“Big Apple Comic Con” began in 1996 and has used several different names, such as “Big Apple Convention,” “Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show” and “Big Apple Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo.” It is the the longest-running comic book/speculative fiction/pop culture convention in New York City.
     
“Sept. 27:Big Apple Comic Con, St. Paul the Apostle Church NYC. Appearing: Mike Lilly only. INFO: 718-459-1781” was posted on the newsgroup rec.arts.comics.misc on July 19, 1996. “Big Apple Comic Con” has been trademarked with a date of first use of April 11, 1997.
     
       
Big Apple Comic Con—About Us
For over 20 years Big Apple Conventions has presented the most outrageously fun comic and popular culture convention in New York City. Founded and owned by comic book maven Michael “Mike Carbo” Carbonaro in 1995, the show started at the auditorium of St Paul’s Church on 10th Ave. in Manhattan.
 
In the late 90’s the BACC continued at the Metropolitan Pavilion, and for the 13 years we were at the Pennsylvania Hotel on 33rd St. and 7th Ave. across from Madison Square Garden.
 
Now we are moving to the amazing, historic New Yorker Hotel (totally remodeled by Wyndham) at 401 8th Ave (still across from MSG on the west side). We call it the Daily Planet Building and think it is the perfect venue for NYs community comic con.
 
Wikipedia: Big Apple Comic Con
The Big Apple Comic Con is a New York City comic book convention, the longest-running comic book/speculative fiction/pop culture convention in New York City. It was started by retailer Michael “Mike Carbo” Carbonaro in March 1996 in the basement of the St. Paul the Apostle Church. A location that a competing show promoter Sunrise Productions Scooty O’Donnell and Partner Richard Ritz Whom Held The New York Horror-Fi Con there on October 4, 1997. During its heyday from 2001–2008, the Big Apple Comic Con often featured multiple shows per year, with a large three-day “national” convention held in November, usually held at the Penn Plaza Pavilion. The show was owned by Wizard Entertainment from 2009 to 2013, but is now back in the hands of Carbonaro.
 
Over the course of its history, the convention has been known as the Big Apple Convention, the Big Apple Comic Book Art, and Toy Show, and the Big Apple Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo; with the November shows known as the National Comic Book, Art, Toy, and Sci-Fi Expo, the National Comic Book, Art, and Sci-Fi Expo, and the National Comic Book, Comic Art, and Fantasy Convention. In 2014, the name “Big Apple Convention” was revived by Carbonaro for a show scheduled for March 7, 2015. The Big Apple Comic Convention has continued yearly since then, the latest show April 14-15, 2018.
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Venue
Penn Plaza Pavilion (2004–present)
Metropolitan Pavilion (2000–2003)
St. Paul the Apostle Church (1996–2003)
Location(s) New York City, New York
     
Google Groups: rec.arts.comics.misc
“First Coming” Tour sites & dates
Chris Paris
7/19/96
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Sept. 27:Big Apple Comic Con, St. Paul the Apostle Church NYC. Appearing: Mike
Lilly only. INFO: 718-459-1781
 
Sept. 28:  Big Apple Comic Con, St. Paul the Apostle Church NYC. Appearing:
Chris Paris & Mike Lilly. INFO: 718-459-1781
 
Newspapers.com
20 September 1996, Daily News (New York, NY), “Collectibles,” pg. KSI 6, col. 7 classified ad:
Big Apple Comic Book Convention Fri Sept 27, 12-8 pm & Sat Sept 28, 10-9 pm. St. Paul the Apostle Church Aud. 9th Ave. bet 59 & 60 St. NYC. Admission $4 per day. Info 718-275-1567.
 
Newspapers.com
2 May 1997, Daily News (New York, NY), “Making Comic Book,” pg. 54, cols. 3-4:
The creative minds behind several of your favorite comic-book characters will be gathered Sunday at the Big Apple Comic Book & Toy Convention in the auditorium of St. Paul’s Church.
 
Google Books
The Business of Comics
By Lurene Haines
New York, NY: Watson-Guptil Publications
1998
Pg. 163:
The Big Apple Comic Convention
 
Newspapers.com
8 July 2000, Daily News (New York, NY), “Weekend in New York,” pg. 21, col. 5:
COMIC CAPERS
More than 100 dealers buy, sell and trade comics, toys and action figures at the Big Apple Comic Book Art and Toy Show.
 
Newspapers.com
6 October 2009, Daily News (New York, NY), “Bulletin Board,” pg. 18, cols. 4-5:
Friday, Oct. 16
BIG APPLE COMIC CON
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark BIG APPLE COMIC CON
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Education and entertainment services, namely, organizing and conducting conventions in the fields of animation, comic books and popular art. FIRST USE: 19970411. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970411
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 87445747
Filing Date May 11, 2017
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Owner (APPLICANT) Avanti, Peter INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 53 east transit st providence RHODE ISLAND 02906
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE