Author - Jerry Paxton

Hulu Brings King of the Hill to Life at SDCC Activation

2025/07/11

Hulu, the go-to streaming destination for adult animation, is back at San Diego Comic-Con 2025! This year, they are bringing Arlen, Texas, from the iconic King of the Hill franchise to life right outside the Convention Center. Guests will step inside Hank Hill’s Backyard for a big ole cookout, complete with BBQ bites served up throughout the day, classic lawn games, themed photo ops and a cold can of Alamo (water) to beat the heat.

Located next to the Convention Center on the Bayfront’s Parking Lot (Fifth Ave Landing – Lot A1) – 600 Convention Way, San Diego, CA 92101 – Hank Hill’s Backyard will allow fans to experience what life is like in Arlen, Texas. Starting July 24 at 11:30am – 7pm, July 25-26 from 9:30am-7pm daily, and July 27 from 9:30am–5pm, Hank Hill’s Backyard will transport fans into the world of Arlen, where they can interact with legendary moments from the title. Additional details on the immersive activities, such as Alamo Pong, one of a kind customization at the Mega Lo Mart, and exclusive photo opportunities with your favorite Arlen landmarks, can be found below.

Alamo Pong

Guests will get a chance to partake in a game of ‘Alamo Pong’, participating in some friendly competition in hopes of winning a prize and claiming Alamo Pong championship. Large-scale 2D cutouts of the King of the Hill’s beloved characters will be stationed throughout the space for special photo opportunities.

Lawn Mower Photo Op

Guests have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to picture themselves in the world of King of the Hill. The Lawn Mower photo opportunity moment features the iconic Hill residence, where guests can pose on the front lawn with large-scale 2D cutouts of the beloved Hill family, ride the family lawn mower, and ‘drive’ through Arlen, Texas.

Mega Lo Mart Customization Hat Station

Visit the Mega Lo Mart, an Arlen staple, to customize your own Trucker hat with special patches, unique to King of the Hill. With an array of hats and colors to choose from, guests will be fitting in with the citizens of Arlen in no time!

Water Tower

Quench your thirst with a crisp can of Alamo water under the Arlen water tower. Not only does the water tower serve as a beacon of Arlen, Texas – it will also be a rehydration point for attendees. Guests will receive cold-canned water in Alamo branded aluminum cans. You can choose to drink it to quench your thirst or take it home as a souvenir.

Rhinestein’s Cowboy Boot Toss

Visit Rhinestein’s Cowboy storefront for a game of boot toss. Guests will be given 2 pairs of oversized, animated-style boots with the goal of tossing the open side of the boot over a stake in front of the store. The lucky winners will receive prizes exclusive to the activation.

Backyard Cookout

Unwind in the Hill’s Backyard with a backyard cookout. Guests can refuel and rest at umbrellas and picnic tables with the Hill family. Texas-inspired BBQ bites will be served all day, keeping guests in the world of Arlen. Guests will be invited to participate in lawn games such as cornhole, and pose with photo opportunities from the show, like Dale’s Dead Bug van and more! There will be a large grill playing clips from the previous and new season of the show, for guests to enjoy while relaxing.

World of Warships Update 14.6 Deployed

2025/07/11

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Wargaming, the developer and publisher of the leading cross-platform naval multiplayer game World of Warships, is sailing into summer with a brand new wave of ‘Blue Archive’ content, including plenty of new Commanders and ships for fans to enjoy. World of Warships’s July update also welcomes a new line of U.S. destroyers spanning Tier VII-X into Early Access, new combat mission chains packed with rewards, and plenty of quality of life improvements.

New U.S. Destroyers come to Early Access

A fresh line of U.S. destroyers drops anchor into Early Access. Four ships including Tier VII Hughes, Tier VIII Osborne, Tier IX Christopher, and Tier X Burrows sail into the game, with ships Tier VIII and upward sporting powerful 137mm guns, putting firepower at the forefront of their offense. Adding stealth and stamina to these armaments, this line also features a toggleable Smoke Generator for optimal concealment, and a robust HP pool to support this artillery-led combat. Players can purchase bundles featuring these ships from week two of the update, and can obtain them using tokens earned through a new American-themed Event Pass and via new Personal Challenges.

‘Blue Archive’ Collaboration Wave Two

‘Blue Archive’ returns to World of Warships for another wave of content! From July 9 until August 7, players can acquire four new ships through a limited-time Admiral’s bundle, have four new Commanders take the helm in battle and uncover treasures from the Wishing Wharf. Content from the first wave of the Blue Archive collaboration also makes a reappearance, including four Commanders with dedicated voiceovers, and the return of Tier VIII German battleship BA Tirpitz, and Tier X U.S. battleship BA Montana.

New Combat Missions Chains and Quality of Life Improvements

Two new combat mission chains are available, which players can progress through by completing Random Battles, Co-op Battles, and Operations, unlocking rewards like Special Containers, Coal, and permanent camouflages

World of Warships’s July update also introduces plenty of user-interface and graphical changes to the game, improving the user experience. Included in this wave of improvements are changes to Container user-interface elements, making the process more intuitive and user-friendly with the addition of a barge animation toggle, a guaranteed reward counter, and flexible opening options to support opening multiple Containers at once.

A new ship rotation system, available in both the Armory and Premium Shop, debuts to minimise overcrowding and ensure a wider array of ships are regularly available. WG Temporal Super Sampling (TSS) is also introduced, with new anti-aliasing technology for optimised in-game graphics without significant impact to game performance.

You can find the full patch notes here.

RED SONJA Reboot Trailer and Comic-Con Panel Details

2025/07/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Movie News, News, SDCC, Trailers / Videos

Releasing in theaters August 15th and on digital August 29th, be the first to see Matilda Lutz, Robert Sheehan, and Martyn Ford in the exhilarating new trailer for the RED SONJA reboot from Samuel Goldwyn Films, directed by MJ Bassett.

Captured. Chained. Forced to fight for survival. Red Sonja must battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant’s empire and rally an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Dragan and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia.

Matilda Lutz, Robert Sheehan, and Martyn Ford will be in attendance at San Diego Comic-Con, with a RED SONJA panel taking place 5:30 pm PT on July 24th at SD Convention Center in Ballroom 20, where the cast will discuss bringing the comic book icon to life in the new reboot.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing Red Sonja to audiences across the nation. The fanbase for the legendary character is big and passionate and we’re confident that this film will deliver for them,” shares SGF president Peter Goldwyn.

“I look forward to working with Samuel Goldwyn on the release of Red Sonja. This film has been a long road and we couldn’t be more excited about this screen version of the legendary character who is the first and foremost an empowered heroine. The fans are lined up and surely will be thrilled,” producer Mark Canton shares.

“The fans are ready, the movie is ready, and I can’t wait to share Red Sonja’s story with the world. Those who know her will see the heart and fire they love, and newcomers will discover the true She-Devil with a Sword,” adds producer Luke Lieberman.

“We’re beyond thrilled to announce the release of Red Sonja alongside our partners at Samuel Goldwyn Films. It’s been an incredible journey bringing this iconic character to life, and director MJ Bassett and star Matilda Lutz have crafted an unforgettable filmic adaptation of her story. We can’t wait for audiences to experience the power and excitement of Red Sonja on the big screen!” said producer Jonathan Yunger.

Expeditions: A MudRunner Game Season 3 Icy Shores Out Now

2025/07/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Explore the Carpathian Mountains in Expeditions: A MudRunner Game’s Season 3: “Icy Shores,” available today on PC and consoles! This latest season of content delivers a new map set in the Transylvanian Alps, new trucks and more specialists for Year Pass owners.

In addition, all players can now deploy two new wheeled drones for free and benefit from plenty of quality-of-life improvements – including custom paint jobs for every truck!

Overcome spring thaw in Season 3: “Icy Shores”

As spring weather melts the frozen peaks, return to the Carpathians for a new map set in the stunning Transylvanian Alps. Tread carefully along muddy slopes, slippery riverbanks and underground caves while roaming ancient ruins in search of new scientific discoveries.

Season 3 brings three new vehicles to the game. Scout ahead with the nimble TUZ 302 Capricorn, open up new off-road itineraries with the experimental Haukka NS-420, and power through thick mud and melting snow with the heavy KRS 63 Pathfinder.

To further help you in this region, two new specialists are on board: a Mechanic, reducing electricity consumption for drones and add-ons, and a Manager, who can help get more money out of expeditions.

New drones and gameplay improvements for all players

In addition to premium content, Season 3 delivers exciting free content for all players, from new devices to a variety of feature tweaks and quality-of-life improvements.

To expand the current drone selection, two new wheeled drones have joined players’ toolkits:

The 4-NCR Anchor Drone, which becomes a stationary anchor to attach your winch
The SCT-6 Scout Drone, which creates a new coverage zone for other drones

Alongside an assortment of bug fixes, several systems have also been overhauled to improve each expedition. Friction physics are more realistic, the radar system now uses electricity, and co-op, shared progress and the UI have been tweaked to offer a better overall experience.

Finally, custom paint jobs can now be applied to all trucks to explore in style. Choose colors and change their hue, brightness and saturation to find the perfect combination for each vehicle.

The Transylvanian Alps await!

Season 3: “Icy Shores” is available today on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Steam and Epic Games Store. Grab the Supreme Edition or Year 1 Edition to get your hands on the Year Pass and exclusive content.

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing 30th Anniversary Events for San Diego Comic-Con

2025/07/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Movie News, News, SDCC, Trailers / Videos

Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc. today announced its lineup of Gundam-related activities at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), one of the world’s largest pop culture and entertainment conventions. The event will take place in San Diego, USA, from Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, July 27, 2025.

At Booth #3829, the Bandai Hobby will showcase a special display celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. Fans can explore a wide range of exclusive Gundam Wing merchandise and experience a statue of the iconic Wing Gundam up close.

Additionally, Bandai Namco Filmworks will present the panel “GUNDAM Showcase – Featuring 30 Years of Gundam Wing” on Thursday, July 24. The session will highlight the latest updates from the Gundam Wing 30th Anniversary Project, along with new developments from across the wider Gundam series.

Further details regarding planned exclusive gifts for attendees are to be announced at a later date.

GUNDAM Showcase – Featuring 30 Years of “Gundam Wing” Panel

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of Gundam Wing, a special panel titled “GUNDAM Showcase – Featuring 30 Years of Gundam Wing” will be held at SDCC, featuring Mark Hildreth, the English voice actor for Heero Yuy, Scott McNeil, English voice actor for Duo Maxwell, and Brad Swaile, English voice actor for Quatre Raberba Winner in “Mobile Suit Gundam Wing.” Fans are invited to attend for the latest updates on the “Gundam Wing 30th Anniversary” project and other Gundam-related news.

Date & Time: Thursday, July 24 (Local Time) 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM

Location: Room 6BCF

Guest Speakers:

Mark Hildreth, English voice actor for Heero Yuy from “Mobile Suit Gundam Wing”
Scott McNeil, English voice actor for Duo Maxwell from “Mobile Suit Gundam Wing”
Brad Swaile, English voice actor for Quatre Raberba Winner from “Mobile Suit Gundam Wing”
Naohiro Ogata, Gundam Executive Producer

Exclusive Gifts for Event Attendees

We are pleased to announce that exclusive gifts will be available for those attending the panel. Further details will be revealed soon—stay tuned for more exciting updates.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Mobile Suit Gundam Wing” and its announcements at San Diego Comic-Con in North America, the opening movie “JUST COMMUNICATION” and the ending movie “It’s Just Love!” have been released.

DEADCAM Now Out in Early Access

2025/07/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Windows PC News

Joure Visser, a developer behind 2023’s viral success Don’t Scream, is excited to announce that early access to his latest project, DEADCAM, is out now on Steam! The 90s-inspired survival horror game invites players into a series of haunting encounters told through found footage recordings.

Chilling J-Horror

DEADCAM applies the 90s analog aesthetic to a variety of gritty horror experiences. By navigating through various found footage recordings, players engage with a diverse collection of stories ranging from survival horror to psychological thrillers. Each self-contained encounter, or ‘file,’ boasts a unique setting and narrative. Uncover the mystery of these haunts by completing each file before proceeding to the next. DEADCAM’s Early Access introduces players to the first encounter, an atmospheric J-Horror challenge set in an abandoned school. Four additional encounters will be added throughout the Early Access period.

Explosive Encounters

DEADCAM’s found footage recordings see players through different stories; each file features its own setting, narrative, and gameplay mechanics tailored to the tone of the story. Across each file, retro UI elements monitor haunted activity in the area, including the size and speed of nearby enemy mobs. Idle opponents may walk or sprint to your location, forcing you to confront a handful–or a horde–of enemies. DEADCAM offers a variety of weapons, from firearms like pistols and shotguns to more brutal tools like flamethrowers and chainsaws. These handheld weapons, while powerful, require aiming before firing, which reduces movement speed. Melee weapons, such as the katana, also play a key role. Though quicker to use, melee weapons risk close-quarters vulnerability. As you battle through each encounter, monitor your vitality to make it out alive. A limited number of medkits are available, adding a layer of resource management to gameplay.

Early Access Out Now

Set in an abandoned Japanese high school, the first file offers roughly an hour of gameplay. In this encounter, players can find and use three weapons: a katana, a pistol, and a shotgun. The file features three possible endings, but only one unlocks the full 100% playback percentage—the “good” ending. Players who strategically navigate their surroundings will find an important element that will unlock the necessary path to the “good” ending. Details of the remaining four files will be announced soon.

WILD HEARTS S Demo Now Available on the Nintendo Switch 2

2025/07/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch 2

Today, KOEI TECMO America and developer Omega Force have released a free demo for their upcoming fantasy hunting game, WILD HEARTS S, on the Nintendo Switch™ 2. Players can experience the first stages of the game solo or while hunting in a pack alongside up to three other players in online* or local co-op. WILD HEARTS S is scheduled to release worldwide July 25, 2025 exclusively on Nintendo Switch™ 2, and is now available for pre-order.

In the WILD HEARTS S demo, players can experience the first stages of the game from the prologue, up to “Minato”. Whether deciding to explore the lands of Azuma on their own or in a pack of four players, aspiring hunters will face off against fearsome nature-infused beasts such as the “Ragetail”, the “Sapscourge”, or the formidable “Kingtusk”, a giant boar with massive trunk-like teeth. Players will need to be resourceful as they craft and assemble various “Karakuri” (automaton) to shape the hunting ground accordingly and arm themselves with powerful weapons in order to destroy these massive monsters. Upon completing the demo, players will be able to carry over their save data to the full game to continue the hunt.

*A Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) is required for online play.

For more information on WILD HEARTS S, check out the official site, subscribe to the official KOEI TECMO America YouTube channel, like us on Facebook, and follow us on X, Instagram, and Discord.

Nickelodeon Celebrates 20 Years of Avatar: The Last Airbender at San Diego Comic-Con

2025/07/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Movie News, News, SDCC

Nickelodeon is celebrating 20 years of Avatar: The Last Airbender with an epic homage to the Avatar-verse, at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2025. Its 1,800 square-foot booth (#4113) on the convention center floor will bring the four elements—Water, Earth, Fire and Air–to life through immersive experiences and special photo opportunities.

The following is a rundown of Nickelodeon’s panel, booth activities and outdoor activation:

PANEL
Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender 20th Anniversary Panel

Thursday, 7/24/25, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Room: Ballroom 20

20 Years. 4 Elements. 1 Avatar. Nickelodeon is celebrating Avatar: The Last Airbender’s 20th anniversary with a panel that will take fans on a special journey through the legacy of the Avatar-verse. Join original voice cast members Zach Tyler Eisen (Aang), Jack DeSena (Sokka), Michaela Jill Murphy (Toph), Jennie Kwan (Suki), Dante Basco (Zuko) and Dee Bradley Baker (Appa), series composer Jeremy Zuckerman, and creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, as they celebrate one of the most beloved animated series of all time. Moderated by: Janet Varney (the voice of Korra). Yip Yip!

DAILY BOOTH ACTIVITY

· The Boy in the Iceberg Photo Opportunity: See the moment that started it all. Fans can snap a selfie with a 20-foot-tall iceberg with Aang and Appa inside.

· Wulong Forest Gif Activation: Upon entering the activation, the towering rock columns of the Wulong Forest will come to life in this 10-foot-tall recreation of the memorable landscape. Step into the forest photo booth for a shareable 180-degree digital gif.

· Appa Photo and Digital Gif Opportunity: After the Wulong Forest, guests can stand beside a 9-foot-tall Appa and snap a photo with the iconic flying bison. Once finished, they will receive a special printed photo and shareable digital gif on their device. Be on the lookout for a surprise appearance in the gif!

· Augmented Reality (AR) Bending Journey: Discover and scan special areas around the booth to launch AR experiences that bring your favorite Avatar characters to life.

· My Cabbages!: The early bird gets the cabbage. Each morning when the booth opens, a limited supply of exclusive tote bags with a cabbage and recipe card will be available for fans at the market stall area, while supplies last.

· Customized Baseball T-Shirt and Tote Station: Fans can purchase a t-shirt and tote bag and personalize it on the spot, with characters and art from their choice of nine fan-favorite Nick shows and Paramount Pictures movies: Avatar: The Last Airbender, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants, Hey Arnold!, Rugrats, Danny Phantom, The Smurfs and The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender.

Choose your nation! A special Avatar: The Last Airbender customization feature will allow fans to pick from the four nations–Water, Earth, Fire and Air. Hard to pick? Non-benders can stick with an overall ATLA item.

· Autograph Signings: Signing opportunities with voice talent, producers and composer for Avatar: The Last Airbender.

· Costumed Character Appearances: SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star will make appearances at Nick’s booth at select times during the convention.  

· Retail: Attendees can purchase Comic-Con exclusive figures and collectibles, t-shirts, pins and more.

· Giveaways: Special giveaways and posters will be handed out throughout the convention.

OUTDOOR ACTIVATIONS

· Petco Park Interactive Zone during Comic-Con will feature a Magic: The Gathering x Avatar activation that includes: an immersive photo op with the iconic cabbage cart; a cosplayer as the beloved Cabbage Merchant; a special Katara promo card; and an oversized giveaway bag with a recipe card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Official Baking Book. Hours of operation: Thursday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Location: Petco Park at 100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101.

Art the Clown Comes to Halloween Horror Nights

2025/07/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

Welcome to the Funhouse. The twisted world of Art the Clown comes to life in this year’s all-new “Terrifier” haunted house inspired by the slasher film franchise that has consistently terrorized filmgoers since 2008.The torment kicks off at Universal Orlando Resort on Friday, August 29 and at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, September 4.

Spewing from creator, writer, director Damien Leone and producer Phil Falcone along with Dark Age Cinema Productions, Terrifier introduced a new slasher film series to the cinematic world, featuring Art the Clown, a supernatural entity who terrorizes the fictional town of Miles County, New York, on Halloween and tortures victims in creatively cruel and sickeningly sinister ways. The Terrifier film franchise has evolved to become three chilling and gory movies with a fourth film in development and a Halloween Horror Nights haunted house on the way.

During Halloween Horror Nights, guests will experience an unfathomable level of gore as they try to escape becoming Art the Clown’s next victim. “Terrifier” is a grisly haunted house oozing with a new sense of terror that takes guests into Art the Clown’s gruesome Funhouse, which first appeared in Terrifier 2. Guests will be overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, smells and dread of Art’s grotesque kills, gleefully displayed for all to see. As fans make their way through the claustrophobic corridors, they will encounter familiar faces, including Vicky and the Little Pale Girl, and witness iconic kills from the franchise. Chaos reigns at the Clown Café, terror festers in a revolting bathroom and holiday cheer turns deadly in a Christmas nightmare. Guests must escape Art’s twisted world—or become his next gruesome display.

Guests can purchase tickets and event-inclusive vacation packages for Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, which will run 48 select nights from August 29 through November 2, and feature 10 terrifying haunted houses, scare zones, live shows and more. All Fear Passes – including Rush of Fear, Frequent Fear, Frequent Fear Plus and Ultimate Frequent Fear– are now on sale. Starting at $199.99 + tax (online), the Fear Passes allow fans to experience the horror on multiple event nights – with access and benefits varying depending on the pass type. Other products on-sale now include single-night tickets and event upgrades such as Halloween Horror Nights Express Passes, the R.I.P Tour, Premium Scream Night (only on August 28) and the Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour; and special vacation packages that include hotel accommodations, daytime admission to Universal’s theme parks and more – with savings available depending on the length of stay. Plus, hotel guests can stay near the fear and receive exclusive benefits including access to a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights entry gate, complimentary resort transportation and more. For additional details on all available products, click here. Annual and Seasonal Passholders can also enjoy perks and discounts, including up to 40% off the flexible rate at participating Universal Orlando hotels, discounted event tickets, exclusive menu items available only for Passholders and more. For more information, click here.

A variety of Halloween Horror Nights ticket options for Universal Studios Hollywood, which runs select nights from September 4 through November 2, are now available, including General Admission, Universal Express, After 2 P.M. Day/Night, the Early Access Ticket, which provides entry to select haunted houses beginning at 5:30 p.m. (subject to change), the premium R.I.P. Tour and popular passes, Frequent Fear Pass and Ultimate Fear Pass, which enable guests to experience the scares again and again. Click here to purchase tickets and for Terms and Conditions.

Inspired by the “Terrifier” haunted house, fans can purchase new, limited release products, including a t-shirt and bag available now at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood and on Shop.UniversalOrlando.com, beginning Friday, July 11. Additionally, a new graphic puzzle piece for “Terrifier” is available to fit into the collectible Halloween Horror Nights frame. Fans can collect this piece along with others representing this year’s killer line-up to assemble and create a bloody mural within the frame.

Additional event details, including new haunted houses coming to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort, will be revealed soon.

For more information and to purchase tickets to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/Halloween and at Universal Orlando, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/Halloween.

The Long Walk to Take Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con and Character Posters Available Now

2025/07/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Movie News, News, SDCC, Special Interest News

Lionsgate will bring The Long Walk, the highly anticipated adaptation of Stephen King’s novel directed by Francis Lawrence (Catching Fire, Mockingjay – Parts 1 & 2, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, I Am Legend) to Comic-Con® on Friday, July 25th from 3 to 4 PM. The Hall H panel, moderated by Eric Vespe and Anthony Breznican, hosts of the Stephen King podcast, The Kingcast, will include film stars David Jonsson, Tut Nyuot, Garrett Wareing, Charlie Plummer, and Mark Hamill, along with producer Roy Lee and screenwriter JT Mollner.

Today, in support of the upcoming panel, Lionsgate is debuting the film’s character posters.

Raymond Garraty, #47 (Cooper Hoffman): Underneath Ray’s easygoing manner is a passionate natural leader who’s deeply empathetic. His closeness to his mother makes participation in The Long Walk a tough choice. Ray and Peter emerge as natural allies and, over time, develop a true friendship.

Peter McVries, #23 (David Jonsson): Exuding confidence, gregarious Peter McVries is an aspirational figure. With a deep well of empathy and grit, he’s the spiritual core of the group, even as he grapples with the ghosts of his past that brought him to this moment. The brotherly bond he forms with Ray is a catalyst that challenges Ray’s value system as the gruesomeness of the walk intensifies around them.

Stebbins, #38 (Garrett Wareing): Called a “fitness nut” and “Superman” before the walk begins, blond-haired, jelly sandwich-eating Stebbins seems like the one to beat to his fellow walkers. He’s strong and tall with a tough exterior and also claims he hasn’t been sick in over 10 years. Full of facts and statistics, Stebbins seems to be the poster child for The Long Walk.

Arthur Baker, #6 (Tut Nyuot): Having grown up dirt-poor, Arthur is more than ready to undergo the punishing demands of The Long Walk for a lifetime of riches and the fulfillment of his wish: to travel to the moon in a space rocket. Arthur’s drive to win is grounded by his gentle manner and religious conviction.

Gary Barkovitch, #5 (Charlie Plummer): The self-appointed agitator of the group, Gary Barkovitch has a strategy to mercilessly taunt his co-competitors, while using his own camera to capture The Long Walk experience from the inside. But cracks start to appear in Barkovitch’s aggressive front after he’s targeted with his contempt and ridicule.

Hank Olson, #46 (Ben Wang): Street-smart, superstitious, and always ready to share an unsolicited and unfiltered opinion, Hank bonds with Ray, Peter, and Arthur to form a group they call “The Four Musketeers.” He has a deep knowledge of The Long Walk’s history and winning strategies, but will it be enough to sustain him when his body begins to fail?

Curly, #7 (Roman Griffin Davis): Curly is the pack’s youngest member. He lied about his age to make it to The Long Walk and is plagued by leg pain in the opening stretch. Ray forms a bond with Curly as he struggles to keep up with the older, more worldly walkers.

Richard Harkness, #49 (Jordan Gonzalez): Eager, bookish Harkness is an aspiring journalist who carries a notepad around with him during the walk to chronicle the journey for posterity. But Ray and Peter remind Harkness that to do that he’ll have to survive every last mile and — in the end — stand alone.

Collie Parker, #48 (Joshua Odjick): Parker, an Indigenous participant in the walk, exudes a tough exterior with those around him but deep down he’s homesick and scared. As the miles pass and the tensions grow, he develops an increasingly antagonistic relationship with Gary Barkovitch.

The Major (Mark Hamill): Known simply as “The Major,” there is not much known about this authoritarian true believer, aside from serving as the figurehead and originator of the grueling televised competition known as The Long Walk. Menacing behind his dark sunglasses, The Major barks slogans meant to both motivate and intimidate contestants, a ruthless enforcer whose mysterious connection to several walkers is gradually revealed.