After returning to an almost normal in person convention last year the 2022 edition of New York Comic Con (NYCC) show felt a lot closer to a pre-pandemic show. With large crowds, stronger programming, and a fuller convention floor, the convention even ended up using more floor space which had not been used last year after the completed expansion of the convention center, the four day convention annually held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan brought in hundreds of thousands of fans, to celebrate all aspects of pop culture whether it be movies and television or comics, collectibles, and anime.

When just having a booth isn’t enough companies sometimes opt for alternate means to promote their content from offsites and activations to afterparties. These varied experiences can really enhance a convention experience and provide a more exclusive or intimate experience. As I mentioned in my SDCC coverage it isn’t a matter of trying to see and do everything but rather trying to experience the parts of the show you will want to experience and as I have been going to these conventions for years and years my attention has been drawn to more crafted experiences including booth activations as well as after hours events and parties. After a long day at a convention an event at the end of the night really lets me unwind and mingle with friends and catch up on what they saw that day.

So here I’ll take a look at some of the booth activations and the parties during New York Comic Con.

Cartoon Network Batwheels Activation

Set up on the outer roadway of the Javits center HBO Max held a fun activation for children with with a Batwheels Raceway Activation to promote the upcoming show. Kids were able to get into their very own Batwheels car and take a lap around the Gotham City Raceway track as they helped Bam the Batmobile with a special mission from Moe, the Batwheels mechanic, to test out a new engine for Batman. A fun photo-op and cape giveaway were also given out as part of the experience.

The series follows a group of young sentient super-powered vehicles, Bam, Redbird, Bibi, Batwing, and Buff, as they are thrust into hijinks and action and learn important lessons about teamwork, friendship, and so much more while helping Batman, Robin, and Batgirl defend Gotham. Batwheels premieres Monday, Oct. 17 at 9:00 a.m. on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network and streams the following day on the Cartoonito hub on HBO Max.

In addition to the activation a panel was held for the upcoming Cartoon Network show which also included a screening of two never-before-seen episodes of “Batwheels.” The voice cast includes Ethan Hawke (Batman), Jacob Bertrand (Bam the Batmobile), Gina Rodriguez (Catwoman) and Xolo Maridueña (Snowy the Snowcrawler), among others.  At NYCC co-executive producer Michael G. Stern and supervising producer Simon J. Smith ase well as voice cast Jacob Bertrand (Bam the Batmobile), Xolo Maridueña (Snowy the Snowcrawler), Lilimar (Batwing the Batwing Jet Plane), and AJ Hudson (Robin) were on hand to take a for a look under the hood of DC’s first-ever Batman preschool animated series.

HBO Max Titans

While the Batwheels Activation was for the kids HBO Max did not ignore the adults when promoting the upcoming fourth season of Titans. Fans were able to walk into Titan’s S.T.A.R. Labs which features props from the upcoming show, graphics with costume designs of both heroes and villains, an interactive lab facility complete with hero testing stations, a photo-op, and an artist drawing fans as a superhero. Also each day HBO Max offered fans a chance to get a different Titans themed pin.

HBO Max also held a panel for the upcoming fourth season that also ran alongside a panel for the upcoming fourth season of Doom Patrol. Damian Holbrook moderated the panel which included showrunner and executive producer Greg Walker and series star Brenton Thwaites which gave fans a first look at the upcoming season.

Titans follows young heroes from across the DC Universe as they come of age and find where they belong. The fourth season will see the Titans heading back to San Francisco after having saved Gotham. But after a stop in Metropolis, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a supernatural cult with powers unlike anything they’ve faced before.

Showtime Yellowjackets The Hive After Dark

While Showtime didn’t have a panel or booth presence at NYCC their presence was felt by hosting one of the two larger parties of the weekend to promote their Yellowjactes show. After a long day at the convention it was time to head to The Pavillion in the Javits Center, there fans were treated to The Hive After Dark, a Doomcoming celebration, party. Attendees spent the evening mix, mingling, and dancing like there was no tomorrow. Tasty cocktails and treats were served all night long while a DJ spun some beats. There were also multiple photo-ops, a gift bag with a cup and bandana, and mask making area. It was the perfect way to wind down after the convention and I was very glad I was able to get in and enjoy it.

At the end of the night I was very very tired so I took what I needed to survive my ordeal and get a good nights rest!

Official Show Description:
Part survival epic, part psychological horror story and part coming-of-age drama, this is the story of a team of wildly talented high school girls’ soccer players who survive a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together 25 years later. What began in the wilderness is far from over. Starring Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress, with Christina Ricci and Juliette Lewis.

The NYCC Fandom Party

Last but certainly not least was the announcement that Fandom was coming to New York to host a NYCC version of their extremely popular Fandom Party. For those who saw my coverage of the SDCC Fandom Party you may remember that this was one of my favorite highlights from the convention.

In terms of offering an exclusive event Fandom delivered by bringing a top tier experience for fans lucky enough to get a ticket. With around 600 people, actually making it more exclusive than its San Diego Equivalent, Fandom (the world’s leading platform for in-depth information on entertainment, gaming, and pop culture) partnered with Paramount+, graphic novel publisher Z2 Comics (who I covered earlier in my show floor round-up), Pinfinity, Ardbeg, and HEINZ Ketchup to hold a star studded night at HK Hall that saw Ice- T and wife Coco Austin host the evening and eventually put on a 60 minute set along with other hip-hop stars including Chuck D, Czarface, DJ Kevie Kev, Kool Keith, and TR Love.

While Paramount+ brought out fans wild side by promoting their upcoming Teen Wold movie which also saw some of the cast including Tyler Posey and Tyler Hoechlin as well as Wolf Pack stars Bella Shepard, Tyler Lawrence Gray, Armani Jackson, and Chloe Rose Robertson show up to the event others were able to mellow out enjoy some free drinks from the Ardbeg Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey sponsored bar and grab some bite size snacks from HEINZ Ketchup bringing a completely NY vibe to this after party.

What would a party be without some truly memorable swag, from an interactive photo booth courtesy of Paramount+, to a Teen Wolf: The Movie-inspired scavenger hunt, and exclusive event lanyard which included a Pinfinity AR Fandom pin the event made sure fans did not go home empty handed. I for one will be using my Fandom lanyard as a staple of exclusivity at future cons.

Though the party was a mere half mile away from the convention center being on Friday night of NYCC I ended up taking an extremely long route to get there which saw me go all the way through Brooklyn so that I could also attend Bottleneck Gallery’s 10^th Anniversary show and then all the way back into the city to end the night to watch Ice-T rock HK Hall I would not change a thing in the world.

All things considered I am beginning to really enjoy the convention afterparty scene and there is no better way to experience it than through a Fandom hosted event. Unfortunately I could not deliver on my promise of sneaking a Fandom themed pillow out of the party as there were none this time around; Fandom will just have to have me back at San Diego in 2023!