by Joshua H. Stulman

This past week Brooklyn Comic Shop attended New York Comic Con 2018 held at the Jacob Javits Center. New York Comic Con is the second largest comic book convention in the world (San Diego is still # 1) and is a major platform to debuts comic, toys, video games, and media entertainment. This is a major pop culture event, absolutely impossible to cover everything! Here are just some highlights from New York Comic Con 2018.

Exclusives: There are always a ton of exclusives at New York Comic Con. Everything from Funko POP to Holo Foil Comics. This is a big part of what people wait to see so let’s get right to it!

1) DC Primal Age “Ice Mode” Mister Freeze NYCC Variant

This NYCC saw the debut of DC Primal Age, a Retro He-Man inspired version of the DC Universe. The line is made by Funko and is available for Pre-Order on Amazon. However Funko, released a special exclusive “Ice Mode” variant of Mister Freeze only for NYCC!

2) Batman/Maxx # 1 (Jim Lee Sketch Cover)

A Jim Lee Sketch Variant cover to Sam Kieth’s Batman/The Maxx: Arkham Dreams was available at the IDW Booth. The reclusive artist, Sam Kieth, was on hand to sign copies of his newest work. This was a rare convention appearance by one of the most unique styled artists of the 90’s.

3) Outcast Last Days Art Print SIGNED by Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead)

Robert Kirkman announced the series’ final story arc of his co-created horror series with Paul Azaceta, OUTCAST. The final arc will kick off in December with issue #37. Kirkman was on hand at the Image booth signing an exclusive art print.

4) Batman: The Animated Series Blue Ray Poster SIGNED by the Cast

Batman The Animated Series Cast was on hand at the DC Comics Booth. Animator/creators, Bruce Timm & Eric Radomski, and the voice acting cast including Kevin Conroy (Batman) Loren Lester (Robin/Nightwing), Tara Strong (Harley Quinn/Batgirl), and Diane Pershing (Poison Ivy) were in attendance to promote the BTAS Series Remastered to Blue Ray.

5) Venom: The First Host # 1 Clayton Crain Scorpion Comics exclusive and Virgin Variant

Scorpion Comics debuted two exclusive Venom covers for Venom: The First Host # 1. The artwork by Clayton Crain is an homage cover to Todd McFarlane’s iconic Amazing Spider-Man # 300. Both variant  covers are exclusive to Scorpion Comics, however the virgin copy (without the typography) was produced in much limited edition. Both these comics have been hand-Signed by the artist, Clayton Crain.

Signed Comics: New York Comic Con is great at bringing out some of the hottest and sought after comic creators both past and present. Artist Alley is always packed with tons of Marvel, DC and Independent Creators. However the top comic legends sometimes only appear at limited booth signing set up by DC and Marvel.

Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead Creator)- Robert Kirkman is the creator and writer for the Walking Dead, Invincible, and Outcast comic series. He is the founder of Skybound Entertainment and rarely makes comic book convention appearances outside of San Diego and New York Comic Cons. He was signing at the Image Booth at a ticketed event.

Todd McFarlane (Venom & Spawn Co-Creator)- One of the most regarded artists of the 1990’s, McFarlane has transformed himself from artist to entreprenuer millionaire. Co-founder of Image Comics, McFarlane went on to found Mcfarlane Toys as well as produce an HBO Award winning animated series for Spawn as well as feature film. McFarlane signed at the Image Booth in a ticketed event as well as a few limited signings during NYCC.

Frank Miller (Batman: The Dark Knight, 300, Sin City Creator)- Frank Miller helped transform the comic medium both in art style and tone. Both Batman and Daredevil movies and Netflix TV series rely heavily on his stories. He is the creator of 300 and Sin City, which have received movie adaptions as well the director of The Spirit. Miller’s highly coveted signing was at the Dark Horse booth.

To Check Out Our Other SIGNED EXCLUSIVES: CLICK HERE

Toy News:

Tons and tons of toy news and way to little space to cover it. Everything from Funko Pop, Transformers, Star Wars and more! For all the Toy and Action Figure pics CLICK HERE

1) She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

She Ra had a large pressence at NYCC. She returns with an all different animated series on Netflix. There was an over-life size statue of She Ra right at the entrance as well as the debut of She-Ra animated 6″ figures by Super7. The figures are scheduled for retail release and feature 6 points of articulation.

2) He-Man Masters Of The Universe Classics

Super7 continues to produce 6″ scale He-Man figures. These are modern styled figures based on the original animated designs. The much sought after He-Man and Skeletor Filmation styled figures will see a re-release with classic packaging and new accessories (and heads). Super7 also showed their newest wave of classics that feature animated accurate versions of She Ra, Grizzlor, Mantenna, and Fisto!

3) DC Primal Age by Funko

Didn’t get enough He-Man yet? Funko’s big reveal at NYCC was their new Primal Age series of He-Man inspired versions of the DC Universe. The first wave includes barbarian retro versions of Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, King Shark, Aguaman, Joker, Scarecrow and Mister Freeze. There are already two battle beasts, and a Batcave playset too! These are only available for pre-order on Amazon.

Cosplay / Costumes:

Cosplay and Costumes have been a long standing tradition at comic con. Whether its fun Dino-Super Mario or sexy Poison Ivy, there are always great costumes. For pics of our favorites CLICK HERE

Movie News:

1) Aquaman

Aquaman was huge at NYCC! With the movie debut December 21, DC hit New York Comic Con strong with a huge display of the movie costumes and props, exclusive comics, and even a lifesize Lego statue! The event was timed with the release of the extended trailer for Aquaman, which had the whole showfloor abuzz with talk of the new movie.

2) Spawn

Todd McFarlane took the stage to give fans more insight into the Spawn movie. The concept is to have Spawn develop over a three part movie series. The first installment will focus on Twitch and the police coming to grips with the existence of Spawn. McFarlane describes the movie as a hard “R” with an emphasis on horror. The script is currently being reviewed by the principal actors (Jeremy Renner and Jamie Foxx) for revisions, with Gregg Nicotero (Walking Dead costume designer) on board. The Spawn movie is slowly picking up pace, as McFarlane continues to fight in Hollywood against the stereotyped novelty of the Super-hero genre. He said that it’s hard to wrap Hollywood execs around an R rated comic based movie. McFarlane says he isn’t interested in using the movie as a tool to sell merchandise and toys. For him its more important to bringing his vision to life. He admits that his vision of Spawn has evolved over the years is not the same as his comic debut. However, he warned to keep on the look out for traditional Spawn villains and characters to pop up in the subsequent films.

Check Out Tons and Tons of pics from New York Comic Con on our Facebook, CLICK HERE