Loot Crate July 2015 Review - "Heroes 2" Box

Today I received this month's Loot Crate, and it was a little worse for wear.

Ouch.

It's a beautiful day outside, so I sat on my porch to see what treasures the box held. The theme this month is "Heroes 2," which is a sequel to last August's "Heroes" crate.

Loot Crate Exclusive TV Series Batman Figure (Q-Pop) - This is the centerpiece item of the box. It features Batman, Adam West style, perched on a gargoyle, batarang in hand. It's a pretty solid weight, with a round base that means it's definitely for show, not for play. The box also includes a small speech bubble and dry-erase marker so that you can set up your own comic book scenarios...

...like this (featuring the inside-out box).

Value - $19.95 (from QMx's website)

Batarang Keychain/Multi-tool (Paladone) - In keeping with the Batman theme, there's this pretty awesome keychain that includes a bottle opener and two separate screwdriver heads. It's pretty heavy and a little pointy, so I wouldn't suggest taking it through airport security!

Value - $8.83 (on popcultcha.com)

Loot Crate Exclusive Hardcover Book (Quirk Books) - This was the item that I was most excited for. I love reading, and when the Loot Crate emails promised their first ever hardcover book, I was all over that. The book seems to include superheroes from the ages that the world tried to forget (until they could remember them in this hilarious book)

Value - $12.79 (on Amazon)

Wonder Woman Poster (DC Bombshells)- It's not very big (maybe 9x9 inches), but the print is nice quality, and if you like DC superheroes and WWII propaganda posters, this is for you.

Value - $5.00 (estimated - larger verions sell for $14.99 on ThinkGeek)

Star Trek Vanilla-Scented Air Freshener - This one has me really torn. As much as I love Star Trek, and it would be great to remember the great Leonard Nimoy every time I drive to work, I'm not a big fan of air fresheners on principal. My car still has that beautiful new car smell too, and I'm not in a hurry to get rid of it.

Value - $1.50 (you can get a two-pack for $3 here)

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Loot Crate Exclusive Legend of Zelda Sweatband (Bioworld) - Not going to lie: I've never really understood the point of wrist sweatbands. Maybe it's because I don't exercise all that much? Anyway, this is a LC Exclusive item made by Bioworld, which seems to make quite a few of their exclusives. Seems to be good quality, as sweatbands go. I was hoping for something a little more exciting when the emails promised a Legend of Zelda wearable.

Value - $4.99 (comparable items sell for this price)
 

Brawlhalla Game Code - I've never heard of this game, but I believe it's free to play and accessible through Steam. The code on the back of this card promises skins and items to be used in-game.

Value - ???

And that's it! Due to the damage to the box, I didn't receive this month's commemorative button, which is a bit of a bummer. The total estimated value of the "Heroes 2" crate is $53.06, which while more than the box's price of $13.95 + S&H, is less than some of the more recent boxes. I also received last summer's "Heroes" box, and I feel like this one made the same mistakes that one did - having the centerpiece items limited to one or two heroes, and leaving everyone else with "paper filler." Still, I don't mind that so much this time around, because who doesn't love Batman? 

Help a Sister Out

If you'd be so kind, that is. You see, one of my really good friends from college is part of a Kickstarter campaign called "Beyond the Breach: A Pacific Rim Fan Book." Now, if you're looking at this blog, you're probably nerdy, and if you're nerdy, you've probably heard of Pacific Rim. And if not, a quick summary: it's a movie by Guillermo del Toro about giant robots fighting giant monsters. It has great visuals, excellent characters, and an emotional storyline that has drummed up a sizable fan base.

Some of those fans got together to create this book, which, if I understand it correctly, is a compilation of artwork and creative writing inspired by the movie. The campaign ends in three days, but it still needs $500 more to make its goal. That is where you, my readers (wherever and whoever you are) come into the picture. If you have a few bucks to spare, maybe throw some of it towards this project. $5 gets you a digital copy of the book, $20 gets you a hard copy, and there are plenty of tiers after those.

 

If you want to donate, click here.

Loot Crate April 2015 Review - "Fantasy" Box

I've known about Loot Crate for a little under a year now, but being overseas has prevented me from reviewing any of the previous boxes I've received. That's why, when I learned the theme for April's crate, I was doubly excited: not only would I have a (hopefully) useful article for you, my maybe-existent-readers, but fantasy is my favorite genre.

For those of you who don't know, Loot Crate is a monthly themed subscription box that always contains 6-8 delightfully geeky items valued at $40 or more. It costs $13.37 a month + $6.00 shipping, although the price drops if you sign up for a multi-month plan, and they always have coupon codes available. Click here if you're interested in subscribing!

(I should mention that this is not a promotional crate. I bought it myself - this is an independent customer review.)

The spoilers for this month promised exclusive and wearable items from Game of Thrones, Dungeons & Dragons, and The Princess Bride, while later emails also added Harry Potter to the list.

Well, without further ado, the review!

The box this month is small, but with enough weight to it that it promises not to be a lot of paper goods.

The magazine includes articles about D&D history and fantasy TV shows to check out. Also pictured is April's collectible "fantasy" button.

Dungeons & Dragons T-Shirt (by Wizards of the Coast and Loot Crate Labs) - As a big D&D fan, this shirt is a big hit with me. It's very soft pre-shrunk cotton. I'm also happy to see a t-shirt in a color other than black. The above pictured shirt is a women's small.

Value - $12 (estimated)

Inflatable Crown (by Loot Crate Labs) - The spoilers promised wearables, and this is the second. It's silly but fun. The material feels sturdy and it's neither too large nor too small. I was able to blow it up in less than 15 seconds. It definitely fits with a medieval fantasy theme.

Value - $6 at Urban Outfitters

The Princess Bride Playing Cards (by Albino Dragon) - Not going to lie, but seeing The Princess Bride as part of the advertising is a big part of why I signed up for this month's crate. I feel like for such a well-loved movie there's not a huge amount of merchandise available. The cards are nice quality. The face cards show different characters with some of their most famous lines (although to be fair, it's inconceivable to think that a single line from the film isn't famous).

Value - $9.99 at Vat19.com

RPG Bow Tie (a Loot Crate exclusive by Black Tie Geek) - Now, I've never had much need for a bow tie, but seeing as my ideal future spouse will be as big a D&D nerd as me, this seems like a good thing to hold on to. It's pre-tied with an adjustable strap and a hook-and-eye latch.

Value - $10 (estimated, based on other geek-themed bow ties like those found in Hot Topic)

Harry Potter Bag Tag (by Bioworld) - As a Harry Potter fan of roughly 16 years and a world traveler, I can't think of a more useful item to find in my Loot Crate. It appears to be made of rubber or some similar material, and it feels solid and well-made. I'll be attaching this to my suitcase as quick as a Quidditch player.

Value -  $12.99 at Kohl's

Game of Thrones USB Flash Drive (a Loot Crate exclusive by CustomUSB) - This 4GB Stark direwolf might have been my favorite item, mostly because I've been in the market for a new nerdy thumb drive. I only wish it had a keychain component so I could make sure not to lose it as fast as Catelyn loses her children. (Too soon? Yes, too soon.)

Value - $10 (estimated, based on the cost of other licensed flash drives)

  
Game of Thrones Magnet Set (by Dark Horse) - I've been slowly amassing fridge magnets for my new apartment, so these came at the perfect time. There are actually 5 magnets in the set: the four house sigils and the show title at the top. I don't predict that they're very strong, so they'll definitely be more for decoration than for holding anything up.

Value - $6.00 (estimated, based on it being smaller than a similar set selling for $11.99 on the HBO website)

This month's box is reversible, which makes me want to go back and check if any of the others are. 

The collection.

The fully inflated crown.

 The verdict - I am very pleased with Loot Crate's "Fantasy" box. With the exception of the crown, everything in the box is useful to me in some way (and who knows, I might find a place for the crown too). I haven't gotten any crates since September's "Galactic" theme because I was disappointed with the overabundance of paper goods and kiddy stuff, and a lack of item variety. I thought this month was excellently curated and not overhyped, with nice quality items. If Loot Crate ever does another fantasy-themed box, though, I would love to see something Tolkien-related.

For $16.37 (after using NEWS3 to save $3.00), this box has an estimated value of $66.98, which seems like a good deal to me!

Hope you found this review helpful. Check back here soon for more nerd-related reviews and commentaries.

The Ache of Anticipation

I am living in Nepal. It is a wonderful country, and I love it so very much, but I miss a few things. Good cheese, for one. And ice. My family and friends too. But those are all things I'll be able to experience again. When I return in April, though, there will be a few opportunities that are gone forever...

That sounds needlessly dramatic. I'm just bummed that I won't be able to see some awesome movies in the theater. I already missed out on Guardians of the Galaxy, which came out two weeks after I left the States. And I think I might miss Mockingjay 1 and 2. 

But what I'm most disappointed about is that I'll miss The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies (although it hurts to type that title for other reasons). You see, I've have seen the release of every Peter Jackson Tolkien adaption since 2001 with my dad. I felt like such a big girl when, at 9 years old, my dad convinced my mom to let him take me to see a three-hour movie where a lot of people get their heads chopped off. He bought me an extra large popcorn and a cup of Hi-C deep enough to drown in, and while I had to take an extra fast bathroom break between the cave troll and the balrog, boy, did I have the best time.

The trade-off, of course, was that I had to read the entire trilogy before I saw the first movie. Third grade is a little early to start reading Tolkien, but I did it. Mostly.

While I was less than enthusiastic about the second Hobbit film, I have a devotion both to the book and to my dad, and I wanted to see this quest through to the end. But unless something drastic happens, I won't be leaving Asia for awhile. So I guess I'll be doing my best to recreate cinema settings with Netflix and microwave popcorn.

At least I'll be home for The Avengers 2.

And Star Wars.

12 Tips for Surviving NYCC (and Making the Most of Your Weekend)

The two trips I have made to New York City Comic Con have easily been two of the best weekends of my life. The first year I had a regular three-day pass, like many of you probably do, and the second year I scored a press pass, which granted me some special perks (meeting three of the Mythbusters? Yes please!). Anyway, I am currently on the other side of the globe, and will therefore not be able to come this year. However, that won’t stop me from writing this little collection of tips that I definitely could have used my first year. I hope that they prove helpful to some of you! 

Proof: I'm obviously the one with the fantastic beard.

1. BYOB – Bring Your Own Bag: There is no assurance that you will be able to snag a swag bag once you get to the Javits Center, either for free or purchase, because several thousand people will probably be looking for one too. Bringing your own bag also allows you to match your costume. Going as Han Solo? Nothing wrong with a Chewbacca or Millennium Falcon backpack (look here and here). A Hogwarts student? You can bring something in your house colors rather than shoving everything into a bright orange shopping bag. Also, bringing your own bag gives you the chance to pick one with maximum comfort. If you plan on carrying any bag around for an entire day, it probably shouldn’t cut off your circulation. 

They all need bags too.

2. Pull a Mary Poppins: Inside that bag, it’s a very, very good idea to have a collection of “emergency” supplies.

• Reusable Water Bottle – this is probably the most important thing you can bring. Water is disgustingly expensive anywhere in NYC, but especially in the Javits Center (although, no restaurant can deny you free tap water if you request it). The tap and water fountain/bubbler (for you New Englanders) water in the city is far from disgusting, however. New York City has some of the tastiest and safest tap water in the country. Once you finish the water you have, fill up your bottle again in any bathroom sink, and you’ll be good to go.
• Snacks – I’m not talking chips and cookies. Bring stuff that will fill your stamina meter: nuts, granola bars, dried fruit, dark chocolate. And bring enough to share. It’s a great way to make—or keep—friends.
• First Aid – My first year at NYCC, I had a horrible sinus infection, and therefore brought a boatload of painkillers (ibuprofen and acetaminophen). I ended up distributing quite a few to my companions, who were suffering from sore feet and headaches. Also, foot bandages and antibiotic cream. One out of one people at NYCC will get blisters. Be prepared.
• Chap stick – Trust me.
• Ear plugs – Once again, trust me.
• Sewing kit – This one is most necessary if you plan on wearing a costume, especially a homemade one. You never know what get tugged, stepped on, pulled, or somehow maimed.
• Sturdy folders – These are really good if you plan on purchasing any artwork, prints, or autographs. Paper objects can get bent and mangled pretty quickly, so it’s best to protect them if they’re precious.

3. Costume Considerations: So, you’ve made a costume this year. Good for you, that’s awesome. But is it awesome enough to spend 8 hours in? When designing a costume, remember that conventions are hot, sweaty, crowded places. Masks, hats, and tight clothing can be your worst enemies in such circumstances. Think also about shoes. This might be the most important consideration for your own comfort. There’s nothing worse than trekking across the Javits Center and NYC back to your hotel or apartment, pulling off your shoes, and being greeted by bloody toes. Also, costume considerations don’t apply just to yourself. Consider the effects of too large or too small of a costume on other con attendees…and their children. 

4. Rendezvous Point: This is for if you’re attending with friends. You probably won’t all want to attend the same panels, so chances are you’ll split up. Pick a time to meet back up at a pre-selected spot, preferably in a less crowded part of the center. My friends and I had a very convenient spot by a less-frequented bathroom. Mobile phones rarely work in the Javits Center, and the WiFi is mad expensive, so preemptive communication is key. 

They're all looking for their friends too.

5. The Living City – New York: NYC is an entity unto itself. And you will have to spend some time in its veins or bowels no matter what…okay, dropping that metaphor. Outside the convention bubble, the rules are very different. People are often less trustworthy and less friendly. If this is your first or second visit to the Big Apple, it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on how the subway system works – taxis are too expensive. Try to avoid big tourist traps if you need to get somewhere quickly: Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza, any Starbucks. Also, remember that the weather in October is highly changeable. Don’t sacrifice a coat. The Javits Center has a coat check that costs $3 per article, which might be the best money I spent at NYCC my first year, when the temperature dropped into the forties at night. You don’t want to be caught in only a Slave-Leia bikini in that kind of weather.

6. Manage your dough: It’s a good idea to bring a set amount of cash to spend each day, in addition to a card. Limiting your cash will help to keep you from overspending, which is very easy given the amount of vendors and cool stuff. A strategy that has worked for me has been to walk around the entire floor, taking a mental inventory of what I would like. Anything limited edition, I snag immediately. Everything else can wait. Vendors often lower their prices on Sunday. Also, remember that NYC is expensive if you eat mainstream. However, once you get off the tourist streets, you can find $1 pizza places and mom&pop delis that have excellent food for very affordable prices (I mean, $1 for a slice of pizza? Yes please!). 

7. Explore the Floor: The Jacob Javits Center is massive. MASSIVE. There are two exhibition halls, an artists’ alley, and an autograph hall, in addition to the panel rooms. Don’t stay in one place for the whole weekend! You’ll start to notice that a lot of big stalls have all the same merchandise, so browse the tables of small artists and comic writers. There is so much talent, you’ll want to buy everything.  

8. Celebrities are People Too!: There are a lot of famous people at NYCC. And chances are that you’ll probably meet a few of them. It is very difficult not to fangirl/boy over the first two or three that you meet. But after that, as hard as it is, play it cool. If you keep your calm and say something meaningful to them, they might say something meaningful back. They hear a lot of people tell them how much they enjoyed their work, or how much they looooooove them, so they dole out a lot of “thank you”s and such. It’s nice to get back a non-generic response, and I’m sure it’s nice for them to hear something different.

•  Story Time – At last year’s NYCC, I had the great pleasure of meeting Max Brooks, author of World War Z, and son of Mel Brooks, one of the greatest comic directors of all time. When it was my turn to get my autograph, I told him how my father was a big fan of him, but especially of his dad. He gave me a big smile, and said: “Well, I wish that both our dads were here, because I know mine would be very flattered to hear that.” Just a little comment, I know, but when I called my father later, it made his day, and that in turn made mine. 

9. People are People Too!: - Celebs are not the only people at NYCC who deserve your respect. Everyone else, all 119,999 of them, deserves it too. Pay attention to wear lines begin and end, and try not to cut in front of people. Everyone else has the same right to be in that line as you. Don’t be greedy when collecting free swag. Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s unlimited. Don’t judge other people for their costume choices. We’re all geeks here. Having a deluxe handmade cosplay versus a store-bought costume versus something you obviously put together the night before…everyone’s trying to have fun. Wearing a costume can give you a mask of bravado, but it can also make you particularly vulnerable to criticism and mockery. Race, weight, and gender are often subjects of cruel remarks. Don’t say anything to anyone that you wouldn’t say to your mom/sister/brother/best friend/priest/rabbi…you get the idea. Also, remember that Sunday is Kid’s Day, so it might not be the best day to break out your Pennywise the Child-Eating Clown costume. Seriously, would you mess with Rick and Daryl just because they're standing in line for the ladies' room? No, you wouldn't. 10. Plan Ahead: Plan ahead, but be flexible. Look through the website and try to figure out what panels you would like to try and attend. Make a list with your first and second choices for different time slots. Keep in mind that the “big” panels (i.e. anything involving The Walking Dead) fill up hours and hours and hours in advance. Others might fill up one to two hours ahead, while with others still you would be safe strolling in half an hour before. Don’t let missing your top choice panel break your heart, because you never know what adventure you’ll have instead. A typical small panel. Bonus: can you find Waldo?

11. Pro Tips: Okay, I know this is kind of cheating, but here are some important points that I wanted to let stand out a bit.

• Water bottle – you want to be the only one that’s sweating. If you have a very cold water bottle, it will start to gather condensation in your bag, which can wreak havoc on any papers, cameras, or delicate objects. Room temp is the way to go.
• Publisher’s Alley – hit them up for tons of free books. Just remember you’ll have to carry them around after that.
• Small panels – at a lot of small panels, you can chat with the speakers afterwards. Some, especially with authors, will have scheduled autograph sessions following the panels.
• Autographs and Photographs – meeting your favorite stars can be very tempting, but it often comes with a high price tag. Photo-ops give you no time to chat – it moves like an emotionless machine. Autograph lines are a little better, but still just as expensive. Look around the website to find free autographing sessions. Just remember to get in line early.
• App – If you have a smart phone or tablet, download the NYCC app beforehand and set up a schedule for yourself. You might not have WiFi in the Javits Center, but the app will help you keep track of panels and such.
• Cards – Collect business cards from artists and vendors. If you see something you like but can’t carry or afford, many of them have online stores or means of contact. A creative way to store business cards is to hole punch them and string them along a ball chain or ribbon.
• Just Ask – If you really like someone’s costume, ask them if you can take a picture. Almost everyone will say yes. Just be considerate – some people in amazing costumes can’t make it five feet without someone bugging them for a photo.
• The Best Sandwich in the World – Okay, this is super subjective, but I’ll tell you guys anyway. In the far back right corner of the Javits Center food court, my friends and I found a counter making sandwiches. They were a decent price for convention center food (around $5), and man, were they tasty. My personal favorite was banana, honey, peanut butter, and BACON. If you’re vegetarian, tell them to hold the bacon, and it will still be just as good. 

Can you resist this?

12. Have fun!: I know this is an obvious one, but there will be points where you have to remind yourself (for example, if you miss that panel). Talk to the other attendees. You all have things in common, on that you can be certain, and it will help queues to be less tedious. Take photos to show to your friends and family. And buy gifts and collect autographs for people. Getting my friend’s favorite author’s autograph ended up being one of the highlights of my weekend last year. Bring the fun back home with you, and maybe you’ll have a new companion to go with the following year.

I know this was a super long post, but I really hope that it proves helpful to some of you! Live long and prosper, may the force be with you, and try not to get hit by a taxi.

Form friendships as solid and long-lasting as carbonite.

"To Die, To Sleep" - A Brief Review

Last night, I finished reading Stephen King's Doctor Sleep, which was released a few months ago. Now, before I get into the whole review thing, let me supply a little back-story. My father has been a huge Stephen King fan for decades. Our bookshelves contain upwards of thirty of his novels and short story collections. When I hit the tender age of 13, my dad handed me 'Salem's Lot and told me to get cracking. This trend has continued with my brother (The Stand) and my sister (The Shining). Since then, I have read around twenty of King's books, some of which I will surely write about at some point.

The three "S" books listed above are my father's favorite of King's books--in addition to The Dark Tower series--with The Shining topping the list. My dad's profession lands him in a lot of hotels, and that was where he read the most chilling haunted hotel story ever written.

It stuck with him.

Imagine his excitement, though, when it was announced that King, a man known for stand-alone novels in a connected universe, would be releasing a sequel to The Shining. My dad was beside himself.

I had to wait a few months before I finally got my hands on the book, and when that happened, it only took me a few days to read its 531 pages.

Such an elegant and simple cover.

The plot follows Danny "Doc" Torrance, all grown up after his horror-filled winter in the Overlook Hotel. Struggling with various demons, including his past and alcoholism, Dan finds solace working in hospices, where he uses his "shining" to aid dying patients. Elsewhere in the country, a group of inconspicuous and seemingly harmless people travel the back-roads of America in their RVs and campers. Their name? The True Knot. Their mission? Kidnapping and torturing young children--who possess the shining. When Dan moves to a small town in New Hampshire, he becomes aware of a young girl named Abra who possesses the most powerful shining that he--or the True Knot--has ever sensed. Soon enough, a chain of events sets in motion one of Stephen King's most personal and emotional battles between good and evil yet.

(I'll try to avoid revealing specific spoilers, but from here on out, expect thematic spoilers at the very least)

This is the 22nd book I have read that was written by Stephen King, which has granted me a solid survey of his style. I generally lump his books into two rough categories: super-grotesque and not-so-grotesque. The first category includes such classics as It, The Stand, and of course, The Shining. The second (and smaller) category encircles books like The Green Mile and Hearts in Atlantis. 

Doctor Sleep falls into the second group.

I have several reasons for this, and they're pretty simple. First, the book did not contain nearly the amount of physical/body horror (aka blood&guts) for which King is famous. In addition, the amount of cursing was toned down, and there was nothing explicitly sexual.

Rather than focusing heavily on the misdeeds of the villains, King instead chose to build his two main characters and their relationships. Dan and Abra are flawed and supernaturally talented, but oh-so-very human. Their "normal" friends and family members behave rationally and admirably, given the strange circumstances that befall their lives. Their choices, both those based in understanding and in stubbornness, are reasonable to the reader. There are no caricatures--just people. Even the "bad guys" have sympathetic traits, and their lost humanity sometimes shines through. In one memorable scene, two of them, upon facing their deaths, embrace each other and die with the words "I love you" upon their lips.

The book contained many touching scenes, two of which affected me strongly. The first was closer to the beginning of the book, soon after Abra was born, during the night of September 10, 2001. I won't ruin what happens, but suffice to say that there's something surreal in reading about the events of the following day in a piece of fiction. The second scene I will also try not to ruin, and it comes near the end of the novel. During the final showdown between Team Dan/Abra and the True Knot, our heroes receive aid from an unexpected and highly appropriate source. Let's just say that my roommate walked in on me crying as I sat in bed finishing the book. Maybe I'm just sentimental, but you'll know the bit when you see it.

As much as I could wax on about the merits of Doctor Sleep, I would like to discuss a few of its weaknesses. The book could have been twice as long, and just as interesting. As it is, King holds back on information about the True Knot in favor of developing the protagonists. There is nothing necessarily wrong with this; it would have been nice to know more about them. They have done horrible things - so, what horrible things? Where do their nicknames come from? King introduces at least a dozen of these people, but gives us so little information about them that it is difficult to even leave things up to the imagination. Another bit that confused me was the sudden shift in tone and genre at the beginning of the story. Within the first few pages, it seemed as though a horror story was developing...but that disappeared in favor of the "personal journey"-type plot.

As much as Dan is a wonderful character--how can you not root for Doc?--his story-line is too predictable for my taste. After he reaches the lowest of low points from his alcoholism, he starts on the upward track, and just keeps going. There is never any strong danger implied of him returning to the bottle. In fact, the danger factor of the book is very low. The protagonists, especially Abra, are so powerful that the "bad guys" never really have a chance to succeed. One of the things that makes so many of King's books succeed is the sense of suspense that he creates, which is lacking in Doctor Sleep.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and my sentimental heart loves the continued adventures of Danny Torrance. I just wish that the adventures had been a little more rocky.

(For the record, my father, Stephen King fan extraordinaire, very much liked the book, saying: "It's a great book, even if it's not one of his best. It's still, at the heart of it, a battle between good and evil. Just differently than you might expect.")

Reminiscing on NYCC 2013 - Part 1

A sea of people.

It has been exactly 3 months since I attended New York Comic Con (NYCC) with a press pass, and boy, do I wish that I could back already.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with NYCC, allow me to elaborate a bit. The convention is the second largest of its kind in the country, right behind the big one in San Diego. In 2013, it's estimated that it was attended by around 130,000 people. NYCC attracts fans of all sorts of entertainment other than just comics, from film to YA novels to...wrestling? But more on that later... (and for more information on NYCC, click here)

Anyway, this past October marked my second trip to the convention. And what an adventure it was. Over the next three days, I will detail some of the highlights of each day of the con.

Friday -  Dressed as Reaping Day Katniss (at least, my best approximation), I got off the train at Grand Central Station carrying an over-stuffed backpack and a Hobbit tote stuffed to the gills with my "NYCC survival kit." While I know the city decently well, I still latched on to the first group of costumed crusaders (some Assassin's Creed fans, judging by their cowls) that I spotted, for safety's sake. As we walked, the group grew; by the time we all reached the Javits Center, there were at least fifteen of us.

After getting through the Press entrance, it was all a matter of checking my knapsack and locating my friends before I could start to enjoy the convention. I found them by the same meeting spot we picked out last year - right across from the bathroom with the shortest line, and just a short walk from the food court. We focused on the important things, obviously.

I started the day out with a peanut-butter-banana-honey-bacon sandwich. Yes, you read that right. After that, we wandered. The Javits Center is huge--something like 760,000 square feet--and NYCC is spread out across the whole thing. There's the vast exhibition hall, the autograph hall, and the artist hall, not to mention dozens of theaters and panel rooms in various sizes.

We creeped on celebrities in the autograph hall, standing on our tiptoes to see over the crowds. I accidentally fan-girled Catherynne M. Valente, who was very kind about it. I then stood in line for forty-five minutes to meet Max Brooks, writer of World War Z (one of my favorite books), and son of Mel Brooks (one of my favorite directors). I told him that my dad was his dad's biggest fan, and he responded by saying: "If my dad was here, I'm sure he would be so happy to hear that."

Other highlights of the day include meeting "Lola," Agent Coulson's beloved car from Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., watching people get knighted by the fellows from Medieval Times, and looking at a display of Superman suits from over the decades. I tracked down F. Paul Wilson, writer of the Repairman Jack series, and favorite author of my old roommate. He was more than happy to write a nice little note for her, which I am happy to say made her year when I gave it to her (or at least her week).

Friday ended at my friends' apartment with Chinese food, Disney movies, and a heck of a lot of sewing to prepare us for Saturday...