The shadows of Derry, Maine, stretched all the way to New York Comic Con earlier this month, bringing with them a palpable wave of excitement and terror for fans of Stephen King’s chilling universe. Attendees were treated to a highly anticipated panel for the upcoming HBO Original series, IT: Welcome to Derry, as well as a truly nightmarish immersive experience.
A Glimpse into the Terror At New York Comic Con
On Saturday, October 11, fans packed the Empire Stage for the It: Welcome to Derry Cast and Creatives Panel. Moderated by Perri Nemiroff, Senior Host & Producer at Collider, the discussion featured a powerhouse lineup that included director and executive producer Andy Muschietti and executive producer Barbara Muschietti. Co-showrunners and executive producers Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane also joined them, along with cast members Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, and Kimberly Guerrero.
The team’s discussion crackled with electric energy as they plotted an expansion of the vision established in the feature films IT and IT Chapter Two, diving deeper into the horrors that plagued the cursed town before the movies. Exclusive footage delivered the biggest thrills; fans first saw never-before-seen clips and a special, red-band, uncensored trailer. Set in the 1960s, this sneak peek promised a deep, dark dive into the origins of Derry’s terror. The event left the crowd buzzing with anticipation for the series’ eventual premiere.
The “Face Your Fears” Activation
Even before the panel, the spirit of Pennywise was already menacing Comic Con attendees. The “Face Your Fears” horror activation invited fans to step right into the chilling atmosphere of the new series.
The immersive, AI-driven fan experience was a masterclass in psychological horror. Guests entered a deceptively cheerful home in 1960s Derry, but comfort quickly dissolved into dread. HBO premiered the original drama series It: Welcome to Derry, a Warner Bros. Television production, on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max (now Max). The network released the official trailer and key art for the series. New episodes of the eight-episode season debuted weekly, with the season finale airing on Sunday, December 14. Participants encountered a cast of eerie characters before the experience culminated in a chaotic finale featuring the looming, inescapable threat of Pennywise.
Fans emerged from the activation with a thrilling mixture of relief and genuine fright, having had their personal terrors laid bare. The blend of a compelling panel and a truly creepy, personalized activation ensured that the It: Welcome to Derry presence at NYCC was one of the most talked-about highlights of the convention, proving that the enduring terror of Pennywise continues to captivate and haunt a new generation of fans.
HBO will premiere the original drama series It: Welcome to Derry on Sunday, October 26, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max (now Max). New episodes of the eight-episode season debuted weekly, with the season finale airing on Sunday, December 14.
