Comic-Con is finally here, as the annual media and entertainment fan expo opened its doors to the masses in San Diego today – and we’re getting our first looks at the wild Star Trek: Discovery props and costumes displayed on site!

The centerpiece of CBS’s Discovery display has to be the ornate, 3D-printed “Klingon Torchbearer,” created by Glenn Hetrick and Neville Page, first on display Wednesday evening in a scaled-down display from Gentle Giant studios:

Seen in the May teaser trailer facing off against Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) on the hull of a space vessel, this suit is a combination of both a spacesuit and battle armor, only able to be “worn by a warrior” who is “chosen through a sacred ritual” to “sound the call for all [Klingon] houses to unite.”

Also on display were a pair of d’k tagh blades, the traditional Klingon weapon first introduced in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Adorned here with amazing texture and detailing – down to the Klingon face on the blade’s hilt and tlhIngan Hol (Klingonese) writing on the blade.

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In CBS’s off-site Star Trek: Discovery gallery, the Klingon invasion continues in full force with a wide variety of costumes and props to wow convention-goers — and each display (quoted below) contains behind-the-scenes information on each display item.

A life-size Torchbearer suit is on display in that off-site gallery, which is most definitely an intimidating sight to behold – especially with his full-scale, deadly d’k tagh blade.

Built by Glenn Hetrick and Neville Page’s Alchemy Studios in Los Angeles, the ceremonial blades located on the boots of the Torchbearer’s suite are ornate, re-imagined versions fo the classic and beloved Klingon weapons from ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ and other ‘Star Trek’ films and series.

The daggers, helmets, and full suits have embraced and augmented the cultural notes from ‘Star Trek: The Original Series’ Klingons, employing a mixture of Middle Eastern, Mongolian, and Byzantine influences to achieve the Klingon aesthetic.

The incredible outfit worn by Klingon leader T’Kuvma (Chris Obi) is another highly-detailed design, one that once again uses both 3D printing for detail and also includes Swarovski crystals – along with an amazingly-intricate helmet design reserved for a high-ranking warrior, and other outfits worn by members of the House of T’Kuvma.

T’Kuvma (Chris Obi) seeks to unite the 24 great Klingon houses to halt the encroachment of others. His elaborate clothing honors ancient Klingon ways and the path of honor set forth by Kahless the Unforgettable.

Designed by Gersha Phillips and Suttirat Anne Larlarb, this ornate costume is comprised of tow prime layers: a tunic and a chest plate. The tunic is made up of three types of leather and molded with task and hydraulic tubing to form panels into a skirt.

The intricate chest plate is made up of 3D printed beads with a magnetic back closure that creates a seamless appearance, claw-like Swarovski crystals, and vintage lace around the collar.

Built by Glenn Hetrick and Neville Page’s Alchemy Studios in Los Angeles, this is an example of a high-ranking officer’s personalized helmet and collar.

Each warrior’s battle armor bears a unique, signature look as a matter of honor. The full body armor suit and helmet can fully retract and extend from the collar itself, by combining physical elements and VFX compositing in post-production.

This House of T’Kuvma gray Klingon uniform is representative of the style worn by members and followers of the House. These more ancient Klingon designs pay tribute to Klingon ancestors and the path of honor walked by Kahless the Unforgettable.

The warrior uniforms are painstakingly built piece by piece with hand-pressed leathers that are individually stained, painted, and molded for texture. This ornate costume is designed by Gersha Phillips and Suttirat Anne Laarlarb, and takes a team of 10 costumers an estimated 110 hours to create.

Finally, what would a Klingon be without his weapons? On display are the new series’ take on traditional bladed bat’leth and mek’leth weapons… as well as their deadly disruptors.

The preferred weapon of the Klingon warrior, the bat’leth was made in Toronto. It was originally hand-sculpted out of a high-density foam. That sculpt was then turned into a 3D model and milled out of aluminum. The surface of the blade is hand-carved from a poured resin and the handle is also hand-carved from foam and then cast in rubber.

A ceremonial bladed weapon of Klingon warriors that is used in close quarters combat. Traditional mek’leths are often individualized to both the Klingon warrior and their house.

This mek’leth was made in Toronto from hand sculpted high-density foam. That sculpt was then turned into a 3D model and milled out of aluminum. The surface of the blade is hand carved from a poured resin and the handle is also hand carved from foam and then cast in rubber.

Used by Klingon warriors with a bat’leth won’t do, the rifle was inspired by the ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ disruptor and made to look as nasty as possible. The rifle is 3D printed with an aluminum center hollowed out to house electronics and batteries.

A special thanks to Doyle Zhang (@StarTrekChina) and LC Thurston (@lcthurston) for sharing their photography with TrekCore for this report.

Soon to come: a round-up of all the Starfleet gear on-site in San Diego!