By Michael Avila
Special to DNAinfo
CHELSEA — New York Comic Con is letting its freak flag fly this year.
The annual fanboy fiesta celebrating comics, movies, television and anything else that triggers sepia-toned nostalgia, begins its four-day stay at the Javits Center on Manhattan’s West Side on Thursday. Organizers have assembled a stellar lineup of guests and special presentations for its sixth year.
For comics pros like Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, CEO of Platinum Studios, NYCC has become essential.
“NYCC is a very important convention. It's a terrific place for announcements regarding new projects and technologies,” said Rosenberg, the creator behind the “Cowboys and Aliens” comic that inspired last summer’s feature film.
The centerpiece of NYCC will be the panel for Marvel’s superhero epic, “The Avengers,” on Saturday evening. Stars from the film, including Chris Evans (“Captain America”) and Tom Hiddleston (“Thor”), will be on hand to unveil exclusive footage from the film, which hits theaters May 4, 2012.
Another panel with a frightening amount of fan-ticipation is the one for the new season of the comic book-turned-cable hit, “The Walking Dead.” Other big draws include panels for the second “Ghost Rider” movie starring Nicolas Cage, the CW spy drama “Nikita” with Maggie Q, and an advance look at the “Beavis and Butthead” animated revival.
High-profile presentations are just one way that New York Comic Con is trying to raise its game.
Despite more than 95,000 people attending in 2010, the convention still lags behind the San Diego Comic Con in terms of size, scope and influence.
Its West Coast counterpart has a nearly insurmountable geographic edge when it comes to luring big-name Hollywood stars. But NYCC is gaining ground. “The Avengers” panel is the kind of event that could draw major mainstream media attention.
Other celebrities attending to plug various projects or to simply meet fans and sign autographs include geek princess and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” alum Eliza Dushku, “Conan” and “Game of Thrones” star Jason Momoa and Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill. Filmmaker Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes will be putting on a live performance of their popular podcast, “Jay and Silent Bob Get Old” Friday night.
A-list DJ Z-Trip headlines the convention’s kickoff concert Thursday night. The comic cult band Kirby Krackle will also be performing during New York Comic Con.
All of the multimedia programming doesn’t mean NYCC is turning its back on the ‘Comic’ portion of its name. As usual, an all-star list of comic book creators will be attending this year.
The guest list includes icons such as Stan Lee, Joe Kubert, Neal Adams, John Romita Sr. and his son John Romita Jr., along with best-selling writers Geoff Johns and “Walking Dead” creator Robert Kirkman, as well as superstar artists Todd McFarlane and Jim Lee.
"NYCC has become a pretty big deal on the convention circuit,” said comics writer Marc Bernardin. “The East Coast hasn't had a big, honking comics show in a long time, one that'll pull companies from far and wide to come and exhibit.”
Bernardin, who along with Adam Freeman co-created comics such as “The Highwaymen,” “Hero Complex” and the upcoming fantasy novel “Jake the Dreaming,” noted that it’s much easier for European comics talent to come to New York City than to go to San Diego.
With New York City home to the two biggest comic publishers, Marvel and DC, expect tons of big announcements involving their heroes.
Archie Comics is also likely to preview its upcoming digital relaunch of the company’s superhero line, and the January release of “Life With Archie” #16, featuring the wedding of gay character Kevin Keller.
Independent comic book publishers will be represented as well.
Dozens of writers and artists, many based here in New York City, will be showing off their creator-owned books.
Want to shop?
From rare comics to toys, t-shirts and any other collectible you can imagine, chances are you’ll find it among the hundreds of sellers at the Javits. As always, wait until Sunday for the best deals.
However, if you want one of the many exclusive toys offered at NYCC, better get there early on Thursday. Special convention-only goodies like the Dark Horse Spider-Man statue, the Dr. Who Tardis bobble head and Walking Dead bloody action figure from McFarlane Toys will be scooped up by collectors.
If you want to spend money guilt-free, drop by the Comic Art auction on Friday. It benefits St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
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Michael Avila is a writer based in Manhattan who spends a lot of time on Twitter. See what he’s writing aboutt at http://twitter.com/#!/mikeavila.
