It’s been just over a week since I attended New York Comic Con 2024 — the fourth year I’ve spent a full day at one of the country’s biggest entertainment events. Besides checking out the fun Hazbin Hotel, Phineas and Ferb and Rick and Morty panels, I walked through the show floor and other parts of the Javits Center and discovered some cool animation surprises.

Nickelodeon celebrated 25 years of SpongeBob SquarePants with an interactive game, giant displays of SpongeBob and Squidward’s houses, special signs and the first episode of the series, “Help Wanted”, playing on a loop. A double billboard for new Halloween special “Kreepaway Kamp” was just outside.

SpongeBob mania bled into the Hallmark area with plushies. The iconic store chain was selling many of its 2024 ornaments, including some NYCC exclusives.

NICK’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was well-represented, with an opportunity for families and friends to play a video game.

I was wowed by the incredible Ultraman: Rising figure. The Netflix action/adventure feature is hoping to score some Best Animated Feature nominations this awards season.

And a staple of NYCC is FOX’s Animation Domination booth. Fans could pick-up free posters of Grimsburg, Krapopolis and the newest member of the lineup, Universal Basic Guys. It was also great to pose with the life-size cardboard cut-out versions of Mark and Hank Hoagies.