Fans in costume gather for Day 1 of Comic-Con at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif. on Thursday. The fan-favorite convention runs through July 27.

Jack Colwell, of Dickenson, TX, reads while hundreds of people wait in line to enter the San Diego Convention Center behind him during Preview Night for the 2025 Comic-Con International convention on Wednesday. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Outside the venue are several Comic-Con extras. They're immersive experiences for fans to enjoy, including a "Percy Jackson" themed diner and an "Abbott Elementary" block party, complete with Ferris wheel. "It feels like you're just hanging out with the kids. It's like you're being a kid again. So fun!" said Lauryn Alexandria.