NY Comic Con 2016...Nostalgia
If you've missed out on this epic comic filled event, then buckle up because you are now in for a big ride. The 2016 New York City Comic Con was nothing short of bombastic with star-studded panels, astounding artwork, and, lets not forget, the cosplay! The four day event, held in the Javitz Center from October 6-9, 2016 was nothing less of stepping into a world outside of our own and wishing we could stay in it forever.
THE COSPLAY
Ana Reporting from 2016 NYCC
Ever wondered what it’s like to see your favorite anime, superhero, and/or video game characters come to life? To get the best experience of meeting them in person is, no doubt, to attend a Comic Con. Witnessing various characters under the same room is something unimaginable. No, this is not the same as a halloween costume party-it's actually far from it. There is this feeling of magic that invades the atmosphere at the Javitz Center and overtakes every person in attendance. At comic con, a cosplayer is not just wearing a costume and pretending to be a character; they ARE the character. All of the sudden Assassin's Creed's very own Altair is standing before my very eyes. Eleven from Stranger Things is walking pass me. Angemon from Digimon is striking a digivolving pose. And Spider-Gwen and Spider-pig are chatting. They are ALL IN THE SAME ROOM!
GENDER BENDER
The amazing thing about Comic Cons around the world is the role reversal cosplays, also known as gender bending. Men cosplay as female characters. Women cosplay as male characters. It's possibly one of the greatest things to defeat the unjustified stereotype of how a man and woman should act, look and dress.
Gender Bend: Pokemon's Ash and Misty
Pokemon's Ash and Misty were in attendance, but not the typical gendered characters of the show. Instead, they switched gender roles but still kept the originally intended costumes. I may say that it was an exceptional choice. While it brought a laugh out of people, it also managed to crush the stereotypes of men and women and what society expects them to wear. Somehow, dressing up for an event became a witnessing lesson of clothing and how its fabric did not necessarily have a gender.
When asked why they had chosen to switch genders, Ash said, "We just wanted to have fun for Comic Con. We didn't really care about what people would think (negatively)."
Eleven of Stranger Things
It's quite an interesting thing to see for yourself. It seems like there wasn't much of an issue when women cosplayed as male characters. Women dressed as the Walking Dead's newest villain Negan, Captain America, Spider-man, and Star-Lord to name a few. However, much of its attention was drawn to men who dressed as the role of a female. Maybe it was the unusualness of it or maybe it was the comically induced excitement in the place, but not one person judged.
People of all races, genders, heights, shapes and sizes cosplayed as their favorite characters. Entering the event, one of my first thoughts was the fact that, because there were thousands of people crammed into one place, at least a few arguments and fights were inevitably going to happen. However, all people were respectful to one another. The amount of compliments I overheard people give was out of the ordinary and something that was absolutely beautiful. Cosplayers were supportive of cosplayers. Not one judgment was passed on.
THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING IN CHARACTER
Cosplay Joker and Harley Quinn
Cosplay is definitely a plus when attending Comic Con. Even I joined in on the fun of cosplaying by doing a gender bend of my own as Tai Kamiya from Digimon Adventure. I was even asked by others in attendance to take photos with them. Although, I definitely learned something when it came to the importance of cosplay.
"TAI! TAI," someone was yelling. I definitely heard a sound but did not pay attention to what was being said, or who was being called for until I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard a voice saying"Tai! Can I get a picture with you?"
Why is he calling me Tai? OH! RIGHT! I'M Tai!
Keep in mind that if you plan on cosplaying, remember who you are! Cosplayers tend to stay in character during their stay at the event. When I said earlier that they become the character, I definitely wasn't lying. Speaking to people in cosplay was fun and easy. The hard part was getting their names.
"Comic Con is a place where I know Joker will be," said Batman, or at least said by one man dressed as Batman.
THE PANELS
What makes New York Comic Con is not only the cosplay, but the amazing panels for various genres of movies, TV shows, and anime. People were lined up for many of the most popular panels such as the newest highly anticipated Netflix series Marvel's Iron Fist, Power Rangers, and the Walking Dead.
Marvel's Iron Fist (Netflix, March 2017)
Many fans gathered together on the main stage to sneak a peek at the newest trailer for the highly anticipated Netflix series, Iron Fist. The crowd went wild as Marvel had not only revealed the trailer, but gathered the cast that will now respectfully be known as The Defenders. Actors Kristen Ritter (Jessica Jones), Mike Colter (Luke Cage), Charlie Cox (Daredevil) and Iron Fist star
Finn Jones united-or, more appropriately, assembled- in front of a screaming crowd that erupted even louder after surprise A-lister Sigourney Weaver, came out and revealed that she will be a part of the Marvel Universe in Iron Fist on March 2017.
Power Rangers (2017)
In the event hall of newly released trailers and sneak peeks came one trailer that many were excited to see: the reboot trailer of the 1990's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers film! Let me tell you, this one in no way disappointed people. While the film will include many of the characters that fans have come to know and love, or hate, there is one character that caused a sea of applause. Power Rangers director Dean Israelite confirmed during the panel that Goldar will be included in the upcoming film set to release in March 2017.
The crowd, full of 80's and 90's babies that thrived in watching the original series, erupted in cheers and screams after the revelation. While Israelite didn't confirm who the actor was that will be playing Goldar, he did say he wanted to stay true to the heart of the fan.
"I wanted to make this a grounded, character-driven origin story that was always set to the backdrop of this fantastic adventure," Israelite said. "I wanted to remain true to the spirit of the franchise that I grew up on and loved."
AMC's the Walking Dead
Chris Hardwick @ NYCC Walking Dead Panel
After a heartbreaking and suspenseful cliffhanger on season 6 of the Walking Dead, fans were more than excited to visit the AMC show's panel at the theater in Madison Square Garden. There was a lot of gasping during that panel. The star-studded cast (minus Andrew Lincoln and Chandler Riggs) was present along with interviewer and host of the aftershow the Talking Dead Chris Hardwick. Prior to the season 7 premiere, fans got a chance to get the inside scoop and the most intense sneak peek of the Walking Dead ever. Emotional and suspenseful, things got a little more misty eyed when on-screen power couple Steven Yeun and Lauren Cohen had an intimate moment when Cohen expressed her gratitude to the fans of the show.
Steven Yeun & Lauren Cohen
"You guys have all been in such a huge journey with us," Cohen said moments before tearing up. "Thank you. And thank you for caring about our show and for being mad when you don't know things. This is larger than our lives, this is larger than our show, this is, like, such a privilege."
After Cohen's tear-jerking moment, many fans speculated that Yeun's character Glenn would be the one to be booted off the show by the newest villain Negan. Despite speculations, and more investigation into the sneak peek clip that created more questions than answered, fans had no choice but to wait until the Walking Dead's season 7 premiere on AMC.
THE ARTIST ALLEY
If you attend New York Comic Con, make sure to stop by and check out Artist Alley. There, thousands of the most well-known and respected underground artists showcase their best work. Tons of fantastic artwork are on display from drawings of superheroes, to popular anime such as Sailor Moon and Black Butler. The artists also create amazing and creative crossovers of various characters in different genres as well. You'd find artists such as Aaron Alexovich who contributed art for shows like Nickelodeon's Invader ZIM, a personal favorite of mine, to people who would stand in front of a graffitied art wall and sign their names on it. Who knows, maybe you'll find yourself in the company of well known celebrities such as comic book writer Stan Lee!
Always be on the lookout while you’re there. You never know which artist you'd come across.
Artist Alley Wall of Design 2016
