Recap of New York Winter Con 2014

On Saturday December 6th 2014, the Otakus and Geeks staff went Winter Con which was held at Aqueduct Casino in Queens. This was the con's first year and I can see it growing in time to cover the entire Casino in the future. The convention was filled with cosplayers, vendors and even geeky celebs such as Yaya Han. For the first year and the space allowed I felt Winter Con did a good job. There were a number of panels that was for more of the comics and sci-fi crowd. Panels included:

1."Myth Ink Books Presents: Urban Horror Tales from The City that Never Sleeps." This program shall discussed the forthcoming book of urban horror stories, Dark Tales from Elder Regions: New York, and why we should all be afraid of what lurks in the dark corners of all five New York City boroughs. Myth Ink Books is happy to present the Award Winning Author & Actress Leanna Renee Hieber who will be reading her story, “Roebling's Monster,” from Dark Tales from Elder Regions: New York. Anthony, Jessica & Leanna will have copies on hand of their work for sale and signing, which will follow the discussion and reading. 

2.”What is Fleet 31? To Boldly Go Where No Trek Fan Has Gone Before." Fleet 31 seeks to further Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a better future of humanity by upholding the principles of Starfleet, as well as by giving back and reaching out to the community through volunteer charity work and community service. This program shall discuss Star Trek's enduring legacy, the International Fan Organization of Fleet 31 and the New York City chapter/ship USS Growler NCC-76369, (http://fleet31.com/chapters/growler/) which is named after the only guided missile submarine on display located at The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. 

3. 75 Years of Marvel Comics: Comics historian Peter Sanderson presented a power-point presentation of Marvel Comics' first 75 years.

4. New York City Premiere of Star Trek Prelude To Axanar. 21-minute short film, Prelude to Axanar, features Richard Hatch, Tony Todd, Kate Vernon, JG Hertzler and Gary Graham, who reprises his role of Soval from "Enterprise". The makeup was done by Academy Award winner Kevin Haney and Star Trek veteran Brad Look and Make Up Effects Lab. with the amazing visual effects of Tobias Richter and The Light Works, and sound by Academy Award winner Frank Serafine. “Axanar" is a web feature that is the story of Garth of Izar and the Battle of Axanar, one of the pivotal events in the history of the Federation. "Axanar" takes place 21 years before the events of “Where no Man Has Gone Before”. It is the story of Garth of Izar, the legendary Starfleet captain who is Captain Kirk’s hero and the role model for a generation Starfleet Officer's. Garth charted more planets than any other Captain and was the hero of the Battle of Axanar and his exploits are required reading at Starfleet Academy. This is the story of Garth and his crew during the Four Years War, the war with the Klingon Empire that almost tore the Federation apart, and whose resolution solidified the Federation and allowed it to become the entity we know in Kirk's time. 

5. Martialist - The Decline & Rebirth of Martial Arts. This is a Documentary Movie about The Past and Present in martial Arts, our own style that will feature demonstrations and interviews with authentic martial arts- No Actors or Scripts, just real martial artists. This Movie is based on the Movie "Warriors Within" from 1976. 

6. Star Trek New Voyages: MindSifter: When the crew of the Enterprise is forced to accept the death of Captain Kirk, McCoy and Spock (now Captain of the Enterprise) must come to terms with their own grief, but when Spock discovers a plot by the Klingons to send Kirk back in time in order destroy the Federation, it will take all the courage and abilities of the crew of the Enterprise to rescue their beloved Captain in time before he succumbs to his own insanity, the loss of his identity while in the year 1958 and The horrific torture of the Vile Klingon Mind-Sifter.

As the convention grows I can see their panel list expanding and guest list as well. There were also a variety of vendors who were on hand to sell merchandise. The prices were pretty fair compare to other conventions I have attended in the past year. I will say that the highlight of the event was the cosplayers. You can see part 1 of the cosplayers at New York Winter Con 2014 the photos was taken by our good friend BLE Vision . Winter Con had some really good cosplayers for it's first year. Yaya Han came in as Batgirl which looked great on her. She also hosted the cosplayer contest which showcased the good and the bad. Overall for a first year this con has a lot of potential. Once the guest and panels expand this will be a con to come too in a few years. 

Also a special shoutout to AdventMonk, Lua Suicide with Cosbaes and Bitches of Cosplay. It was pleasure meeting you all.