In this issue 3 Editor’s Letter 4 Mini Board 6 Great Expectations Play Fair followed Toy Fair to allow fans a chance to play with the franchises they love, Madeline Vega
16 Long On Fun Eternal Con on Long Island offered the chance to see a small show in a unique space, Luis Vega
Luis takes in NYCC 2016 with his arm in a sling
22 Big Show: NYCC 2016 New York Comic Con
28 The Happiest 4 Days Luis explains why he loves this convention the most
29 All Kind of Fans NYCC worked to incorporate all its verified fans, Madeline Vega
40 Quick Change Sometimes costumes are finished or touched up on site
50 Films & TV of 2016 57 Top Grossing Video Games 60 Talking Shop Kal explores the con and learns more about Overwatch, MV
65 Top Comics of 2016 The best books of the year, LV
72 Wonder Woman 78 Mad Love Why we love Harley, Luis Vega
84 Boomtastic 90 Show Floor Scrapbook A recap of the main floor, The Block, Experiential Zone, Concourse, and Artist Alley
100 Benny Convention New Jersey Comic Expo was a fun-sized convention
120 Five Things Kal couldn’t stop talking these things in 2016
Art department weekly Luis Vega Chief content officer Madeline Vega Managing Editor Credits Madeline strum photogpaphy (Cover and pages 2-63, 72, 74, 82, 84, 85, 87, 100-120), Luis Vega (Pages 64-71, 73, 77, 79, 81, 83, 86-99)
a year of cons Here at the Dubbs, we love conventions.In 2016 we went to a plethora of them, starting in February at PlayFair (legitamately one of the coldest days I’ve ever experienced) and wrapping things up in November at New Jersey Comic Expo. I think my favorite part of comic cons is the judgement-free atmosphere. I’ve had friends tell me they hide their comic books on the train because they’re embarrassed about reading kids’ books. I’ve had friends who sneak action figures home so no one knows what they are collecting. Whatever your particular brand of geek is, there is a larger likeminded community waiting to embrace you at a convention. Cosplayers of all skill levels, shapes, sizes, and colors stop each other to offer compliments, words of encouragement, or to simply take a picture. Comic writers and artists who were probably once outcasts are the veritable rock stars of the
show. They get to meet fans, share stories of their beginnings, favorite characters and best practices. If you’re in search of collectibles, they are everywhere. Show floors are generally littered with so many vendors that your wallet will scream at you. All of this is to say, that no matter what you passion is, a comic convention is the one place where you don’t have to be ashamed to fly your geek flag. No one is judging you. In fact they just might be thinking you are awesome and that they have so much in common with you. We captured as much joy as we could. Be sure to visit youtube.com/user/ MadelineLikesVideo to see it all.
Conventions 2016 • Art
Department Weekly 3
