With COVID-19 vaccines rolling out and restrictions gradually getting lifted across New York State, it looks like New York Comic Con may return this fall. ReedPop, which organizes NYCC, has started reaching out to various companies to gauge interest in an in-person event, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The convention has a tentative date of October 7th through 10th. It will return to the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. At the same time, ReedPop is planning a virtual element to NYCC as well.
Last year, NYCC went totally virtual, as did San Diego Comic Con and other major conventions. Meanwhile, San Diego Comic Con has tentatively scheduled their 2021 in-person event for November 26th through 28th. This has sparked backlash, as Thanksgiving weekend occurs within these dates. Many people likely won’t give up what might be their first Thanksgiving with their family in a couple of years. Some artists have already said they won’t attend unless obligated.
Between the two, New York Comic Con doesn’t have the holiday scheduling issues that plague San Diego’s convention. However, in taking place in early October, it does run the risk of occurring when major events may not be ready to reopen. Currently, New York has repurposed the Javits Center as a major vaccine distribution site (got mine there today!). There is no word yet on when it will return to a standard convention hall. Therefore, it makes sense that NYCC and ReedPop want to hedge their bets with a tentative in-person event backed up by a virtual component if this falls through.
