Over the last few years there’s been talk that Comic-Con International may do something we’re all dreading and move out of San Diego. One reason cited for the potential location change is lack of space, despite the enormity of the San Diego Convention Center and the 130,000+ attendance. As a result, each year we’re seeing more and more examples of creative uses of outdoor space for not just marketing, but booths and presentations.
We saw the Green Hornet car outside a few years back, video game companies with stands to throw out swag, etc., and this year, Warner Bros. is hosting an outdoor event on 60,000 square feet of space where they are bringing all six Batmobiles to help promote The Dark Knight Rises.
The event – co-hosted by Warner Bros. and Extra entertainment magazine – is free to attend and is located outside in between the Convention Center and the Bayfront Hilton in Bayfront Park (i.e. where thousands line up to get into the major panels of the infamous Hall H). Not only will the Batman rides from the ’50s till present be there, but the live stage will see stars from The Big Bang Theory, Fringe, and The Vampire Diaries.
- Adam West’s 1955 Lincoln Futura. Designed by George Barris, this original Batmobile was featured in the cult classic television series and 1966’s Batman, the Movie.
- Michael Keaton’s Batmobile from 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns. Sleek and powerful with a central turbine, the vehicles’ slightly retro design followed Tim Burton’s art deco look of the films.
- Revamped for Joel Schumacher’s 1995 Batman Forever, with bat-lighting and extended fins, Val Kilmer’s hot rod had the ability to drive up walls.
- Schumacher updated the Batmobile once again for George Clooney in 1997’s Batman & Robin.At 33 feet long and a top speed of 350 mph with afterburner thrust, this was the largest and fastest Batmobile on the road.
- The Tumbler designed for Christopher Nolan’s 2005 Batman Begins and 2008’s The Dark Knightis the prototype military vehicle designed by the character Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman).
- The unveiling of the replacement Camouflage Tumbler, to be seen in 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises, in theaters and IMAX July 20.
There are the five main movie Batmobiles, with the sixth bat-themed ride being one of the camouflage Tumbler designs from The Dark Knight Rises. There’s no word yet on a Batpod or a Batwing appearance, although the former seems likely considering the ease of its transportation vs. the rest.
For more on the Extra stage schedule, go here, and if you’re not attending make sure to follow all of Screen Rant’s live Comic-Con 2012 coverage.
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