Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
San Diego, Gaslamp Quarter, Venue 808, July 23 2026
HBO Max brought the Green Lantern Corps to San Diego Comic-Con 2026 with the Lanterns Training Headquarters, an immersive activation inspired by the upcoming DC Studios series Lanterns.
Held at Venue 808 in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter from July 23 to 25, this free experience invited adult visitors to discover whether they had the courage, intelligence and willpower required to wear a Green Lantern ring.
Venue 808 was transformed into a recruiting station connected to Rushville, Nebraska, the fictional town at the centre of the series. Rather than simply displaying costumes and props, the activation placed visitors inside an original story featuring live actors, interactive investigations and physical challenges.
After entering the headquarters, recruits were divided into teams and given a mission briefing by an imposing Green Lantern instructor. Some participants were selected to represent qualities such as intelligence, strength and bravery, with each recruit later required to complete a specific task for the group.
The teams then entered a dark maze inspired by the property of William Macon, the conspiracy-minded Rushville resident played by Garret Dillahunt. Sudden lights and performers emerging from the shadows created the feeling of infiltrating a dangerous location.
Four principal training scenarios were available, although each group experienced only two. One mission took place inside a detailed dive bar, where recruits questioned a bartender and a customer to uncover clues leading to a hidden Green Lantern.
Another challenge brought visitors into the office of Sheriff Kerry, played in the series by Kelly Macdonald. Surrounded by letters, case files and personal objects, the team had only a short time to locate a code and communicate the information through a walkie-talkie.
Other recruits tested their accuracy during a target-practice exercise. The most dramatic challenge sent the designated “bravest” participant up a tall staircase for a simulated rooftop flight test. Following safety instructions, the volunteer performed a controlled trust fall that created the illusion of plunging through the structure.
After completing their missions, the teams reunited for their official induction into the Green Lantern Corps. A Guardian of the Universe addressed the recruits before each participant received a metal Green Lantern ring in their chosen size.
Wearing their new rings, the recruits recited the famous Green Lantern oath together. As they spoke the final words, the entire room was flooded with green light, providing an impressive conclusion to the approximately 30-minute adventure.
Visitors could then relax in a themed lounge with a complimentary Heineken beer or non-alcoholic alternative, browse exclusive merchandise and use an interactive Snapchat-powered mirror that added Green Lantern effects to their photographs.
What made this activation particularly successful was its combination of storytelling, detailed production design and committed performances. Every environment contributed to the investigation, while the actors helped connect the different puzzles and challenges into one continuous narrative.
The experience also reflected the grounded detective-story approach of the television series. Lanterns follows veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, and new recruit John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre. Together, the two intergalactic law-enforcement officers investigate a murder in the American heartland that leads them into a much larger and darker mystery.
Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King, the eight-episode HBO series also stars Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Ulrich Thomsen, Laura Linney and Nathan Fillion, returning as Guy Gardner.
A major Hall H presentation complemented the activation, with members of the cast and creative team introducing the official trailer. The footage revealed power-ring constructs, extraterrestrial environments, the Manhunters and Ulrich Thomsen as Thaal Sinestro.
By transforming spectators into active recruits, Lanterns Training Headquarters delivered much more than a conventional promotional walkthrough. Its branching missions, atmospheric sets, live performers and final induction ceremony created the feeling of entering the world of Lanterns before the series even reached television.
Lanterns premieres August 16, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max.
San Diego, Gaslamp Quarter, Venue 808, July 23 2026
HBO Max brought the Green Lantern Corps to San Diego Comic-Con 2026 with the Lanterns Training Headquarters, an immersive activation inspired by the upcoming DC Studios series Lanterns.
Held at Venue 808 in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter from July 23 to 25, this free experience invited adult visitors to discover whether they had the courage, intelligence and willpower required to wear a Green Lantern ring.
Venue 808 was transformed into a recruiting station connected to Rushville, Nebraska, the fictional town at the centre of the series. Rather than simply displaying costumes and props, the activation placed visitors inside an original story featuring live actors, interactive investigations and physical challenges.
After entering the headquarters, recruits were divided into teams and given a mission briefing by an imposing Green Lantern instructor. Some participants were selected to represent qualities such as intelligence, strength and bravery, with each recruit later required to complete a specific task for the group.
The teams then entered a dark maze inspired by the property of William Macon, the conspiracy-minded Rushville resident played by Garret Dillahunt. Sudden lights and performers emerging from the shadows created the feeling of infiltrating a dangerous location.
Four principal training scenarios were available, although each group experienced only two. One mission took place inside a detailed dive bar, where recruits questioned a bartender and a customer to uncover clues leading to a hidden Green Lantern.
Another challenge brought visitors into the office of Sheriff Kerry, played in the series by Kelly Macdonald. Surrounded by letters, case files and personal objects, the team had only a short time to locate a code and communicate the information through a walkie-talkie.
Other recruits tested their accuracy during a target-practice exercise. The most dramatic challenge sent the designated “bravest” participant up a tall staircase for a simulated rooftop flight test. Following safety instructions, the volunteer performed a controlled trust fall that created the illusion of plunging through the structure.
After completing their missions, the teams reunited for their official induction into the Green Lantern Corps. A Guardian of the Universe addressed the recruits before each participant received a metal Green Lantern ring in their chosen size.
Wearing their new rings, the recruits recited the famous Green Lantern oath together. As they spoke the final words, the entire room was flooded with green light, providing an impressive conclusion to the approximately 30-minute adventure.
Visitors could then relax in a themed lounge with a complimentary Heineken beer or non-alcoholic alternative, browse exclusive merchandise and use an interactive Snapchat-powered mirror that added Green Lantern effects to their photographs.
What made this activation particularly successful was its combination of storytelling, detailed production design and committed performances. Every environment contributed to the investigation, while the actors helped connect the different puzzles and challenges into one continuous narrative.
The experience also reflected the grounded detective-story approach of the television series. Lanterns follows veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, and new recruit John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre. Together, the two intergalactic law-enforcement officers investigate a murder in the American heartland that leads them into a much larger and darker mystery.
Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King, the eight-episode HBO series also stars Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Ulrich Thomsen, Laura Linney and Nathan Fillion, returning as Guy Gardner.
A major Hall H presentation complemented the activation, with members of the cast and creative team introducing the official trailer. The footage revealed power-ring constructs, extraterrestrial environments, the Manhunters and Ulrich Thomsen as Thaal Sinestro.
By transforming spectators into active recruits, Lanterns Training Headquarters delivered much more than a conventional promotional walkthrough. Its branching missions, atmospheric sets, live performers and final induction ceremony created the feeling of entering the world of Lanterns before the series even reached television.
Lanterns premieres August 16, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max.
