Five Things to Remember About New York Comic Con

It’s happening, you guys! New York Comic Con has arrived, and contributor Theresa Romano has a rundown of five Very Important Things you should keep in mind while you peruse the wares, the crowds, and, well, the germs.

1) Use New York Comic Con As A Networking Opportunity

Many may think that the NYCC is smaller and less flashy than its West Coast brother SDCC, but this more intimate convention can help those budding writers and artists interact with their idols already in the industry. Comic book artists, writers, editors and voice actors all attend and speak at many panels. This year alone there are panels such as the DC: Talent Search (Friday and Saturday), Be Your Own Publisher: Making Comics with Kickstarter (Friday), Editors on Editing (Friday), MARVEL: Breaking Into Comics the Marvel Way (Friday), and the very popular Creator Connection (Friday), which has helped other artists and writers meet, greet, and collaborate!

Bring in your portfolios, writing samples, and what have you. Many of these speakers are looking to help aspiring creatives such as yourselves make it in the field. You can also be a little more brazen after a panel (or before when it is still relatively empty) and get up close and personal (without freaking out!) your favorite writer/artist and slip in a portfolio viewing or better yet, your business card. Opportunity awaits!

2) Make Sure To Build Up Your Immune System

You have some time before you enter the Javits Center, AKA the largest petri dish in the city. Cold and flu season is already creeping up on us — and spending an entire weekend in a large, enclosed area full of new people and germs — you may start to feel a bit feverish while listening intently at one of the panels. Here are some tips to avoid getting sick:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often during the day; you’ll be touching, high-fiving, and eating greasy food all weekend, so remember to get some of those germs washed off. Don’t forget to bring your trusty hand sanitizer, too.
• Up your Vitamin C intake; this can be done easily by drinking plenty of orange juice or mixing in some of those Emergen-C powder packs into your water bottle … or Sunkist.

3) Learn To Live Harmoniously With the Anime Festival Fans (At Least For A Weekend)

Another year, another time that NYCC will be sharing the Javits Center with the New York Anime Festival. Talk about a tight squeeze, but if it is going to be anything like last year, make sure to be patient and try to get along! Although the anime fans tend to stick to their own area, you may find yourself looking for a panel that is located in the Anime section. Just remember, smile! Anime fans are super nice and make sure to compliment their cosplay outfits. And don’t be surprised if you get “glomped.” It means they really like you.

4) Get There Early … Pace Yourself!

Even if you don’t plan on waiting in line for a panel until mid afternoon, it’d be a good idea to get there early — I’m talking 9 AM (most of the panels start at 10 anyway)! That way you’ll have time to take in the vendors, cosplayers and maybe snap a couple of photos of a passing Seth Green! Panels are located all over the place and it is imperative to get there fast! But when you first walk through the doors of the convention center you’re subjected to standing in the holding pen like a herd of nerdy cattle. Fortunately, this is also another great photo opportunity to take in all the cosplayers or run into a few friends (where are they going to run off to, hm?).

5) Try To Avoid Impulse Purchases/Make An Event Itinerary

As easy as it may sound to practice some self-restraint, the NYCC vendors are oozing with amazing I-just-got-to-have-it stuff! From t-shirts to comic books to action figures (typically of the discontinued variety), it can all seem so tantalizing. So, go in with a plan, make a list and don’t be afraid to take that list out in public — checking off each item you’ve purchased. ALSO, and this is a big one, some signings require you to buy or bring something to be signed, usually resulting in you shelling out a nice amount of coinage just to get a signed autograph from your favorite writer or actor. Therefore, the purchase list can also go along with making sure you got your itinerary in order; see who will be there and if you have to bring in some collectibles to avoid buying more paraphernalia to be signed.

Freelance writer Theresa Romano blogs, or Tumbls, here.

Photos via NY Daily News, Geek Tyrant

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Jamie Frevele