A stroll through the Legendary Booth at San Diego’s Comic-Con International 2014 was a fast-paced and enjoyable trip into a realm that, for a brief moment, made you feel as if you had actually stepped into another place entirely. The props and atmosphere of the Crimson Peake exhibit was so complete that as the curtain fell shut behind you, sounds of the hall floor were muffled and the small group I stood with fell silent as they simply absorbed their new environment.
While it was obvious this was not some happy-go-lucky film, there was nothing disgusting or jarring about the exhibit… instead it was full of character, delight and intrigue, pulling you into another world and enticing its visitors to stay a while in this oasis from a bustling hall floor. When some people behind them were done looking around and wanted to leave, the people by the exit were disappointed, sighing and bemoaning the fact it was time to step away from all the wonderful eye-candy, and return to reality.
Year after year, part of why I so enjoy going to San Diego’s Comic-Con International is the creativity of the booths, the attention to detail, the fact that you never know what is waiting for you on the next aisle. The chance to pilot a Jaeger from Pacific Rim, to be greenscreened into the prisoner line-up from Guardians of the Galaxy, to step into an Alien Egg, or the Falling Skies Cocoon.
From one year to the next it can be impossible to predict what wonders await attendees.