BookCon Returns to Javits Center

Details

Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Thursday, 16 April 2026 14:15

Written by Brad Balfour

The biggest literary event in NYC returns after a six year break. BookCon runs April 19 - 20, 2026 at the Javits Center with authors, publishers, meet-and-greets, and more.

The show has several special areas specially designed to showcase different authors and talent. At Indie Alley independent authors take center stage in our dedicated spaces where fresh voices and innovative storytelling shine. The Show Floor showcases publishers, authors, and more across the massive Javits Center. The Grove is a respite from the hustle and bustle of the Javits where readers gather to connect, create, and breathe.  Indie Alley showcases the boundary-pushing talent redefining what books can be and gives you the opportunity to discover new authors.  Special appearances include R.F. Kuang (Yellowface),  Ryan Douglass (The Taking of Jake Livingston), Olive Blake (The Atlas Six), and many many more.

The show also features a plethora of panels and workshops such as the Queer Romance & Fantasy Meetup, Classic Retellings With a Modern Twist, Content Creator Meetups, and more. The After Dark portion of the show also features dances, poetry slams, and other special events.

To learn more, go to: https://www.bookcon.com/

BookCon
April 19 - 20, 2026

Javits Center

Indie Comics & Offbeat Art Legends at MoCCA Arts Fest

Details

Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Wednesday, 25 March 2026 14:30

Written by Brad Balfour

NYC’s top show for indie comics and zines is back as the MoCCA Arts Fest returns to the Metropolitan Pavilion. Running the weekend of March 28 to 29, the show includes live lectures, panels, and artist signings. A mainstay of the indie comics scene, MoCCA features fresh up and coming talent along with living legends. Featured artists include Kim Deitch, John Leguizamo, Chip Kidd, Bill Griffith, and more.

Programming includes a talk with kinetic comic artist Kim Deitch, Michel Fiffe looking back on his comic Copra, and an examination of Modern Horror comics.

Since 2002 the MoCCA Fest has been a fixture of the indie comics scene when it was created by the Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art. Though the Museum shuttered in 2012, the Society of Illustrators has become the new shepherd of the festival as well as the MoCCA collection.

To learn more, go to: https://www.moccafest.org/

MoCCA Arts Fest
March 28 - 29, 2026

Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

The 34th St Card Show at The New Yorker Hotel Makes This Sunday a Pop Culture Celebration

Details

Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Friday, 13 February 2026 15:41

Written by Brad Balfour

Thomas G. Waites — “Fox” from The 1979 Cult Classic “The Warriors”

What: The 34th St Card Show
When: Sunday, February 15th
Early Bird: 9:00 AM
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fee: $10 per person
$15 VIP access
Where: The New Yorker Hotel
481 8th Ave, New York, NY

While comic books seem to dominate the world pf pop culture collecting, trading card collecting comes in as a close second. A trading card (or collectible card) usually contains an image of a person, place or thing (fictional or real) along with a short description and other text (e.g. attacks, statistics, or trivia). They can be collected as a hobby, some are used to play games and some have historical value as well. Trading cards were often included with certain retail products (e.g. cigarettes, bubblegum, and packs of tea).

Trading cards are particularly associated with sports (e.g. baseball cards), but can cover numerous other topics such as cartoons, comic book characters, television series and film stills. Multiple different cards within the same category are typically issued, which can be collected and traded to create complete sets. When distributed individually they are known as singles.

In the 1990s, cards designed specifically for playing games became popular enough to develop into a distinct category, collectible card games. These games are mostly fantasy-based gameplay. Fantasy art cards are a sub-genre of trading cards that focus on the artwork.

This Sunday, the 34th St Card Show brings together the best vendors, collectors, and enthusiasts from across the tri-state area all looking to share their love of these cards — especially sports cards. Whether you’re hunting for vintage gems, modern hits, or looking to sell part of your collection, our shows offer something for everyone.

With dozens of vendor tables featuring sports cards, trading cards, memorabilia, and more — the cards you’ve been searching for can be had for prices you won’t find anywhere else.

Besides all the vendors, there’s quite a number of celebrity guests who will be available to sign photos, cards and other art or to do selfies.

Here’s list of those who are booked:

• CHERIE CURRIE Rock N’ Roll Icon – Lead Singer of The 70’s Band The Runaways
• GERALD WILKINS NY Knicks Guard
• MICHAEL SPINKS Two-Time Heavyweight Champion & Olympic Gold Medalist
• IRAN BARKLEY Former WBC Middleweight, IBF Super Middleweight & WBA Light Heavyweight Champion
• VITO ANTUOFERMO Former Undisputed World Middleweight Champion – Goodfellas & The Sopranos
• JUNIOR JONES Former WBA Bantamweight, WBO Super Bantamweight & IBO Featherweight Champion
• TIFFANY VOLLMER Anime Voice Actress – Dragonball Z & Dragonball GT
• VIC MIGNOGNA Anime Voice Actor – Dragonball Z, Fullmetal Alchemist, Pokemon & Star Trek Continues
• CYNTHIA CRANZ Anime Voice Actress – Dragonball Z, Fullmetal Alchemist, Shin Chan & One Piece
• TONY DANIELS Voice Actor – The Voices of X-Men’s “Gambit”, Kellogg’s “Tony the Tiger” & Sailor Moon’s “Jadeite”
• RAY LAGO Trading Card Artist – Marvel, DC & Independent
• MARK WAYNE HARRIS Comic Writer, Artist & Editor – Ivanhoe & Street Wolf
• WILL TORRES Comic Book Artist & Writer
• TERRY MICHOS “Vermin” from The 1979 Cult Classic The Warriors
• BRIAN TYLER “Snow” from The 1979 Cult Classic The Warriors
• THOMAS G. WAITES “Fox” from The 1979 Cult Classic The Warriors
• APACHE RAMOS “The Orphan” from The 1979 Cult Classic The Warriors
• TAIMAK Actor, Martial Artist & Author – Star of the 80’s Cult Classic The Last Dragon
• ISRAEL JUARBE Actor – Angels in the Outfield, The Karate Kid & The Met
• JEDIDIAH COHEN Actor – “Rod” in Home Alone & Home Alone II

For more info, go to: https://the34thstcardshow.com