San Diego Comic-Con Gallery: Day One

San Diego Comic-Con is a bit lean this year, which makes taking the time to walk around all the more fun. Less anticipatory panels, more in-depth ones, means more time to take a look around. With exclusive collectibles, The Walking Dead Blu sets, a pop-up American Horror Story: Hotel, here’s just some of what Shock found on Day One, Thursday, July 9th. 

I kicked the day off at the FX Fearless Arena, a large installation to preview and market returning series like American Horror Story: Hotel and The Strain. While the former was fine—a simple money machine contest—it perhaps gave a brief preview of the glamour and decor of Hotel. The Strain‘s activation meanwhile was within a structure resembling a ravaged NYC warehouse. Once inside, participants donned VR headsets and took a brief journey into the world of The Strain, guided by star Kevin Durand. It was a silly, pulpy experience. Durand takes you on a mission to save a woman and eradicate vampires. Of course, vampires attack and the VR is meant to give you that ol’ funhouse feeling. VR promotion is getting more and more popular (see: the Insidious Into the Further experience) and I think I enjoy it because it’s both a spectacle of technology, but also a goofy atmosphere, like we’re playing Brainscan. I doubt anyone in 2015 tech wants me to compare their work to an early 90s CD-ROM centric horror movie, but Durand made a fine goateed Trickster. 

The rest of Day One meant walking the con floor, talking to the cast and crew of The Omen sequel series Damien and finally checking out M. Night Shyamalan’s new film The Visit. Expect more on the latter two, soon. Now, check out our latest San Diego Comic-Con gallery, below.