Watch CBS News

Heroes Assemble: Superfans, Celebrities, Show-Stopping Costumes Gather At New York Comic Con

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The Avengers have assembled once again in the city, along with the Jack Sparrows, Marios and Luigis, Jedi knights, zombie apocalypse survivors, anime and Disney princesses, robots galore, and a legion of other costumed fans came together for the New York Comic Con at the Javits Center.

The 14th annual celebration of comic books, movies, collectibles, and above all cosplay costumes runs from Thursday through Sunday evening, with an expected crowd of 250,000 attendees, reports CBS2's Natalie Duddridge.

They call themselves "cosplayers", people who dress up as TV, movie or comic characters. They have been working on these costumes for months.

"We started makeup at 6 in the morning, and I finished getting dressed at noon," said one attendee dressed as a fairy said Thursday.

Cosplay At New York Comic Con 2019
Cosplayers dressed as Deadpool and Venom attend the New York Comic Con at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 3, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images)

PHOTOS: Cosplayers On Parade At New York Comic Con 2019

"I honestly focus on looking my best. The good thing about Comic Con is the sensory overload, really enjoying everything around you," said a pair dressed as videogame icons Mario and Luigi. "The community is so tight and it there's so much out there, so much content."

This year's prominent featured guests include Tom Hiddleston, who plays the trickster Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, and Paul Rudd, who plays Ant-Man in the same series.

Must-see panels and screenings also included CBS All Access' new preview of Patrick Stewart's upcoming series "Star Trek: Picard" and a 20th-anniversary tribute to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" with the spinoff "Angel."

"Buffy" star Felicia Day spoke with CBS2 about how Comic Con isn't just a chance for fans to have fun, but for actors to enjoy some time with their co-stars away from filming.

Day, who also created the gaming web series "The Guild," told CBS2 Comic Con presents celebrities a unique opportunity to interact directly with their fans and also promote the causes and new projects important to them.

WEB EXTRA - Actress Felicia Day talks Comic Con and her new book "Embrace Your Weird":

Comic connoisseurs say their highlight is meeting the writers and artists behind their favorite comics and even greet some of the actors who starred as the characters.

It's also a big weekend for the people bringing the thousands upon thousands of vintage comic books and other merchandise to the yearly event.

Harley Yee has been bringing his business to Comic Con since the first convention at the Javits. The collector says hundreds of people will be browsing each vendor's table, hoping to find that rare comic to complete a collection.

Some of those sellers bring rare treasures that go all the way back to the 1930's -- known as the "Golden Age" of comic books.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.