New York Comic Con 2023 is nearly upon us. As always, the event will draw thousands, from cosplayers, to comic enthusiasts, to the simply curious and die-hard fans. Likewise, the event will be chocked full of artists, vendors, panels, autograph opportunities, and more…. But…. The SAG-AFTRA strike continues, casting a pall over the east coast’s largest comic convention. Celebrity interviews will be limited, at best, as will the line-up of, and content provided from, panels on upcoming projects. So what, exactly, will fans get when they arrive at the Javits Center in New York City later this week to attend NYCC 2023?
For those not familiar, SAG-AFTRA stands for Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The union joined the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in striking, opposing the disparate wages and benefits its members’ earn in stark contrast to the profits that the studios reap. While the WGA strike has reached a conclusion, the SAG-AFTRA strike has not. As a result, actors/talent are not permitted to cross picket lines in order to discuss or promote their projects. (Granted, this is admittedly a very condensed and oversimplified explanation. but you get the general idea. For more information on what the actors can and cannot do, click HERE.) So what does that mean for NYCC 2023? Well, a lot, actually, if you compare this year’s convention to those of years’ past.
The SAG-AFTRA strike and NYCC 2023
Take just last year’s NYCC, for example. The convention schedule was filled to the brim with talent-laden panels. The entire cast of Picard discussed the series’ final season. We got surprise screenings of upcoming films, introduced by the films’ stars. We also spoke with the likes of James McAvoy, who regaled us with hints for and previews of His Dark Materials Season 3. Those types of opportunities will be noticeably absent at NYCC 2023.
Yes, there will still be a number of panels related to upcoming projects and series, including Apple TV+’s Godzilla spinoff series, Monarch. You’ll also get a sneak peak at the next installment of Futurama. But let’s be honest – for a great many fans seeing the actors and hearing them speak about their projects is the biggest draw of the show. There will still be autograph and photo opportunities galore, but ten-second interactions at NYCC 2023 may not be enough to quench fans’ thirst for information.
What can we expect?
(Image: JJ Goodman for That Hashtag Show)
According to Variety, talks between SAG-AFTRA and the studios are set to resume today. Still, the strike is now well into its twelfth week. There’s little chance it will be resolved by Thursday. Thus, some of the biggest questions leading up to NYCC 2023 are these: How will the event compensate for the loss of one of its biggest components, and will it succeed without it? We’ll find out soon enough. Stay tuned here to That Hashtag Show for all your NYCC 2023 news, as we’ll have boots on the ground reporting from the convention all four days.
For more information on New York Comic Con 2023, which runs from this Thursday, October 12 through Sunday, October 15, visit the event’s official site HERE.
