This year's New York Comic Con sneaked up on me while I was deep in an overdue site cleanup. So I did what any reasonably agile editor would and asked a few illustrators to share their thoughts on the city's annual marketplace for sequential art. Drum roll please!!!!

Hey Peggy,

Yeah, I'm definitely coming to New York this week. I'l be signing at the Dark Horse booth Friday and Sunday for Pigeons From Hell, a trade paperback that just came out. During the rest of the weekend I'll be at the Cadence Comic Art, booth #2266.

This show is different than San Diego Comic-Con but almost as huge and crazy. New York still has the Hollywood, mainstream comics and gaming stuff dominating the floor events. But at Artist's Alley, the alternative art and comics talent you can meet in person is great and completely accessible.

Considering the times and the stresses these days, people will hopefully be up for some great narrative talent and a fun escape into comic book art land. Plus the storm troopers, half naked heroines and odd ball ‘fandomaniacs' (cheeky costumes required) always offer a good basketful of Nerd Eye-Candy. Besides, it's in New York. The awesomest of awesome either live and work there or make their way to the convention for those three holiest of comic holy days. Its all about comics.

If you can make it, swing on down,

Nathan

Artist Nathan Fox is on his way in from St. Louis as we publish. He will give a talk on comics, with artist Becky Cloonan, moderated by Fernanda Cohen, at Society of Illustrators on Tuesday, February 10, 6:30 pm. Please check the website for information and tickets.

Good morning Peggy,

Watching New York Comic Con grow by leaps and bounds has been a great ride. I once participated in the San Diego Comic-Con International and experienced the enormity of that event, so when I heard that a similar convention was coming to New York, I went for it. (The website, by the way, states that "New York Comic Con is not affiliated with any other comic convention event having Comic Con in its name" but that isn't clear to casual viewers.)

The first New York Comic Con, in 2006, was a surprise to everyone, including the organizers; they couldn't accommodate the crowd that showed up and had to refund tickets. I was among the many stuck outside on the pavement. I felt like a three-year-old who couldn't get the candy he wanted most. But the following year I was better prepared and arrived with professional credentials in time for the industry preview.

As an artist, I find this celebration of sequential art inspirational. But far from the romantic fan-at-heart emotions that can overtake you when you first walk in, I found Comic Con important for career development. The Young Readers divisions of the top publishing houses were there, their reps eager to talk shop. Independent toy producers, small comic book companies, competition organizers and game developers looking for submissions, and magazine editors searching for content were everywhere. Most important, they come from across the country and around the globe, making this the best networking event of its kind on the East coast.

Last year my graphic novel, Plug in the Quest for Mug, was sold at the Baby Tattoo Books booth. At a book signing I met great people and for the first time I tasted life on the other side of the table. It was not only fans, students, friends and family that came through but librarians, collectors, writers and gallerists. Oh, and lots of people in costume. This year I made a limited edition book especially for the event, and I couldn't think of a better audience than this one for its debut.

As art school faculty, I urge my students to attend. They get both sides of the story, from mainstream publishers in impressively outfitted booths to the indies and individuals showing their one-offs in Artists' Alley.  It can be a sobering and motivating experience for someone who wants to be in that arena foliowing school. The quality of work on view can be humbling - and I'm a firm believer in the power of constructive jealousy.

See you there,

Viktor

New York based artist Viktor Koen is on the faculty of the MFA Illustration program at the School of Visual Arts.

Hi Peggy,

I'm jumping from the origins of The New York Times Op-Ed page in the 70s - a lecture I moderated last night at Society of Illustrators - straight into the craziness of New York's Comic Con convention weekend. What a relief!

One of the announcements from the extravaganza started with "Meet the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." Now if that's not catchy enough or it's a little too out there for you, you can also check out the cast of "Live on Mars" and J.J. Abrams' "Fringe," both making special appearances over the weekend

But Comic Con is not just another bunch of civilized panels, book signings, famous people, poppy merchandising and amazing screenings. No, no, this event has also turned into the ultimate Halloween-style showcase for over-the-top fans who'll dress up like Wonder Woman, Superman, Lord of the Rings and even Mr. T to express their passions.

Comic Con has also exceeded its own expectations, I think, and somehow turned into the perfect combo for anyone who's releasing a genre movie in the States: a marriage between Cannes and Sundance - but with a touch of freak parade. What more could you ask for?

Well, I hope to see you there tomorrow.

Fernanda

Fernanda Cohen, a regular DART contributor, is a Brooklyn-based artist who works in advertising, editorial, fashion, and window display. She is a member of the MFA Illustration Department faculty at the School of Visual Arts and is currently programming events for the Society of Illustrators.

And this just in from Peter Kuper:

Hi Peggy,

I'll be at New York Comic Con this year in Artist's Alley, table J 0. I'll have lots of original art (including Spy vs Spy) and books available - and I'll be signing posters for The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

I'll also be on a couple of panels:

Rough Guide to Graphic Novels Fri. 4:45 RM 1A17, and Graphic Novels and Academic Acceptance, Friday, February 6th in Panel Room 6 (1A18) from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.

Hope to see you there
Peter

Peter Kuper, a regular contributor to DART, is a New York based illustrator whose work has appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines, including Mad, where he has drawn Spy vs. Spy for over a decade. Peter's recent books include his coming-of-middle-age graphic novel, Stop Forgetting To Remember, and a compilation of his work for Spy vs. Spy.

New York Comic Con runs from February 6 - 8 at Jacob Javits Center, NYC. Please check the website for information.