Every year I spend at least one to two days at Comic Con to experience as much as I can to the fullest. I get the chance to meet my favorite comic book artists, create new relationships, and learn about all the happenings in the entertainment industries. This has been my sixth year in a row, seven all together, and getting to this point was no easy feat. Every year I always learn about some sort of new method about how to prepare for Comic Con and properly time manage everything. In this post, I want to help those whose first time it is, or tenth time, with some tips about how to feel ready and prepared for Comic Con. You can always check out some other quick tips from the event itself!

Everything for Everyone

When people ask me about Comic Con and what it’s like, my go-to response is, “they always have something for everyone!” While comics and movies are a big highlight of the reason people go, there is also just about everything else under the sun as well. So what else does Comic Con have? Well in-general: artists, celebrities, major companies, comic book sellers, writers, and professional programming. But what is their focus? Well that’s a little more complex and diverse, they have a little bit of everything in each category and genre.

• Anime
• Marvel
• DC Comics
• Crunchyroll
• Ebay
• Funko
• Nickelodeon
• Webtoon
• Penguin Random House
• Sanrio
• Comics (comic artists and comic writers)
• Authors (fantasy, mystery, romance, etc.)
• Directors
• Actors (Power Rangers, Elvira, popular actors, voice actors, etc.)
• Artists (small artist and major artists)
• Cosplay
• Food trucks (for the foodies in your life)
• Gaming
• Press
• Family Friendly Activities

NY Comic Con actually only opened Writer’s Block not too long ago. It still has quite the way to go to become more established but it’s a good starting point! It’s a great way to help break out indie authors and provide them a diverse platform to find their audience. With this, they have also incorporated panels to promote trending topics in the writing world such as romantasy. So if you’re nervous about starting your first novel, check out any of them panels that help give first time writers advice.

They have also started incorporating events for companies and those looking to break into industries through networking. My dad also got an email about CLE (Continuing Legal Education) classes taking place at Comic Con, one in particular called “Comic Book Law 101.” But not everyone may be interested in that so there is also programs such as “The Comic Industry Mixer” or “Pop Culture Marketing Summit Session One”. Lastly they quite literally have a meetup called “NYCC Networking” that anyone can attend. So the list is quite busy but I mean it when I say there is something for every type of nerd in your life!

What to do before you go

While the event is held in October, tickets officially come out near the end of May or the beginning of June. Guests, autographs, and photo op’s are announced throughout the coming months and reservations are made available near the end of September. It can be an overwhelming experience for people who haven’t been through the process repeatedly, I only just got the hang of it this year after having been a few times. But to start, you need to create a Fan Verification account, this is the only way you can purchase Comic Con tickets. Fan Verification creation opens in November. If down the line you love the experience and want to make the annual trip, you will have to renew you Fan Verification every year before tickets go on sale. Usually the renewal email goes out April. It is pretty much to collect your information and make sure tickets and all other announcements make it to your inbox so it’s worth it.

Tickets go on sale near the end of May/beginning of June, and don’t fret Comic Con will send you like 20 emails about ticket announcements. As soon as I get a date for ticket release I immediately put it in my phone calendar. To be clear, you want the general ticket sale! Fan Verification is not VIP! VIP is an additional payment. Now when it comes to guests, I’ve never really been one to rush as soon as autographs and photo-ops open. I did it once and they usually announce a smaller number of talent that I don’t really care much about and chances are their options will still be available through out the summer. If you’re looking for a specific person and can’t find them, they might have a separate “experience” at Comic Con. For example, Jim Lee a major DC comic book artist and writer very loved by the community. Also be weary that your preferred talent may cancel days before Comic Con happens, you can either use the credits NYCC give you towards another celebrity or get a refund.

Lastly, which is more stressful than buying the actual ticket, reservations. So what does reservations mean? Reservations refer to the exclusive panels that feature new movies, shows updates, or upcoming comic announcements. With a ticket, reservations are completely free! No additional payments, they only do this for certain panels that would be super popular and it just assures that you’ll have a seat/space to view the panel. However, you can wait in a standby line and get a seat that way, but you should only really do that if you are desperate to see the panel and reservations sell out.

Experience comes at a price

While Comic Con is notorious for crazy prices, you can actually do a lot of things at Comic Con for free or cheap! I’m always impressed with how consistent tickets prices have been the past few years. Any other conventions or “booktok” events I always compare to Comic Cons prices and shockingly enough NYCC always remains to be the cheaper tickets. Another comparison to the other events, you can get so much more out of Comic Con with just a one day ticket! So as we discussed before there’s guests, panels, and companies that come to this event and you don’t have to be left out of all of it because you don’t have the bank for it! Companies on the show floor will most commonly give away merch or other trinkets for free, you might have to give them an email or complete a little task to humor them but the free things are worth it! You can get tote bags, figurines, posters, comic books, and other trinkets! And the coolest part? It’s all exclusive to the convention, which means you can’t buy these things from anywhere else. You can also find some other really good steals on the show floor whether you’re looking for comics or any other specific memorabilia.

Now the most expensive part, the food. I don’t ever recommend the Javits Center cafeteria unless you like paying over price for cheap fake food that will leave your stomach in severe pain. Instead, you could always splurge on the food trucks located by the front entrance of the Javits building within Comic Con! Or, you can bring your own food into the convention and eat it wherever! I don’t usually bring a lunch, usually just a bunch of snacks but I see other people bring sandwiches and other goodies from home all the time. Plus, you can bring your own water bottle and refill it at the stations located near the bathrooms.

One more thing, make sure you grab your best walking shoes and have your legs prepared for all the walking and excitement!

Thank you so much for reading! Have a wonderful day!