Costober 2022 Day 7: NYCC Part One

Natasha, the spy. Starfleet, the future. Rhaenyra, the dragon.

About the Looks

I chose these three looks to wear to New York Comic Con 2022. Natasha because she’s a comic book character. Starleet because I was attending the Star Trek Universe panel. And Rhaenyra because the wig made it more of a con-cosplay than an everyday cosplay.

Friday

I arrived midday. I was invited to share a room in the city at the last minute, instead of staying with my brother in Brooklyn, so I ended up driving in. Other than the accidental round trip through the Lincoln Tunnel it went smoothly. But the hotel was only a few blocks from the convention center so I was on the show floor within minutes. Last year the con was at half-capacity, but this year the crowds were back in full force. It was both exciting and exhausting.

Friday was chill. I’d reserved a space for the “Amazon Prime Presents The Wheel of Time and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” two-hour combined panel in the evening but otherwise had no agenda. I just wandered around by myself until I happened upon friends in the wilds, and then we wandered around together until it was time for my panel. I arrived a half hour before the start so I was toward the back of the reservation line. But I was next to a five year old Frodo with his mother and grandmother as Gandalf and Saruman, and we didn’t have to wait long to be seated or suffer through much of the pre-show, so I had no complaints.

Confession: I have not seen The Wheel of Time, nor have I read any of the books. It’s on my To-Watch list, but was not a priority. Based on the noise and costuming in the rest of the room, I was in the majority, and I’m guessing that was part of why this was a joint panel, and Wheel went first. Their panel was tight. Since the first season had been out a while, they felt free to discuss it in detail, and to give out hints for the new season. They showed a clip from the first season and a sneak peek of the second as well as a trailer, and it opened with a clip of Rosamund Pike talking to herself, which was delightful. The whole cast in attendance (Daniel Henney, Madeleine Madden, Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn, and Ceara Coveney) was also delightful. They succeeded in making me want to catch the show before season two kicks off.

In contrast, the Rings of Power panel was a bit of a mess. Their first season ends this Friday and not many in attendance at the panel had even seen the penultimate episode as it came out that morning. Thus they could not discuss much of anything. And while both casts are ginormous, the Wheel group came off mostly cohesive, while the Rings group came off random. Mainly, they suffered from a lack of protagonists — no Galadriel, Arondir, Nori, Isildur. Miriel and Bronwyn were closest, and it’s an ensemble story, but it still showed. Instead they focused on the mystery box and I kinda hate mystery boxes. They had a clearly planned bit where the actors each outed their characters as Sauron that did not land for me, and moderator Felicia Day’s “admit you’re Sauron” questions grew tedious quickly.

That said, the best part of the whole two hours was Benjamin Walker learning about the “Gil-Gadaddy” memes in real time. One intrepid fan had asked him if he was ‘Gil-Gadaddy’ while in line for coffee, which he found clever and charming, but when told it was a meme he became adorably flustered. Truly the King we deserve.

After the panel I headed back to the hotel. My roomie, Geek Mom Karen, and I made plans to have dinner at the bar next door and then head to a Gay Star Trek after party, but we only made it to dinner because the bar next door was far enough. It was a great bar though, they were playing Rings of Power alongside baseball.

About My Look

I purchased my officially licensed by Marvel and Disney jacket in 2019 but this is only it’s second outing! It’s well made, fully lined, and quite cozy so not great for events in the warmer months or, say, Disney World in August. It was, in fact, super toasty even for NYC in early October. But I love it and I love that Disney made it.

I paired the jacket with a black tank and jeans, both a little shiny, and my big chunky Demonia heels. I do not recommend wearing heels to cons, do as I say not as I do! I finished the look with a replica of the arrow necklace Natasha wears in the films.

I got my hair cut a couple days before the con. I did not realize until someone thought I was dressed as Jean Grey that I now have X2 Jean Grey’s hair. Which is GREAT.