NYCC 2026 Recap: The Biggest News From Marvel TV, Star Trek, Blade Runner, and More

And just like that… another successful New York Comic Con is in the books. The 2026 iteration of the Big Apple’s premier con was fit to burst with talent, panels, and big-time announcements. Thankfully, your friendly neighborhood Den of Geek was there to take in it all.

Here is what we learned on the ground of the Javitz Center and all around Manhattan as we attended panels, press rooms, and activations; all the while inviting some folks to Den of Geek studio in Midtown.

Panels and Activations

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches

Anne Rice’s coven of New Orleans witches may have gotten rid of the cursed Taltos, Lasher, but their woes are not over. In season three of Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, Rowan Mayfair, played by Alexandra Daddario, is traveling to Salem, Massachusetts where the story takes a detour from the books with an introduction to the history of witches and witchcraft. Focusing on Salem as both a historical place for the mystic and unusual, it is also acting as a personified environment for the characters of this season. Acting as a prison, Salem is a trap in which witches can never leave. Mysteriously, Rowan has found herself stuck there with currently no way out. 

Joining Daddario in the AMC-hosted panel were showrunner/executive producer, Esta Spalding executive producer Mark Johnson, and cast members Harry Hamlin (Cortland Mayfair), Tongayi Chirisa (Ciprien Grieve), Betsy Brandt (Katherine Mayfair), and Eliza Scanlen (Jessica). Scanlen’s character joins the series as a Salem witch whose introduction to magic has been much more stifling than Rowan’s, including a branding mark all Salem witches have to wear so they are not taken by mysterious forces that come in the fog. While season 3 offers up a new setting, new enemies, and new characters, the O.G. witches are getting fleshed out in new ways. 

“We wanted to see [Rowan] much more badass than she’d ever been before, and one of the ways that she could be her great witchy self and be funnier and looser was to have more people she could play off of,” Spalding said. “Jessica is a witch who doesn’t know that she’s trapped in Salem. She’s grown up there. She just thinks that’s where she lives, and she hasn’t ever left. Having somebody to play off of who’s really comic and full of heart, lets her grow and be much more commanding.”

Mayfair Witches season 3 begins streaming on AMC and AMC+ Dec. 30. – Nyla Gilbert

Avatar: Seven Havens

Avatar: Seven Havens released the first three episodes of Book 1 on Oct. 9 to Paramount+. That same day, the cast and creatives behind the newest Avatar series took to NYCC’s main stage to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the latest story and tease the next Avatar projects to look forward to. Janet Varney, the voice of Korra from The Legend of Korra, acted as the host of the panel. She was joined by executive producers Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Sehaj Sethi and Ethan Spaulding, along with voice actors Saheli Khan (Pavi), Aishu Devan (Nisha) and Major Curda (Jae). 

With a first look at the conclusion of episode one of the new series, Avatar fans are in for a treat with new fantastical scenarios that truly make this a show strikingly different from its previous installments. In a world 200 years post “Cataclysm,” the Seven Havens are the only places humanity lives safely from the “Spirit Wilds.” It will take more than a singular Avatar to save the world that no longer believes in the goodness of the Avatar. For fans already in love, don’t worry; not only is Book 2 confirmed, but Books 3-4 will be making their way to Paramount+ in coming years. Seven Havens isn’t the only series coming from Avatar Studios. Avatar Kuruk is making an on-screen appearance in Avatar Kuruk: Waves of Chaos, an action-comedy that is taking on the teenage years of the former Avatar. – NG

Blade Runner 2099 Activation

The Blade Runner 2099 Immersive Fan Experience brought 2099 to NYCC, giving attendees an ultimate dive into Blade Runner 2099 protagonist Cora’s experience disguising herself amongst the replicants at the LAPD. The activation was full of props from the series’ set and replicant actors roaming around to fully immerse you into the Blade Runner universe. Fans got to experience two crucial replicant rites of passage the intake test and the memory transfer. After getting to see props like the Cora and Olwen’s blasters and getting a photo in front of the exact car used for filming, you proceed to the intake test. 

When I sat down in the intake chair, I felt as though I was truly getting integrated by a true replicant. The replicant actors ask you a series of questions like, “when a child cries, do you assume something is wrong?” or “Did you cut up worms when you were a kid?” and you are instructed to answer these questions without hesitation. After questioning you are sent upstairs to get your happy memories implanted, you lay down in your doctor’s office chair, place this sci-fi wired hat on your head and watch your new memory play out on the monitor. A QR code is displayed after for you to download and keep the memory for yourself. Before leaving you visit La Paloma and get to pick from a series of themed mocktails on your way out. 

The activation was carefully crafted to give NYCC fans a sneak peak into the universe that will be brought to Prime Video in November and imagine what it would be like to step inside Cora’s shoes of deception and try to pass as a replicant in this new role reversal. – Grace Schmidt

Dexter: Resurrection Season 2

Have you ever had to deal with a serial killer during a mid-life crisis? Hopefully not, but you will get to see one deal with his newest need for recognition, unfulfillment, and messy parenting in the second season of Dexter: Resurrection. NYCC gave Dexter fans a surprise screening of episode one of the upcoming season as part of a panel that included cast members Michael C. Hall (Dexter Morgan), Uma Thurman (Charley), James Remar (Harry Morgan), Jack Alcott (Harrison), Bokeem Woodbine (Captain Mixon), and Krysten Ritter (Mia Lapierre). Joining them were showrunner and executive producer Clyde Phillips, writer and executive producer Scott Reynolds, and director and executive producer Marcos Siega. 

The show, which is set in New York City, was not the only thing being celebrated by the panel. This year marked the 20th anniversary of Dexter and NYCC acknowledged that in the form of the “Dexter: 20th Anniversary Museum Experience,” an exhibition that included Dexter’s killer setup, art, and photo backdrops. Promoting the event during the panel, along with their experiences behind the scenes, the cast and creatives, new and old, talked about the two decades of experience, joy, and craziness that the show has brought to their lives. 

Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 starts streaming Oct. 30 on Paramount+. – NG

Kill Jackie

The AMC+ panel for Kill Jackie drew a lively crowd to the Main Stage. Catherine Zeta-Jones, who stars as Jackie Price, and also serves as an executive producer, appeared alongside showrunner, writer, and executive producer Tom Butterworth and executive producer Peter Lawson. Together, the trio gave fans a look at the creative thinking behind the adaptation of Nick Harkaway’s The Price You Pay, including the decision to shift the source material’s male lead into a female protagonist. Zeta-Jones drew laughs from the crowd when she commented on the shift, saying, “If [Jackie] had balls, she’d scratch them,” a line that captures the show’s irreverent humor and the unfiltered, messy edge she brings to the character. 

The biggest draw for attendees was the sneak peek of episode three, which releases Oct. 16. The footage showed her raw, brutal strength alongside her cunning and beauty, two sides of the character that Zeta-Jones clearly relished playing. “It was a liberating experience,” she said. “I found myself rounded as an actor. It was cathartic and liberating.” She noted that she had often been cast as the love interest or damsel in distress, as in The Mask of Zorro, and that it took 57 years to reach a role like Jackie. She also credited her dance background with preparing her for the action, saying it gives performers “a physical muscle memory that never goes away.” – Isabella Ardetto

Marvel Television

The Marvel Television panel was packed with exciting news for Marvel fans from Brad Winderbaum, head of Marvel Television and now comics. Firstly, Marvel Comics’ new editor-in-chief, Stephen Wacker, made an appearance hyping the crowd. “It’s so great to see everyone! This is Awesome. Comics on a TV panel, this is legend!” Wacker said as he joined the stage. Both gained cheers from the crowd as they announced they had been meeting with renowned comic artists like John Hickman to talk about the future of the medium. The duo spoke with enthusiasm for the next chapter of comics, with Winderbaum expressing gratitude for the impact they had on his youth. “Comic books were a lifeline to me growing up, and I just want to thank my mother for taking me to paperback exchange,” Winderbaum said.

After promoting Marvel’s Midnight Universe, a vampiric twist on the franchise’s most beloved characters, and some lesser-known faces, the panel jumped right in to Marvel’s upcoming TV titles. Daredevil: Born Again season 3 cast members Charlie Cox (Matt “Daredevil” Murdoch), Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones), and Finn Jones (Dany “Iron Fist” Rand) joined Winderbaum on the stage to give fans an action-packed look at the grittier season. Hell’s Kitchen’s favorite crimefighter will be starting this season off in prison. Season 3 marks the conclusion of the series, much to the dismay of fans and Cox, who told fans to revive the “Save Daredevil” campaign. 

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man season 2 will hit Disney+ on February 13, 2027, with many of Spider-Man’s rogues’ gallery joining this season. Show creator Jeff Trammell brought a sneak peek to attendees that leaves fans anticipating the entrance of one black, inky symbiotic suit. Also announced were the next installments of Marvel Zombies that shall be feeding the spooky lovers for Halloweens-a-plenty: Marvel Zombies: Winter Soldier will premiere Halloween 2027, Marvel Zombies: The Fist of Khonshu on Halloween 2028, and Marvel Zombies: The Last Guardian on Halloween 2029. X-Men ‘97 fans were given a glimpse of an exclusive clip showcasing the wedding of fan-favorite mutant couple Gambit and Rogue, with cameos from She-Hulk, Deadpool, and more. In a time of heightened persecution for mutants, the Brotherhood is stepping in to fill the gap as mutants ask, “Where are the X-Men?” 

A mysterious new series was also announced for the future of Marvel Television. Zodiac, a spy-thriller for those who love espionage, should be dropping to your nearest screen in 2028. However, that’s all we know. “If you’re a fan of the comics, there’s a lot hidden in that logo,” Winderbaum said. “That’s all you’re getting. It’s supposed to be a secret.” The cast of VisionQuest took the stage to answer questions about their experience with filming the new series. Showrunner Terry Matalas joined the panel, along with Paul Bettany (The Vision), James Spader, reprising his role as Ultron, alongside newcomers, Ruaridh Mollica (Tommy Maximoff) and Emily Hampshire (E.D.I.T.H.). Attendees got to watch the first episode of the series, rolling in the first wave of reviews as the panel concluded. – NG

Star Trek

The Star Trek Universe panel brought fans a peek at Starfleet Academy‘s final voyage and a 60th anniversary toast with Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner. Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Bella Shepard, Karim Diané, and Robert Picardo opened the panel alongside executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, with Collider‘s Perri Nemiroff moderating. The first half centered on Starfleet Academy, whose final season will premiere on Paramount+ in March 2027. Landau explained that season one was about shedding your old self to start over at the academy, while season 2 will be a sophomore-year story about realizing life may not go the way you expected. Kurtzman teased that the best is yet to come when the cadets meet Nova Squadron, the academy’s elite flight team.

Then the panel went from the next generation to the original captain, the second half a true showstopper. Lifelong Trekkie Ben Stiller led a conversation with Willaim Shatner, playing fan-favorite clips from the original series while inviting comments and reactions from Shatner, who was in rare form as he trailed humorously off topic to complain about his hotel or how grueling scenes were to film (whether it be scorching heat or powdery “regolith” clinging to him). The talk also turned reflective too, with Shatner repeating his long-held view that he rarely looks back at his own performances and that people should, above all else, “Stay in the moment!” – IA

The State of TCGs

Among the events that Den of Geek had a direct presence at for this year’s NYCC was Experience12’s PopCultr Marketing Summit, which conducted a set of panels focusing on different elements of pop culture media and fandom. One of the major panels as part of this summit was centered on trading card culture, moderated by Den of Geek contributor and host Sam Stone. Joined by a panel of experts, the group led a lively discussion about their shared fandom and the current state of trading card games and tabletop gaming today before an audience of industry professionals and press.

The group reflected on their own origins as trading card game fans, dating back to the launch of Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, touching on the community-building aspects of the medium. The ensemble discussed how the COVID lockdowns and collector interest in the market has also driven trading card game popularity to new heights, with the momentum not visibly slowing down any time soon. With a lifetime of trading card game experience, the panelists shared that they hadn’t lost their love of the game as they provided their insight to a rapt audience. – SS

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 4

Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon fans filled the main stage at NYCC to see stars Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride along with their executive producers David Zabel and Scott M. Gimple talk about the beloved spinoff’s final season. The panel had many sneak peaks from the show and video cameos from cast members Romain Levi and Candela Saitta popping in to share their excitement to be part of the series conclusion. 

Zabel prepared fans for some intense scenes involving the European walkers in Spain, “in terms of the walkers, I think there’s an sequence in the opening episode that’s one of the the scariest sequence we’ve done on Daryl Dixon and there’s a sequence at the end of the season that I think is one of the scariest sequences in in all of Walking Dead lore.” Gimple followed up with, “I can confirm.” 

While the fans are certainly sad to see this series end, the four onstage seemed excited to provide a proper conclusion to Daryl and Carol’s journey. Reedus reported, “prepare yourself, it’s really heartfelt,” and McBride followed, getting a little emotional, “It’s so good. It’s so emotional from all of the characters, all the different storylines.” She also praised Reedus, “So proud of you. Seriously, such a good actor. The places he goes in this next season are truly incredible.” – GS

Interviews

Adam McArthur

Actor Adam McArthur is a busy man, starring in hit anime like supernatural action series Jujutsu Kaisen as protagonist Yuji Itadori. Fortunately, McArthur made the time to speak with us, discussing his career, including the recently released Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 and the upcoming Netflix original anime series Fool Night. Set to premiere on November 26, Fool Night stars McArthur as protagonist Toshiro Kamiya, with McArthur hinting that his character is haunted by his inner demons as he tries to survive on a darkened planet.

More than just talking about his current projects and his popular voiceover roles, McArthur shares how affirming and important opportunities like NYCC are in getting to connect with fans directly. This connection includes how much McArthur’s roles have resonated with fans worldwide as he puts his own distinct approach to Yuji Itadori and his character arc in Jujutsu Kaisen. McArthur also touched on the specific nuances that come with anime voiceover roles that have established Japanese voice actors for the original iteration of the role. – Sam Stone

Blade Runner 2099

Blade Runner 2099’s very own Dimitri Abold, Lewis Gribben, and Matthew Needham joined us in the Den of Geek studio during NYCC to dive into their characters in the upcoming Prime Video series. All three actors acknowledged the influence of the first two films on this series in the set design and their performances.

“I saw [Blade Runner 2049] in cinemas when it first came out. I was blown away by the visuals of it, the distinctness of it, just the color. I found it one of Ryan Gosling’s kind of most interesting performances, like it was so muted and so like held back for most of the film, which was really different from what I’d usually seen him in,” said Gribben.

Needham added: “I was just a big fan of the original film and it’s just such an effect on so much just outside of the film itself. It’s such a singular vision and it really created its own genre.”

Another huge talking point for the three was the attention to detail on the set design that helped immerse them into the Blade Runner universe. Abold even found a specific connection with his character’s home, “I was born in Jamaica and Babeto’s family is very much tied to Jamaican culture. The first day I came into the set, they had pots boiling food, real food, and there was one pot that I was supposed to dish something out from that smelled like and also looked so much like Jamaican cornmeal porridge. I don’t know if it was planned like this, but I was like, ‘why do I feel like I’m at home right now?’” – GS

Frank Miller

Comics legend Frank Miller joined Den of Geek’s Sam Stone at the eBay Live studio on Oct. 10, for a special event combining a conversation about his career with a live charity auction benefitting the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc). Known for his groundbreaking work on Daredevil, Batman, Sin City, and Ronin, Miller discussed pushing the boundaries of comic book storytelling, creative collaborations he’s had over the years, and his new autobiography, Push The Wall. The auction featured rare books, autographed artwork, vintage cards, and exclusive items signed by Miller, with a custom Batman cover serving as the final item up for grabs. The livestream raised several thousand dollars for Binc, which supports independent bookstores, comic shops, and their employees. 

Following the 40th anniversary of The Dark Night Returns, Miller also reflected on what continues to inspire him about comics. “Oh, just about everything,” he said, continuing on to express his love for drawing, developing stories, and collaborating with the talented creators working in the industry. He also highlighted how the medium has grown into a broader playground for imagination, with comics increasingly influencing television, movies, and video games. Miller encouraged creators to embrace that creative freedom and push themselves to do their best work, adding, “There’s no excuse for comic book makers to give it anything but their absolute best and to be very brave.” – IA

Helluva Boss Season 3

Helluva Boss creator and executive producer Vivienne Medrano stopped by the Den of Geek studio alongside cast members Brandon Rogers, Richard Horvitz, Vivian Nixon, Erica Lindbeck, Bryce Pinkham, and Harvey Guillén to discuss the hit animated series’ highly anticipated third season, which premiered Oct. 14. The group teased what’s next for the denizens of Hell as the story picks up after season 2, with its characters navigating major life changes, complicated relationships, and the consequences of getting what they thought they wanted. 

Throughout the interview, the cast emphasized the emotional stakes driving season 3. Stolas must adjust to life without his former wealth and status while working alongside I.M.P., while Blitzø discovers that getting what he wants doesn’t necessarily mean finding happiness. Millie and Moxxie face new responsibilities and fears as soon-to-be parents. Loona continues to find her palace within the I.M.P. family. Guillén also teased his new character, Vassago, whose arrival adds another intriguing element to the show’s ever-expanding world. Despite the heavier themes, the conversation retained the show’s distinct humor that makes Helluva Boss such a fan favorite. Rogers summed up the cast and crew’s dedication to the series with a characteristically outrageous declaration: “We do pour our whole Hellavussy’s into [this show].” – IA

Kill Jackie

After the Main Stage panel, Zeta-Jones, Butterworth, and Lawson headed to the pressroom to take further questions. We asked Zeta-Jones whether any moment during filming made it difficult to translate the book’s masculine perspective into a feminine one, or whether it was a non-factor. She explained that Jackie has “a percentage of masculinity about her,” describing her as elegant yet also “a hot mess.” The team also held onto “so much of that great stuff from the original book,” she said, reshaping certain moments for a female perspective while leaving others untouched, since in some cases, “a man or woman could do” anything Jack or Jackie does. 

Butterworth added that the shift in perspective turned out to be one of the more interesting parts of the process. “I think the thing that was really interesting is if you do give traditional male actions to a female character, something interesting happens,” he said. Rather than forcing the material to fit, the change “naturally swerves and skews in a way that” gives the story a new shape. “It just has its own different character and flavor,” Butterworth explained. Casting Zeta-Jones helped sell that. “When you’ve got Catherine playing that, it was interesting how much you could do because I think there is something quite masculine about her,” he said. – IA

Sumomon

In an interview with Al Kahn, the famed American business executive and licensing pioneer reflected on bringing some of the world’s most recognizable children’s franchises to Western audiences, including Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and spearheading American brands like Cabbage Patch Kids and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Kahn recalled first seeing Japanese children playing Pocket Monsters, now known as Pokémon, and recognizing its potential despite concerns from its owners that American children wouldn’t embrace the franchise. “I had a feeling in my psyche that kids are kids,” Kahn explained, believing that children share the same play patterns regardless of where they grow up.

Now, Kahn is applying his experience to Sumomon, a new original franchise designed to appeal to children and families. With plans for an animated Sumomon series and trading card game in 2027, and to make its products more accessible to young fans, the project reflects Kahn’s belief that children deserve fresh experiences rather than recycled ideas or collectibles priced beyond their reach. Throughout our conversation, Kahn discussed how nostalgia has increasingly shaped the entertainment and collectibles industries, why understanding a target audience is essential, and the importance of developing a distinctive voice and product concept that gives people a reason to care. For Kahn, success comes down to thinking outside the box, trusting your instincts, and being willing to pursue ideas even when others doubt their potential. – IA

Todd McFarlane

It doesn’t feel like Comic Con unless Todd McFarlane visits the Den of Geek studio and the co-founder of Image Comics was more than happy to oblige. During a chat in the studio, McFarlane elaborated on the origins of the comic book prequel miniseries Spawn 77 and how it differs from the mythos of the hellspawn. Based on sketches by McFarlane when he was a teenager, the story delves into New York City during 1977 and a different kind of crusader prowling its streets.

With McFarlane also the founder of McFarlane Toys, he recalled how his company positioned itself in a way corporate giant competitors can’t as he fostered a flourishing partnership with DC Entertainment making figures based on its iconic heroes and villains. The talk also turned to the long-gestating Spawn movie, with McFarlane appreciating recent horror movies like Obsession and Backrooms mirroring his vision’s creepy sensibilities while clarifying that he doesn’t see the project as providing another cinematic origin story for the hellish superhero. Finally, as a lifelong baseball fan, McFarlane shared his insights on the ongoing Major League Baseball postseason and who he personally wants to see win the World Series this year. – SS

Two Mikes 

The ‘Two Mikes,’ Mike Carbonaro and Michael Raphael from ‘Miked Up’ joined us in the Den of Geek studio at NYCC to host their eBay Live auction event for the Binc Foundation. The Binc Foundation supports local book and comic book stores to stay a float in a digital world. 

The selection from the auction included Marvel grails, graded books, vintage cards and a brand new signed copy of Frank Miller’s memoir Push The Wall. The auction had a live studio audience, with audible cheers, laughter, and competitive in-person bidding that brought an electric vibe to the studio.

VeeFriends

Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk has blended his business acumen with his deep love of comic books and gaming for his multimedia venture VeeFriends. Combining the super-powered spectacle of superhero universes with the family-friendly collectibility of popular properties like Pokémon, VeeFriends has been a steady presence at NYCC and beyond for the past several years. At a special invite-only event kicking off this year’s NYCC, Den of Geek spoke with Vaynerchuk about VeeFriends and how it’s grown considerably since it launched in 2021.

With well over 200 characters and counting, VeeFriends combines positive messages for each figure along with an entertaining story to captivate readers. In addition to the growing comic book line, with a trade paperback collection being sold at NYCC this year, VeeFriends has also received its own extensive trading card set produced by Topps. In our interview with Vaynerchuk, he details his ambitions for VeeFriends and what it has got coming up next as it continues to forge its own path in the multimedia space and interconnected comic book universe. – SS

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon

After their panel, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, David Zabel, and Scott M. Gimple headed upstairs to answer further questions for the press. Reedus got the opportunity to reminisce on his first day on The Walking Dead set and his relationship with McBride, “That cast was already sorta hanging out with each other,” Reedus recalled. “It was kind of like that little clique was already happening. They’d done a year of press already and were buddies. So we were both kind of new to the circle. Yeah, we just got along really well. She’s got a really crazy sense of humor, lots of potty humor, which I find funny. We just got along well.”

The four also dove into the central message of the series and the weight it held in filming this last season. Reedus said, “Your lives get ripped away in an apocalypse, and you try to find where you belong after that. And sometimes it’s with groups, and sometimes groups fall. And sometimes it’s with new territories, and those territories burn to the ground. So you’re constantly looking for a place to feel like you can sleep at night. So that theme is kind of, hope you live and learn in the end.” – GS

Wizards of the Coast

The fan-favorite tabletop gaming company Wizards of the Coast came into NYCC 2026 hot, with several major developments across its biggest titles. First off, WOTC has entered a partnership with Blizzard Entertainment to create a crossover expansion for Dungeons & Dragons with Blizzard’s high fantasy franchise Warcraft. This includes its own rulebook drawing from the epic realms, monsters, and artifacts from Warcraft, along with detailed miniatures that can be detailed by fans as they create their own campaigns across Azeroth.

The other major announcement coming out of NYCC 2026 involving Wizards of the Coast was the next rollout in Universes Beyond, the crossover decks for Magic: The Gathering. After the successful Marvel Super Heroes decks released this past summer, something wicked this way comes from the Marvel Universe with the Marvel: Darkhold Destiny set. These cards are drawn from the magical side of the Marvel Universe and feature a stronger narrative focus as Doctor Strange and Thor work together after the powerful Darkhold falls into the wrong hands. Anticipated for an April 2027 release, these cards offer a more sinister side to Marvel and seamlessly fit right into the world and gameplay of Magic: The Gathering. – SS