Comic-con Lives!
This year’s fan convention made big news for Marvel and featured a surprising resurrection — but not everyone thrived
The first San Diego Comic-con in five years without pandemic cancellations, COVID protocols or strike-related pullbacks was a refreshing return to normal. “Transformers One” stars Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry and Keegan-michael Key charmed attendees in the 6,500-person Hall H by geeking out over the original 1980s cartoon series. There wasn’t an empty seat to be found in the “Abbott Elementary” panel, but the hit ABC comedy really made an impact with A.V.A. Fest (A Very Abbott Festival), a largerthan-life carnival activation that was the talk of the Con. Vice president Kamala Harris even popped up (via prerecorded video) at the panel for “The Simpsons.” And yet, the presumptive Democratic nominee couldn’t quite equal the sensation caused by the former Iron Man.
Deadpool and RDJ Conquer Hall H
Marvel Studios always makes a splash at ComicCon, but this year, the company dominated like never before.
First, a surprise screening of “Deadpool & Wolverine” attended by stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman and studio chief Kevin Feige was followed by a 10-minute fireworks and drone show. Two days later, Feige capped off a preview of Marvel’s 2025 film slate with the stunning announcement that Robert Downey Jr. was returning to the MCU to play the villain Victor von Doom, and Joe and Anthony Russo were returning to direct him in 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday” and 2027’s “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
“I bet it went insane in there,” Florence Pugh (“Thunderbolts*”) said to Variety after seeing footage of Downey’s big reveal. “Did people suddenly scream and take their clothes off and not know what to do?” (Close, but not quite.)
“Dexter” Returns From the Dead
Somehow, “Dexter” lives on! Michael C. Hall, who originated the titular serial killer of serial killers in 2006, surprised fans at the panel for “Dexter: Original Sin,” revealing that he will be the narrator for the upcoming prequel series, which stars Patrick Gibson, Christian Slater and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Then showrunner Clyde Phillips announced that Hall is returning for a second sequel series, “Dexter: Resurrection,” even though Phillips previously confirmed Dexter died at the end of the first sequel series, “Dexter: New Blood.”
When asked by Variety how Dexter could possibly come back, Hall replied coyly, “I don’t know what I am authorized to say other than: It’s really cold out there.”
“Those About to Die” Doesn’t Come to Life They came, they saw, they faltered. Peacock’s new Roman historical epic, “Those About to Die,” boasted a hefty — and pricey — presence but couldn’t capture much interest in its circus maximus. A dayslong activation meant to evoke a Roman chariot race was located in the most high-profile spot outside the convention, complete with actors in period-appropriate robes. But the actual race involved tugging on reins to propel comically small chariots yards away — the opposite of an epic experience.
At least those participants got a photo op with a life-size chariot. At the panel for the show, the cast (including Iwan Rheon and Moe Hashim) invited audience members to answer trivia questions about the series, but not a single person selected for the challenge had actually seen the show, which premiered just a week earlier.
Iceberg Lounge Is the Hottest Spot in Town
DC kept a lower profile, outside of the presence for its HBO series “The Penguin.” The immersive Iceberg Lounge was the coolest experience Comic-con has seen in years, including actors, dancers, booths for jewelry and tattoos and a password-protected VIP club — all to put guests inside the seedy, semi-flooded nightclub from the show. On opening night, a fire in the same building forced a temporary real-life evacuation that even seemed to be part of the activation. The panel for the series the next day, meanwhile, became a bit of a roast of star Colin Farrell, who appeared via Zoom. When discussing his stunning makeup transformation into Oz Cobb, the actor quipped, “Someone was taking care of the eyebrows — at last.”