Marvel is returning to San Diego Comic-Con this week after skipping the annual dog-and-pony show last year when its highly anticipated “Avengers: Doomsday” was still in production in London. While Marvel’s high-profile return on Saturday night in Hall H with the film is easily the most hyped event this year, insiders are lukewarm on the rest.

“I think the return of Marvel to Hall H on Saturday feels promising, but outside of that, it’s underwhelming,” said one ambivalent insider. “Disney bringing ‘Percy Jackson’ is great, but ABC abandoning their traditional ‘Abbott Elementary’ panel and pop-up feels like a bad omen for the show and the convention.”

The source said that “zooming out,” none of the networks and streamers seem primed for a breakout year. 

A veteran attendee figured of Marvel: “They’ll do some insane stunt and it’ll be the only thing people are talking about.”

At least one contrarian entertainment journo said they’ll skip the MCU panel, opting for another project. “I’m genuinely excited for ‘Carrie,’” the scribe said, referring to Prime Video’s series based on the Stephen King classic.

The (perhaps unfortunately timed) “Carrie” panel marks acclaimed horror creator Mike Flanagan’s first time at the event. 

“I’m excited for the Marvel panel, but not the one you think,” said another insider who was more enthusiastic for two massive video game presentations: “Marvel’s Wolverine” in Hall H, and “God of War Laufey” in Ballroom 20.

(The gaming panels arrive on the heels of some controversy: Sony announced last week to some fan angst that the company will discontinue distributing physical discs and go digital-only. “I’m wondering if PlayStation will reverse their decision after the backlash,” said an insider, unsure if fans will raise the subject during an  audience Q&A.) 

Other notable panels this year are for projects including “Big Bang Theory” spin-off “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” Neon’s “Hope,” A24’s “Onslaught, “The Vampire Lestat” and Amazon MGM’s “Spaceballs.”

On the party scene, Fandom and IGN are hosting their annual Hard Rock bashes on Thursday and Friday night, respectively, while Entertainment Weekly is no longer throwing its traditional Saturday party, leaving a hole in media types’ social schedules. 

“EW completely opting to skip their party this year feels the most upsetting, especially without someone to step in and take their place,” says one insider.