New York Comic Con kicks off at the Javits Center in Manhattan on Thursday [Video]

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — New York Comic Con kicked off at the Javits Center on Thursday.

Hundreds of thousands are expected throughout the four-day convention, which is the largest comic and pop culture event on the East Coast.

The event features several panels from hit television shows, movies, and comics along with celebrity appearances and plenty of fans in costumes.

Fallon Prinzivalli is the marketing director of Reed/Pop, the company that puts that all together.

“I think what’s so unique about being in this place, especially New York, which is my hometown, too, is the community aspect. This is the one weekend out of the year where the people who come here feel like they can be themselves, they can embrace their inner geek,” Prinzivalli said.

The event isn’t just fun and cosplay, it’s big business. NYC Tourism estimates it will generate over $80 million in economic impact in a city where anything can …