It feels more like New Year’s Eve in Times Square and less like a Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Thousands of attendees pack every corner of the exhibition hall, panel rooms, and even offsite locations like the Hammerstein Ballroom and the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, making it an exciting coming together of fans – a lot of fans.
With hundreds of panels and exhibitors each day of the show, it would be impossible to recap every awesome occurrence. But that being said, here are a few of the highlights from day one of NYCC 2018.
Starz’s Outlander and American Gods Booth
Throughout the convention, Starz will be providing authentic experiences to fans from two of their hit shows, American Gods and Outlander. On the American Gods half, fans can step into an authentic replica of the Motel America Diner. Filled with easter eggs and nods to the show that only true fans will get, pop in and have a seat at a booth or go up to the counter to pick up free merchandise with the download of the Starz App. Fans can also take a picture with either the #OldGods or #NewGods and have it sent directly to them. Finally, fans can enter for a spot at a cast signing later this weekend.
Over on the Outlander side of the booth, the door to Jamie’s cabin may as well be the stones at Craigh na Dun, because once you step inside you feel as though you are in the 18th century. The historic fragrance and beauty company, Caswell-Massey (est. 1752), is on site providing limited edition scents as well as insights as to how Outlander works to create authenticity to colonial America. Fans can also have a leather luggage tag monogrammed by the leather company Royce – a perfect and necessary item for any time traveler. And, like the American Gods diner, fans have the opportunity to win a spot at a signing with the Outlander cast.
SYFY Wire Fan Lounge
SYFY, the cable network, is a clear sponsor and supporter of New York Comic Con, as is its media site SYFY Wire. Their activities are centered at the Syfy Fan Lounge at the Crystal Palace Mezzanine. The Fan Lounge offers several activities of note. Fans can sit and recharge their phones, get makeovers – including rhinestones and glitter – by makeup artists, and add to this fan-made mural, all while waiting to receive a free t-shirt. Shirts are available for five SYFY original series: Krypton, Deadly Class, Night Flyers, Happy! and The Magicians. There are also claw machines where you can try your hand at winning a “Happy” plushie. It is a great spot to meet fellow fans, rest and recharge, and get some free swag while supplies last.
YouTube Premium’s Origin starring Tom Felton and Natalia Tena
Finally, a panel almost as out of this world as the show it is about. Origin is a Youtube Premium series that will be released on November 14, 2018. It tells the story of a group of humans that seek out a new planet to escape their past, only to wake up on a derelict and abandoned ship. How – or if – they survive, is up to them. The panel featured moderated questions, a sneak preview of the first episode, and a Q&A with audience members. For the full scoop, stay tuned tomorrow as our NYCC coverage continues.
What was your favorite part of NYCC day one? What are you looking forward to the rest of the weekend? Let us know in the comments below.
