The New Jersey Comic Expo: Fun for Everyone!

I had the great pleasure of attending the New Jersey Comic Expo this weekend, and it was SO much fun! Family-friendly, unique and inviting, there's something for everyone at this event!

The Details

Here's a little blurb from the New Jersey  Comic Expo program, so you can learn more about the event:

"[The New Jersey Comic Expo] is filled with exhibitors ranging from top comic book publishers to the best comics and toy dealers, an artist alley overflowing with your favorite comics talent, great special guests, plus our super fun kids area and the Interactive Cosplay Corner!...There's a lineup of panels that will totally blow your mind. From the Kubert School 40th Anniversary Panel, to the #MakeComics panels, to Cosplay Design, there's truly something for everyone."

What to Expect

Parking is free at this event, and entry was quick and easy. Staff and security were pleasant and friendly. I've been to many events at this venue and I was impressed with the layout of the Comic Expo. Everything was well organized and not overly crowded or cramped. There was a lot to see and areas were clearly marked.

I loved the selection of vendors, from comic book sellers to graphic prints. Amazing posters and unique prints at good prices. I regret not buying an awesome sketch print of Sara Connor and Kyle Reese from The Terminator. But my logic was, where would I hang it?

There were toys, collectible items (tons of Funko Pop! figures), I even saw some elusive Hatchimals. There were Japanese plush characters, Pokemon, cartoon characters, LEGO sets and so much more.

LEGO minifigures!!!

We met one of the script editors for Miraculous!

So kawaii!!  Imported plush from Phase ID - authentic! No knock-offs!

Then there was amazing art, incredible artists of all kinds, and many of them were sitting right in front of you, willing to sign the work they created. It was just awesome- the room was filled with such amazing talent!

Original art by Jim Calafiore.

Beast Boy Mash-Up from Playful Dad's Initiative - Playful Gorilla and Dad's Cartoons

I bought this Franco and Scoot comic because it's all about SPOT! Like Spot the Jersey Doggy!!

Panels/Celebrity Guests/Kids Areas

There's so much to talk about here, I don't even know where to start. What I recommend is that you go to the NJ Comic Expo website to view their list of panels, guests and activities, because there's a big line-up! I actually did get a little starstruck seeing some of the actors from The Walking Dead. Major Dodson, who played Sam, walked right past me near the cosplay area! How cool is that?? Some of the celebrities charge extra to meet them and sign autographs, so be sure to check the website for all of this information.

If you are a fan of comics or a comic book collector, there was some serious representation here. Even I recognized some well-known artists/writers (like Fabian Nicieza, co-creator of Deadpool, and iconic artist Bob Layton of Ironman fame- who was very charismatic and funny, I might add). Be sure to check out the Comic Expo site for the full line-up. 

The guys from Playful Dad's Initiative were happy to sign my BeastBoy print!

Cosplay

The New Jersey Comic Expo encourages guests to dress up (but there are guidelines for safety reasons). The Jersey Momma's Boy is sensitive to anything creepy or scary, so I did not take him with me to this event. But in all honesty, I didn't see any cosplay characters that would have scared him too much. I saw a few Harley Quinns, someone dressed as Nintendo's Mario, Spiderman, plenty of Star Wars characters and several other beloved comic book characters. I saw kids dressed up and adults, too. I saw families in matching costumes and toddlers in strollers dressed up. There was an incredible cosplay contest with well-known cosplay judges.

But this, THIS, was just beyond words for me, since I'm a huge Star Wars fan...

They even sounded authentic!

Kylo Renn is scary!

How incredible are they? These people are members of a group called the 501st Legion (Northeast Chapter), and they are a non-profit organization. They make all of their own costumes and I think they have to be approved by George Lucas for authenticity (that's just what I've heard, although I couldn't find that info on their website). They were more than happy to take a picture with guests (no fees!), and they even had cool backdrops you could stand in front of.

Does this Storm Trooper make me look fat?

A droid!!!

Vehicles

I couldn't even contain my giddy excitement at seeing some of these awesome replica vehicles on display. Just take a look at what you can see there...

There was another Batmobile and the car from Dr. Who, too, but you'll have to go see those for yourself!

Zoinks, Scooby! The Jersey Momma's at the wheel of The Mystery Machine!

So in a nutshell, is The New Jersey Comic Expo worth visiting? This Momma says, hell, yeah!

Jersey Momma Tips

-this really was a family-friendly event, but use your best judgment with your own child. The Jersey Momma's Boy is sensitive to some characters and even artwork (the Suicide Squad movie poster once freaked him out at the movie theater!), but some kids love that kind of stuff. I didn't see any overly gory or gross cosplay outfits (although some were a little revealing or intimidating), just for the record. 

-there is a food court at the expo center, although we didn't eat there so I can't attest to the quality. There are plenty of bathrooms and the entire venue is handicap and stroller accessible

-mark your calendar for next year's comic expo, November 18-19, 2017!

The flux capacitor!

Show Information

The New Jersey Comic Expo

Saturday, November 19th from 9:30am-7:00pm

Sunday, November 20th from 10:00am-5:00pm

New Jersey Convention and Expo Center, Edison, NJ

Visit the NJ Comic Expo website for ticket info, or find them on Facebook. 

*Disclosure: I was provided press passes to this event, but all opinions expressed here are my own. And would I lie about something so cool? I mean, seriously!

If you're interested in some of the artists or writers you saw here, check out some of the books we saw at the show, available on Amazon (these are my affiliate links):