If you thought you needed a Comic-Con badge to have fun this year, think again. Some of the most talked about experiences happened outside the convention center, and they were completely free. HBO Max took over downtown with a Green Lantern training camp where fans could solve puzzles in an escape room and walk away with a free ring. They also recreated the comic book store from the new‘Big Bang Theory’spin-off‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’, with star Kevin Sussman making an appearance. Meanwhile, horror director Eli Roth brought his‘Ice Cream Man’movie to life with a twisted tetherball game featuring a severed head. He even called it the cherry on top of a great year for horror.
Disney and Paramount also joined the fun. Disney ran a‘Percy Jackson’themed activation and a‘Hulu Animayhem’food truck, while Paramount’s annual‘Lodge’offered photo ops for‘Star Trek’and‘South Park’along with galactic themed drinks. Collectible company Super7 set up a Peanuts pop-up that partnered with Best Friends Animal Society to help adoptable dogs find homes. It was a wholesome twist on the horror and superhero chaos. Whether you’re a fan of Lanterns, ice cream scares, or Snoopy, this year’s free activations proved that Comic-Con magic is for everyone.
What kind of free fan experience would you camp out for? Let us know in the comments below.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.