Author: Ariel Landrum
This year at San Diego Comic-Con, the Geek Therapy team had the opportunity to attend the Adult Swim Pirate Parrrty on Wednesday, July 24th, Preview Night. Held at the “Adult Swim on the Green” space outside the San Diego Convention Center harbor-side, the event transformed the space into a pirate shipwreck adventure with themed games, exclusive first looks, and free merchandise. Entering the event through the open mouth of a giant skull set the tone for the pirate-themed adventure we would partake in. The vibes were high-energy and filled with excitement, with attendees eagerly running around to try the slide or the obstacle course.
The Fun and Games
One of the highlights of the evening was the custom pirate-themed games. I attempted the rope ladder obstacle course, which was particularly challenging. The giant rope obstacle course was Rick and Morty-themed, styled after the show’s opening credits, where they fly into Cthulhu’s mouth. Climbing towards Cthulhu’s mouth with the bell positioned inside that participants were attempting to ring. I lasted only about 10 seconds each round. For my first attempt, I tried to balance on top of the rungs. The attendee held the ladder steady and climbed on, but as soon as they let go, I fell through the rungs. Changing tactics, I tried climbing with my legs on the outside of the ladder but flipped over when the attendee let go.
Despite falling off twice and getting rather large bruises, it was an absolute blast. My partner, however, managed to stay on for 40 seconds to a minute, moving up 3-4 rungs before flipping over. Although none of us reached the end to ring the bell, we did see someone accomplish this the next day. The shared laughter and sheer silliness made every bump and bruise worth it.
My partner excelled at the bean bag toss game. ​He quickly realized that the bean bags had different weights, requiring different throwing strengths. He got 3 out of 5 bags in. He braved the inflatable slide, climbing up the inflatable stairs and sliding down, feeling the harbor breeze as he slid, adding to the fun-filled atmosphere. A dunk tank and a ship helm that resembled Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Unfortunately, these weren’t games we could engage in because we attended the activation during setup, and they wouldn’t be active until the next day. Still, the games and obstacles provided were fun, and watching others attempt the ladder was pure entertainment.
Exclusive First Looks
We were treated to a first look at Common Side Effects, a new animated show on Adult Swim. The visual tent had air conditioning, a welcome reprieve from the heat of the San Diego sun. The show promises to follow former high school lab mates Marshall and Frances as they unravel a conspiracy involving big pharma and the government to suppress the knowledge of a rare fungus that might cure all the world’s diseases. The show’s animation style is 2D with a distinctive Adult Swim flair. The preview we got to see featured a man with a beard bucket hat (the character of Marshall) eating a mushroom, leading to a psychedelic sequence.
The surreal montage we witnessed featured various trippy and bizarre transformation scenes, including a fetus morphing from an old granny into an alien back to a baby. The preview definitely piqued our interest, and the show’s premise will allow us to discuss eco-anxiety, how to get involved in environmental support, and big pharma. For therapists, this show can be a tool to discuss topics like psychedelic psychotherapy, which is gaining approval in some states.
During the preview, we didn’t catch glimpses of other shows like Rick and Morty: The Anime or Invincible Fight Girl. The Rickmobile and Mortymobile made their grand appearances for the rest of the weekend as part of the Anime-rican tour celebrating the premiere of Rick and Morty: The Anime. This cross-country tour kicked off at Comic-Con and will continue through multiple cities, offering exclusive merch and photo ops at each stop, culminating in Adult Swim’s hometown of Atlanta. At Comic-Con, fans had the chance to snap photos with the Mortymobile at the event space while the Rickmobile roamed the Gaslamp District with special giveaways. And when we say it was roaming, it was indeed roaming. One evening, while getting groceries, we caught a glimpse of the Rickmobile at the Grocery Outlet in East Village.
Photo Ops Galore
The event was filled with numerous photo opportunities, including a 10-foot-tall T-Rex. This T-Rex added to the whimsical spirit of the event. To pose with it, you had to climb metal stairs behind the T-Rex and stand on a platform with inflatable legs attached to give the illusion of riding it​. I posed with it, taking some epic photos.
We also took a group photo in front of the giant pirate ship, which would eventually host a DJ on it (not present during Preview Night). The ship was decorated with barrels and the Meatwad ship helm, adding to the pirate theme. There were also giant inflatables like a cannon and pink palm trees, enhancing the immersive experience​.​
Swag and Merchandise
No Comic-Con experience is complete without some awesome swag, and the Pirate Parrrty did not disappoint. We walked away with inflatable Pickle Ricks, pirate hats, and bandanas. These fun keepsakes serve as reminders of the fantastic night we had. Although we didn’t get any pins or other collectibles because it was preview night, the giant inflatable Pickle Rick was a highlight. Many attendees blew them up at their hotels to use in hotel pools.
The swag was handed out to us freely, while on other days, attendees had to win them through activities and games. Light snacks and exclusive giveaways were provided to the first 1,000 people on-site daily. This approach ensured everyone had a chance to enjoy some cool merchandise.
A Team Effort
This activation was the only one I got to experience with the entire Geek Therapy crew, as Comic-Con’s vast array of events often had us on different schedules. Sharing this event with my colleagues made it even more special, as we could collectively enjoy the immersive pirate experience. This was also the first of many events we were invited to as a press team, adding to our collective joy.
The Geek Therapy team members who attended included myself, Ariel Landrum, Editor-In-Chief, writers/photographers Billy Madden, Tania Escobar, Sasha Castellanos, Xavier Scudder, PR Manager Travis Hayward, and my partner who is also a writer/photographer, James Arrington. Each member brought unique perspectives and skills, contributing to our collective experience​​. We made a shared Google Drive to compile our photos and videos, allowing us to share our content seamlessly.
Due to time constraints, we split up to see the Common Side Effects preview, but we still managed to capture great content and share our thoughts afterward. We all found different memorable moments to capture. Escobar snapped a shot with a man cosplaying as a pizza. Hayward enjoyed the view tunnels on the side of an inflatable ship that previewed dioramas of different Adult Swim shows. Our collective enthusiasm for pop culture and the activities that excited us made the experience indelible.
Other Highlights
While we didn’t attend the activation on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, we heard great things about the AEW x Adult Swim “Battle for the Booty” Wrestling Tournament. The wrestling tournament featured AEW wrestlers facing off against famous Adult Swim characters, promising a no-holds-barred event.
Overall, the Adult Swim Pirate Parrrty was a highlight of our Comic-Con experience. It seamlessly blended pop culture with interactive fun, creating an engaging environment that resonated with fans of all ages. This event exemplified how pop culture activations can create memorable experiences that unite people, aligning perfectly with Geek Therapy’s mission to use popular media to make meaningful connections.
Participating in these activities also highlighted the importance of community building within fandoms. Sometimes, it is hard to be a fan of a pop culture fandom when we are isolated. Going to Comic-Con is one way to build community, and engaging in activations specific to your fandom, like Adult Swim, increases the opportunity to connect with others. Talk to people you’re standing in line with. Offer to take someone’s group photo. These are just some ways to build community.
Check out all the photos from this event and others we attended at SDCC 2024!
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