Adult Swim On the Green Returns to SDCC

07.22.2017

Before it was cool (and a prerequisite) for brands to be at Comic-Con, Adult Swim was there, the hipster of TV networks.

"Adult Swim has been coming here for a very, very long time. Even going back before Adult Swim when it was just Space Ghost. We're really committed to it," said Jim Babcock, VP, consumer marketing at Adult Swim. "We do lots of cons and screenings, but this is definitely the biggest one, where we get to rub shoulders with our fans. That's always exciting for us."

For the last few years, Adult Swim has brought the "Adult Swim on the Green" footprint to San Diego, a free carnival for fans 18 and over filled with games, goodies and exclusive content, no Comic-Con badge required.

This year is no different, with the Adult Swim on the Green footprint arriving Thursday after a tour around the country.

"We're fans too. We don't like to repeat ourselves, so we always want to do something new and cool," said Babcock.

Adult Swim's bag of tricks this year promises all-new games, special guests, prizes, motorized animals, a tarot-card reader, dart throwing, a claw machine and something incredibly helpful: shade.

"It was really hot here last year. The big commodity last year was shade [above]. So we created a giant Rick sunshade," said Babcock. "It's very functional, but it's also cool and people are going to be taking a lot of pictures of it."

In addition, the Meatwad Dome has been upgraded to a 4D experience with motion seats, and the network has created an on-site set that will be live-streaming Comic-Con hijinks to the masses day and night.

To further reach those fans who can't make it to San Diego, Adult Swim will be all systems go on the social-media front.

"We'll also be taping the panels to publish after the fact. So if you weren't able to be here for the Rick and Morty panel or The Jellies! panel, then sometime next week, we'll post those so everybody can see them," said Babcock.

Adult Swim on the Green launches Thursday, July 20 and runs through Sunday, July 23, from 1 to 6 p.m., located at Convention Way & 5th Ave Pier, behind the Convention Center.

But as fans know, Adult Swim gets even more fun when the sun goes down.

The nighttime festivities kick off at 8 p.m. on Thursday night with the Toonami "Pre-Flight" event. Show hosts Jason Demarco and Gill Austin, alongside Steve Blum (voice of Tom) and Dana Swanson (voice of Sara), will be bringing Tom and Sara to Comic-Con, teasing exclusive footage from the returning fan favorite.

On Friday night at 8 p.m., Adult Swim will bring back "Things You've Never Seen," an exclusive event that lives up to its name, providing surprises and blankets to fans.

The Rick and Morty phenomenon continues to grow-so much so that the show has its own event Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. outside Petco Park, which will allow Adult Swim to welcome quadruple the number of fans as last year. It's a good thing too, as creators Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland will be there to host a night that will debut an all-new episode of the show, air the first episode from the forthcoming season three that premiered during their April Fool's Day stunt, and release never before sold merchandise. Everyone who attends will receive premiums themed to the season-three premiere episode.

In addition to more Rick and Morty content and a bevy of cosplay, the event will be festooned with human-sized "Mega Trees," a reference to Rick and Morty's pilot.

But that's not all: the cross-country traveling and publicity guzzling Rickmobile will be there in between stops at comic-book stores outside of town, the Modern Times brewery and trips around the Gaslamp District for photo-ops and to sell merchandise.

It has the makings of another memorable year at Comic-Con for Adult Swim, who always strive to be fan-first. While it's exhausting, it also rejuvenates those at the network.

"Every year we say, oh wow, we can't do anything more. We're capped out of ideas. But for us and our show creators to come down and see how people respond, react and appreciate it, you go back to Atlanta with a little bit more spring in your step to do your work," said Babcock. "This year we have some really innovative stuff and we've got a great way for fans, whether you have a badge or not, to be part of the experience at Comic-Con and have some fun with us."

Register now for express entry to join the fun this weekend, or follow along from the comfort of your couch at AdultSwim.com.

[All images courtesy of Adult Swim]