Comic-Con International continues to be the place to find the latest and most exclusive previews of hotly anticipated films and limited edition products.

April 6, 2018

8 Min Read

Comic-Con International continues to be the place to find the latest and most exclusive previews of hotly anticipated films and limited edition products.

Comic-Con International is growing up. In the past, Comic-Con was the place for superfans to find their "tribe" and converge to share all things comic or obscurely pop culture relevant. And while all of these elements are still present in the core DNA of the event, the glitz and glamour (and dollars) of the major film studios is continuing to influence what the event is morphing into.

Transformers-Devastator.jpgThis year's Comic-Con, which took place July 9-12 in San Diego, Calif., seemed to be all about exclusive, never-before-seen footage from the most anticipated films delivered during the event's hot ticket Hall H panels.

And while some had a noticeably more muted presence (Marvel, for example did not release any major announcements at this year's event, nor did they participate in Hall H panels), other film and TV studios grabbed the Comic-Con headlines with big reveals.

A well-received debut was new footage from the forthcoming film Deadpool from Twentieth Century Fox. The 2016 movie will star Ryan Reynolds as the quick-tongued anti-hero, and received nothing but accolades from the Comic-Con masses.

While Marvel may have been taking a quieter approach to Comic-Con in 2015, The Walt Disney Company was not absent, particularly when it comes to teasing attendees with new material.

At the event, the studio brought out brand-new, behind-the-scenes footage from December's eagerly awaited Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With more than 6,500 people in attendance at the film's panel, director J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy introduced the crowd to the full cast, many of which were on-hand, and gave a preview of just a bit of what moviegoers can expect with the latest installment of the enduring franchise. After the panel, the audience was treated to a surprise outdoor concert by the San Diego Symphony, which played Star Wars music from John Williams.

Other eagerly anticipated films that debuted sneak peeks at Comic-Con include Suicide Squad, which gave panel-goers a glimpse at what the characters will really look like in action; Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice; The Hunger Games: Mockingjay–Part 2; The Man from U.N.C.L.E.; and X-Men: Apocalypse.

Comic-Con attendees were also treated to plot reveals (but no footage) of the final installation of actor Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, slated for 2017, which will be based on the story Old Man Logan; while the new title of the forthcoming Green Lantern film was teased: Green Lantern Corps.

Television, which has long been edging itself into the Comic-Con universe, also made a huge splash thanks to support from activations, panels and cast appearances.

The buzz on TV shows was huge, and just some of the new shows that filled seats during panels were "Heroes Reborn," which will hit screens this September; the latest installation of "American Horror Story: Hotel," which treated attendees to character names for the upcoming season; "Westworld," a new HBO series from Jonathan Nolan and J.J. Abrams; and FX's newest series "Bastard Executioner," a narrative that centers on a warrior knight in King Edward I's charge who is beat down from war, but must continue to fight.

FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment brought its new reboot of the classic 1980's animation "Danger Mouse" to Comic-Con in a lively panel that revealed casting news (Lena Headey and John Oliver are slated to join the voice cast) and premiered the first preview. The series will debut in the U.K. later this year, and roll out in the U.S. and internationally on Netflix in 2016.

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But what is Comic-Con without the merch? The event still continues to be the place for product exclusives.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products headed to Comic-Con with licensed merchandise to support its wide array of properties, from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice down to classics like "Scooby-Doo."

A sampling of the product found on the show floor includes "Thomas & Friends" and DC Super Friends minis from Fisher-Price; "Arrow," "The Flash" and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Pop! vinyl figures from Funko; a chrome "Batman" classic TV series Batmobile ornament from Hallmark; a Superman and DC Comics comic book and "Arrow" mini figure from The LEGO Group; a Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice exclusive, limited edition t-shirt from Junk Food Clothing; and a Hot Wheels Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batmobile and figure two-pack from Mattel.

BBC Worldwide North America unveiled a swath of product for its enduring "Doctor Who" series including an extending Sonic Screwdriver universal remote control from The Wand Company; Dalek and "I am the Doctor" socks; t-shirts, a tote bag and a hoodie designed by artist Alice Zhang; a mini-standees pack from Advanced Graphics; and a Twelfth Doctor comic book from Titan. "Doctor Who" is also pairing with LEGO in the new "Dimensions," a toys-to-life video game from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

BBC also showcased exclusive merchandise supporting its series "Sherlock" (limited release t-shirts, a hoodie, mini-standees pack and vinyl figure) and "Orphan Black" (limited release t-shirt).

My-Little-Pony-Pinkie-Pie-Chicken-Figure---Packaging.jpgDC Comics unveiled a bevy of new products such as statues and action figures for many of its properties including "Batman: The Animated Series" and a sneak peek of the new line of collectibles based on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Hasbro had, as always, a robust offering of product available on the show floor, including a "My Little Pony" Pinkie Pie "chicken" figure, a "My Little Pony Equestria Girls" Twilight Sparkle Crystal Prep doll, a Magic: The Gathering Origins pack, a G.I. Joe Crimson Strike special edition set, a KRE-O G.I. Joe Slaughter's Marauders vs. Destro's Iron Grenadiers set, a "Transformers Generations: Combiner Wars" Combiner Hunters action figure collection, an Ant-Man action figure pack and mini action figure, Star Wars The Black Series 6-inch First Order Stormtrooper and much more.

Sanrio celebrated two milestone 40th anniversaries this year at Comic-Con for its Little Twin Stars and My Melody properties. At the convention, designers of the characters were on hand for meet-and-greets, to draw characters and sign art, and Sanrio made available two exclusive products–a limited edition My Melody vinyl figure and a Little Twin stars vinyl figure set.

Here's a list of just some of the Comic-Con exclusives at this year's event:

  • Archie ComicsArchie #1 SDCC Exclusive B, a comic book re-launch of the creative team behind the franchise comic, which included a special variant cover; and Mega Man #50, an exclusive sketch cover.

  • Bandai International–A limited Black Edition "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" legacy Saba saber collector's item, limited edition "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Dino Charge" power pack and a Tokyo Vinyl "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" White Ranger figure.

  • Blizzard Entertainment–"World of Warcraft" Funko Pop! Murlock vinyl figure three-pack, "World of Warcraft" Illidan Shadowform figure and a "World of Warcraft" Nexus plush.

  • Dark Horse ComicsAlien vs. Predator #1 San Diego Comic-Con International exclusive variant cover by Colleen Coover, Dragon Age Inquisition deluxe playing cards–series two, Elfquest: The Final Quest hard cover convention exclusive, Fight Club 2 #1 exclusive variant cover by Joelle Jones, "Game of Thrones" Robert Baratheon crown mini replica and a Groo vs. Conan exclusive hard cover edition.

  • Entertainment Earth–"Adventure Time" traveling Jake tin tote gift set; DC Comics Batman Classic and Bizarro chair capes; Flash Gordon Hawk City scene 3 3/4-inch action figure set; for KISS, an album cover coaster set in a miniature guitar case and a classic tin tote gift set; Mike Tyson Mysteries Astronaut 8-inch action figure with pigeon; for "Penny Dreadful," a Dorian Gray, Ethan Chandler, Ethan Werewolf, Sir Malcolm, Vanessa Ives, The Creature and Frankenstein 6-inch figures, as well as a Frankenstein sketchbook; "Regular Show" Haters Gonna Hate tin tote gift set; "Saturday Night Live" The Ambiguously Gay Duo bobble head and Weekend Update (Tina Fey and Amy Poehler) action figure set; and "Star Trek" captains bobble heads set, among much more.

  • Gentle Giant–G.I. Joe grunt deluxe jumbo figure and Rock N' Roll and Snake Eyes micro figures, alongside a Star Wars: Droids R2-D2 jumbo figure.

  • Mad Libs/Penguin Group–A Comic-Con Mad Libs 2015 that featured several Comic-Con-inspired stories.

  • NECAFriday the 13th 35th anniversary Pamela Voorhees with young Jason action figures, Pacific Rim replica mini-figures box set, Planet of the Apes classic series scale action figure bundle, Predator Ambush Predator scale action figure, Rambo–Force of Freedom scale action figure, Terminator 2 Retro Endoglow Endoskeleton action figure, DC HeroClix Brainiac skull ship and Felix Faust with custom d20 and Marvel HeroClix Dr. Strange custom d20 and Supreme Intelligence.

  • Peanuts–Peanuts Comic-Con 2015 t-shirts and Schleich Flying Ace figurine.

  • Petco–a Petco Star Wars Pets Chewie plush bone toy and Yoda ears for dogs and cats.

  • Rubie's Costume Co.–Deluxe Ant-Man costume in children's and adult sizes and the introduction of the Character Eyes range.

  • Quantum Mechanix–"Firefly" Big Damn Hero button, wristband 14K gold/silver Wind pendant and Jayne's hat replica (among other items from the now defunct series); as well as a DC Comics Batman luggage tag.

  • Shout Factory–"My Little Pony Equestria Girls" buttons and Scream Factory button packs.

  • Upper Deck–An exclusive Marvel "Daredevil" poster, Hello Kitty Comic-Con-themed dog tags and a The Avengers embedded patch trading card set.

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