This year’s New York Comic Con was a mixed experience. After bouncing back in 2021 and 2022 following pandemic disruptions, the 2023 edition struggled due to the Hollywood strikes, dampening the event’s usual energy.
Thankfully, 2024 offered some improvements — but it also brought back some of the old issues that plagued conventions in the pre-pandemic era. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what worked, what didn’t, and the downright weird moments that stood out.
The Good
The variety of panels this year was a noticeable improvement. Last year’s event felt limited due to the absence of many Hollywood stars and creators amid the strikes. In contrast, the 2024 schedule featured a more balanced mix of TV shows, films, comics, and indie content, which brought some fresh energy to the con. A welcome change was the decision to eliminate fan Q&A sessions from panels. These segments are notorious for awkward, off-topic questions that add unnecessary time to the presentations. Without them, the panels felt more concise, streamlined, and enjoyable.
Finally, attendees seem to have wised up to the scam that is the mystery box. These overpriced, randomized collections of generic merch have been a fixture at conventions for over a decade, but the trend seems to be fading. This year, few people were spotted carrying mystery boxes, and many vendors still had their shelves full of unsold stock. It looks like the hype is finally dying down, and with any luck, mystery boxes will be a thing of the past at future conventions.
The Fallout store stood out as one of the most creative booths at the con. Rather than relying solely on generic merchandise, the team behind the store went the extra mile to create an engaging shopping experience. The booth was designed to immerse fans in the post-apocalyptic world of the franchise, setting it apart from the typical vendors who just offer T-shirts and Funko Pops. The attention to detail and effort put into this booth earned high praise from attendees.
The Bad
Both Blumhouse Productions and What We Do in the Shadows panels announced free T-shirts during their sessions, but the distribution was a mess. Shirts were supposed to be available outside the panel rooms while the panels were still in progress, which led to a chaotic stampede. People who attended the panels were competing with those who hadn’t, and within minutes, the shirts were gone. The scene was a mess reminiscent of the first play of the original XFL, with everyone scrambling for merch in a free-for-all that should have been better managed.
NYCC is usually known for its interactive brand activations, but 2024 fell short. In previous years, activations outside the Javits Center added to the fun, but this year only Dune: Prophecy and McDonald’s had noteworthy setups. The Dune activation offered some decent immersive elements, and McDonald’s provided free meals to attendees. However, the line for the McDonald’s activation kept capping throughout the day, with people waiting up to 30 minutes just for their turn. While the free food was a hit, the long wait times were a drawback.
Note: I have not went inside or ate at McDonalds since 2011. Good for the attendees though, but that stuff is not for me.
Another recurring issue reared its ugly head this year: vendors buying exclusive merchandise before the show opened and reselling it at inflated prices. This practice, which has been a problem at San Diego Comic-Con, is now running rampant at New York Comic Con. Some vendors admitted they witnessed others arriving as early as 5 AM to snatch up exclusive items, only to resell them for double or triple the price at their own booths. It’s a frustrating situation for fans who genuinely want the merch, and it feels like the con organizers need to implement stricter rules to prevent this from happening.
History repeated itself as BleedingCool reported that another fistfight broke out over a limited-edition comic. This time, it was a Todd McFarlane variant of Spawn #357. The line for the comic capped within five minutes of the doors opening, and tensions boiled over when it became clear that not everyone in line would get a copy. A brawl erupted near the booth, mirroring the chaos of 2022. Meanwhile, those lucky enough to grab a copy wasted no time flipping it online, with raw issues selling for $300 and CGC-graded versions going for $500.
The absence of major comic publishers like IDW, Dark Horse, DC, and Marvel was felt this year. New York Comic Con has traditionally been a showcase for the biggest names in comics, so their absence was disappointing. However, it was nice to see more independent publishers step up to fill the gap, offering fans a chance to discover new creators and lesser-known titles.
The WTF Moments
NYCC 2024 was, without a doubt, the smelliest edition of the con yet. While body odor is always a minor issue at crowded events, this year was on another level. Making matters worse, two popcorn machines placed on opposite ends of the convention floor filled the air with the smell of burnt popcorn, which combined horribly with the pervasive scent of unwashed attendees. The result was an olfactory nightmare that attendees won’t soon forget.
A strange and unfortunate incident occurred near the Dragon Ball Z setup, where a woman reportedly vomited in the bathroom for nearly an hour. I passed by twice—once when people were just starting to talk about it, and again 45 minutes later, when medics had finally arrived to check on her. It was a reminder that if you’re not feeling well, it’s best to stay home and recover rather than risk your health (and everyone else’s) at a crowded event.
NYCC 2024 was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, with some encouraging steps forward but also plenty of issues that need to be addressed. The event needs to decide what it wants to be as it moves into the future — will it prioritize fan experiences, exclusive merch, or more thoughtful planning? Hopefully, the 2025 edition will bring more structure, better crowd management, and a return to the quality that New York Comic Con is known for.
In the meantime, stay tuned this week for interviews with the cast of The Penguin, The Walking Dead Universe, Teen Titans Go!, School Spirits on Paramount+, and Brian Volk-Weiss from Netflix’s The Toys That Made Us.
