My train arrived in Penn Station at 10:30 a.m., and I knew it was going to be big because Penn Station was full of people in costumes. I walked up to the street and there were masses of people, many costumed heading toward the Javitts Center. As I walked I noticed I was alongside Fox News reporter, Peter Doocey who was obviously covering the con.

Fifteen minutes later I arrived at the center and all I can say is it was a sea of humanity. The photos do not adequately depict just how many people were there. After a few calls, I hooked up with Dave Reynolds of American Comics who met me with a pass (Dave is a CBCA Advisor). Thanks, Dave!

The Javitts Center is a huge multilevel convention complex. There was activity on every level. I was going up escalators, going down… the going back up… there were so many people and things going on it was just confusing trying to move about and find something.

I finally found my way to the dealer level and it was simply overwhelming. The comic dealers were a small fraction of the show. Publishers, video games, T-shirts, art supplies, toys, gaming… you name it. Honestly, there were dozens and dozens of booths that I don’t even know what they were. Temporary tattoos I think, anime jewelry, and on and on. Anything you can imagine.

I met up with Pat Beam and he helped me get a Batman 227 submitted for CGC SS. I hadn’t taken the book out of the mylar in a few years and what I thought was a 7.0 is more likely a 6.0.

Later, I took a Batman 251 cgc 9.0 off of Pat’s hands. Look for scan later in this report. I made the rounds chatting with dealers and thanking the CBCA members for their membership and advisors for their assistance.

I also spoke with a company with whom I am hopeful we can work out a great CBCA member discount. Stay tuned for details as they develop…

PROS: Massive selection… much to do and see. Lots of energy and fun in the room. Great array of dealers. Saw a lot of CBCA members and advisors and boardies … finally met some great folks with whom I’ve been interacting with for years. It was easy to get in and out of the center to take a fresh air break when I needed one. The fresh autumn air was desperately needed after a few hours on the sweltering con floor.

CONS: Insanely overcrowded and HOT!! Very difficult to maneuver down the aisles. There were things I wanted to see that I could not find or I simply gave up because the aisle was solid people who were not moving. Mike Cathro mentioned the Atlas re-launch so I looked for their booth hoping to get some books for Mike. No luck. For the life of me, I could not find them. There was no easy access to a floor directory. Honestly, I do not have a lot of patience for wading through a crowd one tiny step at a time… so I just gave up and avoided certain areas.

Costumes were weak for the most part. Some decent ones, but they were far outweighed by the laughable to unsightly. NY has a way to go to catch up with the quality we see in San Diego.

What I learned: I need to plan better for a big con. I had no idea it would be so difficult to navigate around. I felt like I missed a lot because I was not organized and did not know where things were. Plus, you really need more than one day if you truly want to explore and take your time. I was there for 7 hours but felt like I was rushing from booth to booth.

Enough of the words... I’ll let the pics tell the story from here…

Beautiful, warm autumn day in NY. The pics really give no perspective on the massive amount of people in front of this building...

CBCA Advisor Dave Reynolds, all American Comics.

Toon Tumblers were right by the escalator. I bought 3.

Again, the pics really can't relate just how packed the place was.

CBCA member Terry O'Neil, Terry's Comics.

Bob Storms, CBCA Advisor

I really wanted to buy something from Bob as he is such a great dealer and superb grader, but I just couldn't find what I was looking for in the grade I wanted. I tried, Bob!!

This is Greg Reece Comics and I believe that is Doug Schmell in his booth.

After my first lap of the room, nothing struck me as a MUST BUY NOW, so I bought this from Pat Beam.

Wheres the rest of the report slacker!

Someone was signing at this Walking Dead booth. For the life of me... I could not see who it was.

Neal Adams signing a book for me.

I also got Jerry Robinson to sign it, but forgot to take a pic.

Video game areas were packed.

Metropolis Wall

Harley's Booth

I felt sleazy even taking this photo because these girls must have been in high school, but they obviously were there to be photographed. By far, the best costumed duo I saw all day. Try to ignore the doofus in the nun mask.



A far cry better than all the heavy, moley Power Girls walking around.

...to be continued tomorrow... I got 4 hours sleep last night and I am whipped...

Plenty more con pics plus the dinner pics on the way.

Great stuff Mr. Zipper

Most of the con and dinner pics are on my home computer, so they will have to wait until tonight for posting. But I had an observation I'd like to share...

As packed as the show was, you know where the thinnest crowds were? Yup, the old paper dealers.

While it was impossible to move easily about the publishers, video games, anime, and video sections, one could move easily about the vintage comics dealers and look through the boxes with little interference.

The Midtown Comics TPB booth was stuffed with people elbow to elbow. The vintage comic dealers? ...maybe three middle-age guys spread out along the long boxes. All the dealers I spoke with indicated that it was a good show. I can't help but think that must have been due to large purchases rather than volume. Maybe there was a lot of preshow dealing transactions, but I did not witness droves of people handing over cash at the comic booths.

What we are seeing here is the evolution of the characters away from paper into other mediums. There was a ton of younger people at the show. They were at the movie or videogame areas... or buying TPBs.

It's cons like this that sometimes make me hate the fact that I'm English

Whoo hoo!!! I can't wait!!!



Sorry I missed it! Sounds like it was fun!



Oh well. Thanks for trying!

So is that original art in the picture behind Neal Adams?

Yes, I believe those were pre made sketches he was selling.

He was doing profile sketches for $200. He was signing a copy of Batman Odyssey and doing a small head sketch for $50.

Picking up where I left off...

CBCA Member Rick Whitlock (Gator)and his mind-boggling display. That's Pat Beam kneeling with his back to the camera.

Rich Evans, Mr Bedrock.

Mile High Chuck showing off the guns.

These must be new tats, because I don't ever recall him walking around before with his sleeves rolled up.

Paging Whisp. A portly Moon Knight. Too bad the other guy is blocking the view of the large beer gut.



A pretty good Mr. Fantastic