Comic-Con preview: Zombies, geeks and 'Glee' head small-screen fare

TV shows have never been out in force like they are this year at Comic-Con. It’s the place where series such as Psych and Smallville can reconnect with their core fan base, and where people can see pilots and footage of new series that could hold their attention. Fringe had its debut two years ago, and V last year — this year, No Ordinary Family and Nikita are being rolled out for the con contingent. I am lucky enough this year to be involved with some of the TV goings-on, as I’ll be moderating the Supernatural panel on Sunday featuring creator Eric Kripke, new showrunner Sera Gamble, fan favorites Misha Collins and Jim Beaver, and the CW show’s big stars, Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. (Perhaps I will get a question in every so often in between all the screams for those two!) There are other must-see presentations to be had, though, so read below for my top 10 TV list. Let us know what TV shows you’re most interesting in, and check out this sneak preview of the new NBC show The Cape, starring David Lyons and Keith David.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. TV, CBS, Showtime

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The Walking Dead (AMC): I wrote a little about this on Friday, but if any TV show comes close to the amount of buzz of some of the movies at Comic-Con, it’s this adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s comic book series. Fans are clamoring to see footage of a zombified America from the eyes of filmmaker Frank Darabont, and this Friday presentation won’t disappoint. Perhaps I will head over to the place where they actually turn you into a zombie so I can head to my next panel in undead style, all shambly and whatnot.

Fringe (Fox): Fringe actually became a better show than Lost this past season (hey, no tomato throwing!), so hopefully we’ll get more insight into what lies ahead when stars John Noble, Anna Torv and Joshua Jackson hold court on Saturday afternoon, talking about playing alternate-world versions of their characters and what other weirdness is in store for the show’s third season.

The Big Bang Theory (CBS): As a geek, it does my heart some good to see this nerd-friendly show do so well in the ratings, and it’s most definitely a Comic-Con staple nowadays. The whole cast will be there to talk what’s next for Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco).

No Ordinary Family (ABC): I got an early sneak peek of the freshman series’ pilot and it is GREAT. Fans will get their own viewing of it during Saturday’s panel, as well as a Q&A with stars Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz (the heads of a family who all get superpowers in a very Fantastic Four fashion) and executive producer Greg Berlanti, whose lawyer show Eli Stone I still dearly miss.

True Blood (HBO): Even though we’re a few episodes into the new season, I’m sure creator Alan Ball and his cast will have some cool surprises in store. Now that Twilight is taking a year off, this is THE place for vampire lovers. (In addition to the Supernatural panel, I’m also hosting a vampire lit panel on Saturday with authors Charlaine Harris, Richelle Mead and more, so hopefully we’ll get some True Blood faithful there, too!) On- and offscreen couple Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer will be there, in addition to newbie Joe Manganiello, whom we featured on the blog recently.

Smallville (CW): It’s the final season for the long-running small-screen take on the Superman mythos. Will the Man of Steel finally fly? Will Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor come back for one more appearance before the end? All those questions will be on the minds of fans at Smallville’s last Comic-Con. On the positive side: Series star Tom Welling is coming for the final bow on Sunday.

Dexter (Showtime): The last season ended with a huge twist, so Dexter-philes will storm Ballroom 20 to see what’s up with their favorite serial-killing, blood-spatter analyst played by Michael C. Hall. Hall, who successfully battled off a form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma recently, will be there with his co-star (and wife) Jennifer Carpenter for a Thursday Dexter panel, which is preceded by a Showtime “antiheroes” panel with Hall, David Duchovny and Mary-Louise Parker.

Falling Skies (TNT): Steven Spielberg has a new TV series and guess what? It’s about aliens! Shocking, I know. Stars Noah Wyle and Moon Bloodgood will be on hand to show a first look at the series, which follows a world decimated by an alien invasion. Or, what V would be like if the Visitors decided to get a little more aggressive with their diplomacy.

The Cape (NBC): It’s a new show about a cop who becomes a superhero after finding a really neat cape with superpowers. And it’s got Vinnie Jones, Keith David and geek goddess Summer Glau. And I do love a good superhero tale. ‘Nuff said.

Glee (Fox): One of the shows near the end of the multi-day event on Sunday, the mega-popular Glee had a great panel last year when hardly anyone knew what it was. Now with household name recognition and a tour under its belt, the series returns to Comic-Con but without main stars such as Jane Lynch, Matthew Morrison or Lea Michele. Series creator Ryan Murphy will be there, though, to inform Gleeks on what’s coming in the series’ sophomore season.