STATEN ISLAND, NY — New York Comic Con is back in the Big Apple, and fans from Staten Island trekked across the Hudson River to Manhattan to experience the massive, annual vendor and celebrity event.
The event held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center has been welcoming guests from the five boroughs — and across the world — since 2006. According to CNBC, as of 2022 when the event welcomed over 200,000 fans, it is one of the most attended fan conventions in North America.
This year’s convention was held from Thursday, Oct. 9 , 2025 to Sunday, Oct. 12.
Among the components of Comic Con were thousands of vendors, pop up activations from entertainment companies such as Paramount and Nickelodeon, dozens of panels and discussions, gaming workshops and cosplay meet-ups. Although named ‘Comic Con,’ the event includes multiple fandoms, such as television, movie, anime, video game and literature.
NYC Ferry boats were filled to the brim Saturday morning with guests thrilled to be attending the celebration of the pop culture universe.
Enthusiastic Staten Islanders rocked capes, lightsabers, and wings while en route to the event.
Michael Olivares has been attending the convention for a few years now, but usually takes the bus because of the waves impact on the smaller ship.
“I’m there for the vendors, trying to see how much money I could rack out of my bank account,” Olivares mentioned. This year, he was also excited to see the voice actors for the “Metal Gear” video games, such as David Hayter, who is known for playing Solid Snake and Big Boss in the series, he said.
“I am definitely excited for Artist Alley and just seeing all the different types of cosplays and costumes that everyone’s going to wear, because everyone usually goes all out,” said Declan Malone, who was getting his own costume ready near the dock. “And I just really appreciate how it’s a safe space where everyone can dress up and it’s fun.”
De Shawn had been to many Cons before, but was still excited to see content for his favorite anime and get autographs.
“I would say I’m most excited for the My Hero Academia panel, yeah, and getting my Funko Pop signed from this guy, Aleks Le, who voices a main character in Solo Leveling,” he said, as he waited for the ferry with his friends. Solo Leveling is a South Korean fantasy web novel series that was later made into an animated television show.
While boarding, Robert Mattu shared that he has always been a big fan of cosplay, and was looking forward to seeing what the other New York Comic Con guests had to offer.
“I am mostly excited for cosplay, some merch, maybe I’ll check out some comics,” said Mattu, who was appropriately wearing an ‘I heart New York hoodie.’ “I really like cosplay. Cosplay is just so cool.”
One of his companions, retired NYPD officer Anthony Moon, was in cosplay, dressed as the A-Team’s B. A. Baracus, famously played by Mr. T in the 1980’s.
“It’s everything – it’s definitely better than every year before, and has only been getting better,” said Olivares.
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