No Sleep till Brooklyn Comic Con’ 24
There is something special about Bklyn, NYC; the place of my birth. I don’t know what it is.... its magic is unparalleled and with good reason. BKLYN is an oasis, a never-ending hub of creativity and pop culture that trickles not only in this famed city, but on international levels as well. The city-state of BKLYN and its people are movers, changers, and creatives, and the love these Bklyn-ites have for the work that they create is not only inspiring but game changing.
Jay-Z, Mike Tyson, The Notorious BIG, Michael Jordan, LA LA Anthony, Lena Horne, and many others, BKLYN’s spirit of creativity is one that is rooted in talent, influence, and adaptability. For the talented, each individual, has not only excelled in their craft, but they also wear multiple hats by branching out in other endeavors (apparel, music, spirits, non-profits...you get the idea) and becoming successful as well.
SideNote: I also want to give a shoutout to Sailor Boom Party. They were the ones who introduced me to BKLYN’s creative scene
As comic cons grow, expand, and evolve, the older, more established events have secured their spots and traditional timelines. Meanwhile, newer, niche comic cons are emerging, strategically choosing locations and dates that don’t conflict with the originals, drawing in immense crowds and diverse audiences.
Different Packaging, Different Ingredients, Better Flavor!!!
5 years ago, I attended Brooklyn Comic Con (BKCC). What I saw amazed me. Wrestling, cosplay, comics, artists, games, creatives, etc. I gave it a platinum rating. Today, 5 years later, I’m even more amazed as the convention is BIGGER, grander, and more sophisticated. That is the magic of Brooklyn, the city state that holds the Infinity Gauntlet with the Black Air Forces in sync. Simply spectacular!!!
In other words.....It was LIT AF!!!
BKCC paralleled the initial setup of the AnimeNYC in its beginning stages. Starting as a subsection of the convention hall, over time AnimeNYC grew, and now they took over the entire Javitz Center. ET tu Brooklyn? I see the growth and I love it!!! I also have to give a #shoutout to the parking station around the corner from the Bedford Union Armory Building. No issues in, No issues out.
SideNote: I believe in giving someone their flowers and I have to give them to the head person in charge, Beast and his staff. Also, part of the group, Sexy Nerds, Beast has sold out the OSNYC with his pop culture themed events in both the US and Canada....and he is still going strong. I also need to give a shoutout to the Program Director, Gotham Geek Girl’s, Nadya Martinez for the insightful panels. Pertinent issues in relationship to pop culture, the artist experience, and the culture at large. Respect.
As BKCC had an entry line a ½ mile long in one of the biggest event spaces in BKLYN, the Historic Bedford Union Armory, this event was no only impactful, it also showed the importance of the grind, especially for pop culture
Two things I would like to discuss is the cosplay competition and the panel I attended. The creativity at the competition was star-studded whereas the panel provided a dive into content creation and creating your own brand in this digital environment.
Cosplay
Cosplay, considered the blood of comic cons, felt different here. For Brooklyn, it was sharper in every way. There was so much more love for the cosplay fandom as many hugged each other, dapped, compared ‘fits’, and just chilled with fans as they asked for pictures with them. A star-studded event, no BS.
BKCC '24
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Cosplay '24
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BKCC '24 〰️ Cosplay '24 〰️
BKCC '24
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BKCC '24 〰️
Cosplay Contest
I’ve been to many cosplay competitions, and nothing compared to the red-carpet event that showcased everyone (all ages and groups). This competition was a celebration of the passion and creativity each person placed into their designs. Custom cosplays, referenced characters from comics, video games, and movies, each character was highlighted and applauded as that red carpet gave them a moment in time, if only for a weekend.
Red Carpet
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Cosplay Tribute '24
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Red Carpet 〰️ Cosplay Tribute '24 〰️
Panel - A Dive into Content Creation: Creating Your Own Brand.
Hosted by content creator and variety streamer Sachi (IG - chibith0t), she discussed with panelists how content creators can leverage their own personal selves and their niches to make a space within the digital ecosystem. The group examined issues such as balancing their content creation with what they love, their battles against the algorithm, keeping up with current trends, and how to balance their mental health in the content creation space.
Dimitri Beauchamp - IG - dimeeeach
Danny O' Neill - IG - bluray_dan
Uneeb Khan - IG - watchwithneebz
Justin Bowen - IG - justindiecisive
Sade' Paige - IG - whatpaigeisit
Nina Dudko - IG - thegingerfoodie
One question posed by Sachi allowed panelists to collectively summarize their feelings about how to be when creating content within this digital ecosystem:
(L to R) - Dimitri Beauchamp (dimeeeach) - Nina Dudko (thegingerfoodie) - Uneeb Khan (watchwithneebz) - Sade' Paige (whatpaigeisit) -Justin Bowen (justindiecisive) - Sachi (chibith0t) - Danny O' Neill - IG - bluray_dan
In the age of content creation, it’s challenging to come up with an original idea, as many have borrowed, chopped, reshaped, re-recorded, and rehashed images, music, and videos into new versions of older work. However, with social media, it's your authentic self that makes it fresh and original. By being authentic, you will shine in this massive tech environment.
Conclusion
Brooklyn Comic Con was a vibe. One of the biggest challenges in NYC is parking, especially if you're coming in from out of town. Fortunately, the parking center around the corner was a lifesaver, making it much easier to attend the event without the usual stress of finding parking. BKCC was well-organized, accessible, and a great con to attend. I’m proud to say that BKCC will not be part of my travels as this event continues to grow, expand, and evolve.
Respect.
