Comic-Con 2024: The best things we saw at Preview Night

It’s Preview Night at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

This night features less panels, events and activities than other nights throughout the annual convention, but it offers fans a chance to see some early sites and get inside the exhibit hall to see some of the best merchandise, art, movie props and displays, comic books and other items before the crowds get larger over the next few days.

Our reporters were out and about downtown looking for the best things they could find at Comic-Con. Here’s Wednesday’s list.

Dungeons & Dragons 50th anniversary pop-up shop

There is a Dungeon & Dragons pop-up store at the corner of Eighth and G streets with a large dragon head surrounding the entrance door. The popular roleplaying card game is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, which is younger than San Diego Comic-Con. The store, which is selling memorabilia and clothing, was set to open at 7 p.m., but fans were showing up as early as 3 p.m. It is one of the farthest installations from the convention center.

— Phillip Molnar

‘Dexter: Original Sin’ interactive photo opportunity

Next to the Gaslamp Quarter trolley stop is a photo opportunity for “Original Sin,” a prequel show to “Dexter.” Inside of the shipping container activation are props from the show and a kill table where guests can lay down and get wrapped in cellophane. 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m Sunday. Free. 

— Carlos Rico

Batman Who Laughs

A New York resident who goes by the name Critical Mask Cosplay arrives at San Diego Comic-Con in his reimagined, “Batman Who Laughs,” inspired by an alternate universe where the Dark Knight becomes the Joker. He’s been a cosplaying since 2019, but this is his first time at Comic-Con attending as a professional cosplayer. He is one of the few attendees in full cosplay on Wednesday’s Preview Night but says, “When you’ve been doing this as long as I have, the party starts early.”

— Serena Neumeyer

Adult Swim’s Pirate Parrrty

Adult Swim is back behind the convention center for another year of wacky activities and entertainment. This year the theme is “Pirate Parrrty,” and the activation has various carnival activities such as an inflatable “Rick and Morty” Cthulhu Battle with a floating wobbly latter to get across, a rideable seesaw shark, a dunk tank and an inflatable captain’s quarters with bright colors and videos inside. Also, there is a stage that will host panels and musical acts throughout Comic-Con. Plus, a wrestling tournament with AEW wrestlers is scheduled for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. No badge is required to attend. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

— Carlos Rico

Lines

Is this the best or worst thing at Comic-Con? This made our list simply because it’s a clear sign that Comic-Con is back in San Diego. It’s a sight for sore eyes. And for sore feet.

— Abby Hamblin

The Lodge by Paramount +

Happy Does in the Gaslamp Quarter has once again been transformed into The Lodge, an activation that promotes TV shows from Paramount +. Some of the marketing stations include “Tulsa King,” where guests can play three slot machines, Woodstone Manor’s Olfactory Atelier from “Ghosts,” a pizza parlor from “Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” a tattoo parlor from “Ink Masters” and an area to get a custom screen print shirt from “Star Trek.” Guests also get two drink tickets and a slice of pizza. This activation is free and open to everyone. There will be a daily standby line available. Noon to 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. 340 Fifth Ave., San Diego.

— Carlos Rico

Costumes from ‘The Acolyte’

Clothes used in the new Star Wars show “The Acolyte” were on display in the Convention Hall on preview night in the Star Wars area. The most popular was the robe and mask of Qimir, the villain of the show. Also on display were other clothes and lightsabers used in the Disney+ show/

— Phillip Molnar

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ experience

Aficionados of the Planet of the Apes can enjoy six decades of Cornelius and many other characters of this franchise. The activation is like a museum with various exhibits, chronicling the history of the Planet of the Apes, including the new film “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” There are statues, costumes, movie and TV show props, movie posters, costumes and videos to watch. Plus, there is a real-life 2-year-old Harris’ hawk named Lola. Roxanne Wuco, falconer with Hawk on Hand, helps guests who want to get near Lola for a picture or video. This activation is free and does not require a badge to get in. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. 200 Harbor Drive Suite 120, San Diego.

— Carlos Rico

Fairy Godmother cosplayer

Alyssabelle Ross of San Diego explored the convention hall during Preview Night dressed as the Fairy Godmother from “Shrek 2”.

— Natallie Rocha

‘Naruto’ fan photo opportunity

(From left to right) Arc Bhandari, Allia Butac, Nia Butac and their children from the Bay Area pose for a photo with Gamakichi at the Naruto 25th anniversary booth #2813.

— Carlos Rico

Spongebob takes over Hard Rock Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe is celebrating 25 years of SpongeBob with Paramount+ and Nickelodeon. Guests can enter the front door for an immersive Bikini Bottom experience surrounded by employees dressed as SpongeBob and TVs playing classic episodes from over the years. The restaurant has also revamped its menu with vibrant SpongeBob illustrations that reference “goofy goobers grub.” 207 Fifth Ave., San Diego.

— Serena Neumeyer

Barbieland at Comic-Con

Riding the momentum of the massively successful “Barbie” movie, Mattel displayed its newest toy set at its pink booth featuring the iconic doll. It’s a Mini Barbie Dreamland with dolls that are 1.5 inches tall — one-tenth the size of a regular Barbie doll.

— Natallie Rocha

Funkoville International Airport

Funko is turning the corner of the convention center at Comic-Con into its own “Funkoville International Airport.” Attendees can explore collaborations with collectibles from Mondo to a variety of pop culture apparel from Loungefly. Attendees can also choose between 40 to 45 exclusive Funko Pop collectibles featuring iconic franchises such as Star Wars and Godzilla. To celebrate the premiere of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” guests will be able to check out a “Pop! Yourself” stand to create their own image cosplaying as either Deadpool or Wolverine.

— Serena Neumeyer

Originally Published: July 24, 2024 at 8:14 p.m.