NYCC Day 2 'Lightsabres and Dildos'.

Day Two of my trip was the first day of the NYCC proper. It began with a power breakfast for myself, Matt and Natasha. We then began the long walk down the hill to the Javitts Centre. Thursdays are the quietest day of the Con but don't let that fool you it is still a madhouse.

TV properties fight for your attention in the car park, roadway and lobby even before you reach the main halls. Ash vs The Evil Dead and South Park (now on its 20th season) have a big presence in the outside loading bays. Inside we see banner and stall after banner and stall for mainstream non comics nonsense like Teen Wolf and Back Sails.

The main hall was as usual full of the normal cosplay bellends. Matt and I ruminated if any of the light sabres on show had even been inserted in a body cravity whilst turned on and glowing (and making that annoying noise). Listen, each to their own but what the fig is wrong with some of these people? Strangely it's the ones with no shoes on that have me wondering the most. No shoes in Manhattan?

(And strangely this guy had his wife and family with him - who were not in costume......)

So with a blagged pro pass hanging round my neck I headed into the main hall before the smelly crowd of 'normal' punters made it into the halls.

The back issue section sits to the north end of the main hall right next to the original art tables. I grabbed a bag load of black and white magazines and found a couple of real gems for a cheap price.

I then headed over to Artists Alley. In a building attached to the main halls but with a nice separate and less crazy feel this is definitely the place to be for the weekend. We spent some great time chatting to Jim Mahfood and it was superb to see Matt Harrower showing the mighty Mahfood some of his art. Jim Mahfood combines being a really talented artist who is full of original ideas to tell a story with being a great bloke. He had a table next to Dave Crosland who I grabbed an excellent Batman print from.

You can find more about Jim Mahfood at www.jimmahfood.com and Dave Crosland at www.davecrosland.com

Got some time chatting to Jason and Vince from 11 O'Clock comics and gave them a give of some UK comics as well as that hard to find Prog 2000 of 2000AD. This is a great podcast that I have listened to for years now. The guys are hugely enthusiastic about comics and chat with real insight and thought. Have a listen at www.11oclockcomics.com

I then got to buy a copy of Gabriel Hardman's new horror comic 'Belfry' and grabbed another copy for my Awesome Comics Pod bro' Vince (as pictured). He and his better half Corinna Bechko are at the absolute top of their game and this new book looks great. 

Find more about Gabriel at www.gabrielhardman.com and Corinna at www.corinnabechko.com

Got to buy the first Power Man / Iron Fist new trade from Sanford Greene and meet the man who is turning into a huge fan favourite. Spoton stuff.

I got to spend some time place holding for Marc Laming and his equally talented table mate Brent Schoonover. Laming has some great news coming up and really killed it recently on the Star Wars adaption! 

You can finf Mr L on Twitter talking comics @monkey__marc

Tash even managed some sketching of The Ghost Who Walks whilst Marc was away hobnobbing it elsewhere in Artists Alley!

Throughout the weekend it is going to be great to chat to Brent Schoonover. I really enjoyed his recent Ant Man work and he has been kicking out some gorgeous sketches all day. (He has even listened to the Awesome Comics Podcast!! - I apologised for this trauma!)

Yoou can find more great art over at www.brentschoonover.com

I got to head over to finally meet up with the crazy maniacs from Man vs Rock. Absolutely brilliant company. They are a force of nature and I got to hear their enthusiastic sales patter. Buy this book before they either the world hears how good it is and Hollywood snap it up or the authorities catch up with them!

Head over and read some online at www.manvsrock.com

And yes, I have been using their cup holder!

I then headed over to the Image booth and got to continue my chat with Bob Fingerman. He was signing the two recent Minimum Wage. I got a copy for Matt and Tash has promised to have a read too. 

Myself and Matt rounded the day off with a trip to Midtown Comics near Times Square - hell, it's not as if we have enough comics?

Day 2 was an absolute blast! Tash kicked my ass in the step challenge (a measly 29,000 to her 33,000). We are becoming quite competative.

Roll on Day 3!

(I am already quite pooped :)