Horror Takes Over New York Comic Con 2026: Monsters, Mayhem & More
By Damian Hex | More Horror I've always envied October babies: Autumn arrives, Halloween festivities kick off, and monsters emerge from the shadows. Naturally, I went to New York Comic Con to celebrate its 20th anniversary. This year's con ran from October 7th to 10th at the Javits Center and embraced the "Coney Island" theme, featuring numerous side shows for fans to enjoy. NYCC has been a fantastic outlet for horror, and this weird kid loves it.
This year, Shudder introduced its first booth, giving horror fans a chance to grab cool merch, exclusive pins, and take photos with icons like the Crypt Keeper, Boulet Brothers, Johnny from In a Violent Nature, and the puppets from the "Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance" chapter in V/H/S/Mixtape. You damn right I snapped as many photos as I could!
NBCUniversal showcased its Universal Horror attraction. Guests posed in front of backdrops from Obsession, Fortnite/Fortnitemares, and other horror-themed titles. The star attraction, HamiKuma, one of Halloween Horror Nights' mascots, stole the show. Zombie teddy bears are in this season.
Even though NYCC lasts four days, I had to plan my stops wisely because the hours flew by. One highlight was the Whalefall panel presented by 20th Century Studios and Imagine Entertainment, featuring director Brian Duffield, author Daniel Kraus, and actors Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin. They discussed the book-to-film adaptation and shared their feelings about their roles, giving fans a sneak peek at footage that will unsettle those with claustrophobia. What can one expect when the story is about being stuck inside a whale?
NYCC wouldn’t be complete without queer horror representation. Shudder/AMC+ invited drag and TV icons, the Boulet Brothers (Dracmorda Boulet and Swanthula Boulet), to host the panel THE BOULET BROTHERS’ DRAGULA: 10 YEARS OF TERROR. These horror icons look just as flawless in person as they do on-screen. For those unfamiliar, Dragula is a horror-themed drag competition that has transformed into a monster franchise. During the panel, the Boulets discussed the show's evolution and unveiled an exclusive, never-before-seen trailer for Season 7 of Dragula.
It’s always cool when friends are part of the con programming. Horror manga artist and bestie, Gigi Murakami, moderated Junji Ito: Strange — “Face Thief.” Junji Ito (a famous Japanese horror manga artist) even delivered a special video message to kick things off for NYCC attendees, followed by an exclusive screening of “Face Thief.” The panel wrapped up with a Q&A featuring director Yuta Shimotsu. The discussion focused on Yuta's adaptation of the horror manga into the live-action horror anthology series titled "Strange: Junji Ito's Tales for Sleepless Nights," as well as his previous works. Watching a friend interact with such a gifted director made me proud.
I was surprised my wallet didn’t take a huge hit; so many tempting booths surrounded me. The Regal Theatre booth sold popcorn buckets featuring Blumhouse, Godzilla, Jason Voorhees, and Ghostface. Bull Airs, a pop culture-inspired fashion brand, partnered with the Jim Henson Company to create products featuring characters and themes from The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Monster Cereals. I nearly snagged a Count Chocula jacket and matching sneaks. Meanwhile, Civil Regime partnered with Disney Villains, Marvel Zombies, Predator, and Alien, among others. Jackets and shirts galore, with some pieces exclusive to the con.
I desperately wanted their Predator bomber jacket, but my size sold out before I grabbed one. I could keep listing the booths that caught my eye, and we’d be here all day, but I must mention Mezco Toys. They displayed my favorite collectibles: Living Dead Dolls, horror-themed dolls first launched in 1998, that have only grown in popularity since. I spoke with one of the original creators, Damien Glonek. Not to brag, but we chat every now and then.
Horror truly dominated NYCC, as it should. Crystal Lake, DEXTER, and Godzilla Minus Zero all made appearances through booths, panels, and events. For instance, Jason Voorhees and Pabst Blue Ribbon spread terror in certain bars, rewarding brave attendees with quality beer and exclusive PBR and Jason merchandise. NYCC kept me busy, so I missed out on living out my slasher bar fantasy. I'm also bummed I didn’t get to experience the Crystal Lake haunt, but friends who did reported that the actors and jump scares were top-notch.
After fulfilling my press duties, I indulged in some Sunday shopping. I headed straight to the Tim Jacobus booth, a notable horror icon known for his artwork on the earlier R.L. Stine Goosebumps books. I bought art and got some of my Goosebumps books signed, which made kid me happy af.
Attending all four days was exhausting, but I burned calories walking and carrying a heavy backpack, and it was absolutely worth it. NYCC captured the essence of conventions: the fandom. There was something for everyone.
Many fans put significant effort into their cosplays, which adds to NYCC's charm. Although I wandered off to explore non-horror things, horror kept calling me back. I had a great time and can't wait to see how horror evolves alongside New York Comic Con.
This was a great way to celebrate Halloween before actual Halloween.
Damian Hex is a horror-themed performer, video game tester, and media personality. As a proud queer person of color, he uses his voice to amplify marginalized voices. You can find him at screenings, nightlife events, conventions, and ghoul gatherings.
When he is not outside striking terror into the hearts of innocents, you can catch him spreading the unholy word to audiences on Twitch. Speaking of Twitch, he has several favorite game titles, including Cult of the Lamb, Hollow Knight, Mortal Kombat, Parasite Eve, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
Follow Damian on Instagram @damianhex
