by Joshua H. Stulman

FanFaire is one of those New York based comic cons that is often overshadowed by the much larger New York Comic Con in the Fall or Big Apple Comic Con in Spring. FanFaire is a small convention, about as small as you can get by literally taking place in a school gym and cafeteria. But it’s not just any school, its the High School of Art and Design…and that makes all the difference.

This past February I attended FanFaire NYC 2020 for the first time. I had heard alot about the convention in years past, but I couldn’t resist attending this year after hearing that David Mazzucchelli would be holding a rare signing. How “rare” is rare? Well, the last time I met David Mazzucchelli was 8 years ago at New York Comic Con 2012 and I don’t believe he’s been at a convention since then.

But its all for a good cause! Turns out FanFaire NYC is organized by the school’s PTA as a fundraiser. Even better, the High School of Art and Design has a legendary alumni list of comic creators going back to the 1930’s. Comic Legends include Neal Adams, Carmine Infantino (Flash creator), John Romita , Alex Toth, Joe Orlando, Art Spiegelman, Joe Madureira and many more. The school’s alumni list reads like a “Who’s Who” in the comic industry. And because of this, comic industry alumni always make it back for this special convention, which serves as a defacto high school reunion! Where else can you hear stories of Sol Harrison in the 1970’s, leaving the DC offices in midtown to chat with students about comics in the school’s cafeteria during lunch?!

The three big names that headlined FanFaire NYC 2020 this year were David Mazzucchelli, Klaus Janson (pictured above drawing a Spider-Man head sketch as part of my Amazing Spider-Man #400 project), and Neal Adams (who signed my X-Men # 1 jam piece, below). All were signing with proceeds going to support artist grants for high school students.

Along with comic signings and vendor/artist booths, FanFaire NYC also offered a wide variety of presentations and workshops. The arts faculty at the High School presented on the school’s intro program for incoming students, Tattoo artists had a Q/A in another room, while David Mazzucchelli and Klaus Janson gave back to back workshop presentations on story telling and inking.

Other events included Star Wars Cosplay, a Retro-Gaming Center, and of course home baked delicacies by the school PTA!

The convention was well attended and lasted the weekend, with Saturday being the best day to attend. Overall, I’m glad I had a chance to attend this low key but very unique comic convention. I’ll definitely be checking FanFaire NYC out from now on!

Joshua H. Stulman

Owner, Brooklyn Comic Shop