Is NYCC Still a Comic Con? One Fan’s Look at the Pop Culture Takeover

Reflecting on 17 Years of New York Comic Con: A Look at the Evolution of the East Coast’s Biggest Fan Event

New York Comic Con 2024 has come and gone, leaving fans both thrilled and curious about how this year compared to those in the past. I’ve had the privilege of attending every NYCC since its humble beginnings in February 2006, when things looked pretty different in the world of comics and movies. Back then, there was no Marvel Cinematic Universe or DCEU, and, honestly, the comic book movie landscape wasn’t at its best. That year, we were anxiously awaiting *Superman Returns* and *X-Men: The Last Stand*, with only *300* making a real impact. Despite the challenges, the excitement for a New York-based Comic Con was undeniable.

From Small Beginnings to Massive Crowds

In 2006, NYCC occupied just a fraction of the Javits Center, sharing space with a trade show, and honestly, it wasn’t big enough for the number of fans attending. The small size, packed crowds, and fire hazards were part of the experience. But it was the start of something big, something we now know would grow into a global fan event.

Today, NYCC attracts people from around the world, drawing in over 200,000 fans last year alone. With more than 1,200 panels, 1,250 exhibitors, and almost 69 billion social media impressions, it has cemented itself as a premier event. What started as a modest comic convention has transformed into a comprehensive pop culture celebration, rivaling even San Diego Comic-Con in size and influence.

New York Comic Con 2024: A Return to Form?

Coming off the pandemic, I feel like NYCC has been striving to get back to its roots—at least a little. It’s evolved into a pop culture powerhouse, embracing anime, movies, TV, and authors, making the show more diverse in its appeal. But for me, and I’m sure for many others, the focus on *comics* was a little lost last year, with fewer dealers selling key books like first appearances or classic titles.

This year, however, seemed like an improvement. The show boasted over 500 exclusive comic book items—not to mention exclusives from Funko, statues, and anime collectibles. Artist Alley had an impressive mix of seasoned and emerging creators, and the panels were accessible and varied. Unlike SDCC, where you’re lucky if you catch one or two high-profile panels, NYCC allowed fans to experience a range of discussions. I attended a panel on *The Penguin* series on Max, learned about DC’s Absolute line, and even got to see Todd McFarlane talk about what it takes to create comics today.

Reflecting on a Fan’s Journey: The NYCC Love-Hate Dynamic

I approach Comic Con with a unique perspective—as a fan, a creator, a professional, and sometimes even a retailer. And this year, I wore a press badge, which gave me yet another lens to view the event. Comic Con has always given me mixed feelings. It’s like a yearly reunion where I reconnect with friends, discover new books, and stock up on exclusives. Last year, however, left me a bit disappointed because of the lack of back-issue vendors and the difficulty in finding key books that I—and many other fans—look forward to hunting down.

This year, I saw some of those gaps filled. I found exclusive issues of *Spawn*, Batman Absolute editions, and more. It felt like NYCC found its stride again, with a balance of fan experiences, big entertainment reveals, and, finally, a solid selection of comic book vendors. While it may be more of a “pop culture con” than a pure “comic con,” this year’s NYCC proved that it still has the heart that first brought thousands of fans to the Javits Center nearly two decades ago.

Looking Forward to 2025

NYCC continues to evolve, meeting the demands of fans who love comics, pop culture, anime, and more. For those of us who remember the early days, it’s a different experience—but one that holds onto its core spirit. As NYCC grows and continues adapting, I hope it keeps this year’s balanced approach. Whether you’re a fan of comic books, anime, or celebrity panels, New York Comic Con is here to stay, and for many of us, it’ll always be one of the best weeks of the year.

Caption: NYCC 2024: A Comic Con Disaster?