For the next few days, a corner of California will be a small slice of heaven for people who revel in all things pop culture: it's Comic-Con, the largest event of its kind in the world. Over the weekend, 125,000 pop culture fans will pack out the San Diego Convention Centre for a celebration of genre TV, films, games and, of course, comic books.
Comic-Con has been running since 1970, when it was set up by a group of comic-book fans. It's widely recognised as the fans' fan convention, run by enthusiasts rather than marketeers or salespeople. But, as it swings into its 40th year, the event has grown into a great sprawling affair, covering all manner of cliques, obscure cult passions and joyful explosions of geekery.
In the last few years, studios and television networks have realised the power of communicating directly with the fans; not just launching programmes and waiting for the ratings, but getting people involved and engaged right from the beginning of the creative process. And why not? With the growth of the internet has come the growth of fan power. Bad word-of-mouth can kill a film before it hits cinemas. And fan campaigns can make, break or resurrect a TV show, as recently seen in the case of Chuck, a brilliant NBC series whose life was on the line until fans intercepted with email petitions. They even appealed directly to the show's sponsor, asking it not to desert their favourite TV programme.
But back to Comic-Con, where there's more than enough to keep any fan of genre TV, science fiction, game culture, fantasy, comics, and everything pop culture related happy. (Speaking personally: squeeee! I'm very excited!)
There are panels on the upcoming last series of Lost (don't worry, no spoilers); on the next long, drawn-out day in 24; and on the power of butt-kicking women, with Sigourney Weaver of Alien fame joining in the discussion. The Doctor Who and Torchwood teams will be in town to promote the remaining David Tennant specials and the Children of Earth miniseries (screening this week on BBC America). Joss Whedon and Eliza Dushku will be there to talk about what the next series of Dollhouse might bring, and introduce Epitaph One, the 13th episode of series one, which was originally scheduled as a DVD-only release. And, around the edges, the halls will be bursting with autograph booths, vendors of collectors' items and exhibitors representing every corner of fandom.
We'll be bringing you the highlights right here on guardian.co.uk – or as many as we can physically manage to get to.
