Fans who usually work out their cosplay outfits and plan their panel entry for New York Comic Con have had to rethink things this year. But when you can't go out in person because of the coronavirus pandemic, Geek online. New York Comic Con has joined similar events including San Diego Comic Con and the new one DC FanDomeand gone virtually. This year the NYC event is called New York Comic Con x MCM Comic Con's Metaverse and runs online from October 8th to 11th. The long name reflects the combination of the New York event with the MCM Comic Con series of events in the UK.
"This is everyone's show. No matter where in the world you are, the Metaverse is your home," says the official website findthemetaverse.com. An earlier event took place online in August. Here's what you need to know to attend the October event.
What happens and how can I watch?
As with other comic book events held this year, the meat of New York Comic Con will be made up of video panels, including creators, writers and actors from all comic genres including TV, movies and video games. A full schedule is available online. After they are over, the free panels will be posted on the event's YouTube channel at YouTube.com/NYCC. (Subscribe to channel updates here.)
But not everything is free. When it comes to spending money, there are several options. You can pay for a very brief digital meet-and-greet with a selection of different celebrities, including Garrett Wang from Star Trek: Voyager. You can pay for a celebrity to make a personalized video. And you can pay to attend a Dungeons & Dragons virtual workshop with podcast hosts Clint, Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy.
When is it?
Although there is some discussion going on in the days leading up to the main event, most of the show is October 8-11. The videos begin on October 8th at 9am and on October 9th at 5am. October 10 at 5:35 a.m. and October 11 at 5 a.m. The panels run daily until around 8 p.m. PT. Free panels are then posted on YouTube so you can watch them on your own schedule.
Highlights from the schedule:
The Russo Brothers and Kevin Smith
Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo will team up with others from DC Comics and Marvel to discuss the complex relationship between the two comic book powerhouses. You'll also be sharing content from Slugfest, an upcoming documentary about DC and Marvel via the small-bite streaming service Quibi. Filmmaker Kevin Smith will moderate the discussion.
Panel: 2:45 p.m. PT on October 8th.
Big Hero 6 the series
Stars and producers of Disney XD's Big Hero 6 The Series will discuss the animated show and give an insight into the third season.
Panel: 1 p.m. PT on October 11th.
Fall guys creator
Fall guys, a stupid battle royale game, is one of the hottest video games around. In this panel, Polygon's Brian David Gilbert interviews the makers about the game's past, present and future.
Panel: 3:55 p.m. PT on October 8th.
Star Trek Universe
Space is still the final frontier. Star Trek cast and producers; Lower Decks and Star Trek: Discovery will participate in consecutive panels with surprise guests.
Panel: 9 a.m. PT on October 8th.
Doctor Who
First Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, and co-stars Mandip Gill and Bradley Walsh join salons Melanie McFarland to discuss the twists and turns and favorite moments of the iconic show.
Panel: 10:40 a.m. PT on October 8th.
What about cosplay?
These carefully crafted costumes don't have to sit around collecting dust. The organizers of the congress have teamed up with SYFY Wire for a virtual costume competition. Amateur cosplayers are asked to follow SYFY Wire on Instagram and then post a photo of their homemade cosplay on their personal Instagram page using the hashtag #FanFaveCosplayContest and the tags @syfywire and @newyorkcomiccon. Entries can be submitted until October 6th and voting will begin on October 8th.
There's also a pro-cosplayer event, NYCC's annual Cosplay Central Virtual Championships of Cosplay, which begins October 10th. Fifty cosplayers who specialize in either armor or handicrafts will be judged for an event hosted by Jaremi Carey of RuPaul's Drag Race. (You can watch a video of the 2019 event.)
Shop online con
Do you want some physical stuff from a virtual cheater? Various vendors sell figurines, pins, clothing, and more depicting popular characters.
- Shirts, badges, plush toys, and more are sold on the Con's official merch page. We like the t-shirt that said I wasn't there and the stuffed version of New York's famous one Pizza advice.
- Entertainment Earth's range includes the famous meme dog "This is fine" and a backpack for the 40th anniversary of Empire Strikes Back.
- Diamond Select features a glow-in-the-dark figure from Venom and more.
- DKEToys will bring its Comic Con-related items live on October 8th.
- Sideshow has Comic Con apparel and loot, but you'll need to register to see most of it.
- Popular figurine maker Funko makes merch, but it's so popular that fans had to register for a lottery by September 28th to purchase NYCC exclusive products.
