NYCC Goes Virtual, but Will it Do Better Than SDCC?

Another major convention has canceled its in-person event, opting to go virtual: New York Comic Con, otherwise known as NYCC. This is a significant and sadly needed development. Last year, I went to NYCC, which packed the Javits Center in NYC with as many people as they could. If it weren’t for my professional credentials and the pro lounge, I’d have lost my mind. But still…it’s such an awesome event. Seeing legends in the industry face-to-face is a joy. Now, we’ll be seeing them on our computer screen. Sigh.

ReedPop’s Statement About Going Virtual

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

While NYCC might be a drain on our wallets, going virtual is a massive revenue hit for the event organizer, ReedPop. But as their President indicates in far more graceful terms, this sucks.

“We are thoroughly disappointed that we can’t gather together, in-person for the New York Comic Con we love to build and our fans love to revel in,” ReedPop president Lance Fensterman said in a statement to Deadline, continuing:

“We look forward to this weekend all year long, just like you, and with this being our 15th edition, we were particularly excited. I will miss walking up and down artist alley and seeing friends that I’ve made since we were in the basement at the Javits Center. While this year will definitely be a different experience, we are going to look to bring the best and most engaging event to our fans, exhibitors, and studios through our partnership with YouTube.”

What Were We Going to See if NYCC Wasn’t Going Virtual?

(Image: Flickr Commons)

Two major panels that ReedPop confirmed included American Gods (Starz), and Star Trek (CBS All Access). DreamWorks Animation, Hulu, and FX also had events planned. But NYCC is still about comics more than anything else. Last year, Marvel and DC had several panels and events. Valiant, Image, Boom, Dark Horse, and basically every publisher imaginable had something going on. While SDCC kind of shifted more towards TV and Film, NYCC was still a comic book event. At the same time, this might make it a little easier for NYCC to go virtual than SDCC experienced. Not that expectations are lower, but it’s a bit easier to display and showcase comic news online than it is a multifaceted movie or tv panel.

Will it work? I hope so, as a fan. But also as a fan, I want to be amongst my people again!

(Featured Image: ” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Wikimedia Commons)

Roman Colombo finished his MFA in 2010 and now teaches writing and graphic novel literature at various Philadelphia colleges. His first novel, Trading Saints for Sinners, was published in 2014. He's currently working on his next novel and hoping to find an agent soon.