Stephanie reporting for duty at the 20th anniversary of New York Comic Con. This massive event draws thousands of comic and gaming enthusiasts around the globe, and I had the honor of attending on behalf of Boss Rush Network. It’s been a doozy, so check out what I’ve been up to.
Stephanie Klimov is the VP of Media Relations and Copy Editor at Boss Rush Network.
Thursday, October 8th, 2026
Day one of NYCC was the busiest for me; I got up nice and early to wait in line at 8:30 AM. The con opened at 10 A.M. However, those 90 minutes passed by thanks to Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and people watching. The room became packed, as I rubbed shoulders with other cosplayers (I was coplaying as Tifa Lockhart) and fans grasping onto their comic books for signatures.
Once the con opened for business, I spent a half hour cruising through Artist Alley. There were endless stalls of professional graphic novel artists and other crafty creators. There was art of all kinds, from artists that contributed to the D.C. or Marvel universe to independent illustrators who showcased breathtaking prints, pins, and more.
At 11 A.M., I attended the “One Last Ride: A Conversation with the English Voice Cast of Final Fantasy VII Revelation” panel. You can read coverage HERE. The cast showed up for their fans in the best way, and it was easy to tell they’ve grown as a family over the seven-year-long project.
Afterward, I rushed to attend another panel, featuring Neil Newbon and T. Kingfisher. I was eager to hear all about the brand-new novel chronicling Astarion before the events of Baldur’s Gate 3. You can also read my coverage HERE.
The rest of my afternoon was filled with exploration. I met a friend, and we ventured up and down the main expo hall for any booths that caught our eye.
Last, but not least, I attended the inaugural Fashion in Gaming Awards back at the Javits Center. It was an honor to see another platform where hard-working creative minds were rewarded for their work in the industry. See who won in my article HERE.
Friday, October 9th
After a packed first day, I was determined to start slow. After I ate a delicious breakfast sandwich, I met up with Emily, also known as orbalology, to check out the Nintendo NYC Store. It was a nice detour from NYCC until the line in settled. The Nintendo Store had Zelda 40th anniversary decorations up, and I eagerly took photos. I nabbed a few souvenirs and left with wallet intact. I was slightly disappointed though, as I hoped for more Star Fox, Fire Emblem, and Metroid representation, but given that I was in Japan earlier this year, perhaps my bar was set a little too high!
Back at the convention center, I checked out the Yen Press panel to hear all the new light novel and manga announcements which include, but not limited to, Eat Before You Go (new series), Regas (new series), SSS Class Revival Hunter, Dungeon Master: Creating a Hot Spring Dungeon (new series), Kino’s Journey (new series), After Midnight Skin (new series), The Girls Adrift Among the Stars (new series), Mermaid Observation Diary (new manga), and A Peach Offering for the Imperial Court (new series).
Afterward, it was time to walk the floor some more and shop! I visited Aw Geeks and NERDS (Nobody Ever Respects Dorks Society) as I knew them from prior PAX East events to check out their new products. NERDS recently collaborated with Eminem (yup, that Eminem) in a line of clothing and a limited-edition skate deck. Another standout booth was The Ultimate Pillow Fight!, where a “Softsmith” handmakes pillows in the shape of wonderfully nerdy-shaped things like a Keyblade, Buster sword, and Captain America shield.
While I had every intention of sitting in one the “Junji Ito: Strange — “Face Thief” U.S. Premiere & Director Q&A” panel, the line was impossible, even though I arrived a half hour early. So, I took one more lap in the Artist Alley, bought a few art prints and books, and headed home.
My phone logged over 20,000 steps, so I’m dying to take a load off.
Tomorrow is my last day. While I don’t have much planned, stay tuned for one more Boss Rush Diaries at New York Comic Con 2026!
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