Big Apple Comic Con
The Big Apple Comic Con is a New York City comic book convention, the longest-running comic book/speculative fiction/pop culture convention in New York City. It was started by retailer Michael "Mike Carbo" Carbonaro in March 1996 in the basement of the St. Paul the Apostle Church. A location that a competing show promoter Sunrise Productions Scooty O'Donnell and Partner Richard Ritz Whom Held The New York Horror-Fi Con there on October 4, 1997. During its heyday from 2001–2008, the Big Apple Comic Con often featured multiple shows per year, with a large three-day "national" convention held in November, usually held at the Penn Plaza Pavilion. The show was owned by Wizard Entertainment from 2009 to 2013, but is now back in the hands of Carbonaro.
Over the course of its history, the convention has been known as the Big Apple Convention, the Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show, and the Big Apple Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo; with the November shows known as the National Comic Book, Art, Toy, and Sci-Fi Expo, the National Comic Book, Art, and Sci-Fi Expo, and the National Comic Book, Comic Art, and Fantasy Convention. In 2014, the name "Big Apple Convention" was revived by Carbonaro for a show scheduled for March 7, 2015. The Big Apple Comic Convention has continued yearly since then, the latest show April 14-15, 2018.
Though it primarily focuses on comic books, the convention features a large range of pop culture elements, such as books, cinema, science fiction/fantasy, television, animation, anime, manga, toys, horror, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels. Along with panels, seminars, and workshops with comic book professionals, the Big Apple Comic Con often features previews of upcoming films, and such evening events as the costume contest overseen by "Captain Zorikh" Zorikh Lequidre.
The convention regularly hosts hundreds of artists, exhibitors and film and television personalities in a huge floorspace for exhibitors. The show includes an autograph and photo op opportunities with all of the guests, as well as the Artists' Alley where comics artists can sign autographs and sell or do free sketches.
In 2009, Michael Carbonaro established his own independent one-day convention known as the New York Comic Book Marketplace which ran annually through 2014.
History
Antecedents
Major comic book conventions in New York City prior to the Big Apple Comic Con included Dave Kaler's Academy Con, which ran annually from 1965–1967; Phil Seuling's Comic Art Convention, which ran annually from 1968–1983 ; and the large annual Creation conventions, usually taking place over the weekend following Thanksgiving from 1971–1987.. From 1993-1995, promoter Frederic Greenberg began hosting Great Eastern Conventions shows annually at venues including the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Other companies, including Dynamic Forces, held New York City conventions, but all were on a smaller scale than the Seuling shows. Changes in the industry, popular culture, and the resurgent city itself since the troubled 1960s and '70s made large-scale comic-book conventions difficult to hold profitably. Jonah Weiland of ComicBookResources.com also noted that "... dealing with the various convention unions made it difficult for most groups to get a show off the ground."Birth of the show
On February 29, 1996, Greenberg cancelled what had been advertised as a larger-than-usual Great Eastern show, scheduled for March 2–3 at the New York Coliseum, which the fan press had suggested might herald a successor to the Comic Art Convention. As a substitute event, comic book retailers Carbonaro and Vincent Zurzuolo on the spur of the moment mounted the first Big Apple Convention in the basement of the Church of St. Paul the Apostle. Their show attracted over 4,000 attendees, most of whom had been planning to attend the scheduled Great Eastern Show.After the success of the initial 1996 show, Big Apple scheduled six separate conventions for 1997.
In 1998, Big Apple held two conventions, a two-day September show and a one-day affair in October. In 1999 there was a March show and the three-day "National" show held in November; 2000 followed the same pattern. Over the years, these small shows attracted many comics creators and pop-culture figures, and by 2000 the convention had moved to the Metropolitan Pavilion on West 18th Street in Manhattan.
Heyday
2001 was a big year for Big Apple, with five conventions spread throughout the year. In 2002 four shows were held, and in 2003 Big Apple put on six separate conventions. In 2003, "Captain Zorikh" Lequidre began running the costume contest, which became well known for its audience-participation judging.By 2004, the convention had moved to the Penn Plaza Pavilion at the Hotel Pennsylvania. At this point, show organizers claimed to have attracted over 30,000 attendees throughout the year.
In 2005, Big Apple put on five shows, repeating that pattern in 2006. 2007 saw three shows; Captain Zorikh, who had previously been managing Internet promotions and other aspects of the convention, was named general manager of the convention; he acted in this role through the 2008 shows.
By 2008, the frequency of Big Apple Conventions was slowing down, with just two shows, a Summer Sizzler, and the usual three-day November National convention. The last show before Wizard's purchase of Big Apple was a June Summer Sizzler. 2009 was also the final year there were multiple Big Apple Conventions held.
Acquisition by Wizard Entertainment
In 2009, the Big Apple Comic Con was purchased by Wizard Entertainment; Michael Carbonaro was retained as a senior adviser. The first show under Wizard was held October 2009 at Pier 94 in Manhattan. At this point the new manager, Spat Oktan, who had hosted costume contests at other conventions, took over the costume contest and Captain Zorikh was put in charge of the children's costume contest, while continuing in other capacities.By 2011, Reed Exhibitions' New York Comic Con, held annually at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, had become the dominant New York City-area comic convention, and was taking away from the appeal of the Big Apple Comic Con. Wizard sat out 2012 and held a new "Wizard World New York City Experience" show on June 28–30, 2013.
New York Comic Book Marketplace
Though not branded as a "Big Apple Convention" and not affiliated with Wizard World, some might consider the next iteration of the Big Apple Comic Con to have been held on March 31, 2012, at the Penn Plaza Pavilion. It was Michael Carbonaro's third New York Comic Book Marketplace, and announced as Carbonaro's final convention. The guest of honor was Stan Lee; other guests included George Pérez, Joe Sinnott, Dick Ayers, Carmine Infantino, Jim Steranko, Irwin Hasen, Mike Royer, Arthur Suydam, Bob McLeod, Rich Buckler, and Johnny Brennan, and Captain Zorikh's costume contestCarbonaro held another NYCBM at the Hotel Pennsylvania on April 13, 2013.
The 2014 NYCBM was held at the Hotel New Yorker on March 1, and featured extensive zombie programming, including the premier screening of Zombie Hunters: City of the Dead Episode 10.
Revival
Michael Carbonaro regained the Big Apple Comic Con brand in 2014 and held the "20th Anniversary Return of the Big Apple Convention" on March 7, 2015, moving the show to a larger and more accessible space Penn Plaza Pavilion. He completely revamped and expanded the show with new management and a commitment to creating a non-corporate comic book convention that reflects the diversity and interests of the New York Community.Criticism
Comics creator Evan Dorkin was a critic of the Big Apple Con. He singled out the November 2008 show in particular as "the worst convention I've ever had the displeasure to sit through", for the lackluster celebrity guests, the lack of floor plan guides for attendees, inconsistently-functioning restrooms, elevator and escalators, the poorly performing volunteer staff, and an overall seedy, flea market atmosphere of rude dealers, creators inattentive to fans, and attendees who were disproportionately male. Dorkin, who vowed never to return to the venue, also singled out the cramped space of the venue, in particular Artist's Alley, which he speculated may have constituted a fire hazard.Dates and locations
| Year | Dates | Venue | Show Moniker | Official guests | Notes |
| 1996 | March 2 | Church of St. Paul the Apostle | Show Must Go On Con; Hallelujah Con | ||
| 1997 | March | Church of St. Paul the Apostle | Big Apple Comic Con | ||
| 1998 | September 11–12 | Church of St. Paul the Apostle | |||
| October 10 | Church of St. Paul the Apostle | ||||
| 1999 | March | ||||
| November 12–14 | National Comic Book, Comic Art, and Toy Show | ||||
| 2000 | March | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | ||
| November 10–12 | Metropolitan Pavilion | National Comic Book, Comic Art and Fantasy Convention | James Doohan, Jerome Blake, Ron Palillo, Apollo Smile, Richard Herd, Pamelyn Ferdin, Carmine Infantino, Jeff Jones, Erik Larsen, Russ Heath, Dick Giordano, Joe Simon, Julie Schwartz, Joe Giella, Frank McLaughlin, Michael Kaluta, Dave Cockrum, Paty Cockrum, Irwin Hasen, Glenn Fabry, John Romita Sr., Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Arnold Drake, Murphy Anderson, Gray Morrow, Mike Esposito, Tom Gill, Andrew Pepoy, Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Mark Texeira, David Wohl, Joseph Michael Linsner, William Tucci, Janet Lupo, Kevin Eastman, Sarah Dyer, Evan Dorkin, Don McGregor, Jim Shooter, Dan DeCarlo, George Tuska, Gill Fox, George Tuska, Graig Weich, Mercy Van Vlack, Ken Gale, Tim Vigil, David Quinn | ||
| 2001 | January 20 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book, Art & Toy Show | ||
| March 9–10 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book, Art & Toy Show | |||
| July 6–7 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book, Art & Toy Show | |||
| September 14–15 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book, Art & Toy Show | Jeremy Bulloch, Ed Kemmer, Steve Rude, David W. Mack, Brian Michael Bendis, Joe Gill, Will Franz | ||
| October 12–13 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | National Comic Book, Art, Toy, and Sci-Fi Expo | Run as a charity event to assist the victims of the September 11 attacks, with free admission for everyone. | ||
| November 9–11 | Metropolitan Pavilion | National Comic Book, Art, Toy, and Sci-Fi Expo | Klaus Janson, Joe Staton, Trina Robbins, Jim Steranko, Jeff Smith, Jim Warren, Flo Steinberg, Herb Trimpe, Linda Fite, Walter Simonson, Louise Simonson, Tim Vigil | Proceeds donated to the World Trade Center Fund. | |
| 2002 | January 19 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book Art and Toy Show | Guy Gilchrist, Ethan Van Sciver, Bill Plympton, Irwin Hasen, Dick Ayers, The Iron Sheik, April Hunter, Wagner Brown, Tammy Lynn Sytch, Chris Candido, Virgil | |
| July 12–13 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book Art and Toy Show | Michael Berryman, Dennis O'Neil, James O'Barr, Gerard Christopher, Joseph Michael Linsner, Graig Weich, Virgil | ||
| September 13–14 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book Art and Toy Show | Jim Steranko, Bill Plympton, Dave Cockrum, Paty Cockrum, Jon B. Cooke, Herb Trimpe, Linda Fite, Gene Colan, Flo Steinberg, Michael Avon Oeming, Dick Ayers, Steve Rude, George Tuska, Neil Vokes, Irwin Hasen, Ray Lago, John Workman | ||
| November 8–10 | Metropolitan Pavilion | National Comic Book, Comic Art, and Fantasy Convention | Nichelle Nichols, Sarah Douglas, Sergio Aragonés, Jim Lee, Gene Colan, Nutopia, Sam Kieth, Michael Kaluta, Brian Michael Bendis, David W. Mack, Joe Jusko, Andy Lee, Tim Vigil, Graig F. Weich | First annual Golden Panel Awards for Excellence in Comic Book Art and Story Telling ; close to 6,000 attendees | |
| 2003 | January 25 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Dave Cockrum, Paty Cockrum, James Sherman, Tony Salmons, Dick Ayers, Irwin Hasen, Bob Smith, Tye Bourdony, Ray Lago, Mike Bair, Scott Roberts, John Workman, Graig Weich, Brad Dourif, Karen Lynn Gorney, Nicole Bass, Peter Mayhew | |
| April 6 | New Yorker Hotel | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Neal Adams, Joseph Michael Linsner, William Tucci, Jordan Raskin, Mark Texeira, Julius Schwartz, Graig F. Weich, Tony Salmons, Ray Lago, Jeffery Lindenblatt, Joe Giella, Ken Gale, Irwin Hasen, Toby Cypress, Mercy Van Vlack | ||
| May 2–3 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Jim Steranko, Russ Heath, Billy Tucci, Graig Weich, Tony Isabella, Guy Gilchrist, Jim Krueger, Jamal Igle, Robin Riggs, Jim Salicrup. | ||
| July 25–26 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Joseph Michael Linsner, John Romita, Jr., Mark Crilley, Toby Cypress, Dennis O'Neil, Stefan Petrucha, Dick Ayers, Scott Roberts, Winston Blakely | ||
| September 5–6 | St. Paul's Church Auditorium | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Jim Lee, Michael Kaluta, Mark Schultz, Neil Vokes, Jamal Igle, Jordan Raskin, Michael Avon Oeming, Trevor Von Eeden, Sean Chen | ||
| November 28–30 | Metropolitan Pavilion | National Comic Book, Comic Art, and Fantasy Convention | William Foster, an expert on African-Americans and comics; Alex Horley, Alex Simmons, Arlen Schumer, Arnold Drake, Bill Sienkiewicz, William Tucci, Brian Pulido, Buzz, Chip Wallace, Chris Batista, Graig F. Weich, Damion Scott, Danny Fingeroth, Darick Robertson, Dave Devries, Dwayne Ferguson, Frank Tieri, Gene Colan, Graig F. Weich, Hannibal King, Howard Simpson, Irwin Hasen, Ivan Brandon, Jamal Igle, J. David Spurlock, Jamar Nicholas, Jasi Lanier, Jeff Lindenblatt, Jerry Craft, J.G. Jones, Jim Salicrup, Jim Steranko, Joe Giella, Joe Jusko, Joe Kelly, Joseph Michael Linsner, Joe Staton, John Cebellaro, John Cassaday, Jordan Raskin, Josef Rubinstein, Josie DeCarlo, Juda, Julius Schwartz, Karl Bollers, Keith Giffen, Ken Gale, Kevin Maguire, Kirk Abrigo, Klaus Janson, Kyle Baker, Lance Tooks, Louis Small, Jr., Luis Dominguez, Marc Svenson, Mark Texeira, Mercy Van Vlack, Michael Gaydos, Mike Bair, Michael Kaluta, Mike Lilly, Neal Adams, Peter David, Ray Lago, Rich Buckler, Rich Buckler, Jr., Rick Bryant, Robert Stull, Roland Laird, Rodney Ramos, Rudy Nebres, Stefan Petrucha, Stuart Moore, Tim Smith, Tim Vigil, Tommy Castillo, Tony Salmons, Winston Blakely, Yummy Odorn | ||
| 2004 | January 24–25 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Bill Sienkiewicz | |
| April 3–4 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | David W. Mack, Bill Morrison, Dan Brereton, Peter Bagge | ||
| September 18–19 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Sal Buscema, Glen Fabry, Angel Medina Jamie Hernandez, Gilbert Hernandez, Damion Scott, Jay Disbrow, Dave Elliot, Mike Lilly, Mark Schultz, Denny O'Neil, John Workman, Danny Fingeroth, Tommy Castillo, Hannibal King, Dennis Calero, Tania Del Rio, Buzz, Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer, Garry Leach, Scott Roberts, Rodney Ramos, Kim Deitch, Rick Spears, Rob G., Neil Vokes, Irwin Hasen, Rich Buckler, Rudy Nebres | ||
| November 19–21 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | National Comic Book, Comic Art, and Fantasy Convention | Jim Starlin, Neal Adams, Adam Hughes, Bill Sienkiewicz, Jim Krueger, Roy Thomas, Jim Shooter, Michael Kaluta, Joseph Michael Linsner, Jim Califiore, Ramona Fradon, Michael Avon Oeming, Tom Raney, Rick Leonardi, Howard Chaykin, Tom Palmer, Anthony Schiavino, Joe Staton, Dave Roman, John Green, Andy McDonald, Ivan Brandon, Peter Kuper, Seth Tobocman, Robin Riggs, Elayne Riggs, Neil Vokes, Bob Tinnell, Dave DeVries, John Workman, Rudy Nebres, Tommy Castillo, Irwin Hasen, Rich Buckler | ||
| 2005 | January 22–23 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Simon Bisley, Kevin Eastman, Bill Sienkiewicz, Aaron Lopresti, Terry Dodson, Larry Lieber, Dan Slott, Bob Wiacek, Michael Lark, James Romberger, Mark Texeira, Buzz, Mike Bair, Ray Lago, Mike Hawthorne, Jim Salicrup, Danny Fingeroth, Peter Sanderson | "Free-Monday Con Tsunami Benefit" raised over $1,000 to benefit victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. |
| April 1–3 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Joe Simon, Carmine Infantino, Jim Lee, Erik Larsen, Mark Bagley, Sergio Aragones, Roy Thomas, Paul Gulacy, Simon Bisley, Kevin Eastman, William Tucci, Bill Sienkiewicz, Ethan Van Sciver, Matt Wagner, Ken Kelly, Larry Lieber, Dean Haspiel, Jim Muniz, Mark Morales, Rudy Nebres, Dan Reed, Trevor Von Eeden, Jim Simon, Rich Buckler, Vito Delsante, Lee Bemijo, Sandra Hope, Brian Azzarello, Louis Small, Jr., Mark Texeira, Ray Lago, Buzz, Mike Bair, Zorikh Lequidre, Irwin Hasen, Jim Salicrup, Danny Fingeroth, Peter Sanderson, Mark Sparacio, Scott Roberts, Ian Dorian, Guy Dorian, Michelle Witchipoo | ||
| June 17–18 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Brian K. Vaughn Tony Harris | ||
| September 10–11 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Jim Steranko, Sal Buscema, Russ Heath, Steve Rude, Sam Glanzman, Dick Ayers, Esad Ribic, Michael Netzer, Jamal Igle, Alex Saviuk, Jim Kreuger, Buzz, William Tucci, Jim Salicrup, Danny Fingeroth, Ken Kelly, Dave Elliott, Rich Buckler, Guy Dorian, Mark Sparacio, Jim Muniz, Kevin Conrad, Michael Gaydos, J David Spurlock, Peter Sanderson, Michelle Witchipoo, David Mattingly, Rodney Ramos, John Lucas, Tommy Castillo, Mark Texeira, Gus Vazquez, June Brigman, Roy Richardson, Dark One, Paolo Rivera, William H. Foster | ||
| November 18–20 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | National Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Neal Adams, Dick Giordano, Adam Hughes, Paul Chadwick, Sam Kieth, Dave Sim, Jim Starlin, Dean Haspiel, Harvey Pekar, Spain Rodriguez, S. Clay Wilson, Dan Fogel, Jim Woodring, Kim Deitch, Michael Kaluta, Charles Vess, Walt Simonson, Arthur Suydam, Jim Krueger, Michael Avon Oeming, Shannon Chenowith, Joseph Michael Linsner, Eva Hopkins, Mike Gaydus, Jason Yungbluth, Mitchell Breitweiser, William Tucci, Ken Kelly, Lee Weeks, Jed Hotchkiss, Mark Sparacio, Alitha Martinez, Mark Schultz, Tania del Rio, Arthur Adams, Michael Lark, Buzz, Dick Ayers, Danny Fingeroth, Jim Salicrup, Rich Buckler, Mark Texeira, William H. Foster, III, Jim Muniz, Tim Vigil, Joe Vigil, David Quinn, Mirage Studios, Stewart Seger, Joe Staton, Josh Neufeld, John Lucas, Ed Piskor | ||
| 2006 | January 14 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Con Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | David Finch, Arthur Suydam, Michael Gallagher, Alex Saviuk, Andrei Lukianoff, Andy MacDonald, Arnold Drake, Arthur Suydam, Buzz, Danny Fingeroth, Dave Manak, Dick Ayers, Ed Meares, Guy Dorian, Ian Dorian, Irwin Hasen, Ivan Brandon, Jim Salicrup, Kevin Maguire, Liza Biggers, Louis Small Jr., Luis Dominguez, Mark Sable, Mark Texeira, Michael Gallagher, Murphy Anderson, Paul Azaceta, Rachel Kadushin, Ray Lago, Rich Buckler, Rob Granito, Rodney Ramos, Rudy Nebres, Scott Roberts, Tommy Castillo, Trevor Von Eeden | "One-Day Wonder" |
| March 31–April 2 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Con Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Gene Ha, Neal Adams, Frank Miller, Phil Jimenez, Tony DeZuniga, Kyle Baker, Mark Voger, Tommy Castillo, Cliff Chang, Frank Espinosa, Alex Saviuk, Buddy Scalara, Toby Cypress, Mark Sparacio, Ken Gale, Mercy Van Vlack, Mark Texeira, Rich Buckler, Shary Flenniken, Arnold Drake, Guy Dorian, Ian Dorian, Jim Kyle, Rodney Ramos, Chris Eliopoulos, Howard Simpson, Sean Chen, Anthony Castillo, Mike Bair, Mike Leeke, Yvel Guichet, Hannibal King, Louis Small Jr., Winston Blakely, Jim Calafiore, Jeff Gomez, Mike Cavallaro, Jorge Gonzalez, Andrew Wendel | Show features a Valiant Comics tribute | |
| June 24–25 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Con Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Joseph Michael Linsner, Frank Brunner, Jerry Ordway, Irwin Hasen, Dan Fogel, Alex Saviuk, Michael Lark, Michael Lilly, William Foster, III, Damion Scott, Ivan Brandon, Andy MacDonald, Rodney Ramos, Jim Keueger, Guy Dorian, Ian Dorian, Rob Granito, Brian Kong, Rich Buckler, Mark Sparacio, Melvin Yaglan, Tommy Castillo, Llayla Clark, Trevor Von Eedon, Louis Small Jr., Mark Texeira, Buzz, Graig Weich, Toby Cypress | "Summer Sizzler" | |
| September 16–17 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Con Comic Book Art, and Toy Show | Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, Ernie Colón, Brian C. Kong, Charles Barnett, III, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Elliot, Guy Dorian, Ian Dorian, Jamal Igle, Jim Steranko, Ken Gale, Matthew Clark, Melvin Ylagan, Mercy Van Vlack, Michelle Witchipoo, Mike Bair, Paolo Rivera, Rags Morales, Ramona Fradon, Rich Buckler, Richard Howell, Rob Granito, Scott Roberts, Steve Mannion, Stuart Moore, Tom Palmer, Walt Simonson | "Fall Preview" | |
| November 17–19 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | National Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo | Alex Maleev, Alex Saviuk, Andy MacDonald, Arnold Drake, Bernie Wrightson, Bill Sienkiewicz, William Tucci, Bob Wiacek, Brian C. Kong, Buzz, Chris Moreno, Christine Kerrick, Cully Hamner, Dan Fogel, Danny Fingeroth, Dave DeVries, Dan Murray, Ed Coutts, Fred Harper, Fred Hembeck, Graig F. Weich, Guy Dorian, Guy Gilchrist, Ian Dorian, Irwin Hasen, Ivan Brandon, Jae Lee, James Fry, Jerry Ordway, Jim Calafiore, Jim Salicrup, Jim Webb, Joe Giella, Joe Staton, Joel Adams, John Romita, Jr., John Romita, Sr., Ken Gale, Ken Kelly, Khary Randolph, Kyle Mitchell, Louis Small Jr., Luis Dominguez, Marcus Boas, Mark Mazz, Mark Romanoski, Mark Sparacio, Mark Texeira, Mark Voger, Melvin Ylagan, Mercy Van Vlack, Michael Avon Oeming, Michael Bair, Michael Golden, Mike Lilly, Neal Adams, Paolo Rivera, Peter Sanderson, Rich Buckler, Richard Howell, Rob Granito, Rodney Ramos, Scott Roberts, Sean Chen, Shary Flenniken, Stan Goldberg, Steve Leialoha, Steve Mannion, Stuart Sayger, Tania del Rio, Tim Vigil, Tommy Castillo, Travis Charest, Trina Robbins | ||
| 2007 | January 19–20 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo | Seth Tobocman, James Romberger, Alex Maleev, Alex Saviuk, Arnold Drake, Mac McGill, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dan Slott, Danny Fingeroth, Dennis Calero, Dick Ayers, Fred Harper, Guy Dorian, Guy Gilchrist, Ian Dorian, Irwin Hasen, Ivan Brandon, Ivan Velez, Jamal Igle, Jim Kyle, Jennifer Camper, Jim Salicrup, Jim Sherman, Ken Gale, Mark Texeira, Mercy Van Vlack, Michael Avon Oeming, Rich Buckler, Sean Chen, Tommy Castillo | "Fan Appreciation Show" to celebrate 10 years of Big Apple Conventions. |
| June 23–24 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo | Alan Kupperberg, Alex Niño, Alex Maleev, Cameron Stewart, Dan Fogel, Kumar Mukherjee, Danny Fingeroth, Ernie Chan, Graig Weich, Guy Dorian, Ian Dorian, J. David Spurlock, Jay Lynch, Ken Kelly, Michael Golden, Michael Avon Oeming, Mitchell Breitweiser, Murphy Anderson, Neil Vokes, Paul Gulacy, Rags Morales, Rich Buckler, Rudy Nebres, Skip Williamson, Tommy Castillo, and Walt Simonson | "Summer Sizzler" | |
| November 16–18 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | National Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo | Adam Hughes, Alan Kupperberg, Alan Weiss, Alex Maleev, Alex Saviuk, Amanda Conner, Bernard Chang, William Tucci, Bob Hall, Bob Layton, Bob McLeod, Carmine Infantino, Chris Moreno, Darwyn Cooke, Dan Slott, Danny Fingeroth, Dennis Calero, Dick Ayers, Elayne Riggs, Frank Cho, Gary Friedrich, Graig Weich, Guy Dorian, Herb Trimpe, Ian Dorian, Irwin Hasen, Ivan Brandon, Joe Sinnott, Jim Steranko, John Romita, Sr, Jim Calafiore, Jimmy Palmiotti, Jim Salicrup, Ken Gale, Ken Kelly, Kim Deitch, Kyle Baker, Mark Bodé, Mark Evanier, Mark Texeira, Mercy Van Vlack, Michael Gaydos, Michael Golden, Michael Netzer, Neal Adams, Norm Breyfogle, Paolo Rivera, William Foster, III, Rich Buckler, Robin Riggs, Ron Garney, S. Clay Wilson, Sean Chen, Sergio Aragonés, Spain Rodriguez, Tim Sale, Tim Vigil, Tom Feister | ||
| 2008 | June 7–8 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo | Richard Dreyfuss, Malcolm McDowell, Ice-T, Coco Austin, Doug Jones, Jason Mewes, Dana Kimmel, Paul Kratka, Larry Zerner, David Katims, Catherine Parks, Tracie Savage, Annie Gaybis, Tony Moran, Warrington Gillette, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Jasmin St. Claire, Monique Dupree, David Zen Mansley, Adrian Barrios, Alex Maleev, Andy MacDonald, Anthony Cacioppo, Arthur Suydam, Bernie Wrightson, William Tucci, Brian C. Kong, Buzz, Danny Fingeroth, Ed Coutts, Gene Ha, Guy Dorian, Guy Gilchrist, Ian Dorian, Irwin Hasen, Ivan Brandon, Joe Giella, John Cebollero, Marcus Boas, Mark Sable, Mark Texeira, Michael Avon Oeming, Mike Lilly, Patrick Gleeson, Paul Azaceta, Primo, Rich Buckler, Richard Howell, Rob Granito, Rodney Ramos, Steve Mannion, Steve Walker, Taki Soma, Tommy Castillo | "Summer Sizzler" |
| November 14–16 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | National Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo | Jim Steranko, John Romita, Jr., Michael Golden, Neal Adams, Bernie Wrightson, Roy Thomas, Gene Ha, Rich Buckler, Irwin Hasen, Joe Giella, Ivan Brandon, Alex Maleev, William Tucci, Tommy Castillo, Mark Texeira, Danny Fingeroth, Carmine Infantino, Mark Evanier, Bryan Talbot, Brian Michael Bendis, Evan Dorkin, Walt Simonson, Michael Avon Oeming, Peter Mayhew, Robin Riggs, Basil Gogos, Kate Mulgrew, George Lazenby | ||
| 2009 | June 13 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo | Sean Chen, Jamal Igle, Bob Gale, Dan Slott, Bob Wiacek, Irwin Hasen, Gene Colan, Joe Giella, Matthew K. Manning, Kevin O'Neill, Mike Diana, Scott Roberts, Trevor Von Eeden, Walter Simonson | "Summer Sizzler" |
| October 16–18 | Pier 94 | Wizard World Big Apple Comic Con | Jim Lee, Joe Quesada, Tom Noonan | First iteration of the show under Wizard Entertainment | |
| 2010 | October 1–3 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Wizard World Big Apple Comic Con | Alex Maleev, Arthur Suydam, Bill Jemas, C. J. Henderson, Carmine Infantino, Chuck Rozanski, Ethan Van Sciver, Guy Dorian, Herb Trimpe, Ian Dorian, J. G. Jones, Joe Madureira, Mark Millar, Mark Texeira, Michael Golden, Mike McKone, Shane Davis, Rich Buckler, Rob Liefeld, Akihiro Kitamura, Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, Erin Gray, Greg Valentine, Larry Thomas, Mike Lookinland, Paris Themmen, Ted DiBiase, Torrie Wilson, Ahmed Best, Jake Lloyd, Bonnie Piesse, Clare Kramer, Claudia Cristian, Dan Fogler, Doug Jones, Kevin Nash, Knicks City Dancers, Leinil Francis Yu, Marat Mychaels, Mikey Whipwreck, Moose Baumann, Nicholas Brendon, Richard Anderson, Rich Perrotta, Sean Waltman, Tammy Lynn Sytch, Virgil | |
| 2011 | May 21–22 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Wizard World Big Apple Comic Con | Neal Adams, Nick Abadzis, Kaare Andrews, Matt Kindt, Percy Carey, Kevin Colden, Jared Fletcher, Michael Kupperman, Jason Little, Mark Morales, Laurie Sandell, Yuko Shimizu, Ronald Wimberly, Brian Wood, Arthur Suydam, Jerry Robinson, Luke Ross, Greg Horn, Christos Gage, Ryan Ottley, Alex Saviuk | |
| 2013 | June 28–30 | Basketball City | Wizard World New York City Experience | Julie Bell, Mike Deodato, Jr., Stan Lee, Carlos Pacheco, Humberto Ramos, Paolo Rivera, Arthur Suydam, Boris Vallejo | |
| 2014 | March 1 | Wyndham New Yorker Hotel | New York Comic Book Marketplace | ||
| 2015 | March 7 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Con | Jason David Frank, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Rich Buckler, Bill Plympton, Bob Camp, Johnny Brennan | |
| 2015 | December 5–6 | Resort World Casino | NY Winter Comic & Sci-Fi Expo | ||
| 2016 | March 5 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Con | Neal Adams, Jason David Frank, Kathy Garver, Erik Larsen, Joseph Michael Linsner, James O'Barr, Karyn Parsons, Lori Petty, Laurence Mason, Johnny Brennan, Mark Texeira | |
| 2017 | March 11–12 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Con | Neal Adams, Jon Bernthal, Guy Dorian, Jason David Frank, Kathy Garver, Michael Golden, Neil Kaplan, Frank Miller, Arthur Suydam, Mark Texeira, Billy Tucci, Spencer Wilding, Renee Witterstaetter | |
| 2018 | April 14-15 | Penn Plaza Pavilion | Big Apple Comic Con | Nicholas Brendon, Jennifer Cihi, Michael Copon, Peter David, Michael Golden, Toshio Maeda, Jim Steranko, Arthur Suydam, Billy Tucci, Renee Witterstaetter |