Here’s a pro tip. Don’t try to film while driving a Twisted Metal bumper car. Because, A, you might drop your phone, but also B, you will get called out and made fun of. That’s what happened to me, in the most on-brand moment possible, Thursday at San Diego Comic-Con. A few blocks from the convention center, Peacock had an activation for the second season of its fun video game adaptation, returning July 31. The show is about cars that fight like warriors, so, short of actually letting you blow cars up, what better way to pay homage than with bumper cars?
That’s how a parking lot in the Gaslamp District of San Diego, CA, became a big bumper car attraction. A showcase for the classic carnival ride, with a few Twisted Metal tweaks, of course. Actors dressed as characters from the show roamed the space, urging you to excel in the competition. The always boisterous Sweet Tooth leads karaoke for the people in line, with a few lyrics changed to his liking. Several cars from the show itself were parked for photos, and, eventually, there was the main event. Bumper cars just like you remember when you were a kid, with the addition of a man in a black suit and long straight hair running around and telling you how bad you are at driving the whole time.
It’s the character Calypso, played by Anthony Carrigan on the show, and while Carrigan wasn’t watching bumper cars all day, his counterpart did an excellent job of emceeing the carnage, all while rock songs were played by the nearby DJ.
In the end, was it basically just bumper cars with “Twisted Metal” written on the hood? Yes, it was. But the design of them, the space, the roaming characters, and more really set the tone for a fun experience for anyone killing a few hours at Comic-Con. Here are a few images.
Twisted Metal season 2 returns July 31 on Peacock. The activation is open July 25-26, from noon to 6 p.m., at The Lot @ 1st and J, 450 2nd Ave, San Diego, CA.
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