Top 5 TV-Themed Brand Activations at New York Comic Con 2024

It’s that time of the year where the Javits Center will be full of superheroes, supervillains, and more. 

New York Comic Con kicked off Oct. 17 and will run through Oct. 20. While the East Coast leg is not nearly as large as San Diego’s version that took place earlier this summer, organizers and fans still descend on the show floor to check out the activations and panels of some of their favorite franchises. According to the organization, around 200,000 attended last year’s convention.

This year, highly anticipated, upcoming shows like HBO’s Dune: Prophecy and Paramount+’s Dexter: Original Sin are expected to make a splash with activations that fans will likely want to check out, but there’s a few other TV-themed activations attendees might want to visit as well.

Here are all the details on five of the activations attendees can expect to see at New York Comic Con 2024.

HBO’s Dune: Prophecy

The Dune: Prophecy series centers on the Bene Gesserit, a powerful social, religious, and political sisterhood in the Dune universe. Agency Droga5 worked with HBO to create the Dune: Prophecy Experience that will run from Oct. 17 to Oct. 20 at Mediapro Studios Manhattan. 

Fans will be transported into the mysterious world of Wallach IX. Once there, the Voice—a manipulation technique used by the Bene Gesserit to control people—will command guests to undergo a series of trials reflecting the sisterhood’s rigorous training methods. Fans who heed the commands of the sisterhood and successfully complete the challenges will have the opportunity to win swag. The experience is filled with immersive theatrical design, interactive moments with sisterhood performers, and directional sound design bringing the “Voice” to life.

On the first day of NYCC, the show’s stars and creative team will host a panel on the Empire Stage to reveal the official trailer and participate in a panel discussion. 

HBO’s The Franchise

HBO’s The Franchise will also have an activation featuring Tecto: Eye of the Storm, the latest in-world creation from the fictitious Maximum Studios.

Fans can explore the world filled with behind-the-scenes snapshots, superhero props, and cheeky nods to the tropes and trademarks of every superhero franchise. There will also be an area where visitors can create their own superhero, complete with a silly name and a personalized digital movie poster.

Max’s Creature Commandos

For Max’s Creature Commandos activation, part of the show floor will be transported into the Belle Reve Prison where fans can engage with interactive moments throughout the high-security prison, including an augmented reality photo opportunity with the creatures and receive swag.

Paramount+’s Dexter Original Sin

To promote the premiere of its upcoming prequel series Dexter: Original Sin, which focuses on how a young Dexter Morgan became a serial killer, Paramount+ will have an activation on the convention floor inspired by the antihero protagonist’s “kill room.” Fans will have the opportunity to go through the immersive room for photo opportunities, and there’s a conjoining merch booth where fans can purchase items like t-shirts and water bottles.

Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob Squarepants

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants, Paramount and Nickelodeon has an activation transporting fans to Bikini Bottom for photo opportunities and to play games inspired by the show.

It is a smaller activation than a similar one at San Diego Comic Con, which included a 12-feet-tall Fountain of Positivity that shot water from SpongeBob’s pores.