REVIEW: Get Recruited into the World of “Lanterns” at San Diego Comic-Con 2026

From Thursday, July 23 – Saturday, July 25, HBO Max has brought the Green Lantern Corps to life with Lanterns Training Headquarters, transforming Venue 808 in the Gaslamp into an immersive recruiting station where fans could prove they had the willpower to wear the ring. This is an interactive team experience that leans heavily into roleplaying, puzzles, and cooperation, and it all pays off with one of the best giveaway items of the con. Upon entering, attendees are divided into four recruit groups and briefed on their mission before being led into the world of Lanterns by in-universe characters, otherwise known as four very up-to-the-challenge actors (and great job!). After a quick introduction, each team followed an actor through a darkened maze, ducking out of sight as they made their way deeper into the training facility. Right from the start, it felt like you were participating in a story rather than simply walking through an activation. From there, the experience split into four different training scenarios, with each group completing two of them. That meant most groups had distinct experiences, which added a fun sense of mystery when talking with other attendees afterward. O...