Livin’ Large in the Big Apple

June 8, 2008 on 5:06 am | In Comic Cons, Comics, Life in NY | No Comments

New York is called the Big Apple, mostly because in the early part of its existence the entire island was overgrown with one giant apple tree known as “Milbojog,” a Dutch word meaning “the killer apple tree.” It’s a totally cool story, and I’ll be sure to tell you more about it once I make some more of it up.

The Big Apple is also the name of the New York City comic convention, now held twice a year (down from 5 of previous years). And I, being a servant of the comic people, decided to report on this event for Wizard (at length, so feel free to read some and come back later). Now, I’m not much of a reporter, I’m more of a snarky jackass, but with everything there’s an upside and a downside and I shall try to be fair and balanced.

As much as I can.

The Big Apple Con is not big, despite the name. It’s three floors in Penn Plaza and the main floor is a tightly-squeezed combination of comic and toy dealers, DVD bootleggers, artists, celebrities, and only the occasional costume. Yeah, usually there are about 4 slave Leias, nine Jokers, and more anime characters than you can shake a fur-covered stick at, but since this was a dealer’s con, not many outfits.

Still there were a few.

I thought that Sora (from the Nightmare Before Christmas level of Kingdom Hearts) was a clever costume, especially since my girlfriend Katie and I just beat the first Kingdom Hearts game. Clap clap clap, I applaud.

Then there was Snake Eyes who didn’t get the memo that you’re supposed to leave your books in your locker before going out on a mission.

Oh, and then there was fanny pack Venom. Just like the real Venom, except needs to keep his change and maybe his insulin close by.

In fact, it was kind of like the costumes were an afterthought. The con attendees weren’t the cute fanboys and girls who bop around bigger cons, these were mostly large (in girth) dudes who were more than happy to yell at creators for art choices they didn’t like. Even the Stormtrooper costumes were kept to a minimum.