KEY POINTS

  • ReedPop was forced to cancel this year's in-person New York Comic-Con event due to COVID-19
  • NYCC 2020 will shift to an all-virtual show on October 8-11
  • Panels will be streamed live on YouTube
  • Fans will also enjoy Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets, workshops and more

As with all events, tournaments and shows that were either canceled or postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year's New York Comic-Con (NYCC) will be an all-virtual convention with live panels streamed via YouTube.

ReedPop announced the partnership Tuesday with President Lance Fensterman expressing his thoughts on their decision to host an alternative event instead of an in-person gathering to protect the health and safety of the people behind NYCC.

“I will miss walking up and down artist alley and seeing friends that I've made since we were in the basement at the Javits Center.

“While this year will definitely be a different experience, we are going to look to bring the best and most engaging events to our fans, exhibitors and studios through our partnership with YouTube,” said Fensterman, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Convention-goers walk by a poseter of Supergirl and The Flash during Comic-Con International in San Diego, California on July 21, 2016
Convention-goers walk by a poseter of Supergirl and The Flash during Comic-Con International in San Diego, California on July 21, 2016 AFP / Bill Wechter

ReedPop is the world's leading producer of all things pop culture and is also the name behind the equally exciting Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Emerald City Comic-Con and Florida Supercon, among others.

The NYCC 2020 joins BlizzCon and CES 2021 as some of the premier events that were either canceled or shifted to an all-digital format amid the global COVID-19 scare.

Panels usually held at exhibition halls will instead be streamed live on YouTube, but NYCC 2020 won't be limiting its virtual exhibition to just panel talks: publisher and retailer roundtables, networking opportunities and digital courses will be available, said IGN.

Fans can also participate in live Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets, personalized autographs and workshops via YouTube's Community and Live Chat. Panels on the other hand will include Starz's “American Gods,” CBS All Access' “Star Trek,” Dreamworks Animation, Hulu and FX, Deadline reported.

“We look forward to this weekend all year-long, just like you and with this being our 15th edition, we were particularly excited,” said Fensterman. Reedpop will also work with its sister event, the MCM Comic-Con in London for the creation of the New York Comic-Con's Metaverse as an “online portal dedicated to delivering pop culture experiences,” said IGN.

“It's been amazing to see the community turn out, time and again, in support of our exhibitors and creators. The loss of virtually all conventions in 2020 has leveled a devastating blow on their businesses. We know a lot you are fans of their work yourselves and we ask that you continue to support them,” said ReedPop.

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