Marvel reunites the Defenders, announces three new Marvel Zombies specials, reveals a live-action Zodiac series, and confirms Spider-Man’s return to Disney+.
Marvel Television and Marvel Animation delivered a packed presentation at New York Comic Con, unveiling major announcements, surprise screenings, and exclusive previews of upcoming Disney+ series. From the return of familiar heroes to an entirely new live-action project, Marvel gave fans plenty to look forward to over the next several years.
More than 3,000 fans gathered at the Empire Stage for a presentation featuring VisionQuest, Daredevil: Born Again, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Marvel Zombies, and X-Men ’97. The event also introduced Zodiac, a brand-new live-action series scheduled to arrive in 2028.
Head of Marvel Television, Animation and Comics Brad Winderbaum opened the panel by celebrating the comic books behind Marvel’s biggest characters. Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Stephen Wacker joined him to preview additional comic book announcements planned throughout the convention.
The presentation featured returning cast members, exclusive footage, and major release announcements before concluding with a surprise screening of the first episode of VisionQuest, starring Paul Bettany and James Spader.
Marvel Announces New Live-Action Zodiac Series for Disney+
One of the biggest surprises came with the announcement of Zodiac, an all-new live-action series from Marvel Television.
The project is currently in the casting stage, with production scheduled to begin in 2027 ahead of its Disney+ debut in 2028.
Marvel has not revealed the cast, characters, or official storyline, leaving plenty of questions about how the mysterious project will connect to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The announcement also confirms Marvel Television is developing another live-action series as several established projects approach their conclusions.
Further details about Zodiac are expected as casting and production move forward.
Marvel Zombies Returns With Three New Halloween Specials
Marvel Animation is expanding its undead superhero universe with three additional Marvel Zombies projects scheduled to arrive over three consecutive Halloween seasons.
Rather than traditional full-length seasons, the franchise will continue through three separate two-part special events, each featuring a different title.
The upcoming releases include:
- Marvel Zombies: Winter Soldier — Halloween 2027
- Marvel Zombies: Fist of Khonshu — Halloween 2028
- Marvel Zombies: The Last Guardian — Halloween 2029
The announcements establish a multiyear future for Marvel’s animated horror franchise, which explores alternate versions of familiar Marvel characters in a world devastated by a zombie outbreak.
The titles also offer intriguing clues about which characters could become central to the upcoming stories.
Winter Soldier suggests a possible focus on Bucky Barnes, while Fist of Khonshu points toward connections with Moon Knight and Egyptian mythology. Marvel has not confirmed specific plot details or how the three stories will connect.
The franchise’s return as a collection of Halloween specials gives Marvel Animation an opportunity to continue exploring its darker side while introducing new threats and unexpected character combinations.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 2 Gets Premiere Date
Peter Parker is officially swinging back to Disney+.
Marvel Animation confirmed that Season 2 of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will premiere January 13, 2027, bringing another chapter of the animated hero’s adventures to the streaming platform.
Showrunner Jeff Trammell came on stage to discuss the upcoming season and reveal a brand-new promotional poster.
Fans in attendance also received an exclusive preview of the new episodes.
The animated series follows a younger Peter Parker as he navigates his growing responsibilities as Spider-Man while dealing with the challenges of everyday life.
Its distinct visual style draws inspiration from classic Marvel comic books, giving the series a different identity from the MCU’s live-action Spider-Man adventures.
The second season will continue Peter’s journey following the events of the first installment, with more superhero action and personal challenges ahead.
Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 Brings the Defenders Back Together
Marvel also delivered a major moment for longtime fans of its street-level superheroes with an onstage reunion featuring three familiar Defenders.
Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, and Finn Jones appeared together to celebrate the upcoming third and final season of Daredevil: Born Again.
The actors, who portray Matt Murdock, Jessica Jones, and Danny Rand, reunited before thousands of fans and shared an exclusive preview of the show’s final season.
The appearance marks a significant moment for characters who helped establish Marvel’s earlier interconnected television universe.
Cox has continued portraying Daredevil across several Marvel Studios productions, while Ritter and Jones became fan favorites through their respective Netflix series and the crossover event The Defenders.
Their appearance together at New York Comic Con highlights the continuing importance of Marvel’s street-level heroes as Daredevil: Born Again approaches its conclusion.
Marvel confirmed the third season will arrive on Disney+ in 2027, although an exact premiere date has not been announced.
X-Men ’97 Season 3 Receives an Exclusive First Look
Marvel Animation also gave attendees an early glimpse of the third season of X-Men ’97.
Winderbaum introduced exclusive footage from the upcoming installment, offering fans in the room a preview of what lies ahead for Marvel’s iconic mutant team.
The footage was screened exclusively for the New York Comic Con audience, with no additional story details included in the announcement.
X-Men ’97 continues the legacy of the beloved 1990s animated series, bringing back familiar characters, relationships, and conflicts while expanding the mutant universe for a new generation.
The early Season 3 preview reinforces Marvel Animation’s ongoing commitment to the franchise, which has become an important part of its Disney+ lineup.
A premiere date for the third season has not been announced.
Paul Bettany and James Spader Surprise Fans With VisionQuest Screening
Marvel saved one of its biggest moments for the VisionQuest presentation, bringing Paul Bettany and James Spader together for an exclusive look at the highly anticipated series.
Bettany returns as Vision, while Spader reprises his role as Ultron, the artificial intelligence villain introduced in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
The actors were joined by showrunner Terry Matalas and co-stars Ruaridh Mollica and Emily Hampshire for a discussion about the upcoming Disney+ series.
Following an exclusive preview, the cast surprised the crowd by announcing a screening of the complete first episode.
Attendees also received an exclusive mini-poster as they exited the convention center.
Vision’s New Journey Explores Identity, Family, and Ultron’s Return
VisionQuest picks up with Vision attempting to understand his existence after being rebooted and escaping those who wanted to turn him into a weapon.
Now living in hiding, Vision searches for purpose while consulting the artificial intelligence personalities embedded within his programming.
Among those digital personalities are F.R.I.D.A.Y., E.D.I.T.H., J.A.R.V.I.S., and Ultron.
His attempt to remain hidden comes to an abrupt end when a bounty is placed on his head, forcing him into a dangerous journey alongside Thomas Shepherd, a mysterious young boy who may be the reincarnation of Vision’s son.
As the pair attempt to escape those pursuing them, Vision must confront questions about his identity, resist Ultron’s influence, and uncover the truth about his young companion.
The story brings a personal dimension to Vision’s next chapter while continuing threads established throughout Marvel’s interconnected television universe.
VisionQuest Features an Expansive Cast and Creative Team
Alongside Bettany and Spader, the series stars Ruaridh Mollica, Todd Stashwick, T’Nia Miller, Lauren Morais, Orla Brady, Diane Morgan, Polly Frame, Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, Emily Hampshire, and James D’Arcy.
Matalas, whose previous credits include Star Trek: Picard, serves as creator and showrunner.
The directing team includes Christopher J. Byrne, Gandja Monteiro, Vincenzo Natali, and Matalas.
The writing team consists of Matalas, Cindy Appel, Christopher Monfette, Nicole Falsetti, and Matthew Okumura.
Executive producers include Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Paul Bettany, Mary Livanos, Terry Matalas, Jac Schaeffer, and Christopher J. Byrne, with Roopesh Parekh producing.
Marvel Sets the Stage for Its Next Era of Disney+ Storytelling
Marvel’s New York Comic Con presentation offered a look at how the studio plans to balance returning favorites, new characters, and different storytelling styles across its television and animation divisions.
The announcement of Zodiac introduces another live-action project, while Marvel Zombies establishes a three-year schedule of horror-themed animated specials.
Meanwhile, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and X-Men ’97 continue Marvel Animation’s growing lineup of established franchises.
The third and final season of Daredevil: Born Again promises another chapter for Marvel’s street-level heroes, with the return of multiple Defenders adding to the anticipation surrounding the series.
For fans following the larger MCU, VisionQuest remains one of Marvel Television’s most significant upcoming releases, reconnecting audiences with Vision and Ultron while exploring the consequences of the events that shaped their stories.
With new projects stretching into 2029, Marvel has outlined an ambitious future for its Disney+ programming.
Marvel Television’s VisionQuest premieres October 14 on Disney+, followed by Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 2 on January 13, 2027.
The Marvel lineup continues in 2027 with Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 and Marvel Zombies: Winter Soldier. Looking further ahead, Zodiac and Marvel Zombies: Fist of Khonshu are scheduled for 2028, while Marvel Zombies: The Last Guardian is set to premiere on Halloween 2029.
Marvel has not yet announced a release date for X-Men ’97 Season 3.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
