New York Comic Con is the only other U.S.-based show that rivals San Diego's infamous onslaught of pop culture. But October is a long wait for East Coasters craving a fresh fix of frenzied fandom, and for many, Comic Con is no longer an option. Nabbing a badge is a feat of Herculean proportions, and then comes the wrath of Hotel-O-Ween - the ever-diminishing opportunity to book an abode vaguely close to the convention center.
New York Comic Con's organizers/overlords, ReedPop, recognize the dilemma, and they've addressed it in the form of an early-summer stopgap: Special Edition: NYC.
Following last year's inaugural - and to be blunt, disappointing - effort, Special Edition made its much-anticipated return June 6-7. Advance promotion boasted of a new location, impressive guest list, and a medley of talent-lavished creators lining Artist Alley. There were no media guests to speak of, and a dearth of actual celebrities and Z-list autograph hawkers. Video games didn't devour the con floor. Movie/TV studios weren't invited, either. This was a comic book show, a nondiluted celebration of the medium.
But was it any good?
In a word, yes. Expectations were exceeded. Fun was had. Dare I say, it all came as a pleasant surprise to this grizzled con veteran. Despite some logistical issues/residual growing pains seeping over from 2014, Special Edition: NYC left the majority of attendees - exhibitors and fans alike - feeling very good about the future of comic book-centric conventions and the medium as a whole.
Alas, Pier 94 is a hulking eyesore. Despite sufficient space to accommodate a sizable gathering, the deluge of air ducts, piping and industrial oddities offered a stark contrast to Special Edition's vibrant sea of color. Much like the Javits Center, the venue is not easily accessible via public transport; streams of frustrated cabbies and commuters trudged along 12th Avenue as pedestrians exited the con, seeking a glimpse of civilization (or perhaps a hearty lunch costing less than $15). That's an unfortunate yet expected hindrance given the West Side of Manhattan's infrastructure.
A more commendable example of SE: NYC's planning and logistics was the zero tolerance toward harassment of any kind, and various signs were prominently displayed, encouraging immediate reporting of any and all inappropriate behavior. Increased efforts to combat convention harassment are being made, but the problem is still very real. SE: NYC's dedication to eliminating it was welcome and encouraging.
Overall, Special Edition: NYC was a fun-filled, fan-pleasing, comics-centric weekend. Despite a venue that looks more like a supervillain's lair than a hospitable convention space, New York City appears to have a new ongoing show to keep con-goers happy until October.
Next up: San Diego Comic-Con.
Whimper ....
