New York Comic Con: The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, and more panels to see

San Diego used to be home to the biggest comic convention in America, but in 2014, New York Comic Con claimed that title for itself with 150,000 attendees over the course of four days. Now, events are spilling out of the Javits Center in Manhattan and into Hammerstein Ballroom a few blocks away, and the city’s main stage, Madison Square Garden, to make room for all the movies and TV shows landing this week. From first looks to celebrity appearances, here are some of the must-see panels — and if you can’t go yourself, you can catch them streamed online.

When: Friday, Oct. 7, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Where: The Main Stage 1-D

What: Want to return to the Upside Down? Ever since Netflix debuted the Duffer brothers’ Stranger Things, its telekinetic heroine became a viral sensation and fans are foaming at the mouth for season 2 tidbits. Now, Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven) and David Harbour (Chief Hopper) will meet their adoring public in a special panel that delves into some of the secrets of the kids’ quest to battle the Demogorgon. 

When: Thursday, Oct. 6, 5:15 p.m. - 6:16 p.m. 

Where: Hammerstein Ballroom

What: Gather around, children of the ‘90s, and listen to the Legends of the Hidden Temple, a Nickelodeon reality competition series, in which kids battled it out in a series of physical and mental challenges. Now that series is becoming a TV movie, we’ve already seen some first looks, and actors Kirk Fogg (the tour guide), Dee Bradley Baker (the voice of King Olmec), and Colin Critchley and Jet Jurgensmeyer (two of three siblings tackling the temple’s challenges) will show fans at New York Comic Con an exclusive sneak peek. 

When: Friday, Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Where: The Main Stage 1-D

What: The Spirit of Vengeance arrived on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. with the premiere of season 4 of the ABC Marvel series, and now he’s coming to the Con. Marvel’s TV head honcho Jeph Loeb is bringing some cast members (here’s hoping for our new resident Ghost Rider, Gabriel Luna) to a panel at the Javits Center, but the main centerpiece is a brand new episode for Marvelites to see before anyone else. 

When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Where: Hammerstein Ballroom

What: The lycan hunks with abs of steel will return to New York Comic Con. Tyler Posey, Holland Roden, Shelley Hennig, Linden Ashby, Melissa Ponzio, and Jeff Davis will descend upon Manhattan to take a bite out of the Big Apple. In addition to some new footage from the series, the pack will divulge secrets, as well as answer fan questions. Meanwhile, Tyler Hoechlin will continue being the Man of Steel over on Supergirl.  

When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Where: The Theater at Madison Square Garden

What: When Saturday comes, it’ll be morphin’ time! The cast of the Power Rangers movie reboot will take over NYC’s Madison Square Garden with the filmmakers for a first look and Q&A. We already have the posters, so how about a trailer? The film features Bryan Cranston as the voice of Zordon, Bill Hader as the voice of Alpha Five, Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa, and a batch of teenagers with attitude. Plus, attendees will also get a first look at Keanu Reeves’ return for John Wick: Chapter 2 with the man himself. He’s got a new dog, so headstrong criminals beware. 

When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Where: The Theater at Madison Square Garden

What: Last year, Norman Reedus dazzled fans of The Walking Dead by riding a motorcycle through Madison Square Garden. So he’ll have to up the ante this year, right? He’ll join his fellow cast members (including Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, and Steven Yeun) and producers (including showrunner Scott M. Gimple) on stage for a Comic Con panel. Unlike their appearance at the San Diego convention, the event will be much closer to the season 7 premiere, so cross your fingers for more secrets to be revealed. Whenever it seems they couldn’t possibly discuss the show any more without revealing Negan’s victim, they go ahead and drop another teaser. 

When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Where: The Main Stage 1-D

What: We’ve met the Man Without Fear, the herculean P.I. with a drinking problem, and the bulletproof Harlem hero. Now it’s time to meet Iron Fist. As with Daredevil and Jessica Jones in years past, Netflix will bring together the cast of its latest Defenders-bound series for their first public appearance in the Big Apple. Marvel previously announced Finn Jones in the role of Danny Rand and Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing, so this seems like the perfect opportunity to announce some new casting. Of course, the panel will also reveal new footage — perhaps a brand-new trailer. 

When: Sunday, Oct. 9, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Where: Hammerstein Ballroom

What: “Bold.” “Complex.” “Gripping.” This is how critics described HBO’s new original series. With this Sunday’s premiere, viewers got the chance to see what some think will be the biggest hit since Game of Thrones. If you’re officially hooked, you’ll want to check out the network’s panel, featuring an early look at episode 2 (dropping on HBO later that night) and new details from showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, and actors Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, and Jimmi Simpson. 

When: Sunday, Oct. 9, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

Where: Hammerstein Ballroom

What: It’s not just the fact that Legion stars Dan Stevens (the Beast of Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast) as Professor X’s son, or even that the cast features Aubrey Plaza and is headed by Fargo’s Noah Hawley, but it’s the first X-Men-based live-action series since Fox’s collaboration with Marvel. In addition to never-before-seen footage from Legion, convention attendees have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A with some yet-to-be-named participants and hear new details on what’s in store for the mutant with split personalities. 

When: Thursday, Oct. 6, 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Where: Regal E-Walk Theater on 42nd Street

What: It’s been more than two years since we saw Caesar in a turf war with some (at times) unfriendly humans, but the battle is about to commence. On July 14, 2017, the third chapter of the Planet of the Apes prequel series will hit theaters with a story that pits the ape leader against a villainous colonel. Andy Serkis, who portrays Caesar via motion capture, will treat fans to a first look at the film, while he discusses the magic of motion capture with director Matt Reeves and producer Dylan Clark.