NYCC 2014: The sights, sounds and smells from the East Coast’s largest pop culture gathering

This past weekend, the annual New York Comic Con invaded the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. And just like last year, an endless array of comic fans, anime junkies, cosplayers and gamers migrated out of natural instinct to the convention center like a swarm of geeky locust. It was beautiful in its own, spandex-clad way.

Instead of just running down panel recaps and interviewing creators who spit out marketing buzzwords for their upcoming projects, we here at Tech Times went into the trenches on the show floor to give you a taste of the atmosphere of the East Coast’s biggest comic book weekend. Take a look at what we found:

The shot from this one fan is a foreboding sampling of the human cacophony of the weekend:

Once inside, we were greeted by a stern warning of how to treat our fellow con-goers. We get most of these points, but who is it, exactly, that walks around cracking wise on unsuspecting pregnant women?

After we were finished marveling at the Comic Con Bill of Rights, we were hit by another convention trademark: the smell.

The human paella that is Comic Con produces a unique brand of odor that can best be described as a combination of microwavable popcorn, moldy comic book pages and overheated cosplayers. Or, as we in the business like to call it: Eau de geek.

Once we adjusted to the atmospheric properties of a comic convention, we were overwhelmed with things to buy and an endless barrage of advertisements to be mesmerized by:

We spent most of the time browsing the hundreds of merchandise tables on the show floor. Here you can get some of the best deals on any comic from any genre of your choosing:

Even the ones that are better suited to be stuffed under your mattress, rather than displayed on your bookshelf:

But the convention had more to offer than just comic books. For you cinephiles, there were plenty of avant-garde films to check out:

As well as some video games that toy with the bounds of human decency:

And of course, there were plenty of oddities that fanboys and girls loved taking pictures with:

As well as a few that we’d rather not know what they’re used for:

Although we kinda have an idea:

Need to wash that taste out of your mouth? Here’s some Batman:

And even more Batman (chillin’ with some lions):

Bat-nipples for all!:

Oh, and here's Batman as a mailbox:

But despite all of the advertisements, misplaced erotica and overpriced celebrity autographs ($85 for Lucy Lawless’ signature?!?) this weekend was all about a gathering of the geeks. Whether they were wearing horrifying zombie costumes:

Or not wearing much at all:

But for some, there was love to be found at the Con. Just as long as you don't mind your dating life being sponsored by The Flash:

And after a long weekend of endless walking and carrying a backpack full of dirt cheap comics, it was time to settle down with a relaxing massage:

In the end, NYCC left us exhausted, broke and ready for a long break from all things spandex.

Until next year, that is.

Lead photo: Jason Persee