TheGibson
09-08-2008, 11:05 AM
My wife has a conference in NYC so we'll be in a hotel paid for by the company (natch) for 4 days plus two days at The Pod (http://www.thepodhotel.com/), because we're cheap.
During the day I'm looking for some great geeky things to do (not just comic stuff, computers, pop culture, etc...).
We'll be hitting the MET, SoHo, Central Park, see a show or four, Radio City, hopefully connecting with Mike & Taki when they get back... the usual touristy stuff, but I"m going to have 3 days alone from 8am-5pm. I really want to hit the Marvel offices just to say I did, same with DC. Maybe some of the local shops...
...but what else? I'm going to have 24 daylight hours alone and am going to need some stuff to do. Preferably cheep or free. Preferably geekish.
Any help would be appreciated.
SteveFlack
09-08-2008, 11:11 AM
I gotta archive this...
I wrote this up a while ago, and repost everytime someone asks this question.
Where every geek in NYC should shop-
COMIC SHOPS-
Midtown Comics- Midtown has two locations, the flagship store on 40th and 7th, and smaller quieter shop by Grand Central Station, on the corner or Lex and 45th (which I've never actually been too). It's cold, and very business-minded, but they do carry everything, and have an excellent discount program (a free $20 for every $100 you spend on comics in the store). It's where I go every Wednesday, even though, I'd rather go to-
Jim Hanley's Universe- 33rd St, between 5th and 6th, across from the Empire State Building. Personally, my favorite comic shop. Sadly, they do not offer any sort of discount program regularly, but they do have awesome sales, and the best staff in the city. It's definitely a must shop.
Cosmic Comics- 23rd St between Park and Broadway, a nice shop that I used to hit up regularly in college, but haven't been to in years. Nice layout, and a decent discount program, similar to Midtowns (though, like I said, I haven't been to in years, so I'm not sure if it changed). It's a nice little shop, but honestly, it's under-whelming compared to Midtown and Hanley's.
Roger's Time Machine- 14th St between 7th and 8th Ave, a nice little old timey shop that specializes in back issues. Very limited new comics, but if you feel like digging, you can find some great shit. It used to be my rgular shop when I worked across the street, but I kinda had to stop going there when I realized I could get a better discount somewhere larger. I haven't been back since, because I felt bad about it. That's where I learned I shouldn't make a personal connection with comic shop owners.
Forbidden Planet- 13th St and Broadway, one of the first comic shops I ever went to (my father took me to their older, larger location down the block, every weekend when I was 8 to buy Mirage Ninja Turtle comics, while all my friend were buying Archie TMNT comics). More about comic book ephemera nowadays, but still a great shop I stop by regularly to find new and interesting things. No back issues though, but excellent discount sections, and toys and books sections that really rock.
The Strand- on the corner of 12th and Broadway is the world's premier discount bookstore, where almost everything is half price. My dad once said, "Steve, I'm not a very emotional person, but if the Strand ever closed, I'd cry." In recent years, they've put together a really good discount comics section, especially for non-superhero stuff. If you're looking for anything Fantagraphics or Pantheon, check here first.
St. Mark's Comics- St. Mark's Place, between 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave, which in all actuality is a real shithole, with a terrible owner, but you'll probably stop in for a peek when you're on St. Mark's anyway, which is an awesome street full of punk culture leftovers.
Rocketship- To find New York's most hip comic store, you have to venture out to Brooklyn, on Smith St, between Baltic and Butler, and you'll find Rocketship, fill of indie awesome and mainstream awesome, plus a great selection of original art, and the regular fantastic party (complete with free beer!) One of the best places in all of NYC.
Toy Stores-
Toy Tokyo- While you are on St. Marks, turn the corner to 2nd Ave and 7th St and head upstairs to hit up Toy Tokyo, an awesome little import and designer toy store filled with tons of crap you will need to own. When you are done there, you should check out...
Love Saves The Day- underneath Toy Tokyo, on the corner of 2nd and 7th is a glorified junk store, where everything is overpriced, but it's full of awesome crap that many people have thrown away over the years. Tons of awesome toys you used to own are all over the place here.
Kid Robot - Prince St, between Greene and Wooster Sts in Soho, is the premier designer toy store, filled with very expensive vinyl toys, and trendy t-shirts and hats.
Toys R Us- located in the heart of Times Square is the flagship TRU, which is basically your neighborhood TRU on steroids. Oh, and it has a ferris wheel.
FAO Schwartz- 5th ave and 58th St, is the legendary FAO, complete with the requisite giant keyboard. Recently reopened by new owners, FAO is like a toy museum. Sure, it's all slightly overpriced, but they have the best taste when it comes to toys.
Other Stuff-
The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, located on the 4th floor of 594 Broadway between Houston in Prince is a small museum dedicated to everything we love. Run by a great staff of dedicated volunteers, MoCCA is new and small, but hopefully someday will be large and extravagant. Definitely worth a visit while you are in SoHo.
Jerry Ohlinger's Movie Material's Store- 35th St, between 7th and 8th Ave. My alma mater. I spent all of my college years, and sometime before and after that working here (well, actually, at their old location on 14th St). If you want any actual movie poster, or 8x10 photo from a movie, you'd go here. It's a little down and dirty, but it's full of characters.
Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company- when you're in Cobble Hill, checking out Rocketship, take a trip over to Park Slope, more specifically, 5th ave and 5th st, to find a store where all local crime fighters shop for their gear. Actually a writing resource center for neighborhood youth, it's storefront is something every comic fan should check out, and take awesome photos in, and while you're there, pick up one of their great t-shirts, it's for a good cause.
That's all I could think of off the top of my head, if you're looking for something I didn't cover here, just ask, I'm sure I could think of dozens of other places that are worth your time. Google these shops for better directions and more info.
-Steve!
Jef UK
09-08-2008, 11:22 AM
Rocketship is in Boerum Hill! Or Cobble Hill. One of those hills. But not a slope!
Play Dungeons and Dragons!
Build a model rocket that really works!
Take an exam and get the highest grade in the class!
SteveFlack
09-08-2008, 11:28 AM
Rocketship is in Boerum Hill! Or Cobble Hill. One of those hills. But not a slope!
Fixed.
-Steve!
Warn people with 56k modems about all the photos you posted online.
Review Final Crisis #1-3 several times!
Albert
09-08-2008, 11:32 AM
Vote for which new comic coming out in a given week people should review on an online message board.
Albert
09-08-2008, 11:33 AM
Submit questions for a podcast interview with a popular comic book writer!
Post an article you found on a DVD message board onto a comic book message board!
Jef UK
09-08-2008, 11:43 AM
Don't talk to models in Bryant Park!
SteveFlack
09-08-2008, 11:43 AM
Post snarky comments on a message board!
-Steve!
Jef UK
09-08-2008, 11:44 AM
Post snarky comments on a message board!
-Steve!
That's what I do in NYC.
TheGibson
09-09-2008, 06:07 AM
Seriously, I ask about NYC and all I get is Ben doing a stand-up routine to an empty room?
COME ON! Someone else has gotta have SOMETHING!!!
PeteL
09-09-2008, 06:11 AM
Nintendo World in Rockefeller Center is a favorite of mine.
Jef UK
09-09-2008, 06:18 AM
Seriously, I ask about NYC and all I get is Ben doing a stand-up routine to an empty room?
COME ON! Someone else has gotta have SOMETHING!!!
What nerdy things do you expect to be able to do that you can't do anywhere else, other than visit a couple of comic shops? I think that was Ben's point.
Evil Dead the Musical might still be playing.
TheGibson
09-10-2008, 05:23 AM
What nerdy things do you expect to be able to do that you can't do anywhere else, other than visit a couple of comic shops? I think that was Ben's point.
Evil Dead the Musical might still be playing.
Everyone on the Oeming board was very helpful. I don't see why you can't be. :blurp:
And the Evil Dead musical is a GREAT idea, thanks! Exactly what I'm looking for!
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