[Photo from Reversethieves.com]
All the way back in April, folks at C2E2 were stunned when there was no DC booth. Lots of panels, but no booth. Whispers were that there would be no booth at NYCC either, but that just seemed unfathomable: no big set up at the home town show? Inconceivable!
But at Baltimore we got the word that it was looking like no NYCC booth for DC either, and a press release yesterday confirmed it. And in an interview with MTV Geek, VP of Marketing John Cunningham explained what was going on. The spin is that the display of Superman costumes through the years from SDCC was so spectacular they wanted to bring it to NYCC. But…
“And now, for this show, we have been working w/ ReedPOP [the company that presents NYCC] to find ways to use all of Javits Center – it’s a huge space, but things tend to get clumped up on the main floor. So we came up with some ideas, we went back to them and said “we want to bring this costume thing”, we mentioned other things we would like to do, and then we figured out how and where to do them…we brainstormed w/ them, and figured out ways to try to bring traffic throughout the entire hall. We always want to look at con growth, and how the audience experiences their time…it’s different for every con, it’s driven by different behaviors, and different groups of fans. So we started from the ground up, and decided that we’d come up with an entirely new way to present ourselves to this audience.
“We’ve put together a DC signing area in Artist Alley w/ over 50 creators. The main exhibit and costume area is in the south lobby, right where attendees enter in the morning, set a little ways off from the main show floor. We’re making the most of that with the costumes, video game displays, and other exhibit space, showing off what we and our partners do, creating a fairly large area devoted to DC. We also, as we do every year, are holding a number of panels… That element isn’t changing. The panels are gonna be pretty terrific, we have some incredible giveaways and a lot of projects to showcase. Really, this is about rethinking our approach, and figuring out a way to spread our presence throughout the entire convention, instead of being clustered on the main floor.”
I think the key word in the above is “clustered.” It’s no secret that crowds at New York Comic Con get claustrophobic, and my main thought about the DC (or Marvel) booth at the show is “Avoid!” While the main reason given for not setting up at both C2E2 and NYCC was cost factors (Javits and McCormick Place both being insanely expensive union halls) DC’s San Diego booth was huge and would cost well into five figures just to set up at Javits. Last year, Lego filled the main corridors of the Javits with statues, and you can imagine the Superman costumes being set up in a similar way somewhere, probably on the main show floor. I’ve also heard several folks suggest that safety may have been a factor. The DC booth gets crowded in the best of times, and at NYCC you’d find more room in a can of sardines.
That said, Reed is taking many steps to alleviate crowding this year, from making badges for everyone way harder to get to adding RFID tracking systems.
Besides, as you can see from the below press release, as Cunningham suggested, there are many ways to get attention at a Comic Con. And as a bonus, wily DC execs can remain shadowy, Obi-Wan like figures observing the fray from secure vantage points.
DC Entertainment, home of the World’s Greatest Super Heroes and the comic book industry’s most talented artists and writers, today announced a stellar program of New York Comic Con panels, signings, announcements and other events certain to excite fans of all ages, led by a jaw-dropping display of eight historic Superman costumes from the big and small screen in celebration of Superman’s 75th Anniversary.
With an array of costumes previously worn by the likes of Christopher Reeve, Henry Cavill, Brandon Routh, Dean Cain and Tom Welling – the scope of this epic exhibit will expand the publisher’s convention presence beyond the floor of the Jacob Javitz Center and into the building’s public entryway – making DC’s expanded footprint undeniable to convention attendees and the public at large, and making for a convention-wide 75th anniversary celebration of The Man of Steel. A star-studded panel honoring the Man of Steel and discussing the beloved character’s many personifications, impressive history, and ongoing relevance within society and entertainment, is also in the works.
DC Entertainment will further put its stamp on this year’s convention through appearances by some of the biggest creative names in the comic book industry – including the writers and artists from Batman, Green Lantern and Superman family of titles, MAD Magazine and many more. Legendary author Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed SANDMAN series will also be a highlight as fans clamor for the first issue of THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE, a centerpiece of the ongoing reinvigoration of the Vertigo imprint. Additionally, for the first time DC will host over 50 creator signings at an exclusive DC Entertainment area in the increasingly popular Artist Alley.
The largest English-language publisher in the world will continue to make its mark with a packed schedule of panels, and fantastic collection of additional appearances and signings, exclusive announcements and other events.
· As their epic BATMAN: ZERO YEAR storyline expands into the rest of DC Comics – The New 52 and BATMAN VOL. 3: DEATH OF THE FAMILY prepares for its October release, superstar creators Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo will share the latest insider’s view on The Caped Crusader and their unique creative process. A Batman panel featuring this “dynamic duo” and creators such as John Layman, Ann Nocenti, Peter Tomasi and James Tynion IV will be a convention highlight. Following this year’s show, Snyder and Capullo will be the guests-of-honor at a Q&A and signing for BATMAN VOL. 3: DEATH OF THE FAMILY on Monday, October 14th at 7:00 p.m. the Union Square Barnes & Noble in NYC.
· Set for release on October 30, Vertigo’s THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE will also be a convention highlight as Neil Gaiman returns to the iconic comic book series that launched his career. Vertigo will be celebrating its 20th year in publishing through panels, signings and more, casting a spotlight on the imprint’s horror, mythic fiction, and sci-fi titles – including the dark fantasy COFFIN HILL, the epic adventure HINTERKIND, and THE SANDMAN spin-off THE DEAD BOY DETECTIVES as well as the new series THE WAKE, TRILLIUM, FBP: FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS and more.
· Kicking off on October 2 and spanning across all GREEN LANTERN family titles throughout the month, the “Lights Out” crossover event will change the Green Lantern universe forever! Convention attendees will collect more behind-the-scenes knowledge on this ambitious storyline by attending the October 13 panel featuring creators Bernard Chang, Van Jensen, Justin Jordan, Charles Soule, Brad Walker, Robert Venditti and more. The storyline ties together every Lantern of every Corps who has ever appeared in any comic book – ever. Nothing is held back, and devoted fans will want to know more!
· Fresh off the release of FOREVER EVIL #1, written by comic legend Geoff Johns with artwork by the infinitely talented David Finch, as well as the unprecedented “Villains Month” unveiling of 52 villain-centric 3-D Motion covers from across The New 52, fans will get the chance to learn more about the FOREVER EVIL storyline (and all of the dastardly villains that everyone loves to hate) at the Justice League – Forever Evil panel on Saturday, October 12. Boasting a collection of DC creators that includes Finch, Ray Fawkes, Matt Kindt, Joe Prado, Ivan Reis and more. Convention attendees will also get a sneak preview of the all-new documentary “Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics,” which investigates the inner-workings of the most nefarious collection of baddies in comics history. Narrated by legendary film bad guy Christopher Lee, “Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics” will be released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on October 25.
· Get an inside look at INSIDE MAD, the hugely anticipated collection being released on October 29 from “The Usual Gang of Idiots” at MAD Magazine. Those looking to get an additional dose of the iconic magazine’s acclaimed wit and snark can visit the Mad About MAD panel on October 12 – led by Editor John Ficarra and a laughter-inducing cast of characters.
· A wide variety of exclusive offerings will be available throughout the weekend at this year’s New York Comic Con – including giveaways throughout the weekend as well as FOREVER EVIL #1, BATMAN #24 and SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #1 variant covers priced at $10 each. DC Collectibles also has two exciting convention exclusives lined up for New York, including a DC Nation: Super Best Friends Forever Poison Ivy statue and DC Super Heroes of Green Lantern 3.75” action figure two-pack featuring Hal Jordan and Blue Lantern Saint Walker. Each of these exclusive offerings will be available for sale at the DC Collectibles Boutique at the Graphitti Designs booth (#755).
· Fans can get all the latest information on New York Comic Con and other DC Entertainment events by downloading the free DCE Events app for iOS and Android smartphone users. It’s available for download today on Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store.
[Part of the Superman exhibit at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.]
I really liked the costume display at SDCC — really cool. Unlike SDCC, I hope the NYCC version at least mentions/portrays not only Lois, but Siegel & Shuster as well.
That’s kind of a cliched cheap shot, I know. The accepted conclusion that DC will not mention S&S officially has become kind of a cliche in and of itself. Maybe that’s why it’s become such an acceptable reality.
If by “South Lobby” they mean the area leading down from 3Eto 1E, then, yes, this is a great idea, as that corner is remote, little visited, and not very well utilized. (A few years ago, there was a stage, but even that wasn’t very popular.) If it’s over by the Javits statue/subway car, then it’s even more visible, and DC gets AMAZING buzz.
As for the Artists Alley subdivision, it seems to be a variation on my idea of a publisher having their own AA section in their booth, having their talent “hang out” at the publisher’s booth all weekend long, signing variants, doing sketch covers, and drawing (HA!) people to the booth. Just like Boom! did with Amy Mebberson doing Muppet sketch covers a few years ago.
DC does get kudos for this… people will be drawn to Artists Alley, which is remote, but not sidelined. (Good crowds last year.) If there is a Superman exhibit “down south”, also good!
(AND a book signing, at a book store offsite!)
none of those costumes mean anything anymore, its a new 52 d.c. world. so i dont have to care about whatever those things they are showing off. dont matter no more. thanks d.c. save me the trouble of caring
It does sound like a way for DC to get all the exposure they need without having to pay full freight for floor space — it appears the organizers are willing to accommodate DC and ensure they have a strong visible presence at the show since their books and characters are such a draw.
@Randy
…and NYCC can sell that space to someone else, while spreading out the attendees throughout the building.
The Third Floor is Times Square. NYCC is New Year’s Eve.
What I expect in the years to come:
ReedPOP adds Columbus Day Monday.
Halls 1B and 1C host media companies, autographing, automobiles, generating enough magnetism for people to journey downstairs without the exhibitors feeling like they are in a ghetto away from the party upstairs.
D23, in even-numbered years, will host an East Coast event. Perhaps in Bay Lake, FL.
Expect off-site events sponsored by specific companies, just like in San Diego, but lasting longer, perhaps two weeks to a month.
Is the fact that DC got 50 spots in Artists Alley the reason so many individual artists were locked out? I hear from all sorts of people — people with long-established, respected careers as well as young whipper-snappers — that they were told they couldn’t get a table.
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