YOUR GUIDE: New York Comic Con has arrived!

If you have a pulse and can tell the difference between Green Lantern and Green Arrow, then you probably have goosebumps on your skin and butterflies in your stomach. Like Christmas (you know, that lesser holiday with the fat man and the white beard), the New York Comic Con only comes around but once a year. Fanboys and fangirls get ready, the king of the cons has arrived.

This year’s convention has increased its riches. No longer relegated to three days, the New York Comic Con will now feature an exclusive Thursday afternoon preview for VIPs, press and professionals (yours truly is one of the lucky ones).

Don’t fret if you haven’t purchased tickets. You still have time, but your options are dwindling. Read this guide as if it were the Bible. Digest it. Enjoy it. Heck, print it out and frame it. But don’t make the mistake of under-thinking this event. There will be far too many people and far too much going on to do this all by yourself. Let Hollywood Soapbox be your guide…

• First off, you can purchase tickets for single days, three days (Friday to Sunday) or four days (Thursday to Sunday). Your best bet is probably the four-day pass. At only $85 (a price that will rise to $100), it’s a bargain. The three-day pass costs $65 (rising to $75), while single days range from $35-$50 (increasing to $45-$65). Note: Saturday single-day tickets are sold out. The only way to get these will be to hunt down an official vendor who may have some extras handy. Pretty much, if you want to get in on Saturday (and that is the best day for programming), you need to buy a weekend plan. Click here for more information on tickets.

• Here’s why you should become a four-day VIP pass: That Thursday session is limited to only 10,000 patrons. Sounds like a lot of people, but last year the New York Comic Con reportedly did more than 100,000 spectators. So just think about that: You get the entire convention space with only 10 percent of the people. There will also be an exclusive concert on opening night from Z-Trip. If you want to go all out, just purchase this package.

• The best facet of any good convention is the variety of exclusives available for sale. The New York Comic Con is no exception. Here’s a partial list: Stan Lee will announce a new comic imprint at the 1821 Comics booth (Friday); Lee will be a busy man as he’s also debuting Romeo and Juliet: The War (Friday); 258 West Authentic Signatures will offer a host of exclusive celebrity trading cards; new comic American Terrorist will be released; fantasy novel Antiquitas Lost will receive the debut honors; and Avatar Press will have many Crossed and Night of the Living Dead exclusives.

Others: Diamond Select Toys will be on hand with a bunch of goodies; Entertainment Earth will have great Doctor Who merchandise; hotly anticipated comic Key of Z will launch; Hasbro has a ton of stuff available; and so much more. Click here for more information on exclusives.

• Of the celebrities who will appear, expect many people from recent Hollywood blockbusters (Conan the Barbarian, the forthcoming Avengers flick), plus a who’s who of comic book artists (Robert Kirkman, Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, Geoff Johns).

• DC and Marvel will likely have the largest presences at the convention. I imagine DC’s successful “New 52” reboot will take center stage.

• Don’t forget about the swag! There is a ton of free stuff at the four-day event. If someone hands you something, just take it. Make sure you get a big bag early in the morning. If you are bringing comic books to get signed, make sure you protect them with bags and boards.

• Autographs are difficult at the New York Comic Con. For the lesser celebrities, you should be able to walk right up, plunk down $20-$30 and get your scribble. Other big names will result in enormous lines. Mark Hamill, who is charging $100, will probably have the longest. Although my money is on James Marsters, who continues to impress this many years after Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

• Most autographs are free at the convention. The only ones that cost money are for the celebs in autograph alley. Most of the comic book artists sign for free; however, this usually means long lines. For the premier names, like Kirkman, MacFarlane and Frank Miller (who is premiering Holy Terror), expect some type of morning raffle to get tickets. Click here for schedules.

• The vendors will be in full force, so bring tons of cash. Credit cards are accepted in many places, but not all. You need to plan ahead. One of the longest lines is for the suite of ATMs (and sometimes they run out of money). A safe bet to bring: $300 per day. That amount will either sound like too little or too much. Whatever you choose, set a limit. Remember that most books and comic books can be purchased for cheaper online. What you’re looking for are exclusives, rare items and discounted overstocks. Don’t waste your time with the mundane. And, remember, you buy it, you carry it.

• Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes will offer a Smodcast on Friday night. Limited tickets are available (only $10 for general admission).

• The floor opens from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Do I need to say arrive early?

• The event will take place at the Javits Center on 34th Street on Manhattan’s West Side. The Port Authority Bus Terminal on 40th Street is within walking distance. Parking will be expensive and difficult to come by. Plan on taking mass transportation.

Going to the convention? Leave your thoughts and memories in the comment field below. Check back with Hollywood Soapbox. We’ll be there all four days.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Click here for more information on the New York Comic Con.