The biggest news out of Comic-Con, from 'South Park' to 'Peacemaker'
No Marvel? No problem.
The Avengers and their cinematic universe skipped Comic-Con this year – they're off fighting Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom in the UK or something. But John Cena was there, dressed as his DC superhero Peacemaker. Ryan Gosling was there, giving us a taste of his alien bestie Rocky in "Project Hail Mary." Even "South Park" guys Trey Parker and Matt Stone were there, a day after lampooning the sitting president of the United States.
The San Diego pop-culture fest didn't have the same heat as last year or in previous editions. The grand stage of Hall H was full but not crazy-packed, and without any big "event" panels, many movies and TV series were able to show their newest wares to their own fandoms but also to newcomers giving things a try. I'm not an "NCIS" guy by any means, yet it was cool to see how into "Tony & Ziva" their die-hards are.
With my 14th Comic-Con officially in the books, here are my favorite things from this year's iteration:
'South Park' creators play it cool with mainstream controversy
It didn't take too long during their appearance at Comic-Con for "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone to weigh in on the kerfuffle of their Season 27 premiere, which drew ire from the White House. (Depicting President Donald Trump nude with Satan will do that.) Their response was true to form: "We're terribly sorry," Parker said, tongue fully in cheek.
But that animation panel, which also featured "Beavis and Butthead" honcho Mike Judge and "Digman!" creator Andy Samberg, was a fascinating mutual admiration society. Parker and Stone told Judge how much his show meant to them in college, and the "South Park" guys were very honest about having to now compete with talented kids on TikTok when it comes to topical comedy. "We have a great gig but I'm jealous," Stone said.
Superman who? John Cena's 'Peacemaker' takes DC's superhero baton
James Gunn got a victory lap of sorts at Comic-Con, getting a standing ovation for how much of a hit the new "Superman" has been. But if you dig that movie, then gird your loins for "Peacemaker." The second season hits Aug. 21, and a new Comic-Con trailer gave us a look at the show's humor, insanity and, yes, even some emotion – all set to a lot of catchy sleaze metal.
What makes the show special is John Cena's portrayal of a complex antihero with a traumatic past who can save the day (barely) but can't get out of his own way. It's the one role that has really let Cena's talents shine. When Gunn says Cena's performance in the new season is "really something to see," best believe him.
Ryan Gosling's astronaut Everyman fuels 'Project Hail Mary'
The best thing about the long wait until Ryan Gosling's sci-fi epic "Project Hail Mary"? You have some time to read Andy Weir's brilliant book before going on this epic space adventure. With so many franchises taking up space at Comic-Con, the "Hail Mary" panel delivered refreshing humor and stunning visuals to a psyched Hall H crowd.
Gosling plays a middle-school teacher launched into space – very reluctantly – in a last-ditch effort to find a new home for mankind. Everything they've shown so far is top notch, including the first five minutes where Gosling's character is an amnesiac mess who gradually figures out he's alone in the middle of space. He does find a friend, and a first look at the alien Rocky, just showing his little rock hands, was the most adorable thing outside of the Hello Kitty booth. Get ready, because "Project Hail Mary" is going to be a thing in 2026.
'It: Welcome to Derry' is a best bet to be your Halloween obsession
It's a huge year for Stephen King movies and TV shows, and the freakiest of the bunch looks to be "It: Welcome to Derry." A prequel to the hit "It" movies, the series mines more of King's seminal horror novel and its first season is set in 1962. Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige star as a couple who've moved their family to the cursed Maine town of Derry and soon learn that things ain't right. At all.
Bill Skarsgård is back as Pennywise, which is scary enough, but a Comic-Con peek at the opening of "Derry" hints at so much more chilling stuff than just an evil clown who comes back every 27 years. A woman giving birth in a car, rather graphically, to a demon baby with wings and two heads who then goes bat-nuts crazy in said vehicle? October can't come soon enough.
Even more Comic-Con goodness to check out!
Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me? Email btruitt@usatoday.com and follow me on the socials: I'm @briantruitt on Bluesky, Instagram and Threads.
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