NYCC 2024 - Day 3 [Recap]
After two packed days of adventure, I approached Saturday, my last full day of New York Comic Con, with a mixture of excitement and a hint of bittersweet realization that my time at the convention was coming to an end. But first, I needed a proper New York breakfast—a fresh bagel—to fuel me through the day. With that box checked, I was ready to dive into the organized (?) chaos that is NYCC.
The Signature Quest: Scott Snyder and the Triple Threat
The day kicked off with a mission I had been building toward since Day 1—securing Scott Snyder’s signature on a prized print. The print itself, a stunning Akira homage by Javier Fernandez, was already graced with Fernandez’s signature and Nick Dragotta’s from the day before. Snyder’s autograph was the final piece of the puzzle. I navigated my way through the bustling halls and found myself in the early morning signature line. After a brief wait, I emerged victorious with the triple-signed beauty in hand. This piece was destined for a spot on my wall as soon as I got home. Mission accomplished, and it wasn’t even noon yet!
Thrilljoy: The New Frontier of Collectibles
With the signature safely tucked away, my next stop was the Thrilljoy booth. The day before, I had attended the kickoff party for Thrilljoy, and I was eager to dive deeper into the vision behind the brand. Brian Mariotti, formerly of Funko fame, was there to greet fans and discuss his latest venture. After nearly two decades of leading Funko, Mariotti stepped away, but retirement didn’t quite suit him. Now, he’s back in the game with Thrilljoy, a new collectibles company that promises to bring a fresh twist to the market.
I had the chance to interview Mariotti from within the impressive Thrilljoy booth, discussing how his new company aims to differentiate itself in a crowded collectibles landscape. He exuded the same enthusiasm that made Funko a household name, and I left feeling excited about the future of Thrilljoy. Be sure to check out my full interview, where Mariotti shares some intriguing insights into the creative and business challenges of launching a new brand in this competitive industry. You can find it below:
Exploring the Show Floor: Cosplay, Comics, and Art
After my interview, I spent some time soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of the exhibit hall. From intricately detailed cosplays to rare comics and elaborate toy displays, the show floor was a sensory overload in the best way. Every corner held something new to discover, and despite the massive crowd—Saturday being the busiest day of the con—it never felt too overwhelming. There’s something about being surrounded by thousands of like-minded fans that creates a shared energy, a feeling of camaraderie that’s hard to replicate.
One of my favorite stops was at the table of David Mack, the renowned watercolor artist behind works like Kabuki and Daredevil. Mack had contributed a cover to Armored, a comic series we reviewed early on, and I was thrilled to see that our pull quote had made it onto the back cover of his issue. I had him sign my copy and took a moment to watch as he offered feedback to a young artist showing off their portfolio. It was inspiring to see an established creator taking the time to encourage the next generation.
The Secret Level Panel: A Sneak Peek into Gaming's Next Big Thing
As the day wound down, I made my way to one of the most anticipated panels of the day—Amazon Prime’s Secret Level, an anthology series that will adapt 15 different video game franchises into episodic stories. Hosted by Kinda Funny’s Blessing Adeoye Jr., the panel featured creators Tim Miller and Dave Wilson, who shared their passion for the project and revealed some tantalizing details about what’s to come.
From Pac-Man to Warhammer to Sifu, the variety of games being adapted is staggering. But it was the upcoming Mega Man episode that really caught my attention. Tim Miller shared his vision for the story, saying that it will focus on the existential dilemma of Mega Man: "The difference between what he was made to do versus what he was meant to do." As a longtime fan of the franchise, I couldn’t be more excited to see this take on the Blue Bomber’s origin when the series drops on Amazon Prime starting December 10th.
Reflecting on NYCC’s Magic
It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since I last attended New York Comic Con. So much has changed—the world itself is a different place after a global pandemic—but in many ways, it felt like coming home. The joy of wandering the aisles, stumbling upon hidden gems, and sharing moments with fellow fans is as powerful as ever.
Saturday was the perfect culmination of my NYCC experience. From collecting signatures and geeking out over collectibles, to enjoying the creativity of artists and cosplayers, to getting an inside look at the future of gaming adaptations, it was everything I could have hoped for. The crowds may have been thick, but the energy was palpable, and it was the kind of day that leaves you buzzing long after it ends.
Now, with WonderCon on the horizon, I’m already counting the days until my next convention fix. But for now, I’ll hold onto the memories, the swag, and, of course, that gorgeous triple-signed print.
Thanks, New York Comic Con.
