Last night was what is known as Preview Night at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con 50. It gives attendees an opportunity to get a first look at the convention floor and get a head start on their rabid shopping for Con exclusives. Around the convention center studios set up various immersive activations that allow attendees, who by the way do not need Comic-Con badges to attend, to participate in activities that put them right into their favorite shows. We had LRMOnline had the privilege to be invited by Amazon Prime Video’s massive 60,000 activation area where they were showcasing three of their series, two brand new ones, The Boys and Carnival Row as well as their returning series The Expanse.

As you enter the area, attendees receive gold and silver coins that they can use to explore each activation. In the center of the area there is a massive 40 foot tower with giant LED screens on top that show scenes of the three series mentioned above. As the day goes progresses we were treated to live show specific performances that took place on the multi level tower. In the back of the area there are couches in front of a massive screen that is also showing scenes from the series. For nourishment, as part of The Boys campaign Carl’s Jr., had provided us with burgers, fries and drinks out of a food truck. Now let’s move on to the specific activations.

THE EXPANSE

In this activaiton groups of attendees are taken to a newly colonized planet that is engulfed in conflict. You enter the activation as part of an Earth crew that is being sent down to investigate a fallen ship where 20 people have been lost. Whether or not is was an accident or an attack is unknown, but if it in fact was an attack, they may have the Belter responsible in custody. As you leave the ship you are lead to an area this is filled with uneasy Belters who claim they had nothing to do with the attack and just want you out. Here your group is separated by Belters and Earth scouts a like assigning you different tasks and giving you different information. Soon after the Belters just want you out and force you to evacuate the area.

This activaiton was surprisingly short and a little underwhelming for what I expected from The Expanse, they build up was great but the final execution really didn’t leave you with any memorable moment, my favorite part of this activaiton was the briefing they give you before hand as I was really able to put myself on that transport for a few minutes. The actors and actresses playing their respective roles did a good job at portraying the feelings that their specific alliances of those of Earth and Belters are seen on the series on Amazon Prime Video. But where were the Martians?

CARNIVAL ROW

As you get in line for this activiation of the upcoming series you are assigned to be either a human or a creature. We soon found out that this determines the way the authority figures throughout the activiation treat you. As you enter Carnival Row humans are greeted pleasantly and warned about creature mischief. If your a creature, you are marked and verbally harassed as you enter the square. This area is a market that feature creatures trying to sell you different foods and products that include potions. As they converse with you the authority figures continue to harass the creatures and warn the humans. Soon after your group is moved into a amazing Victorian-era lounge where creatures have been given safe haven from the oppression that they face. Here you are treated to several brief performances by different creatures as you are also encouraged to walk around and explore the lounge. Soon a creature burst in as she is running from the authorities, which leads them to throw everyone out.

This was my favorite activation of the day from Amazon Prime Video. By the end of the experience you are well aware that in this series, there is going to be a clear distinction between the way humans and creatures are treated, making an investigators job that much harder. Also they lighting and maybe even the hint of smoke that was used in the lounge did a fantastic job at really putting us into that universe, I could have stayed there for much longer. The actors and actresses were all in full costume and make up that completed the vision.

The Boys

In this activation your group in thrown into a scene that takes place in one of the first episodes of The Boys. You find yourself at the electronic store where Huey works. The store is has been wrecked by the Butcher’s car that he ran through the building only leaving an outline of someone who violently hit the wall. Now it is up to you and Butcher’s dark-ops crew to figure out what went down and then cover it up before the Supes arrive. Your group completes several tasks to destroy any evidence that would lead back to Butcher and his crew, which include finding items like keys, covering up evidence with posters, digging through documents and other small tasks.

They did a fantastic job at setting the tone that the series is going to have. Having already been privileged to check out the series, I can say that it was really cool to be part of a scene that happens early on in the series. It was the most hands on activation that was presented and you leave the area pumped and convinced that Supes have got to go. The crashed car had a nice touch of smoke coming out of the hood. It was a very intense few minutes that without a doubt get’s you ready for The Boys.

This is my second year covering Amazon Prime Video activations and although it’s still early in the week, these may be once again my favorite activations of the show. It’s very evident that they take a lot of time and care in planning this experience as everything is layout out nicely. Also it’s important to note that all of the actors, actresses and guides did a great job at making us feel welcomed and informed, well all for except the Carnival Row police that wanted us creatures out. If you are in the area make sure to make time and check out the Amazon Prime Video Experience here at Comic-Con 50.

Stay in touch with LRMOnline as we will be bringing you a review for the first season of The Boys as well as information from the press events from both Carnival Row and The Boys later this week.

Amazon Prime Video’s The Boys will debut it’s first season on July 26th, Carnival Row will follow on August 30th and the fourth season of The Expanse drops sometime later this year.

CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR THOUGHTS ON THE AMAZON PRIME ACTIVATIONS HERE ON TODAY’S EPISODE OF LRMMORNINGS!

Don’t forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.

Source: Amazon Prime Video