Over the years, Thursday has become my favorite day most conventions. It is the only time I feel like I can really dig into the vendor floor and artist’s alley, especially at New York Comic Con. By Friday and Saturday, the hall is packed with people which makes it difficult to talk to artists and creators about their work.
For NYCC 2017, it is also the only day that was not sold out by the week of the convention. You may even still be able to buy tickets here if you’re lucky and waited until the last minute to check out the amazing Thursday lineup.
One thing you will want to keep an eye on is location. Due to construction, NYCC is relying on outside facilities to house some of their bigger panels. You can find out about the venues and rules for each of them HERE. Know when you need to start making your way out of Javits in order to have enough time to get to the other locations if necessary.
Cartoon Network Presents: Steven Universe
10:30am – 11:30pm @ Hammerstein Ballroom
Steven Universe quickly became a fan favorite and took the cartoon world by storm. If you’re a fan, or just curious about why everyone loves it so much, you will not want to miss this panel. Rebecca Sugar, one of the writers, will be leading the charge along with unnamed voice actors from the show. Fans have been waiting to hear about what’s next for their beloved show and this might be the perfect chance.
The Watcher in the Woods Reimagined
11:00am – 12:00pm @ 1A06
This is the remake nobody needed and yet I cannot help but be intrigued. I will never forget watching The Watcher in the Woods when I was young (it was a Disney movie, after all!) and it left a definite mark (especially the alternate ending that no one needed). With Melissa Joan Hart at the helm as director for Lifetime’s remake, the new film is bound to be interesting.
The Librarians and Bad Samaritan with Dean Devlin
11:15am – 12:15pm @ 1A10
Get a two-for-one fun explosion by joining Dean Devlin as he talked about two of his current creations: The Librarians and Bad Samaritan. The panel will being with Devlin and Bad Samaritan actor Robert Sheehan to discuss the new movie. After that, he will be joined by two of the Librarians, Christian Kane and John Harlan Kim to discuss what is next for the team in the series’ fourth season airing this winter.
Stan Against Evil Cast Interview
12:00pm – 12:15pm @ NYCC Live Stage – Booth 174
Another thing to keep your eye on during NYCC 2017 is the live stage schedule. Set in 15 minute increments throughout the day, the fab reps running the NYCC Live Stage booth will be interviewing casts, creators, and beyond. To kick it all off the Stan Against Evil cast will be hanging out on the stage talking about their upcoming new season of IFC’s hit comedy-horror series.
Robert Kirkman: The Walking Dead, InvIncIble, and Beyond
12:00pm – 1:00pm @ Hammerstein Ballroom
Come hang out with mad man Robert Kirkman, the mind behind The Walking Dead and so much more as he discusses his work. You really don’t need any other reason to make it to this panel other than “it is Robert Kirkman” and “he’s really cool.”
Todd McFarlane Talks Movies, Comics, and Toys!
1:30pm – 2:30pm @ 1A06
The mastermind behind Image Comics is ready to sit down for an intimate NYCC Q&A. Whether you want to talk about breaking into the comic book industry, want to hear about his long-awaited Spawn Movie, or talk about toys, this panel has got you covered. McFarlane is a bit
Michael Rooker Spotlight
2:30pm – 3:30pm @ Main Stage 1-D
If you are one of the lucky few that won tickets through the pre-show lottery, then you are good to go for this panel. If you didn’t but don’t want to miss it, be sure to hop into the Main Stage 1-D line when it opens for this panel to snag your spot. Michael Rooker never fails to be a crowd pleaser with his comedically unapologetic demeanor and I have a feeling you’ll walk out of the room laughing.
Food Trivia Game with Coqui the Chef
3:15pm – 4:00pm @ Family HQ – 1C03
If you have got kids in tow, then you will want to check out the Family HQ room. Coqui the Chef will be taking over for a 45 minute trivia game where your inner foodie knowledge will be put to the test. The nice part about it is if you or your little get it right, you have the chance to win some awesome prizes and walk away with a cool shared experience and good memories for your kiddo.
Adam Savage Invades NYCC
4:15pm – 4:30pm @ NYCC Live Stage – Booth 174
Back at the live stage, everyone’s favorite MythBuster Adam Savage will join the stage to talk about his NYCC experience and, apparently, his cosplay hobby. Come get up close and personal with this scientific madman who puts natural forces to the test.
Lore
4:30pm – 5:30pm @ Hammerstein Ballroom
This is one our entire NYCC team is looking forward to. Lore is based on a podcast from creator Aaron Mahnke and executive producer Ben Silverman. In the new series, the podcast is brought to life as it wows audiences with the real origin stories at the heart of our modern day myths and legends. As an Amazon exclusive, this new anthology is bound to be a hit and you won’t want to miss this first look panel.
American Gods with Ricky Whittle, Pablo Schreiber, and Yetide Badaki
6:00pm – 7:00pm @ Main Stage 1-D
Starz has really done it with its American Gods adaptation, based on the novel with the same name by Neil Gaiman. Headed by Hannibal showrunner Bryan Fuller, this slightly-more-modern retelling of the story delighted fans during its first season and is set to take them even deeper into the world of American Gods in the second. Join some key cast members for a panel discussing what they’ve done and what’s to come.
StarTalk Radio with Neil deGrasse Tyson and Adam Savage
7:45pm – 8:45pm @ Main Stage 1-D
Nerds unite, because we have two Nerd Titans in the same room for this panel. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson will be joined by Adam Savage to discuss the science and culture behind human augmentation. Wow, that already sounds science-y – but really, put it in perspective: Batman and Iron Man were both regular dudes, augmented by tech, and that’s what we are going to discuss. From the pages of comic books to the real world, we may all be augmented someday.
If you feel like missing out on some of the evening panels then you might want to head over to Terminal 5 for the ominous Ecoin Launch Party. They are no longer accepting RSVPs but entrance will be allowed first-come, first-served, in a standby line that starts forming at 5. Prepare to enter the world of Mr. Robot in anticipation for the new season that airs October 11th.
You can also head over to Hudson Mercantile and check out RL Stine’s panel discussing anything and everything Goosebumps. Please note that this is an event which requires separate tickets and is not included as part of your NYCC pass. The nice thing about that, though, is that anyone without a Thursday pass can still access the panel.
Tired of panels and being around crowds of people? Venture toward Madison Square Gardens and you will stumble on a shopping and food utopia at the heart of New York City’s garment district. If you head down W 32nd past Broadway, you’ll find yourself in Little Korea. Enjoy everything the city has to offer before you head back to your hotel or air bnb to prepare for Friday’s events.
English