The 2009 convention season kicked off in style last weekend as the Big Apple welcomed fans, comic professionals, retailer and media guests to the fourth annual New York Comic Con (NYCC). Thought of by many as the East Coast’s version of Comicon International, the folks at Reed Exhibitions have worked extremely hard over the last four years to make their show one of the preeminent conventions in the Eastern United States.
Featuring exhibitors from not just the comics industry, but also other entertainment genres including video games, film and television, the show opened Friday, February 6 to a enormous crowd of eager fans awaiting to partake in the weekend’s activities. Most notably exhibiting at the show were the four largest comic publishers (Dark Horse, DC, Image, and Marvel), Mattel, SEGA, Fox Home Entertainment, Comics Guaranty, LLC (CGC), Heritage Auction Galleries, Comiclink and The Hero Initiative.
In addition to the hundreds of exhibitors who set up, dozens of guests including: Honored Guests Neal Adams, Carmine Infantino, Geoff Johns and Adam Kubert; Living Legends Joe Kubert, Jerry Robinson, Joe Simon and Marv Wolfman; Special Guests Seth Green, Matt Senreich and Art Spiegleman; and Media Guests Milo Ventimiglia and Lou Ferrigno were all in attendance to meet fans and talk shop.
With the show selling out early Saturday morning, the show floor was packed from open to close with fans that wanted to meet their favorite creators, pick up that hard-to-find collectible, or preview the latest information on upcoming video games, movies and event comics. From attending panels and screenings to meeting guests and creators, there was non-stop activity for fans of all genres.
The excitement continued into Sunday, which was Family Day at the NYCC. Children were admitted to the show free of charge and the programming was geared toward the younger readers and fans that were attending the show.
All in all, the show was a success for Reed Exhibitions, which will be expanding their show presence next year with the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo in April, adding to the existing New York Anime Convention, which will be September 25-27, 2009, and next year’s NYCC, which will take place October 8-10, 2010.
