New York City has been one of the most popular locations for comic fandom, hosting major shows year round. It started with the first comic con on July 24, 1964 when around 100 fans met at the Workman’s Circle Building located on 4th Avenue near Union Square in a large open hall in the Circle Building to the 1965. Next was the Academy of Comic-Book Fans and Collectors convention at New York's Broadway Central Hotel, then the first Phil Seuling NY Comic Art Convention to the Creation Conventions, founded originally in 1971 by Gary Berman and Adam Malin. The 1980s saw the Fred Greenberg Great Eastern conventions. Now, we have the Big Apple Con.

One of the driving forces in New York shows has been Mike Carbonaro, a fixture in the world of comics for most of his life. In 1996, Carbonaro, Vincent Zurzolo, and Vince Gulla, created a substitute event for the canceled Greenberg show creating the first Big Apple Convention in the basement of the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The success of that show lead to other Big Apple shows, now run solely by Carbonaro. These shows attract many comics creators and pop culture figures.

In 2009, the Big Apple Comic Con was bought out by Wizard Entertainment, with Carbonaro as a senior adviser. In 2014, he regained the right to run shows under the Big Apple name and scheduled the “20th Anniversary Return of the Big Apple Convention” which was held Saturday, March 7, 2015. Now once again at the Penn Plaza, the latest Big Apple Con was held on Saturday, March 5, 2016.

As with all Big Apple shows, there was a noticeable excitement in the air. The lines to get in were very long and the aisles were so packed that it made it difficult to move through them. Buyers crowded around dealer tables and cosplay was found everywhere.

As with last year, many long time regular dealers were in attendance at their traditional booth locations on the floor. There was a very good dealer turnout with Metropolis Comics, Superworld Comics, Gary Dolgoff Comics, Harley Yee Rare Comics, Kryptonite Comics, Dave's American Comics, Brandon and Robin Faulkner, Anthony’s Comic Book Art, Dan Gallo's Comic Art Shop, and many others.

The hallmark for a successful convention today is variety and there was plenty of that at the Big Apple. From dollar books to the most expensive issues, like Action Comics #1, Batman #1, and many others, collectors had a varied choice of comics to add to their collections. Graphic novels and independent comics were available for sale as were other items as varied as the latest superhero toys and a nice selection of pop culture clothing, posters and jewelry all of which rounded out a packed dealer’s room.

As with any Big Apple show there were many media guests in attendance. They included Lori Petty (Tank Girl), Karyn Parsons (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Laurance Mason (The Crow), Jason David Frank (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), The Nasty Boys (pro wrestlers), and Debbie Rochon (Tromeo and Juliet) among others. 

Some of the many comic artists and creators who were there signing autographs and doing sketches included Neal Adams (Batman), Jim Steranko (Captain America), Rich Buckler (All Star Squadron), Sean Chen (Iron Man), Ramona Fradon (Wonder Woman), Dave Fox (Satan’s Prep), Joe England (Zebra Girl), A. Jordan Booth (The Jazz Age), Danny Fingeroth (Superman), and David Lloyd (V for Vendetta), among others.

Comic cons panels have been an integral part of the con experience and as always this Big Apple show was no exception. There was The Merchandising of Star Wars with Kevin Leill and Robert V. Conte, sponsored by NY Wintercon; followed by Fifty Years Ago Today - Comics in 1966 run by Fingeroth and Peter Sanderson, sponsored by Dave & Adams' Card World; then came The Year of the Panther which was run by Dr. William Foster, sponsored by Dave & Adams' Card World; and The Year of the Bat was run by Arlen Schumer, sponsored by Dave & Adams' Card.

More than ever, cosplay is an important part of any comic con experience. There has always been a strong turnout of cosplayers at Big Apple shows and this latest one was no exception. At Marvel and DC Cosplay photoshoot was held 4:30 PM, sponsored by the NY Wintercon. Then at 5:15 PM Captain Zorikh's Costume Contest and costume photoshoot was held. This was followed by a Jedi performance and instruction exhibition, sponsored by the Garden City Comic Con.

Unfortunately, the dealer room was once again too warm and the elevator was not working, both a frequent and unfortunate feature of the Penta. All in all, the show was a successful return of what has become a New York institution for fans, dealers and professionals.

The next Big Apple Con has already been scheduled for March 5, 2017 – which may be a two-day event. Stay tuned to the Big Apple website for updates on the show.

Contributed by Collector and Overstreet Advisor Art Cloos
Photographs by Alice Cloos