With the 2019 New York Comic Con in the books it’s time to get to all the great things that happened over the course of the four-day pop-culture celebration. Bringing hundreds of thousands of fans to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan NYCC is a celebration of all things pop culture from comics, video games, TV, movies, collectibles, posters, and artists. There is always a tremendous amount to do throughout the weekend including panels, exhibit floor, artist alley, and offsite activations
Normally I combine my coverage of the DC Entertainment with one of my other show floor articles however this year I felt it necessary to give a little more attention to all of the activities going on in that area of the show floor. For a few years now DC Entertainment has moved completely off the main show floor and has instead opted to take over space in the far-left corner of the Javits Center. This has some obvious advantages as they get a lot more space to both set up their activations and activities as well as having much more room for fans to comfortably congregate. For those unfamiliar the DC Entertainment space typically is made up of four distinct areas within their overall layout. First they will have a Graphitti Designs table whom they partner with selling limited edition comics and shirts; then have some sort of activation (for the last several years this has been be a green screen photo-op); after that comes the main hub against the back wall which features movie worn costumes (this year it focused on the upcoming Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn movie), giveaways, game demos, product displays, a back area for press interviews, and usually a DC Universe corner with some sort of giveaway for DCU subscribers; finally there are signing tables where all the DC related signings take place whether it’s comic artists or TV and movie cast signings.
Another bonus of the DC Entertainment set-up is that right outside the doors to the area leads to a hangout spot where a lot of cosplayers congregate so you can usually get a lot of good photographs throughout the convention just by heading that way.
In the past the banners and costumes have favored new or upcoming movies or TV shows whether it is Batman’s 80th anniversary or a push for the Aquaman movie. With both a new animated series debuting at the end of November and the live action Birds of Prey movie coming out in February this year’s focus was on Harley Quinn. Costumes and props were on display throughout the area, giveaways included a animated pin set, with the highlight being a surprise cast signing.
Another feature from DC Entertainment this year was a special offsite activation, the DCU HQ pop-up titled The Fantabulous Evolution of One Harley Quinn Gallery. Along with highlighting updates and content comic to the DC Universe subscription platform an art gallery was set up featuring pieces throughout Harley Quinn’s history in animation, comics, and film as well as even more props from the Birds of Prey Movie. Many original pieces were on display including original comic covers by Amanda Conner, Rachel Dodson, and Jim Lee as well as original exclusive artwork created by Bruce Timm specifically for the gallery. An original development sketch of Harley Quinn from her first ever appearance from Batman, the Animated Series’ episode “Joker’s Favor” rounded out the collection. Jim Lee, DC’s Chief Creative Officer and Publisher, created live art on the walls during the gallery’s opening night reception, a timelapse of which can be seen below. The props in the gallery included Huntress’ Cross Bow, Harley’s Roller Skates, Fur-Covered Brass Knuckles, and Mallet. Finally the pop-up activation featured a green screen gif opportunity and a hair dying salon to get you in the mood in addition to the opportunity to get the sixth and final pin to complete the animated pin set.
As I mentioned above there was a huge push throughout NYCC for all things Harley Quinn so it was no real surprise, especially seeing all the booth staff wearing Birds of Prey shirts on Saturday, when the worst kept secret at the convention of who the mystery WB cast signing would be turned out to be for Birds of Prey. Margot Robbie, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, and Ella Jay Basco all came out to thunderous cheers and both lucky fans who won the lottery and stalwart fans who camped out hours to see if they could fit in the overflow lines were able to meet the cast, say hi, and get an autograph and a shirt. There was however a strict no selfie photo enforcement.
Along with signings, comic giveaways, masks, and buttons members of the DC Universe that showed up to the convention were able to collect a six-piece Harley Quinn pin set. Five of the pins were given out by scanning your QR code at the booth while the sixth pin was given out when you visited the above-mentioned Fantabulous Evolution of One Harley Quinn Gallery.
Check out the trailer for
the new animated series Harley Quinn below and be sure to follow on
social
Facebook: @HarleyQuinn
and a behind the scenes look at the series
And be sure to check out
the trailer for the upcoming Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation
of One Harley Quinn movie and be sure to follow them on social
Facebook: BirdsOfPreyMovieOfficial
Twitter: @birdsofpreywb
