What To Do & See At New York Comic-Con!

This weekend brings us another New York Comic Con, expanding over four full days for the first time ever. An extra day means more panels and more time in one of my favorite Con Dealer's Rooms around. So what should you make sure to do and see with your time? Here's our handy guide, after the jump!

Thursday

Since this is the first time the Con will be open on Thursday, the programming is rather light, focusing on digital comics, getting video games in libraries and comics in classrooms and working in 3D, capped with a NYCC Kick Off concert in the IGN theater at 7:30. I will spending most of my day perusing the Dealer's Room. Here's a quick rundown of some booths I'm hitting up first.

Image
Booth #1346
Who will be the first to buy Robert Kirkman's Governor back story graphic novel? Me.

Entertainment Earth #644
They will be selling a TARDIS tin lunch box. I will be buying this for a friend of mine for birthday times. VICTORY!

Quirk Books #1732
One of my favorite booths year to year at NYCC. Quirk Books makes great stuff and always has new wares to show off when NYCC rolls around. Be sure to stop by here for some great Holiday gift material.

2K Games #2806
They make Bioshock. I will be there.

Geek Treats Bakery #2044
With a name like that, how could I NOT check it out?!

Harper Collins #944
Your chance to pick up a copy of Geek Girls Unite!

Her Universe #111
Battlestar Toaster necklace! Why so awesome! Con exclusive!

Ubisoft #1322/1338
I'm hoping for some Assassin's Creed: Revelations action. At E3, we only got to watch a demo of the single player, so here's hoping there is some hands on goodness available for the main campaign this time.

Girls Drawing Girls #O1
I always love the artwork at this booth, and this year they will be selling GirlsDrawinGirls Vol. 4: The Way Nature Made Her - 83 artists and 174 pages worth of awesome, their first book of the hardcover variety.

Marvel #654
Avengers giveaways?! Yes please?! At the very least, expect Eruditechick to school some kid in the Marvel debates like she did two years ago.

Mighty Wallet #778
DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I HAVE WANTED ONE OF THESE WALLETS?! WINNNNN!

Kill Shakespeare #2844
The popular Shakespeare mash up series releases its second volume

Tony Moore #X1
I haven't even seen Tucker and Dale vs Evil yet, but I'm positive I will love it. Here, Tony Moore is selling exactly 100 prints of his poster for the film, signed of course.

Friday

10:30am - 11:30am
“Once Upon a Time” Exclusive Screening and Panel
1A06

In case you missed the screening and panel at Comic-Con or D23, Kitsis and Horowitz are at it again! Since I did in fact miss it both of those times, I'm gonna try my damndest to make it this time.

11am-12pm
Be Your Own Publisher: Making Comics with Kickstarter
1A15

More and more, Kickstarter is becoming the best way possible to get a passion project funded. I'm currently backing 12 projects and no, not all of them are just my friends. If you are working on something cool and the rewards interest me enough, chances are I will throw money your way. Here, a bunch of professionals give you tips on how to get your own work funded.

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Batman: Arkham City
IGN Theater

YAAAAAAY! So excited for this game. I hear it's amazing. Because duh. Because omg. Because yessss. Kevin Conroy will be on hand along with other special guests to take a look at the new game, PLUS there will be prizes. I can has Batman: Arkham City?!

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Felicia Day Spotlight
1A06

If you've ever wanted to hear Felicia Day speak, now's your chance! Clever, opinionated, well spoken and all around a delight, she's the Fangirl Queen. I'm secretly hoping someone asks about the background of the "Joss Whedon Dance Party". It's become Comic-Con legend that wherever Joss and Felicia are, a dance party will soon follow, and I'm curious to know when and how they discovered their mutual love of dancin' crazy.

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Jane Espenson's Husbands --A Marriage of Experience and New Media
1A24

Jane Espenson, Brad Bell and the cast of the new web series Husbands get together to discuss the show and the decision to put it on the web. Espenson is a goddess and based on her Twitter feed, is ecstatic about this new project. Should be a lively and interesting hour.

12:45 pm - 1:15 pm
Wand Dueling
Hasbro Stage

Watch professionals demonstrate the wand combat used in Harry Potter and teach the audience some moves along the way! I used to be certified in hand to hand and broadsword combat and also, am obsessed with the Potter, so this is all kinds of up my alley.

2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
Food and Comics Panel with Wylie Dufresne
1A15

EXCUSE ME?! I have no idea what this could possibly mean, but I want it. I want it now. I want to eat it.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
DC Universe Animated Original Movies gives an early look at Batman: Year One, Catwoman & Justice League: Doom
IGN Theater

DC Animation creates consistently wonderful work and I absolutely cannot wait for their take on Batman: Year One. Here, there will be scoop, footage, a Q&A with a few gods of the DC Animated Universe including Bruce Timm and Kevin Conroy, prizes and of course, surprises.

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Star Wars Crafts with Bonnie Burton
1B03

Bonnie wrote the book on Star Wars craft-making. Literally. I've been meaning to check out one of her workshops at a Convention for so long and I think this year it's actually going to happen.

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The Never-Ending Battle (A PBS Documentary) Exclusive Preview Episode
1B01

What this is?!

A new documentary on the history of comic book superheroes produced by the filmmakers behind the award-winning Make 'Em Laugh and Broadway: The American Musical, scheduled for the 2012-2013 PBS season

The first episode will be aired during this time. Yes please!

5:15 pm - 6:00 pm
Robot Chicken
IGN Theater

Robot Chicken has become a true staple of New York Comic Con over the years. A reliable good time, I always make a point of seeing Seth Green and the Chicken team at NYCC, even though I never can fit them in my schedule in San Diego. If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing them on stage yet, seize this opportunity!

6:15 pm - 8:30 pm
Comedy Central
1A22

Right after Robot Chicken, run on over to 1A22 for a South Park celebration! See clips from the doc, eat cheesy poofs, play South Park trivia to walk away with memorabilia and more.

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jay and Silent Bob Get Old
IGN Theater

Live podcast recording of Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes' Jay and Silent Bob Get Old. If you're a fan of the podcast, this is a must attend.

Saturday

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Buffy and Angel Present: Dark Horse Does Vampires Right!
1A15

A bunch of Dark Horse writers/creators/artists discuss their vampire titles of old and new, plus everyone in the audience gets a copy of Angel & Faith #1! I'm a huge Buffy comic fan, so expect to see me there.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Terra Nova
IGN Theater

A recent addition to the NYCC line up, this panel will feature Jason O'Mara, Stephen Lang, Brannon Braga and a look at next week's episode. I'm not entirely sold on this show yet, but am open to being convinced.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Attack the Block
1A22

Director Joe Cornish and star John Boyega will be on hand to discuss the film and take a look at the DVD/Blu-Ray being released on October 25th. Why they aren't in IGN is beyond me. Expect the line for this one to be long. If you want to get in, try to get there early.

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
A Liar's Autobiography
IGN Theater

Monty Python + Animation + 3D + Mature Audience Only = WTF?!/Must See. This film is described as "celebrating the uproarious and often sexually charged life and times of the late Graham Chapman" featuring "Graham’s own words from an audio recording of his book" and "the voice talents of fellow Monty Python members John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and others." Yeah. Gotta see what this is about.

2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
Nikita Special Video Presentation and Q&A
IGN Theater

I may not watch Nikita, but I know folks who do and I have a major girl crush on Lyndsy Fonesca, who will be there in person, along with Maggie Q and Shane West. Expect previews of season two, a fun Q&A, and Lyndsy Fonesca being the prettiest person ever.

3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
John Landis & Monsters in the Movies
1A03

John Landis talks about the content in his new book, Monsters in the Movies, moderated by horror expert, Fangoria's Tony Timpone. If horror is your thing, this panel is for you.

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Ghost Rider – Spirit of Vengeance
IGN Theater

Ghost Rider is getting a reboot of sorts, in what promises to be a slightly darker, grittier take on the Marvel character, more in line with what's been written on the page than what the first Ghost Rider film did with the popular anti-hero. But with Nicolas Cage still starring, the film should hopefully retain at least a little bit of that signature Cage ridiculousness as well. See for yourself when the directors present some footage, marking the first time ever that 3D is utilized in the IGN theater.

4:45 pm - 5:45 pm
Big Quiz Thing
Hasbro Stage

GAH! Oh Big Quiz Thing. I love you so much. Why are you scheduled at the only time I can't participate in you?! If you don't make it in IGN in time for Ghost Rider/Walking Dead/Avengers, don't fret! Instead, go win some badass prizes showing off your trivia of all things geeky at The Big Quiz Thing: NYCC Edition. I will give a big hug to anyone who writes down all the questions for me so I can play along on my own at a later time.

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Womanthology
1A23

Speaking of Kickstarter, one of the most successful bits of fundraising to come from the system is Womanthology. Originally aiming to raise $25,000, the fan support for this giant book featuring original works by a variety of female writers and artists was so overwhelming, that the project made quadruple its goal. Again, if you don't make it into IGN, here's something extremely worthy of your time you could hit up instead.

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm
AMC's The Walking Dead
IGN Theater

The day before the season two premiere, Robert Kirkman, cast and producers will get together to show a sneak peak and discuss the AMC hit with its most loyal fans. Or, as the case may be, the most loyal Avengers fans (see below). The show has been through some turmoil this year, and this will be their first appearance since all this Darabont business went down. Expect that, and whether or not Michonne makes an appearance in the next 13 episodes, to be hot topics.

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
MARVEL STUDIOS: Marvel’s The Avengers
IGN Theater

THE event of New York Comic Con 2011. Get in line EARLY. Avengers skipped out on Comic-Con this year in favor of the Dog and Pony show that was D23. Here, finally, we can expect some dialogue back and forth between some key Avengers players including Chris Evans, Tom Hiddleston, Cobie Smulders, Kevin Feige and some surprises, along with some brand new footage. I'm most excited for the Q&A with this group! Finally!

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Masquerade
IGN Theater

Masquerades used to be my favorite parts of Conventions, but in the past several years, it's become more and more difficult to ever actually make it to them. Which is why I'm making it a mission to check this Masquerade out this year and see what the New York cosplayers deliver.

Sunday

10:00 am - 11:00 am
Conan Spotlight with Jason Momoa, Stephen Lang & Rose McGowan
1A22

I'm pretty confused overall by this panel. Conan came out and the DVD isn't coming out anytime soon, right? So it's just like, hanging out with the cast? Of a movie that bombed? I mean, they all are involved in other interesting projects right now, so is this just an excuse to get them together? I don't know, but Jason Momoa is a riot and this will be the first time the cast is on stage with one another at a Convention, so it should be interesting in any event.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Geek Parenting: Raising Kids in Our Own Geeky Image
1B03

Granted, I don't plan on being a parent ANYTIME soon, but this something I often wonder about. How and when do I expose my children to the things I love? What is the appropriate age for Star Wars or Harry Potter? When are video games okay? And comics? SO MANY QUESTIONS! Whatever. I'm so going and so taking notes for the future.

12:45 pm - 2:15 pm
Grave Encounters
1B01

A ghost-hunting reality show crew finds themselves lost in a labyrinth of terror when they film an episode of their series in an abandoned psychiatric hospital, slipping deeper and deeper into the depths of madness.

Yeah. I'm in. This film made a splash at Comic-Con when it appeared alongside Tucker & Dale vs Evil at the At The Drive In panel, and now they take the stage solo to promote the found found footage horror movie. I've heard great things about this one and wonder with a time slot this long, if they are screening the entire film. If so, maybe someone will bump them over to IGN?

That about does it for us. Are you checking out NYCC this weekend? If so, what are you most excited for? Stay turned to Film.com for updates throughout the weekend and be sure to find me on Twitter at Loquaciousmuse for as much live tweeting as you can stand.