In a new plan to expand an already sprawling convention, New York Comic Con is expanding its panel roster to an off-campus site. No longer constricted to the behemoth that is the Jacob Javits Center, NYCC will now be hosting a series of Television-centric panels at the somewhat nearby Hammerstein Ballroom.
Ironically, this new panel venue is closer to 34th St. Penn Station, the traditional subway stop con attendees use to get to the Javits Center, than it is to the brand new 34th St. & 11th Ave. stop that lets out right next to the convention hall. In order to attend certain panels, including one centered around Pendelton Ward’s Adventure Time, you’ll need to schlep about three avenues. Each of those avenues are about three times as long as your average NYC street.
Basically, you’re going to be walking a lot if you want to check out the Mr. Robot panel being scheduled for Friday. You’ll then be walking even more if you decide to go back to the Javits, since these panels are curiously being scheduled during the middle of the day rather than the evening where the show floor is closed and panels are the only things running. I suppose it’s an effective method of crowd control if there ever was one.
Check out the list of Hammerstein Ballroom panels below, and remember to bring your FitBits.
Cartoon Network Presents: Adventure Time
Friday, October 9 – 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
For years, Fans have asked for it, and the magical minds behind Adventure Time are finally unlocking the secrets behind one of Ooo’s most righteous and mysterious characters! This October, Cartoon Network presents a special 8-part story that explores the life of Marceline the Vampire Queen! New York Comic Con Fans will be the first to get a sneak peek of the exciting story before it airs, LIVE with the cast and crew, with plenty of time for questions from you! Talent: Olivia Olson (Marceline), Jeremy Shada (Finn), John DiMaggio (Jake), Adam Muto (Executive Producer, Adventure Time) and Rebecca Sugar (Lyricist/composer Adventure Time; Creator, Steven Universe)CBS TV Studios Block, featuring Elementary and Limitless
Friday, October 9 – 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Join ELEMENTARY series stars Jonny Lee Miller (Dexter), Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels) and John Noble (Sleepy Hollow) with Executive Producer and Creator Robert Doherty for an exclusive sneak peek of the new season followed by a Panel discussion. As well, LIMITLESS stars Jake McDorman (American Sniper) and Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter) with Executive Producer and Showrunner Craig Sweeny for an exclusive sneak peek of the new season followed by a Panel discussion.USA Network: Colony Screening and Q&A followed by Mr. Robot Panel with Cast and Creator
Friday, October 9 – 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Be one of the first to see the highly anticipated USA Network television series, Colony. Join Executive Producers Carlton Cuse (Lost, The Strain) and Ryan Condal (Hercules)at an exclusive screening followed by a Q&A with series cast and creators. From Legendary Television and Universal Cable Productions, Colony stars Josh Holloway (Lost), Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead), Peter Jacobson (House) and Amanda Righetti (The Mentalist). Following the Colony screening and Q&A, the cast and creators of USA’s cult hit, Mr. Robot will participate in a Panel. Produced by Universal Cable Productions, Mr. Robot stars Rami Malek (The Pacific), Christian Slater (The Adderall Diaries), Carly Chaikin (Suburgatory), Portia Doubleday(Her), Marton Wallstrom (Simple Simon) and was created by Sam Esmail (Comet).STARZ Presents “Ash vs Evil Dead”
Saturday, October 10 – 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Original filmmakers Sam Raimi (Executive Producer, Director, Writer) and Bruce Campbell (Executive Producer and star of the series, Ash) along with Craig DiGregorio (Showrunner/Executive Producer) Lucy Lawless (Ruby), Ray Santiago (Pablo) and Dana DeLorenzo (Kelly) discuss the highly anticipated new series and what Fans can expect in the premiere season.
That’s how the New York Auto Show has such big crowds without the show floors being crowded: people come in, look around for a few hours, then leave. (For about $16…and you can walk up and buy a ticket from an ATM.)
I believe that’s why there was less grumbling from San Diego this year. There were enough outdoor/offsite events which drew members away from the show floor and convention center.
As I mentioned in my NYCC 2020 report (in 2012: https://www.comicsbeat.com/new-york-comic-con-2020-a-look-back/), there are many spaces nearby for expanded panels and other events. The Best Buy theater (once one of the largest movie theaters in the city) is on Times Square (43rd). Penn Station hosts the Theater at Madison Square Garden, site of the NBA draft. There’s Skylight at the Post Office (hosting New York Fashion Week events), and the AMC movie theater across the street from Hammerstein.
Closer are a few clubs, like SIR Stage 37. Not large spaces, but similar to the recent MoCCA Fest. I wonder what gets used for Toy Fair?
Of course, once Hudson Yards and other projects get built, then you’ll actually have a vibrant neighborhood surrounding Javits. Will it have large spaces? Aside from the Culture Shed, not really, although Starwood might build a large hotel nearby.
Heh… Get enough large hotels nearby, and you have San Diego on the Hudson!
If these are the types of panels they hold in Hall H, the trudge to Hammerstein isn’t worse than those SDCC lines. But it’s definitely inconvenient. I think it’s great news, however, that they are expanding beyond the Javits. They used to make Toy Fair work with outside hotels–it’s awesome if they commit to growing at the City redevelops that West Side. From the outside looking in, it feels like SDCC spends a lot of time trying to get smaller–which is a bummer.
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