Si Mocca Fest in New York is another successful event, if successful, you mean the opportunity to see and buy many amazing comics, chat with old friends, and find others chatting with old friends.
I was once again at the Metropolitan Pavilion and I didn’t see any attendance, but it passed the “busy” test. Every time I approach the desk and chat or check it out, I have to wait for someone else to finish the purchase/chat. This is very unusual in “regular” comic scams, where tables are often desperate to make eye contact to start interactions, which prompts those who walk through the alley to develop the same abilities that can be ignored, as well as bartenders around the world perfected. Mocca buzzes!
Therefore, the interaction is 100%. Is it a sales? I didn’t really check it out, but no one saw a few “sold out” signs on Sunday, but no one broke out about the sale. I do hear about slow sales, but usually from people who don’t have much new materials.
That said, although I had to leave earlier on Sunday, I did see a bunch of books on the table that usually run out at the end of the day. I don’t want to say that the complete economic anxiety situation that swallows us is affected by Mocca, but I’m sure I heard a few people wondering if it has Mocca.
Nevertheless, when I’m around me, my mood is usually optimistic. My Mocca gave a speech with Chinese artists on Friday Badiucao and writers Melissa Chen exist P&T knitwear Talk about their books You must participate in the revolution (Street Noise Book), hosted James takes. The three talked about China’s human rights struggle and the current crisis in the United States. Fabulous books to illuminate these dark ages.
After that, I jumped on L and checked the new location of the deserted island, which was a new location along the street. We look at autumn. This place is packaged for signature Blood tail and Julia Gfrörs. owner Gabe Fowler All are smiling and everyone is happy to meet each other, talk about comics, and thank the local agency for still being there.
As mentioned earlier, Saturday’s event is being slammed. I caught up with most of the big publishers that were set up and asked about diamonds, tariffs and other sad things. Although some are creditors, no one seems to be affected by diamond bankruptcy.
Jason Leivian Floating world points out they have There is a small distribution company Handle something similar Sisters Santos Comics (Fantagraphics collection). While the current release chaos hasn’t really affected them, such as Floating Worlds and Domino Books Shows that very small professional publishers are alive and can survive in comics and come with adventure books that I and some others love to read. I wonder if we’ll see more mergers and collaborations if the diamonds do split into different parts.
Elsewhere, people are happy to see Jaime Hernandez, His first NYC in years (and Mocca for the first time in over a decade!) Most panels are packed – if I have one suggestion for Mocca, it is, if you want to see a panel, get there early – I missed Marquee Events like between Hernandez, Hernandez, Hernandez, Hernandez, Hernandez, Hernandez, Hernandez, Hernandez, Hernandez Charles Burns and Adrian Tommy…I have to view it on the website.
Mocca presented awards, but this year’s format is different. An invitation is an invitation only after the party is held a few blocks away, rather than the illustrators’ association. Even though I missed the atmosphere of the society, it was convenient to be able to walk a few blocks and see it. The award was announced in one of the panel rooms, providing the winner with an opportunity to rise and accept cash prizes and big blue ribbons, which you might see at the state fair, and I think it’s actually cool! It’s also cool – there’s a big cheer when someone particularly popular in the community wins. This is similar to the spirit you see at the Ignatz Awards, which, despite its smaller scale, feels good. (I want to emphasize that all the winners cheered—but some beloved community members cheered even more.) The next day, the winners were given a balloon in the showroom and announced on the PA, resulting in more cheers. Public recognition feels good!
As mentioned before, I had to leave early because I felt crappy. Three shows in four weeks outweighed my more! But after the show, Leivian posted the debate on Bluesky:
“This artist impressed.
This setting is very visible in the front of the room and certainly expresses the rebellious spirit that an independent comic show should always have. There is a long debate in the comments in this article, which I will summarize as Austin English It was costly to call Mocca’s table and had some discussion on what an independent company was about.
I haven’t wade, but I’ll give me the idea here: indeed, Mocca’s table is very expensive – even more expensive than NYC Comic Con! I believe it’s $500 for a table, which is a lot.
I don’t agree that this is a huge obstacle for the little news people who make comics while working on the weekdays. However, the economics of the entire show are on the scale of New York City, i.e. expensive. Metropolitan Pavilion is the only place of size and capability for the super quality location in the center of Manhattan. It’s absolutely everything. I heard the voices of other people who were on the show, and it wasn’t a cheap place to perform. I desperately hope there is an area to sit down and read or rest, but just picking up a few chairs will cost money, and all exhibitions require all the space. (There is one Calm down A room that provides quiet and relaxing things, but it is reserved for those who need this environment. )
Why can’t Mocca move? Well, that’s New York City’s business. They have many different locations, but they are all priced or ripped off, making it hard to find enough space to hold hundreds of exhibitions in Manhattan. I don’t know the economics of running the illustrator itself – it’s a New York institution – but having permanent, beautiful art show spaces aren’t cheap either. We just want to say that I did some activities in my time and finding a space to do anything in New York City was exhausting and expensive.
Previous director of the show, Anelle Millerset up modes for the exhibition by getting more institutional exhibitors that can afford the show – every cartoon school is set up, with Riso Lab and other larger tables here. There are many sponsors – including beats, who is the proud media sponsor of the festival.
Everything comes out at New York prices, including Independent Comics Festival. BIC in Brooklyn It’s a much cheaper option and I hope the show will grow and serve other audiences.
I am glad that the Mocca Festival is present and held in the central location and that the organizers are able to bring guests from all over the world to attend. Whether people can make money to sell books is a concern. Worries like Austin English should also be heard, but I don’t think there is an easy solution.
Now let’s go to the previous few photos!
