2023’s New York Comic Con has come to an end! As with every year, the convention was jam-packed with fans uniquely celebrating geek culture. Although the cosplays were on full display, and the exhibitor floor was rich with goodies for all to purchase, this year’s convention felt a bit different. Once again held at the Javits Center from October 12th to 15th, NYCC 23 was sure to be discussed for the good, the bad, and what was missing from this year’s festivities.
As someone who has attended the convention for nine years, I have remained one of the weekend setters for the panels that grace the Main and Empire stages at NYCC. The panels have not just been a gateway to discovering new and exciting content, Marvel’s Runaways, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and The Umbrella Academy, but have also included surprise screenings of films, Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Violent Night, to name a few.
With the WGA strike recently concluding and SAG still fighting for fair pay from studios, It was expected that the panels would have a different vibe this year. How different would depend on those involved, and none rang more accurate than Chris Evans and Ewan McGregor.
While it was expected that the two headliners would be unable to speak on past and current projects, the panels proved the importance of the moderator during these times. While Chris Evans captivated the congoers with conversations about his beloved Dodger, his work with Jinx, and his favorite holidays and seasons he prefers working in, McGregor’s panel leaned more on his ideal coffee and shopping locations in New York, which will be rich with charm, failed to captivate the audience as Evans did.
On the other hand, those panels that received SAG clearance, such as AMC Networks and AMC+ Present The Walking Dead Universe panel, were not just filled with clips but had its stars in attendance, and that alone added more pizzazz to the panels.
In speaking to congoer Leo Grimaldi, despite the difference and feel of this year’s panels, he pointed out the excitement that the Star Trek panel evoked from the masses. Kicking off the Trek love was releasing an original Kid Cudi song, ” Heaven’s Gate, ” inspired by Star Trek.”
As for the panel itself, Alex Kurtzman was joined on the stage of the Star Trek universe panel by Star Trek: Lower Decks showrunner Mike McMahan to give insight on the fourth season of the animated series before exclusively premiering this week’s upcoming episode, “Caves.”. Along with that, Kurtzman teased the return of Star Trek: Prodigy, stating, Star Trek: Prodigy is back, and Star Trek: Prodigy is back because you guys brought it back. What you did has been happening since TOS. Star Trek belongs to, I’ve always said, two entities: Gene Roddenberry and the fans, that’s it.
As with any NYCC, the show floor remains necessary for any con attendee. Anytime you walk on the show floor for the first time, it’s as though a world of creativity and love of pop and geek culture opens up for exploration and adoration.
The Funko booth continues to be the one that evokes the most significant array of reactions. Whether it’s joy or disappointment in missing out on your most desired pop, there is never a dull moment throughout the four days at Funko.
Speaking with vendors and congoers on the floor is always a treat, as it’s always an engaging and enlightening experience to hear about their unique passion and knowledge for an array of items.
Whether it’s comics, anime, Disney, or even horror, NYCC 23 continues to offer an escapism for fandom.
If there are two personal takeaways from this year’s convention, it was meeting the American Gladiators. That show was a staple of my childhood, and meeting these larger-than-life men and women was a highlight of the weekend. Most importantly, experiencing New York Comic Con for the first time with my wife and nine-month-old daughter was delightful. Walking the con floor and knowing NYCC is set to become an annual family tradition had me grinning from ear to ear.
As 5:00 PM arrived on October 15th, New York Comic Con had come to an end. While the convention had concluded, the annual odyssey into geekdom had accomplished its goal: create new memories and a sense of belonging for all, and that’s what the culture is all about: acceptance and belonging.
