The Javits Center became the center of the pop culture universe this past weekend when more than 100,000 fans of science fiction, fantasy, and superhero movies, television, and comic books descended on the Big Apple for New York Comic Con 2011. Because of its proximity to the heart of the comic book industry in Manhattan, New York Comic Con (run by ReedPOP, a division of Reed Exhibitions and Reed Elsevier) has the reputation of being focused on the show’s historical roots in comic books more than its West Coast cousin, San Diego Comic-Comic (run by Comic-Con International).
And, indeed, the full history of comic books was on display at the New York event, including a panel session with Captain America co-creator Joe Simon (just three days past his 98th birthday), a session on “Will Eisner’s The Spirit and Bob Kane’s The Batman,” and an announcement of a new comic book series from famed comic book impresario Stan Lee.
Yet Hollywood was in full force at New York Comic Con as well, with a session with the stars of Joss Whedon’s forthcoming Avengers movie, and panel sessions on television shows including “The Walking Dead,” “Nikita,” and “Terra Nova.”
Here is New York Comic Con 2011 from my perspective in 200 photos.
Separate sets for selected highlights include:
The Avengers panel with actors Mark Ruffalo, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Tom Hiddleston and Chris Evans; Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige; and moderator Chris Hardwick.
The session on AMC’s “The Walking Dead” with writer/producer Robert Kirkman, producer Gale Anne Hurd, special effects and makeup supervisor Greg Nicotero, and actors Jon Bernthal, Laurie Holden, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs and Norman Reedus.
Actors Maggie Q and Shane West along with and writer and co-producer Albert Kim on the “Nikita” panel, moderated by IGN’s Eric Goldman.
The “Terra Nova” panel with actors Stephen Lang and Jason O’Mara, and Executive Producer Brannon Braga.
Joe Simon, co-creator of Captain America, in conversation with Steve Saffel.
The panel session on “Will Eisner’s The Spirit and Bob Kane’s The Batman” with N. C. Christopher Couch, Paul Levitz, Dennis O’Neil, Michael Uslan, and moderator Danny Fingeroth.
Stan Lee announcing “Stan Lee’s Kids Universe” from 1821 Comics.
Comic book artists, writers, and editors.
And, of course, cosplay: comic book fans who attended the conference in the attire of the favorite superhero or villain.
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