New York Comic Con 2018 was, in all honesty, the best NYCC I have attended. It was also grueling. I feel every single second of my years today. ^_^

This year I did something I have never done before – I worked for someone else. It was my tremendous honor to be part of the Comics Beat team this year. As a result, you can see most of what I have written about the panels and interviews and stuff there:

NYCC ’18: International Creator Spotlight – Harold Sakuishi
INTERVIEW: BECK Creator Harold Sakuishi on Storytelling
NYCC ’18: Outspoken The Queer Cartoonists Represent Panel
NYCC ’18: “Ghost in the Shell – The Global Neural Network” Creator Panel
NYCC ’18: Use Manga to Help You in School – Explore Classic Literature with Manga Classics
I wrote up a pre-event explanation of the AnimeFest@NYCC by Anime Expo situation:
NYCC ’18: Anime Expo Wants to Proves It Can Make It In New York City

And here are my final thoughts about AnimeFest@NYCC: AnimeFest@NYCC ’18: Your First Impression Might Be Your Last

Every single panel I attended was exceptional, no joke. I really enjoyed the heck out of all of them. And I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make more of the LGBTQ-focused panels, so here are some writeups by other folks:

Amanda Steele:
NYCC ’18: The LGBTQ in Pop Culture Panel Discusses Representation in Media
NYCC ’18: These Amazing Artists Celebrate Queerness and You Should Check Them Out

William Henderson:
NYCC ’18: The New York TimesOUT LGBTQ in Comics Panel
NYCC ’18: The Entertainment is LGBTQ Panel: Creating Comic Books in ‘20-Gayteen’
NYCC ’18: Outspoken – A Peculiar Time to be a Queer Cartoonist

Samatha Puc:
NYCC ’18 Interview: Darin Strauss & Adam Dalva Modernize & Queer Dickensian Classics for “Olivia Twist”

I will update this list if more get published. And if you know anyone who covered that LGBTQ in Anime panel send in a link!

In the meantime, I want to share a couple of things that aren’t in any of the articles above, except peripherally. During the Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network panel , one of the things that was noted is that some of the stories refer back to specific scenes in the original manga. “Star Gardens” by Brendan Fletcher and LRNZ makes a nod to the lesbian sex scene. I think the anthology is generally excellent and worth reading. 

I also picked up the first volume of Sailor Moon Eternal Edition which is quite beautiful and extra large format.

And my last and probably best purchase was Jook Joint #1 from Tee Franklin and Image Comics. Damn, that’s some good comicking. I can’t wait for #2. 

Now I have been typing since 9AM and I have got to give my fingers a break. New Doctor Who and the Revolutionary Girl Utena musical beckon! 

I’ll be pounding the (overcrowded, hot) aisles and panel rooms of New York Comic Con this weekend. And, for once, I won’t be there just for Okazu. I’ll be working with the exceptionally talented and dedicated reporters of the Comics Beat. 

In fact, if you want to see what I’m up to, follow the tag with my name and you’ll find me there. I’ve already posted two stories: The NYCC 2018 Guide to LGBTQ Panels and NYCC ’18: Anime Expo Wants to Proves It Can Make It In New York City about LA’s Anime Expo and it’s role in developing the AnimeFest@NYCC. There’s a lot there to chew on.

I have a full schedule for the next two days, then will spend the next week writing stuff up, and THEN, I’ll be lecturing at Newark Museum’s Manga Mania Day on October 14, so expect a slowdown here for another week or so.

If you see me at NYCC do say hello! You know how much I love seeing you!

This month is going to be nuts for me! First up at this coming weekend is New York Comic Con and this year Anime Expo is running the “Anime Fest” portion of the event. I am, very honestly, skeptical about this for many reasons, but I will withhold all judgement until after the event.

I’m going to be intermittently posting the next two weeks as I’m up to my neck with events. It’s all good. ^_^ 

In the meantime, here is a quick rundown on NYCC Panels that may interest you, if you are attending! Hope to see you there!

Thursday, October 4

GLAAD #SpiritDay Photo Booth Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson 
October 04, 2018, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Queer Lounge – Room 1E02 – Javits Center

Queer Comics for Kids of All Ages 
October 04, 2018, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM, NYPL 476 5th Ave – Berger Forum

Entertainment is LGBTQ 
October 04, 2018, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PMm Room 1A21 – Javits Center

Friday, October 5

Surviving As Womyn & Nonbinary People of Colour with Mental Illness in Cosplay 
October 05, 2018, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, Cosplay Central Stage Presented by Imgur – River Pavilion – 4th Fl Javits Center

#METOO to #TIMESUP: An Action Summit for Comics
October 05, 2018, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM, Room 1A21 – Javits Center

LGBTQ+ in Anime, Presented by Crunchyroll
October 05, 2018, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM, Anime Fest @ NYCC – Mirai Stage

Outspoken: Queer Cartoonists Represent
October 05, 2018, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM, Room 1C03 – Javits Center

Happy New Year! Well, okay, we’re about 3 months early for that, but I want to share with you a limited-time offer we’re running for the Okazu Patreon. 

If you become a patron or an are currently active Patron between now and November 22, 2018, you will receive an invitation to a Patron-only Yuri Panel Livestream Event where you can hang out with other dedicated Yuri fans, ask me the burning questions you’ve always wanted answered and chat about Yuri until the wee hours. 

Both date and format are TBA, but Okazu Patrons will be receiving a survey about that in the future. This Holiday Party Yuri Panel Extravaganza will include prizes for amazing questions, including a Lucky Box full of random stuff, plus cool folks and a whole lot of Yuri fun. 

If you’ve ever wished you could attend one of my Yuri Panels, this is the event for you. No matter where you are, no matter what level of Patronage, you’ll be welcome to attend. Come celebrate Yuri with us for the holidays!

New York Comic Con – October 4-7, 2018 New York, NY.
I’ll will be working as press, so no panels, but if you catch up, do say hi! 

Newark Museum Second Sundays — Manga Mania – October 14, 2018, Newark Museum, Newark, NJ
Join me on October 14th for Manga Mania at the Newark Museum, where I’ll be talking about the intersection of fashion and manga, as part of their “Refashioning Kimono” exhibit! Bring your manga-loving friends – and there’ll be activities for all ages.

Derpycon – November 9-11, Morristown, NJ
I’ll be presenting a panel or two on queer manga at this lovely local con! Details on time/date TBA. Prizes will be given out for good questions!

Hope to see you see you this autumn!