event very highly.
Last year, Jasmine and I were so excited to see and interview the cast and creatures of “ShadowHunters,” our favorite Freeform show. This year wasn’t as happy an occasion. The show doesn’t know if it’s going to get another season. It is currently nominated for five People’s Choice Awards, and Comic Con was a chance for its fans to show their love and support as E People’s Choice Awards had voting areas where fans could vote for their favorite sci-fi show. Of course, you know what my daughter and I voted for. Fans of the show have also started a campaign called “Save ShadowHunters,” and this movement has been joined by “ShadowHunter” fans from all over the world. Fans at New York Comic Con were treated to Katherine McNamara, who plays Clary Fairchild, making a surprise appearance. She handed out free doughnuts, took pictures with fans and gave out autographs on large postcards she had. Now, you know that my daughter and I had to say, “Hello,” and mention that we interviewed her last year. And, believe it or not, she looked at my daughter and said, “Jasmine, right?” My daughter was so excited that McNamara remembered her.
In January, fans have 12 new episodes coming, but who knows after that. Considering the show’s future or possible lack of after the 12 episodes, McNamara was very upbeat as she shared, “I think that in this world where everyone is so divided and everyone is battling against each other right now, I think it’s amazing to see a group of people who are fans of the same thing all come together to celebrate something that is ultimately about love, acceptance and unity. Because I think we need that in this world right now. No matter what happens to the show, even if it’s coming to its close, that doesn’t mean the ‘ShadowHunters’ fandom has to go away. It’s going to keep going as we all go on to other things.”
Comic Con had things for every member of the family and so many things that were free activities, such as Crunchyroll, where a pit of stuffed animals—Bananya Plushie Pool—was set up. Children had to walk in backward, and then allow their bodies to fall back into the soft, stuffed animals.
Comic Con is truly a place for creativity; at Bean Boozled, an artist completed a portrait of Harry Potter made completely of colorful jelly beans. There were interactive exhibits that took reservations, such as She-Ra and The Princess of Power.
There were all types of food carts at Comic Con. There was no space on any of the levels of Jacob Javits Center that didn’t have something fun, captivating or engaging happening. New York Comic Con is something that I truly look forward to every year. You must make plans to go next year and in years to come. I saw so many fantastic, delightful sights with my daughter, and if you go experience it with your family, it will be something that you plan to go to every year. Now, of course you’ll need to put aside souvenir money because everyone wants a T-shirt from their favorite show, a mug or pin. What I love best about New York Comic Con is everyone is just there to have a blast, everyone is in great spirits and it is a place where New Yorkers are at their best!