The new year is always an exciting time as it means the next round of comic cons are slated to begin. Kicking off convention season is Emerald City Comic Con, which starts Mach 1st. Though there’s a lot about ECCC to be excited for, like meeting creators and hearing some of what the comic companies have planned for the year, one of my favorite parts will be seeing what exclusives the con has.
As usual, Funko is giving fans a glimpse of their line-up that will be available at ECCC in their usual bit-by-bit style. Also as usual, we’ve compiled all of those micro-waves for your reading convenience! So if you’re making a shopping list for ECCC, read on to find out what Funko will have in store.
Wave 13: Funko HQ Exclusives (Announced Feb 9)
Not all of Funko’s ECCC exclusives will be available at the show; there’s a whole set of exclusive exclusives (Exclusive-ception!) that can only be purchased from Funko’s HQ or through their online store. Most of them are variants of the Funko properties, like Freddy Funko in different baseball uniforms or the blue or purple Pulpo. However, the most significant offering here is the Opera Bugs Dorbz, the companion piece to Viking Elmer. Both pieces are limited to 1,000 so fans will have to work hard to snag them. Luckily, Funko is extending their HQ hours to accommodate ECCC attendees.
Here’s the copy from Funko:
Now that you’ve seen all of our ECCC exclusives, check out these related exclusives that will be available at Funko HQ or online on Funko Shop!
Please note that Funko HQ will have extended shopping hours on Saturday, March 3rd! We’ll be open till 10PM so head on over after you’re done at ECCC!
Funko HQ Exclusives
Pop! Myths: Flocked Blue & Green Bigfoot (2500pc LE)
Pop! Funko: Spastik Plastik – Purple Pulpo (1000pc LE)
Pop! Funko: Baseball Freddy Funko – White Uniform (1000pc LE)
Dorbz: Looney Tunes – Opera Bugs (1000pc LE)
Funko Shop Exclusives
Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when these become available!
Pop! Funko: Spastik Plastik – Blue Pulpo (2500pc LE)
Pop! Funko: Baseball Freddy Funko – Alternate Uniform (3000pc LE)
Here’s a recap to show where you can get all the variants of Pulpo, Baseball Freddy Funko, Bigfoot, and complete your Elmer Fudd & Bugs Bunny set!
Wave 12: Funko Reveals (Feb 8)
This wave is made up of Funko originals. A new Freddy Funko will debut at ECCC. Dressed in a baseball uniform, he’s a far cry from the Yankee style Freddy Funko that popped up at NYCC last year.
Also, Funko is offering a new Pop! in their Spastik Plastik series: Pulpo. I don’t collect this series but that character design is pretty cool.
I’m most excited for that Bigfoot, though. Limited to 3000 pieces, the Bigfoot is flocked and shows listed under “Pop! Myths.” I don’t know if this is a new series featuring cryptozoological creatures but I am completely down for it if so. If Funko gives me a Jersey Devil Pop!, I can die happy.
From Funko:
Pop! Myths: Flocked Bigfoot (3000pc LE)
We spotted Bigfoot! Make your cryptozoological dreams come true with this Pacific Northwest legend!
Pop! Funko: Spastik Plastik – Green Pulpo (1000pc LE)
Which squid are you? Pulpo is the latest original character from Funko’s Spastik Plastik line to join the Pop! family! Pick up the lime green Pulpo only at ECCC!
Pop! Funko: Freddy Funko – Teal Baseball Freddy (1000pc LE)
Freddy Funko can’t wait for baseball season to return! He’ll be available in his teal uniform exclusively at ECCC 2018!
Wave 11: Saga! (Feb 8)
It’s hard to deny the acclaim behind Brian K. Vaughan’s Saga. I haven’t read it myself so I don’t have much to contribute here but Funko is offering a new Pop! to the series, that of Mourning Prince Robot IV.
From the Funko blog:
Saga, the epic space opera/fantasy comic book series created by acclaimed writer Brian K. Vaughan and award-winning artist Fiona Staples is coming to ECCC!
Pop! Comics: Saga – Mourning Prince Robot IV
Prince Robot IV isn’t his usual colorful self, he’s in mourning in his grayscale uniform and cracked screen.
Wave 10: Movies (Feb 8)
This wave has me excited. Mad Max: Fury Road was hugely popular so that Rictus Erectus should have a lot of fans salivating. Not to mention the die-hard Scott Pilgrim fans who are getting not only a new Ramona Flowers sculpt but a completely new character to the line.
Hands down, though, the most exciting one here is the Life Aquatic Vynl. 2-pack. That has to be one of the oddest vinyl figure choices that I can think of, outside of the La-La Land Pop! 2-pack we got last year. I definitely give Funko props for pulling that one out of nowhere.
Here’s what Funko had to say about this wave:
Emerald City Comic Con 2018 will debut the newest additions to Funko’s Mad Max: Fury Road and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World lines while introducing the first The Life Aquatic Vynl.!
Pop! Movies: Mad Max Fury Road – Rictus Erectus
Witness him! The Rictus Erectus Pop! rounds out our Mad Max: Fury Road series!
Pop! Movies: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World – Gideon & Ramona 2-pack (4000pc LE)
Gideon Graves and Ramona Flowers Pop!s are essentials for any Scott Pilgrim collector!
Vynl.: The Life Aquatic – Steve & Ned 2-pack (2500pc LE)
The Life Aquatic Vynl. highlights an exciting new line from Funko!
Wave 9: Cuphead & Street Fighter (Feb 7)
Yet another limited line with only a single Pop! and a t-shirt. I haven’t played Cuphead but it seemed to get a good following in the short time it’s been out so that Cagney Carnation should be a treat for fans. And though I’m not crazy about the design of that Street Fighter shirt, it is pretty cool that it comes in an arcade cabinet box.
From Funko:
Our next reveal is for fans of Cuphead and Street Fighter!
Pop! Games: Cuphead – Cagney Carnation
You’re up! It’s a good day for a swell battle! Get ready for Cagney Carnation! Be careful, this flower has thorns!
Pop! Tees: Street Fighter II (1000pc LE)
This limited edition Street Fighter II t-shirt comes in arcade style packaging!
Wave 8: Looney Tunes (Feb 7)
There’s only one offering in the Looney Tunes line, which is a shame. Fans of Bugs Bunny should be interested in the Viking Elmer Fudd, Dorbz, a nod to the classic “What’s Opera, Doc?” short cartoon.
From Funko’s blog:
Dorbz: Looney Tunes – Viking Elmer (1000pc LE)
Elmer Fudd is at it again, “hunting wabbits,” but this time he’s sporting his spear and magic helmet!
Wave 7: DC (Feb 7)
Ah, I see what you did there, Funko, with that emerald chrome Batman. Pretty clever.
Anyway, the DC line is, so far, the only line to offer up an exclusive Rock Candy, which is a shame. What’s not a shame is the nice sculpt on that Bombshell Poison Ivy.
I also like that Ace/Krypto Dorbz 2-pack. I won’t go out of my way to snag it, but I can see it being a hit with fans.
From Funko:
Our DC lineup for Emerald City Comic Con includes a Bombshell, a pair of heroic pups, and a shiny Caped Crusader!
Rock Candy: DC Bombshells – Poison Ivy
DC Bombshells’ Pamela Ysley is now a Rock Candy!
Dorbz: DC Comics – Ace & Krypto 2-pack (2000pc LE)
Ace the Bat-Hound and Krypto the Superdog are here to save the day!
Pop! Heroes: Emerald Chrome Batman (1500pc LE)
In honor of the Emerald City, it’s an emerald chrome variant of Batman!
Wave 6: Care Bears & MotU (Feb 6)
Funko has been pushing their Vynl. line since it debuted at New York Comic Con last year and I have to say, I do dig that MotU Beast Man/Sorceress 2-pack. Also, as embarrassing as it is to admit, I really like that Good Luck Bear Care Bear Pop!. That may be one of the few that I track down, if only to honor the Irish in me.
Here’s what Funko had to say:
This Emerald City Comic Con reveal includes a couple of throwback favorites!
Pop! Animation: Care Bears – Flocked Good Luck Bear
Get the fuzzy variant of this lucky green Care Bear only at ECCC!
Vynl.: Masters of the Universe – Sorceress & Beast Man 2-pack (2500pc LE)
Our latest Vynl. 2-pack includes the one and only Sorceress of Castle Grayskull and Skeletor’s right-hand man, Beast Man!
Wave 5: TV (Feb 6)
The TV wave has a few fan favorites in it, most notably the 8-Bit Barb from Stranger Things. I would have liked to have seen a better Pop! for Game of Thrones, but I guess that line has been so popular that they’re actually running out of characters to make.
But hands down, my most favorite exclusive so far is the Amy Pond. We have gone years without an Amy Pond Pop! to keep the Eleventh Doctor company and we’re finally getting it. As I won’t be attending ECCC, I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed that this is one of the shared exclusives.
From Funko:
Game of Thrones®
Funko is proud to announce the latest 6-inch Game of Thrones Pop! is coming to Emerald City Comic Con 2018!
Pop! Television: Game of Thrones – 6″ Giant Wight
The mysterious Giant Wight is ready for battle!
Stranger Things
Stream both seasons of Stranger Things now on Netflix!
Pop! 8-Bit: Stranger Things – Barb
Barb from Stranger Things gets justice as an 8-Bit Pop! for ECCC!
Doctor Who
Funko is bringing a beloved companion to Emerald City Comic Con!
Pop! TV: Doctor Who – Amy Pond
Doctor Who fans rejoice! The beloved companion Amy Pond is joining the Pop! world!
Wave 4: Rick & Morty (Feb 6)
I’ve never watched Rick & Morty so these iterations of the characters are lost on me. I will say, though, that they are pretty cool looking so I can see how fans of the show would be excited for these.
From the Funko blog:
Wubbalubbadubdub! Welcome to the dimension in the multiverse where Rick and Morty are aliens!
Pop! Rick and Morty: Alien Head Rick
Our newest addition from the Citadel of Ricks is Alien Head Rick!
Pop! Rick and Morty: Alien Head Morty
You can’t have an Alien Rick without an Alien Morty!
Wave 3: Disney (Feb 5)
Not much in the way of Disney exclusives. Moana fans may enjoy that shark Maui, and the Toy Story Army Man is a fun little addition but otherwise this line seems to be luke warm at best.
Any way, here’s what Funko had to say about them.
Our Disney items for ECCC include characters from a couple of memorable moments!
Pop! Disney: Moana – Maui with Shark Head
Poor Maui! Struggling to regain control of his special powers, he gets momentarily stuck with the wrong head!
Pop! Disney: Toy Story – Army Man
Who can forget the Army Men’s mission to spy on Andy opening his birthday presents, so that Woody & the gang could be prepared for any new arrivals!
Loungefly: Toy Story Camo Backpack & Pencil Case Set (400pc LE)
Speaking of Toy Story Army Men… check out this amazing Loungefly set, limited to 400 pieces and available only at ECCC!
Wave 2: Star Wars (Announced Feb 5)
There isn’t too much in this wave that’s mind-blowing. Funko really seems to be pushing their collaboration with Loungefly and offering a new Star Wars backpack. That Ahsoka is kinda cute. Unfortunately, the only one I really care about, the Padme Pop!, is the most boring of them all. I guess it’s cool that we’re getting another Amidala but they could have created a better sculpt.
See the copy from Funko’s blog.
The Force is strong with Funko’s Star Wars exclusives for ECCC 2018!
Galactic Plushies: SW: Clone Wars – Ahsoka
Ahsoka makes her Funko plush debut by joining Galactic Plushies!
POP Star Wars: Padmé Amidala
Padmé Amidala is commemorated as another Pop! figure in her iconic Geonosis outfit!
Loungefly: Star Wars Backpack & Pencil Case Set (400pc LE)
Stormtroopers & Tie Fighters adorn this out-of-this-world set from Loungefly, limited to 400 pieces and available only at ECCC!
Wave 1: Marvel (Announced Feb 5)
This whole wave is pretty fantastic, full of characters that no one really cared about until a couple of years ago. That lawyer She-Hulk is outstanding, Yondu doing his “Mary Poppins” bit from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 would be a great addition to any GotG collection ad even though I don’t like Deadpool, I love Howard the Duck, so that Deadpool the Duck Dorbz is an arm-twisting buy for me.
From Funko:
We’re kicking off our Emerald City Comic Con reveals with some fan-favorite additions to the Funko Marvel family!
Pop! Marvel: Lawyer She-Hulk
She-Hulk isn’t just a strong contender, she’s also a powerful lawyer!
Pop! Marvel: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – Yondu
Yondu is looking as pretty as an angel with his red fin and trusty arrow!
Dorbz: Marvel – Deadpool the Duck
Deadpool + Duck = Deadpool the Duck!
Daku Con 2018 Photo Gallery
Daku Con 2018 Convention Recap!
PAX South 2019: Splitgate Arena Warfare, World of Horror, JackQuest, and Disjunction
PAX South 2019: Jump Force, Skellboy, A Fold Apart
PAX South 2019: Devil May Cry 5, Young Souls, Magequit
Nan Desu Kan 2018 Photo Gallery
It is the day, or maybe week, after you have attended a convention where you walked away with a ton of swag (yay!). You’ve had time to come to terms with the money you spent and are now super excited to show off all of your goodies. Here is the trouble: how do you properly display your pieces while still making your space feel “adult-ish” and maintaining their beauty? AHH! It is okay, don’t stress out. I am here to help you pimp out your space! Do people still say that? Who cares! Let’s get started!
Art prints
Sure they gave you that beautiful art print inside a snuggly clear bag but that doesn’t look too classy on the wall. I suggest framing that little guy. I know you just dropped a ton of money, so spending even more makes your stomach dance. Fear not! I buy most of my frames from Michael’s. They have affordable prices, frequent sales, AND lots of coupons! First hunt around to see if your print will fit into a standard frame and if it doesn’t, get an estimate for custom framing. Everything looks better in a frame. Trust me on this one. Even movie posters feel like adult pieces of art when framed.
Figurines
I personally have a huge problem with buying too many figurines. They take up space on your desk and before you know it you are swimming in adorable little people (or creatures) that just stare at you while you try to be productive (but really are watching Netflix). They aren’t watching you, even though it may feel that way. Buy a cute little shelf, like this, to display them on instead!! That way they are off of your precious counter space and you no longer pay attention to their judgy eyes after a marathon of Supernatural. Ikea has some great shelves at affordable prices.
Photos
Did you snap a ton of awesome photos at the convention? Awesome! You have a few ways you can remember those memories. First, you could make super cute magnets with PicStick! Photos on your fridge are the best! For a traditional route, get them printed! You have many options when it comes to getting photo prints made but my favorite it Shutterfly. They offer a ton of options so you can get exactly what you want. After you have your prints, pick up some frames to make those bad boys super fancy.
Small random things that don’t really fit in anything
I always end up collecting too many business cards, cute tiny stickers, and more while at conventions. I always feel like I can’t get rid of them but want to do more than just throw them in a box and forget about them. My solution? Buy a photo album with sticky pages. Add any super cool wristbands, adorable business cards, or cute person’s phone number in there *wink*. The great part about these sticky pages is that you can put in whatever little loose odds and ends you can’t part with. All in the same spot! Did I blow your mind?
Or, if you bought items like say, a stuffed animal, then you may want a fancier way of showing them off. Try using a cart! It looks nice, draws attention to your treasures, and is mobile! Switch up the look of a room almost immediately by moving your cart. Alright, now I definitely blew your mind.
Have some handy tips and tricks for enjoying your latest purchases? Tell us about them!
Hillary Joyner
Contributor
@cameracuties
Daku Con 2018 Photo Gallery
Daku Con 2018 Convention Recap!
PAX South 2019: Splitgate Arena Warfare, World of Horror, JackQuest, and Disjunction
PAX South 2019: Jump Force, Skellboy, A Fold Apart
PAX South 2019: Devil May Cry 5, Young Souls, Magequit
Nan Desu Kan 2018 Photo Gallery
We mentioned that we were attending Reedpop’s new comic-focused comic-con (it hurts physically to write that nonsense). Was it a successful edition to the east coast convention scene or should you just wait for the big booming NYCC in October? Check out our coverage and the best cosplay we saw below!
The Good
Small crowds
Any one who has been to NYCC knows the war that is navigating the fucking thing. It’ll take you an half an hour to get to the panel area, but just kidding, the line for whatever you want to see is already at capacity an hour and a half before it even starts. No such problems at New York Special Edition. The con wasn’t sold out, and while the line to buy a pass at the event was large, picking up passes was quick and easy. The spirit of the weekend was a lot calmer than the four day cluster-fuck that is NYCC. Every creator that I spoke to, including Anthony Del Col of Kill Shakespeare, liked the vibe of the weekend.
Look at all the space! THE SPACE! I did’t rub up against a single person that I didn’t want to.
There was a graduation going on
The Javits Center is huge, and while NYCC takes over the entire convention hall, Special Edition took place in the small area that usually hosts the artist alley of the big con. You’ll never be as tickled as seeing a bunch of grads and family in fancy dress share a space with comic nerds and cosplayers.
The Bad
Limited Panels
I’m not entirely sure how limiting the number of panels facilitates an “intimate event that is focused solely on the art, creation and culture of comic books,” but with only 12 panels scheduled for Saturday, this was one of several programmatic features that turned Special Edition in to a con with not a lot going on. The one panel that I attempted to go to was a feature on Marvel’s “Young Guns” or their new roster of artists, and it the sound was terrible. I will say that a limited number of panels meant there was only two happening at a time, which means that there was little chance of missing something that you wanted to see.
Limited “Big Two” Presence
Marvel had a tiny booth and DC decided to stay home. This may be because there were TWO other cons in the NYC area going on this weekend that are more established. Now, while I’m sure some comic fans might be okay with this or even think it was a good thing, there was a lot less sponsored free swag and a lot less creator presence. Though I was able to pick up a few free titles and an Original Sin bouncy eyeball (stay tuned for giveaway). Also, I cant definitively say that this meant there was room for indies and smaller companies. NYCC is just so stupidly large, that there is usually space for tons of content.
The Ugly
Very Few Cosplayers
The growth of con-culture can be attributed to or closely tied with cosplaying, which was why it was so puzzling to attend a comic convention that did not include a parade or competition of any kind. Seeing cosplayers of all talents and designs are a big draw for many attendees, plain clothes or otherwise. Without a programed event, there was scarce costumed presence (though the few that I did see were all pretty much on point). This added to a general lack of much to do that I think defined the con.
General Lack of Stuff to Do
Ok, I’m prejudiced and used to the big con, but for 30 bucks a day(similarly priced to NYCC), programmers should have offered attendees more to do than a few panels and a show floor that was not even a tenth of the size of the one in October. Yes there was an excellent amount of creator access, but I’d argue the con could be “done” in under three hours, because after you talked to your favorite writers and artists, there was not much else to do besides spend your money and then spend some more money. There was one draw-off type event that was fun to watch for a bit, but other than that, this was a con with not much to cover. Now, big events like NYCC and SDCC are still spaces for people to hock shit, the difference is that Hollywood is trying to earn your dollar later.
The problem with the lack of programming wasn’t that there was no big name stars or game presence, it was just that there wasn’t enough to do. One of the draws of any convention should be a social aspect of getting together with people with like-interests. Free events like speed dating or gaming rooms allow for this kind of socialization There just wasn’t space to do that at Special Edition: NYC. It made sense to see people bounce from the con after a few hours and time spent just kind of chilling away from the show floor. Ultimately vendors lose out when people don’t pop back onto the show floor between things they want to do or see.
After my coverage, I can’t say that Special Edition: NYC has the content and programming to make it an entirely fun and worthwhile con. I’d like to see it develop and expand while still remaining comic-focused and intimate. Cross-purposes? Maybe.
Or maybe just don’t plan your con on Father’s Day Weekend during New York Comic Fest and Long Island’s Eternal Con. Maybe.
REVIEW | The Batman Who Laughs – #1
REVIEW | Doomsday Clock #4
Review | The Lost Path by Amélie Fléchais
Emerald City Conversation with Jen Wang
REVIEW | Doomsday Clock #2
