Every year my two daughters and I look ridiculously forward to New York ComicCon, and New York ComicCon 2019 was absolutely phenomenal at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on 11th Avenue by 34th Street. From the time that you entered the Jacob Javits Center you knew that you were in for a fabulous time; there were so many eye-catching displays for TV shows, comics and series that are currently on the air and things that are coming up, such as “Watchmen,” a new HBO series premiering Oct. 20, and a screening for the second season of “Castle Rock” from Hulu. There were screenings for several CW shows including a new series “Bat Woman,” season 4 of “Riverdale,” and season 2 of “Roswell.” ComicCon 2019 had it all! There were panels, autograph signings, opportunities to play the latest video games, chances to get all types of comic related and TV series related merchandise from shirts to costumes to hats and jewelry. This was a place for comic book, sci-fi, superhero and comedy series lovers and all of us who realize that we are kids at heart, a four-day dream in which you wanted time to stand still!
There were interactive booths and chances to take photos with props from various NBC TV shows such as “The Office,” “The Good Place” and “Superstore.” There were so many people dressed in elaborate costumes who were waiting and willing to take a photo. ComicCon is a cherished event and it should always continue! The environment is so family friendly and everyone is just there having a great time. It is for people of every age range and believe me entire families completely get into it, as you see everyone in costume—even children in strollers get their ComicCon—On!
ComicCon 2019 was also a place to say farewell to shows which are not coming back, like one of my daughter Jasmine’s favorites, “Steven Universe.” A panel was held where they focused on the “Steven Universe” movie and did live performances singing, “Happily Ever After,” “Other Friends” and “True Kinda Love.” The hour-long panel was filled with music, smiles, tears and laughter. Rebecca Sugar, along with some of the cast of “Steven Universe,” took the audience through their process of making the movie and how everything came together. They had a Q&A with fans and revealed there will be no sixth season. But they won’t leave fans wondering why or how. They are coming to Cartoon Network for one last hooray by introducing everyone to the “Steven Universe Epilogue Limited Series” to show what all the characters are now up to and how their lives are.
DC Nation had a panel in which the comic writers and creators talked about the newest comic books and the 80th anniversary of DC Nation. “Spongebob Squarepants” celebrated its 20th year! Cast members who voice Patrick, Plankton, Mr. Crab and Sandy did a 15 minute Q&A. They talked about the recent “Birthday Bash” episode that they had for Spongebob and upcoming episodes.
Viz Media celebrated the 20th anniversary of Naruto and talked about other anime such as “Sailor Moon” and “One Punch.” The cast and creator of “Castlevania” did a panel talking about the show and what’s coming up.
There was a wonderful panel with cast members from “Deadly Class,” another show that did not get a second season. Benedict Wang and Benjamin Wentworth talked about the show and finding out that it was cancelled. They talked about the talent of the young cast and how the cast mostly did their own stunts.
Walking around ComicCon you saw people fully dressed as Ariel, Jasmine, Belle, Ursula, Captain Jack, the Joker, Riddler, Mario, Poison Ivy, Captain America, Thor, Batman, Superman and Spiderman, and so many other characters.
There was a delightful panel about the Disney princesses with the actresses who played them in the Disney movies, including Anika Noni Rose from “The Princess and the Frog,” Veronica Taylor from “Cinderella,” Jodi Benson from “The Little Mermaid,” and Paige O’Hara from “Beauty and the Beast.” This panel was absolutely fantastic, very touching and had everyone feeling wonderful. Ariel, Cinderella and Belle have been around for decades and Tiana has been around for 10 years—these are movies that we and our children grew up with, knowing and loving. These actresses were so giving and sharing as they talked about how much they appreciate the public’s love of their characters and these classic Disney movies. There was not a dry eye in the huge room when Anika Noni Rose shared a tweet she got from a fan and a video of her son watching “The Princess and the Frog” and singing with it. What made this so touching is that the little boy suffers from a disability where he can’t speak, but when he saw this movie he sang. As Anika spoke she cried and so did the members of the panel. These are the kind of special moments that can only be had at ComicCon!
This year my daughters and I got into the spirit and came one day in costumes. My 17-year-old was Glimmer from “Shera,” my 26-year-old Linda (Jr.) was Poison Ivy from DC Universe and I was Lieutenant Uhura from Star Trek. We can’t wait until next year!