New York Comic Con was shaking in its clown shoes this year thanks to HBO Max’s upcoming prequel series, IT: Welcome to Derry. Between the chilling “Face Your Fears” activation and an exclusive panel that left fans buzzing, it’s safe to say Pennywise’s legacy is alive and lurking beneath the surface.
The IT: Welcome to Derry panel gave attendees a haunting first look at the highly anticipated series expanding Stephen King’s terrifying universe. Set in the 1960s, the show dives deep into how evil first took hold of the infamous town of Derry, long before the Losers’ Club ever faced the clown.
Co-showrunner Brad Caleb Kane explained the creative freedom behind the project, sharing, “We were given real carte blanche to delve into the themes we wanted to delve into… Derry is a microcosm of America. You can’t tell the story of America, you can’t tell the story of Derry, without what was really going on in 1962.”
His fellow showrunner Jason Fuchs promised that the horror won’t be holding back: “The series is bookended with terror. There’s the opening sequence of the entire show… that I think is so terrifying, it thrusts you right into the action.”
The cast also opened up about their characters’ emotional journeys amid the chaos. Chris Chalk, who plays a young Dick Hallorann, gave fans a glimpse into his character’s internal struggle: “Dick is in Derry because Dick f—ed up. The thing that Dick fears is himself.”
Meanwhile, Jovan Adepo, who takes on the role of Leroy Hanlon, reflected on what drew him to the part: “It was great—a chance to play somebody that I relate to a bit more. I got to play Leroy because I filmed Derry after… I got to play someone who relates a lot to my father.”
The panel was packed with exclusive clips and behind-the-scenes moments that had fans gasping, covering their eyes, and leaning all the way in.
Outside the panel, the “Face Your Fears” activation became the must-see moment of NYCC. Fans were dropped straight into a Derry-inspired nightmare—complete with fog, flickering lights, and a few jump scares that had even the bravest guests screaming. Equal parts haunted maze and psychological test, the experience challenged fans to confront their deepest fears, all while teasing the terror to come.
Between the chilling atmosphere, standout performances, and deep emotional core, IT: Welcome to Derry is shaping up to be more than just another horror prequel—it’s a full-on descent into the origins of fear itself.
When it premieres on HBO Max, one thing’s for sure: no one’s floating above this one.