By: Matt Fisher
Comic Con is Back in the Big Apple!
From Oct. 9 to 12, thousands of fans from around the world traveled to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City to celebrate all things pop culture.
“My husband and his best friend actually wanted to go, and I kind of did too,” said Erica Snyder, a first-time Comic Con attendee from Philadelphia. “To be honest, I’m also into anime. So they were like, ‘Let’s go, let’s go,’ and I’m like, ‘OK, let’s go.’ They ordered the tickets and now here I am having the time of my life.”
Among the newcomers were also seasoned Comic Con pros.
“This is like my 17th or 18th Comic Con,” said Lisette Lewis, a Brooklyn native and schoolteacher. “So I’ve been doing this for quite some time.”
While some may not expect to see a schoolteacher at an event like Comic Con, Lewis said that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“There are a lot more professionals doing it now,” she said. “Scientists, professors, data analysts—everyone should be able to display their geeky side regardless of what their jobs are.”
For some, the act of cosplaying means more than just dressing up.
“I get to take things I enjoy and bring them to life from my perspective,” said SSJ Blue Bees, an Atlanta-based influencer. “I’m a plus-size cosplayer, so a lot of characters aren’t my size. Representation is so important because at the end of the day, if you don’t see it, then you don’t think it’s possible.”
Performers from all walks of life also showed out for the three-day pop culture festival.
“I think one of the biggest things, besides the world of theater that got me into drag, was actually cosplay,” said Spectra Electra, a New Jersey-based drag performer. “It’s a lot of the same wig styling and makeup. If you make a Venn diagram of the skills you need to be a drag queen and the skills you need to be a cosplayer, it’s a circle.”
This year’s Comic Con featured more than 1,200 exhibitors, including major companies such as Marvel, Paramount, Bandai Namco and Webtoon. While most fans enjoyed the presence of these major organizations, others said they missed the smaller convention feel.
“I feel like it used to be way more niche,” said New Jersey resident Isamel Lambo. “It was more about the vendors and artists and less about the bigger names.”
Despite criticism, others kept their praises of the weekend full of panels, cosplay, photo ops and shopping.
