New York Comic Con 2023: One Piece of The Big Apple You Will Love

It's New York Comic Con time again in the Big Apple, and the streets, stores, and subway stations around Hudson Yards, and the Javits Center turned colorful, whimsical, and fantastical for four days.

Approaching the venue and getting into the event feels every time like walking in a live-action remake of the popular cartoon show 'Drawn Together:' characters and protagonists from all sorts of comics, mangas, animes, movies, and video games mashed together in a mega multiverse.

This 2023 is set to beat last year's record attendance of more than 220,000 visitors for the four-day showcase of the most iconic IPs in the world, confirming the New York gathering as the largest fans event in the US.

Highlights of this year’s edition were the celebrations of 'Doctor Who’ and 'Guardians of the Galaxy that reached their peaks with the participation on stage of actors David Tennant (10th and 14th incarnation of the legendary Time Lord) and Will Poulter (the menacing Warlock in the Marvel's epic sci-fi saga centered around Starlord and his crew of misfits).

The roster of Hollywood celebrities who stormed the convention this year was impressive: Chris Evans, Ewan McGregor, Zachary Levi, Tim Curry, John Carpenter, Katee Sackhoff, and Michael Rooker, just to name a few.

On the comics and books side, living legend Frank Miller made his appearance, along with authors Christopher Paolini and Veronica Roth.

It's no secret that the American comic industry has been struggling for years, dominated and, in many instances, humiliated by the numbers and popularity of anime and mangas, a decline made worse and accelerated since the poison of 'Woke' ideology has corrupted so many traditional IPs and has irresponsibly antagonized the most genuine and passionate part of the fan base.

Recent signs (Disney, Marvel, DC, and Star Wars box office megaflops) are showing a possible turn of the tide, but the general feeling is that 'corporatism' and big bucks productions have maybe irremediably corrupted all main legacy content and a real rebirth can only come from a new wave of independent creators and creative.

The story is completely different on the anime and manga side, which is surrounded by general and sincere enthusiasm, recently boosted by the success of the live-action version of the animated series 'One Piece' on Netflix, which - with loyalty to the source material and respect of the core fan base - has gained unanimous praise and support. The show and its characters, especially Luffy, the protagonist, had many prominent stands, booths, and installations.

At the forefront of the Eastern side of entertainment, there were also the classic DragonBall and My Hero Academia.

But it wouldn't be real Comic Con without cosplayers, the fuel and soul of the fantastic energy of the convention.

The organizers have gone a long way to provide several spaces, initiatives, workshops, and competitions to give fans any chance to enjoy their passion, and the enthusiasm, creativity, and ability shown by many people are really incredible and involving.

Yet another great edition, and I am already thrilled to see what the Con will offer next year.

Article and photos by Joseph Ralph Fraia - jrfstudio.com - @jrfstudio