🌟 I always had my eyes set on one of the world’s largest conventions, and the day finally arrived just a week before I headed to Las Vegas for another event of equal magnitude, but in a casino setting. (During that time, I worked for a casino video game company until the pandemic pulled me away from that exciting universe.)
I remember purchasing a ticket for $50 USD and inviting one of my older brothers to immerse himself in the experience with me. Tickets were scarce, and the only day it was easier to get them was on Thursdays (and to this day, I’ve only gone on that day to all the Comic Cons). This was partly because there was less crowding compared to Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
In my outfit, I couldn’t do without my Luna (Sailor Moon) socks and my sailor bag to go as geeky as possible to the Comic Con. It was the perfect attire, like dressing up for a cocktail party or a Sweet 16 in the USA or Quinceañeras in Latin America. And off we went to the Javits Center!
For me, going to Comic Con is like going shopping, but the difference is that it only happens once a year, and you have to make the most of it. Although I was earning well at that time, my cautious approach to expenses and money management resulted in a maximum budget of $200 USD to start with.
The things I bought at Comic Con were: (I don’t remember the prices)
Billy Martin’s comic, whom I met in person. I felt like my dream was partially coming true since he is the bassist for the band Good Charlotte, and my crush at that time was the lead vocalist, Joel Madden. (I told him to send greetings, hehehe.)
Some posters by Gabriel Picolo from the Teen Titans.
The comic Los Valiants from Arcana Comics, where the illustrator Edgar Delgado was at the booth, and we got along well.
Sketch notebooks in pencil autographed by Scott Campbell (I couldn’t meet him in person because he wasn’t at the booth that day).
Watercolor markers + sketchbook from Jerry’s Artarama, a store known for its products for artists and illustrators.
Among the famous artists I saw were Gabriel Picolo, Billy Martin, the cast of the Power Rangers except Billy, Kimberly, Trini (R.I.P.), and Tommy (who was in the autograph and photo-op panel).
What seemed exaggerated to me was that if you wanted an autograph or photo with any of the members, you had to pay $50 USD or $200 with all of them. And you couldn’t take unsuspecting photos because staff members were watching. This was too similar to the photo-op section, where Tommy, the green/white Ranger, was, so I had to be quick and stealthy to capture the moment without them noticing.
For a first-timer at Comic Con, it was wonderful. I highlight the cosplays made with love that were striking, the enormous booths, many novelties, the Bandai and Dragon Ball section being gigantic, and many talented illustrators in the artist alley. By the way, they gave me the button for being a ‘first-timer at a Comic Con.’
The ending, unfortunately, wasn’t the most encouraging, as I fell ill the next day. That’s how I ended up at Anime Comic Con on a Pier since it wasn’t held at the same Javits Center as always. From my point of view, I would recommend saving that money because it didn’t have much impact; the guests didn’t convince me, neither did the booths; I definitely didn’t feel connected, and after two hours, I already wanted to leave the place, and so I did. On the Saturday of that weekend, I wanted to meet Jake Parker at an Inktober event, but the flu that had been chasing me prevented me. I had to rest and then head to Las Vegas the following Monday as another convention was waiting for me.
Despite that disappointing ending, I had a great time on this journey through the Javits Center filled with comics, manga, video games, and geeky things. 🌟
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