From October 6 to October 9, thousands of avid comic-book, anime, movie, and television show fans attended New York Comic Con at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. Attendees could sit in on panels, partake in interactive experiences, purchase items from vendors, meet their favorite comic-book artists and celebrities, and much more.

Imagine walking into an enormous building with multiple floors, countless people in costumes, a multitude of banners, and an endless amount of rooms with a variety of activities– this is the general atmosphere of the annual NYCC. At first it can be overwhelming; after all, the Javits Center covers about 840,000 square feet.  However, once attendees become situated and adjust to the hectic yet ebullient environment, they will always have something to keep them busy.

This year, numerous panels were held for various movies, television shows, and comics. Some panels were even held in different buildings, such as the Hammerstein Ballroom and Madison Square Garden, because there were so many panels scheduled. Fans were able to see exclusive footage from upcoming films and series, ask speakers questions, interact with comic-book artists in person, and participate in an abundance of activities.

Entertainment guest speakers included the cast members of Star Wars, Doctor Who, Once Upon a Time, Teen Wolf, Stranger Things, Shadowhunters, Sleepy Hollow, Gotham, Elementary, Resident Evil, Underworld, Timeless, Dark Matter, John Wick: Chapter 2, Power Rangers, and Daredevil. Bestselling authors and comic book artists for different DC and Marvel comics were also present. Most importantly, however, Stan Lee, comic-book writer and former president of Marvel Comics, made his final NYCC appearance this year.

Interactive experiences included trials for new video games, products, and virtual reality experiences. Some even focused on specific films such as John Wick: Chapter 2, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Star Trek, and Resident Evil.

Thousands of vendors were also present. The Vendors Area was so congested with people that it was difficult to move around and view all the merchandise, but there was merchandise for nearly every fandom imaginable. With books, Funko dolls, posters, apparel, and more, it was hard for any attendee to leave empty handed.

In the autographing and photo op areas, fans had the opportunity to meet their favorite actors and comic-book writers. They could talk to them in person, select items for them to sign, and take pictures with them to capture memories.

One of the best aspects of NYCC, however, is the cosplaying. Every year, the majority of attendees dress up as their favorite characters and some even spend months to perfect their costumes. Not only is this a way for fans to show off their creativity, but also it is a way for them to meet others in similar fandoms. Some celebrities even cosplay in order to walk around unnoticed and surprise fans.

The only setback that comes along with attending NYCC is the long lines. Lines for panels, vendors, food, signings and practically every activity are extremely lengthy, and sometimes people have to get in line hours in advance. This is why it is always important to plan before attending NYCC. Their website allows fans to mark each event they would like to attend and a personalized, printable schedule is created for their convenience. Nevertheless, these schedules do not take into account waiting times, so fans must pick and choose the events they genuinely do not want to miss. Many panels overlap each other, so it is crucial to prioritize, and often times fans need to attend more than one day to get through everything.

Despite this, NYCC is an event everyone should attend at least once in their lifetime. Seeing your favorite stars in person, meeting others with the same interests, engaging in unique activities, and being your favorite superhero or character for a day is simply an experience beyond compare.