Marvel Animation embiggened NYCC with all things Marvel Rising this year. The creatives and voice talent behind the series shared their insights on this new series.

Lucky New York Comic Con attendees were treated to screenings, panels, and sneak peeks of upcoming releases for Marvel Rising, which currently includes the Marvel Rising: Initiation shorts and the Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors film. Cast and crew also took the time to tease what’s next for this ascending brand. Here’s what we learned!

Friendship is Magic

The heart of the Marvel Rising series is the developing dynamic between Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) and Doreen Green (Squirrel Girl). Both newbie heroes have a lot to prove and even more to learn about themselves on and off the battlefield. Secret Warriors continues their story of self discovery as we see the duo chasing down a wayward Dante (Inferno) voiced by Tyler Posey, while the Kree warrior Hala, voiced by Ming Na Wen, schemes in the shadows.

Related: Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors review: Save the world, take a selfie

While their efforts might not be at the pro level just yet, “Double M and SG” prove to be an impressive rookie team. Kathreen Khavari relates to Kamala’s passion. “I understand her immense enthusiasm for being a superhero. She’s nervous but also extremely excited. Because she’s a super fan of all these heroes, she’s sort of the ultimate geek hero.”

Meanwhile Milana Vayntrub wants to see more of herself in SG: “I think it’s really powerful that [Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl] are the same age and they’re buddies and they are equals and that they support each other without any kind of hierarchy,” she says.

Not only is that relationship important on the screen, but it extends to the recording booth as well. “We’re in the booth together,” says Kamil McFadden, who voices Rayshaun Lucas (Patriot). “It adds another special aspect to the series that’s important for Kamala and Doreen. You wouldn’t get the same feel if they weren’t in the booth together doing it side by side.”

Both characters’ weaknesses and strengths compliment each other as superheroes and as friends. Ms. Marvel sees the good in those that others might already count as lost, while Squirrel Girl will stay loyal to those close to her through thick and thin. Executive Producer and co-creator of Kamala Khan Sana Amanat knows their story will be relatable to younger audiences. “When we were drafting the story we knew the center point of the story was going to be Kamala and Doreen. Their friendship is so reflective of what I think a lot of young friendships are.”

Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl’s quest to be taken seriously in the big league of the world of superheroes is relatable to anyone who’s ever had to prove they belong. How do you prove your worth without losing sight of what makes you unique? This is the question at the core of their narrative. Amanat continues: “Brown stretchy skin and a bushy tail? Who’s going to take them seriously? [Secret Warriors] is about them taking themselves seriously and embracing those powers.”

Heroes for all

Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Miss America Chavez, Patriot, Quake, Inferno; all of these characters find their way to each other over the course of Secret Warriors. All from different backgrounds, all from different upbringings, they come together to form an indomitable force for good. Apart, each of these heroes stumble as they find their way, but with one another, they find their unique harmony as secret team of heroes-in-training. The underlying message of inclusiveness was important to Milana. “I would love to teach young girls that women are not in the background and that we are in this together. When women are peers I feel it’s easier for kids to pick up on that.”

Tyler Posey hopes the young boys watching Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors can especially learn a few important life lessons from a superhero team made up of diverse characters. “At the same time [Dante’s] a hothead he’s also vulnerable and I think little boys can take something from that. Girls will be like, there’s finally someone I can relate to and she’s a superhero and she’s going through the same things I’m going through because we’re the same age. Guys can be like those girls are {expletive] cool.”

McFadden sees Patriot and Quake’s working relationship not defined by gender. “Patriot doesn’t get in his feelings taking orders from Quake. That’s his partner but he knows that she is the leader of the team. He’s the right hand man, he’s the second, and he enjoys that job.”

“I think is so important to make sure that we have stories in pop culture that are inspiring, positive and challenging the next generation to take in those ideals for themselves,” says Sana Amanat. “Sure you can be cool and kick butt, but can you give your friend a second chance, or get to know someone that you don’t understand?”

Marvel Rising pushes the spirit of diversity throughout Initiation and Secret Warriors, but never at the cost of telling a good story with believable characters. Their true strength doesn’t come from their powers, but what they can be as a team working towards a better world together.

The Future is Female

At the Marvel Rising panel con-goers were treated to their first rough clip of the next installment, Marvel Rising: Chasing Ghosts.

Dove Cameron returns as Gwen Stacy (Ghost Spider), still out for revenge for her fallen friend Kevin as the quest to prove her innocence continues. The clip was such an early version that it was presented without sound effects or VFX added yet, which proved to be an added source of amusement as the chase scene played out. After Chasing Ghosts, fans can look forward to Marvel Rising: Heart of Iron focusing on Riri Williams (Ironheart) voiced by Sofia Wylie.

After the stellar debut of Secret Warriors and seeing what’s on the horizon, it’s a great time to be a fan of Marvel’s youngest heroes on the block.

You can catch Marvel Rising: Initiation and Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors on Disney XD, Hulu, and iTunes.