Preview Night at San Diego Comic-Con this year was full of parties. There was the celebration of Spider-Man cards in Magic: The Gathering, which was one of the best parties I’ve been to in Comic-Con history. The Paramount+ Lodge was hit and miss, mostly due to work still being done even before the press stepped inside. But one of the parties that stood out was the McFarlane Skyline Showcase, dedicated to McFarlane Toys’ exclusives for this year’s con.
Those exclusives were front and center when you entered the party, and they were pretty awesome. If you’re a Mortal Kombat fan, there was a line of figures for the classic Mortal Kombat games (and a glow in the dark figure of Raiden for Mortal Kombat 11.) If you loved Marvel, some statues replicated classic comic moments (including Todd McFarlane’s work on Spider-Man). If you loved Superman, there were figures spotlighting the Man of Steel’s current movie incarnation and an impressive Kingdom Come figure.
But the standout had to be McFarlane Toys’ new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures. Those figures join the “Page Punchers” line, which includes a comic with the figure (note to other toy companies: this is a good thing, especially if you want to hook comic nerds!) So far, the line consists of Leonardo, Donatello, and the Shredder, but I don’t doubt Raphael and Michelangelo would be far behind.
In addition to the action figures, there were also other activities: a range of video games, including an arcade stocked with classic 90’s era fighting games like Marvel VS Capcom; a photo station where fans could insert themselves into action figure dioramas; and a claw machine where you could win some exclusives. The claw machine had the longest lines, but I don’t blame anyone for trying to win a prize, as McFarlane figures often sell out quickly.
Finally, the party had plenty of good food. There were miniature sliders, Mediterranean platters featuring roasted cauliflower, chicken kebabs, and rice, mini churros, and ice cream created with the help of liquid nitrogen. To top it all off, bartenders were serving a “Necroplasm Nectar”, named after Spawn himself. It was a bright green to match the hellish antihero’s eyes, and tasted tangy (and refreshing).
McFarlane Toys knows how to throw a party, and I had a blast throughout. Here’s hoping that next year lives up to, or exceeds, this party.
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