{"id":19651,"date":"2026-07-28T08:24:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T03:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=19651"},"modified":"2026-07-28T08:24:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T03:24:05","slug":"inside-top-comic-con-activations-from-lanterns-to-percy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=19651","title":{"rendered":"Inside top Comic-Con activations from &#8216;Lanterns&#8217; to &#8216;Percy&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2026%2F07%2Fsdcc-acitvations_bb845e.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>While A-list celebs from <strong>Ryan Gosling<\/strong> to <strong>Johnny Depp <\/strong>appeared at San Diego Comic-Con to promote their blockbuster studio projects, several brands launched free activations for fans downtown \u2014 with or without the pricey passes.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a rundown of the top activations:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>HBO launched a \u201cLanterns\u201d activation for fans.  <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>HBO Max promoted \u201cStuart Fails to Save the Universe\u201d inside and outside the convention center.  <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images for HBO Max<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"\/>\n<p>HBO Max emerged as MVP of the Gaslamp Quarter this year, putting on two takeovers of downtown locales to tout new shows, DC\u2019s \u201cLanterns\u201d and \u201cBig Bang Theory\u201d spin-off, \u201cStuart Fails to Save the Universe.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>The \u201cLanterns Training Headquarters\u201d at the sprawling Venue 808 gave attendees a chance to be recruited into the Green Lantern Corps for an interactive journey. Hands-on training included an escape room, a \u201cfreefall flight test,\u201d target practice at a shooting range (they weren\u2019t real guns), and, of course, souvenir Green Lantern rings.<\/p>\n<p>Stars <strong>Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Garret Dillahunt<\/strong> and <strong>Poorna Jagannathan<\/strong>, alongside creators and writers <strong>Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof <\/strong>and <strong>Tom King<\/strong> stopped by to take on the challenge themselves.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Disney brought a \u201cPercy Jackson Experience\u201d activation to town.  <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>\u201cPercy Jackson and the Olympians\u201d stars Walker Scobell and Aryan Simhadri met a Halo cosplayer.  <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"\/>\n<p>\u201cStuart Fails to Save the Universe\u201d brought a slice of Pasadena to the Sparks Gallery with a painstakingly detailed recreation of the series\u2019 iconic comic book store. Fans were treated to a multiverse-spanning adventure taking them through a series of alternate realities.<\/p>\n<p>Creators <strong>Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn<\/strong> and <strong>Bill Prady<\/strong>, plus stars <strong>Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, John Ross Bowie<\/strong> and <strong>Brian Posehn<\/strong>, stopped by to rifle through comic books and try their hand at failing.<\/p>\n<p>For horror fans, <strong>Eli Roth<\/strong>\u2018s \u201cIce Cream Man\u201d scooped up chills with a disturbing, but delicious event at Kansas City BBQ, where the directo<em>r<\/em><strong> <\/strong>and his unsettling mascot, Merle, were spotted playing tetherball with a severed head amidst a playground massacre. (An ice cream truck trilled a familiar tune in the background). <\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Eli Roth brought his latest horror film, \u201cIce Cream Man,\u201d to town.   <span class=\"credit\">BACKGRID<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>The film explores the scary side of frozen treats.  <span class=\"credit\">BACKGRID<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"\/>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s such a great year for horror. This sundae is just the cherry on top,\u201d Roth said of the genre\u2019s recent box office boom.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Disney Entertainment Television also made its presence known downtown with a mythical \u201cPercy Jackson and the Olympians\u201d activation across from the convention center, plus a \u201cHulu Animayhem: Fandom Fuel Up\u201d featuring themed food from \u201cKing of the Hill\u201d (Bobby Hill\u2019s Robata Chane) and \u201cFuturama\u201d (Planet Espresso).<\/p>\n<p>Paramount saw lines for its annual downtown \u201cLodge\u201d at Happy Does, featuring photo ops and freebies for properties like \u201cAvatar: The Last Airbender,\u201d \u201cSouth Park\u201d and \u201cStar Trek: Strange New Worlds.\u201d There was even an alien DJ on hand to set the scene as guests sipped on galactic drinks named Cosmic Drops and Vulcan Sunsets.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Hulu pumped animated shows, like \u201cKing of the Hill.\u201d  <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>\u201cFuturama\u201d also was a fan fave.  <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Outside of the studio scene, collectible company Super7 hosted an adorable Peanuts pop-up shop celebrating Snoopy\u2019s lesser-known siblings, partnering with Best Friends Animal Society to support real-life dog adoptions.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>The activations scene also included new Peanuts merch.  <span class=\"credit\">San Diego Comic-Con<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Snoopy\u2019s sibs were among the buzzed about \u201cstars\u201d at a San Diego pop-up shop.  <span class=\"credit\">San Diego Comic-Con<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The year\u2019s biggest parties included Fandom\u2019s annual Thursday night bash atop the Hard Rock Hotel, a Friday soiree at Parq Nightclub celebrating 20 years of \u201cPan\u2019s Labyrinth\u201d with director <strong>Guillermo del Toro<\/strong>, plus IGN and Prime Video\u2019s party on Friday evening, which saw \u201cThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power\u201d star <strong>Jamie Campbell Bower<\/strong> take a spin at the DJ booth.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While A-list celebs from Ryan Gosling to Johnny Depp appeared at San Diego Comic-Con to promote their blockbuster studio projects, several brands launched free activations for fans downtown \u2014 with or without the pricey passes. Here\u2019s a rundown of the top activations: HBO launched a \u201cLanterns\u201d activation for fans. Getty Images HBO Max promoted \u201cStuart&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19652,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/07\/sdcc-acitvations_bb845e.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19651"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19651\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}