San Diego Comic-Con has had some stellar activations throughout the years. Highlights include FX’s Legion activation, immersing guests by recreating an escape scenario as they tried to dodge the authorities and escape with other mutants. Another highlight was Apple TV’s Severance activation, recreating the feeling of being a new innie, as you begin in the conference room with the intercom, all the way to the office dance parties.
This year, HBO Max stepped it up for its Lanterns Training Headquarters activation, and it’s easily the top activation during this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. This 30-minute experience really made fans feel like they were training to become Green Lanterns. There were different missions and routes, depending on your group number. In my group, we had to blend in with the locals at a local bar, train at the shooting range, and search for the Lantern left by Hal Jordan.
I chatted with a fan who waited 13 hours to participate in the activation. After having done the experience, he said it was worth it. It definitely left an impact thanks to the sets, special effects, and the actors.
Once we had completed two of our missions, we were all given our very own Green Lantern ring. We got to recite the Green Lantern oath. Once we finished the last line, “Beware my power, Green Lantern’s light!” the rings lit up the room with a green hue. I literally got goosebumps.
Lanterns will debut on HBO and HBO Max on August 16, 2026.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a spin-off series of The Big Bang Theory. Available now on HBO Max, it follows Stuart as he is tasked with stopping a “multiverse Armageddon” due to accidentally damaging the device. Since Stuart is a comic book shop owner, it was fitting to hold the Stuart Fails to Save the Universe activation inside a comic book shop.
The experience includes going through the shop in search of The Device.
