NYCC 2024: Welcome To LineCon!
by Tom Smithyman
It is a truism of comic book conventions – and New York Comic Con is no exception – that the No. 1 question asked throughout the weekend is always: “What is this line for?”
Like popular amusement parks and the best barbeque places, intolerably long lines are simply a fact of life at these events. It can hardly be surprising. Pack tens of thousands of people into even the largest convention center and watch the chaos ensue as fans continue their quest for that elusive signature, a must-have commission, or a chance to get the latest scoop at an exclusive panel.
The lines start early and they are pervasive. At NYCC, people start standing in line well before 6 am, despite the show not opening its doors until 10. And New York is pretty chill compared to San Diego’s mammoth event, where fans will often line up 24 hours in advance to get a good seat for tomorrow’s sessions.
NYCC sends out numerous notices pleading with fans to pick up their badges early – preferably before the show opens on Thursday – to avoid the wait. And when they finally get out of that line, they are sent to the queue hall. That’s right, an entire massive room in the basement of the Javits Center where con-goers wait in line…to wait in line.
The waiting hardly ends there. There are lines for the concessions. Lines for food trucks. Lines to popular artists. And, of course, lines for the bathroom. (While both the men’s and women’s rooms usually have queues, the women’s lines can put a significant strain on the bladder.) Perhaps the most infuriating line is the queue to get on the escalators, with people cutting constantly. And don’t get me started about the Funko line!
All these lines lead to queue confusion. Often people stand in the wrong line, particularly in Arist Alley, where space is at a premium. Organizers try to anticipate which artists will have the longest queues to spread them apart, but sometimes the lines are so long, then end up confusing people more.
Yet for all the lines, there are remarkably few incidents. With its mega announcements and high-priced exclusives, San Diego seems to bring out the worst in line sitters. Every year, there are stories of people saving spaces and getting berated by the crowd or even removed from the con. The New York audience is more laid back. (There are exceptions, of course. A few years ago, a fight broke on in Peach Momoko’s line.)
While annoying, the long lines give con-goers the chance to meet people in front of or behind them. I’ve had the chance to strike up many conversations, asking people where they’re from or what they are getting signed. It’s a nice few moments – or longer depending on the length of the line – of camaraderie.
Sure, the lines suck, but at least we are all in it together.
