This year’s Comic Con in New York City was larger than the Big Apple. Branching out from the Javitz Center to include the Hammerstein Ballroom for additional panels and selling out badges in one hour, the Con definitely needed the space.
As a veteran Comic Con-goer, I’ve seen a lot of changes in the past couple of years. Where Comic Con used to gear more towards comics and was subjectively small enough to host an anime convention, the animated heaven has now reached the mainstream, using its platform for TV shows and presentations for blockbuster films and video games. Still, the spirit of Comic Con has maintained the heart of its origin, a gathering place for fandom where everyone can be themselves.
Seeing as I am only one man and limited in my ability of omnipotence (look it up), I was only able to visit several booths and panels at NYCC but did not miss the opportunity to enjoy some of my favorite spots and some highly anticipated arrivals.
The Square Enix booth displayed some new games including the new Tomb Raider: Rise of the Tomb Raider, continuing Lara Croft’s adventure since the 2013’s reboot. Taking place a year later, the bada** shero (twice an action film star, played by Angelina Jolie) is on a new adventure following in her father’s footsteps. The real draw was the balance of linear and open world gameplay, as well as multiple locations. S.E. also previewed the new Deus Ex and Just Cause 3 games, both showing off their new more nonlinear gameplay.
The panels are traditional buzz magnets. Promoting the upcoming Starz show Ash vs. Evil Dead, there was a panel with the cast and the director hosted by none other than one of the fanboys held in highest esteem, Kevin Smith. Newbs to the series like actors Jill Marie Jones, Ray Santiago and Dana Delorenzo iscussing the show balancing horror and humor as well as the legacy of the Evil Dead franchise. The greatest moment, though, was the rockstar reaction to Bruce Campbell once he strutted on-stage. Bantering with his castmates and even schooling an audience member on The Three Stooges, he really stole the show.
On Sunday, the SuperMansion panel brought the forces of Seth Green and Bryan Cranston together in Crackle’s new animated superhero parody series. The man formerly known as Walter White will now play the role of the main hero, Titanium Rex. It was quite bromantic to see these pop culture mainstays with huge fan followings discuss their new project, which has already tapped guest stars like Chris Pine, Ron Perlman, Jillian Bell slated to show up as well Jon Bernthal, who will be playing Punisher in the upcoming season of Daredevil. Most high-larious bit was a Con-goer asking Bryan and Seth who was big spoon and little spoon. Spoiler alert: Bryan is Big Spoon and a creepy one at that.
On a final geeky note, the costumes screamed diversity. While there are still some mainstays like various versions of Deadpool stars and a few Walter Whites, the most popular, by a slim margin, would probably be Sailor Moon and Joker. Comic attire has been taking a backseat to the Ash Ketchums and the Disney princesses of the world but there was still some dedications to indie ‘toons. Other hold-up-wait-a-minute moments included appearances from a random assortment of characters from professional bodybuilder Kai Greene to wrestling legend Mick Foley and Walking Dead star, Chad Coleman (who was charging $50 for selfies and autographs). That’s the beauty of Comic Con, though. You never know what you’re going to see.
Get Silver’s Comic Con POV in photos above.