of nerds and geeks: New York Comic Con 07 report.
*cracks knuckles*
hmm...where should i start this...
We headed out kinda early that day, waking up at 7 and rushing out to the train station at 7.30 to catch the 8.15 train (its a good 30-45 minutes walk! but we got there early since we're all walking REALLY fast). Managed to get a bit of shuteye while sitting on the train, looking at this while Ian and Tom snoring away rather loudly( the person taking pictures still dont wanna get his pictures taken, although you can make out the silhouette on the mirror behind Tom). At one of the stations, a women fell off the stairs due to her rushing to the train, i went @__@ as she flips and twirls during her descent. She could win an Olympic medal for that. seriously. But she's allright, though. bit of sore butt and scrapes on her knee, thats all.
As we got the NY Penn Station, Tom took point and leads us to Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, where the Con is held. And so, he made us walk the whole block before going the right way, not to mention "whoops wrong way, guys" notations now and then. I think Heal is better than him in terms of pathfinding, slightly. One thing to mention, though: Its scheduled to snow that day and we're walking about 2 miles from the station to the hall, and temperature is around -8 and strong winds blowing in your face. By the time we got there, i cant feel my face and i'm drooling without noticing because my frozen lips. IT SUCKS >"< (who said winter was fun, anyway?)
We finally got there, Oh yeah, but this the first thing i see. THIS. but hey, we have to go in first to get out pre-regged tickets that we ordered online. Lo and Behold, Ladies and Gentlemen. We're in the CON! well, not yet cos we have to go through this, and this before we can go in. One thing i found out about this people though, no matter how long the line is, they're all patient and civilized. Stay in line and dont fuck around. Thats what they are, i mean, after seeing what malaysians do in ComicFiesta, i'm ashamed. Very ashamed. We saw a crispy taxi while on the line. We chatted along the way whilst cosplayers (yes, cosplayers) who dressed up as StormTroopers directs us the the entrance, now THATS cool.
We finally (and legally) in the Con now, and overwhelming feeling of adrenaline rush went through me. Honestly its not as big as Otakon or AX, in mind, but its big enough for me to gaped in awe more than just a few seconds. After all, this is my first time being in an overseas con. They have this, this and Jedi Lightsaber training. I'm not kidding. People dresses up as Sith and Jedis teaching kids and adults how to wield a lightsaber, and fight with it. And i thought the japanese are weird. Then, the Main hall... this caught me by surprise. Comparable to the stuff i've seen in pictures, nothing can prepare the the sheer size and preparations they did on the Con. Massive booths, playable games, loads of nice stuffs, and more. I knew i'm gonna have loads of fun on this trip. Tokyopop is there too. LIEK WHOA. did i say that they even sell every manga ever existed?(no, not at Tokyopop.I mean, at the whole Con) even the book that
kitmun wanted, such as Loveless: FOR YOUR EYES ONLY which was sold at 25bucks. I'm not gonna get that though, people gonna give me an odd look if i do. >_>;;. They're selling Figurines, which i found My darling Sei from Bakuretsu Tenshi and Haruhi (i swear to God, that dude is hungry, i have NO INTENTION of talking pics of him. Honest!) I have no intention of buying things this time around, no money and its snowing, which i dont wanna risk it.
Went around looking for freelance job and peddling my work. Its not an easy job but there's no hurt in establishing some contact that might prove useful later in the future. Gone to a few Portfolio reviews and most of em are praises( "this is good" "great" "why dont you work for us?" and those kinda thing) albeit my shitty portfolio.But yeah, things are different on how they do the things, but i'll get the hang of it. Scooted over to Artists Alley, where the hotshots reside. From here, praises for my portfolio arent that much and i got kicked in the nuts or punched in the teeth for that, not literally, though, but still... its a good experience. Talked to Gene Ha, Mark Morales, Tom Defalco, David Nguyen, Steve Ellis, and Mike Mignola signed something for me, which, is OUT OF THIS WORLD. haha.
All in all, the Con ended at 5pm, took the train back and walk through the snow again. Classes are delayed, but fuck it, i'm not ditching class cos cramps and strains here and there, not mention sending mails and follow-ups on the portfolio review.
My thoughts? After all the things i've seen, people like
kitmun,
futomimii or
hooli sell their stuff there, people will come and throwing them money to their feet, and thats how it is. Its so easy to sell your stuff there, plus exposure to larger, interested, hungry crowds. And they STILL buy them if selling artworks up to 10k, which Alex Ross does.
Looking at this and experience at home, for all nerds and geeks, i'm certainly not feel out of place.