We don't know exactly how many people wandered through NYCC this weekend, but SVP Lance Fensterman tossed out a number in the 150K ballpark. Those are unique attendees - not vendors, not professionals, not people affiliated with New York Super Week.
Whether that makes NYCC the new King Con or not is your call. We all know San Diego's attendance is capped for the time being, but there's no denying SDCC still boasts the biggest Hollywood presence and greatest cultural mystique. Is NYCC is a major Con? Undoubtedly. But its numbers reflect the area population and accommodations as much as ReedPOP's deft organizational maneuvers.
Back when I was a young comic book fan, I was living in NY - and all I could think about was going to SDCC once I moved west. Frustrated as I get sometimes with its limitations, I do think it still offers a unique experience to attendees. One part of it: the complete 24/7 immersion in nerdiness and pop culture. Once you walk outside the Javits Center at NYCC, you lose that sense of being in a temporary world designed just for you. But NYCC is obviously popular for many legitimate reasons - and in the next few years, while San Diego fights its expansion battle, I predict we'll see other Cons surpass SDCC attendance.
New York is only bigger because of the building. If San Diego had a bigger venue it would be 500 thousand people. At least.
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely be a huge crowd, visible from space. I don't think anyone doubts that.
DeleteI've heard they used some "creative" counting for that number & it wasn't anything close to it.
ReplyDeleteThe SVP said they were counting unique badges. They'll publish the exact number soon, I'm sure - in the meantime, take the creative accounting rumors with a grain of salt. There's been a lot of grumbling from SDCC loyalists today who think it's a contest.
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