For all of you lucky guys and gals fortunate enough to head up to The Big Apple this weekend for New York Comic Con 2016, we wanted to provide a guide of sorts.

A schedule that #blerds could use to navigate the sea of fanboy/ fangirl fervor that will be in huge quantities through the 4 day (Oct 6-9) celebration of pop culture.

Here are a few top panels/ events to choose from throughout the long weekend:

–Oct 6th/ Afropunks & Blerds: The Black Nerd Rennaissance/ Jacob Javits Convention Center, Room 1A18, 7:45 PM-8:45 PM

Via the New York Comic Con website, “Throughout pop culture, Black voices are making themselves heard in a variety of mediums, defying the stereotypes of what it means to be Black. With a line-up of Panelists that includes comic writers David F. Walker (Marvel’s Power Man and Iron Fist), Eisner-winning scholar Dr. Sheena Howard (Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation), Grammy-winning musicians Vernon Reid and Corey Glover (Living Colour) and more, this Panel explores the intersections of racial identity and creative expression during a crucial time in American history.”

The panel will also include blogger/ journalist Karama Horne a.k.a Blerdgurl (http://theblerdgurl.com/), and Professor John Jennings (Blue Hand Mojo: Dust to Dust, Kid Code).

-Oct 8th/ Black Heroes Matter: Honoring the Black Experience through creative expression/ Jacob Javits Convention Center, Room 1A18, 1:30 PM-2:30 PM

Via New York Comic Con, “In a time when issues of racism continue to plague America, it is more important than ever to see Black heroes in popular media and to understand the value of Black lives. Join this group of creators in a lively conversation about increasing visibility, building community and honoring the Black experience through creative expression.”

The panel will also include Uraeus (Jaycen Wise), Mshindo Kuumba (Ebony Warrior), Regine Sawyer (Eating Vampires), David F. Walker (Marvel’s Power Man and Iron Fist), Tim Fielder (Matty’s Rocket), blogger/ journalist Karama Horne a.k.a Blerdgurl (http://theblerdgurl.com/), and Professor John Jennings (Blue Hand Mojo: Dust to Dust, Kid Code).

-Oct 9th/ Lion Forge Panel/ Jacob Javits Convention Center, Room 1A10, 1:30 PM -2:30 PM

Via NYCC,

“Hear the Lions Roar!

Growth and change in 2016 catapulted Lion Forge/Roar Comics onto comics’ center stage. That was just the beginning! Be the first to discover what Lion Forge plans for 2017 and beyond with industry-shaking announcements. Join Geoff Gerber (Lion Forge President), Rich Johnson (Lion Forge VP of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development), Mark Smylie (Lion Forge Executive Editor), Joe Illidge (Lion Forge Senior Editor), Andrea Colvin (Roar Senior Editor), as well as some of the top talent in the industrytalk about what’s next for Lion Forge!”

The panel will feature Joe Illidge (Lion Forge Senior Editor), Dr. Sheena Howard (Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation), Brandon Thomas (Horizon), and David Walker (Power Man and Iron Fist).

-Oct 6-9/ Capcom Game Demos/ Booth 1420

Via press release:

Capcom Scares Up Game Demos at New York Comic Con 2016

Capcom is descending upon New York Comic Con 2016 this weekend with terrifying horrors in VR for Resident Evil 7, zombie slaying madness in Dead Rising 4, and frightening new looks for iconic fighters in Street Fighter V. Visit Capcom at booth #1420 to check out playable demos of these exciting games.

GAME LINEUP AND DEMO DETAILS

• Resident Evil 7 biohazard (PlayStation 4 with optional PlayStation VR mode, Xbox One, Windows PC; Coming January 24, 2017) – Experience a disturbingly realistic PlayStation VR demo that delivers an intense up close and personal look at the game. In the demo, explore the sinister plantation mansion and encounter Marguerite Baker of the disturbed Baker family. Resident Evil 7 is the next major entry in the renowned survival horror franchise, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This demo is making its North American event debut at NYCC.

• Dead Rising 4 (Xbox One, Windows PC; Coming December 6, 2016) – Frank West makes his heroic return to Willamette to investigate a new zombie outbreak during the holiday season. Equipped with his wit, his camera, and a whole lot of duct tape, tear up the zombie hordes with a huge number of combo weapons and vehicles, or just tear up the landscape with all-new EXO Suits.

• Street Fighter V (PlayStation 4, PC; Available Now) – Vice President of the Illuminati and recent roster addition Urien, plus, the upcoming Halloween costumes and themed stage are all playable at the event. Fans ready for a challenge can also sign up for tournaments throughout the weekend at the Capcom booth for a chance to win prizes.

These are just a sampling of some of the many events that will be taking place at the convention, so stay tuned to BlackSci-Fi.com for daily updates/ news as it drops.

For more details on the convention head to http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/Events/Panels-And-Screenings/View-All/#.

Robert Jeffrey II is an award winning journalist whose work has appeared in such publications as UVC Magazine, JaDore Magazine, BlackSci-Fi.com, and The Atlanta Voice Newspaper. He is a regular contributor for the Tessera Guild, and his comic book work includes client work for the Centers for Disease Control, and Nitto Tires. His comic book writing includes work on such award winning/ nominated series as his creator owned series Route 3, Radio Free Amerika, Terminus Team-Up, and Soul of Suw. He’s yet to fulfill his dream of pop-locking to save a community center.

Head to his website here, and you can follow him on Twitter @SYNCHRKJ, Tumblr @robdawriter , and Instagram @robertk.jeffrey.