Published: April 17, 2008

The New York Comic Con, a convention celebrating all things comic book related, will be entering its third year this year. Taking place April 18-20 at the Jacob Javits Center, this year’s event promises to be even better than the last. Though its first year was plagued with troubles such as greatly under-estimated attendance, where a much greater amount of people attended than they had expected (leading to an early attendance cap), 2007’s event went off mostly without a hitch, and this third year promises to be even better.

The convention promises a plethora of things to see and do. You can spend your cash at the dozens of exhibitors taking up shop in the Exhibition Hall, hoping to find that one issue from a decade or two back to complete a collection. You might have to fight off other fans for it, though, so try to get there early if you want to avoid using your bag of pamphlets as a weapon. This sort of thing can only end in tears and is not as epic as you might think.

If you spot someone walking past you as Wolverine, don’t be alarmed. One of the events taking place during the Saturday afternoon of the weekend will be a masquerade—a contest where people compete to see how good of a superhero, mecha pilot or magical girl they can make while decked out in the proper garments.

Despite the name, comic books aren’t the only thing you’ll find covered at the convention. Anime fans will find a place in the aforementioned masquerade, and the many anime screenings to be shown over the weekend, such as the American premiere of the hit series “Code Geass.” If you’re a gamer, there will be panels geared to your interest as well, along with tabletop gaming and a chance to audition for a bit part in an upcoming
“Spider-Man” game.

Last, but certainly not least, are the guests. The comic book legend Stan Lee will be in attendance and, on the night before the convention starts proper, will be receiving the first New York Comics Legend Award at a ceremony at the Virgin Mega Store in Times Square. Also being featured is Neil Gaiman, the creator of the comic series “The Sandman,” . For a $20 fee (with the funds going to The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the First Amendment rights of the comic book community), you can attend an event that includes readings of his works and a Q&A session afterwards.

There will be several other notable people in attendance for you to stalk—erm, see—and maybe snag an autograph from. On the comic side of things will be Jerry Robinson (the creator of the Joker, everyone’s favorite laughing madman from “Batman”), Joe Simon (the co-creator of “Captain America”), Frank Miller (known for “Sin City” among many other comics) as well as a Hellboy panel with the director of the movie adaptions, Guillermo del Toro. If you’re interested in video games, you’ll be able to see Michael Capps, the creator of the “Unreal” series of games, as well as “Gears of War.”

No matter your interest, bound to find something you like here. Whether you’re a comic book fanatic or just read a few issues, you’ll definitely want to consider going: something this big will be, at the very least, a sort of pilgrimage.