That headline is a total guess on my part, but it simply has to be true. It was the talk of the floor, and everyone I saw on the way back to the hotel: the size of the crowd at Preview Night this year felt like the massive kind of crowd Comic-Con usually draws on busiest-day-of-the-convention Saturday. So many people, and so few places you could easily get around.

As there are no major headlines to come from Preview Night, the real news of the evening is seeing just what's on the convention floor, since Preview Night serves as the exhibit hall's official unveiling. Among the surprises awaiting us...

The major studios seem to step-up their game each year, creating newer, bigger, and more lavish booths to promote their biggest upcoming blockbusters. New Line Cinema this year has an entire booth devoted to The Golden Compass. Taking a page from Disney's past booths that have showcased costumes and memorabilia from Pirates of the Caribbean and The Chronicles of Narnia, New Line has crafted a circular booth that shows off props and costumes from The Golden Compass. Didn't get a chance to go inside the enclosed circle yet so I'm not sure what's in there (it's closed off so far), but it looked like some kind of green screen thing, so I'm guessing maybe fans can have their picture made against a backdrop from the movie?

For the first time in recent memory, Marvel Comics has its very own booth, and not a booth that they've co-opped with Activision or another exhibitor. It's a great-looking booth with some gigantic artwork that really jumps out at you, including an enormous image of Captain America guarding the front entrance. Most intriguing is a large crate labelled "Stark Industries," that may just contain the actual Iron Man armor used in the upcoming film. We'll probably find out after the Marvel Studios panel on Saturday afternoon.

The official Comic-Con t-shirt this year celebrates 30 years of Star Wars, with an original illustration by Adam Hughes depicting Han, Luke, and Leia in classic poses. Unlike previous years, I don't feel like I need one of these. Slave Leia is on there, and I don't fancy wearing a shirt with Slave Leia emblazoned on it. My wife probably wouldn't appreciate it either. ;)

Heroes has a cool booth this year that showcases a replica of Isaac's loft, complete with many of his paintings (actually created by artist Tim Sale). A large-screen TV shows DVD menus and features from the upcoming Season One release.

There were very few costumes on display tonight. Plenty more of those tomorrow and the rest of the week, for sure.

Click here to view all of our photos from the exhibit hall, currently numbering well over 100 from all over the convention!

Oh, and here is a bit of news for you: Boom! Studios is launching a comic book based on the bestselling video game Gears of War this fall.

Favorite freebie of the day: plastic travel bag ID tags (real ones) for Oceanic Airlines -- the fictional airline from Lost.

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