This year’s Comic-Con marks the return to the traditional comic convention since 2019, after surviving the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s Hollywood strikes. Still, the lines to activations, programming and the most important room at Comic-Con – the celebrated Hall H – feel a bit lighter and less crowded than usual. The reason is up for speculation (Inflation? Less movie studios participation?) but there is most definitely NO lack of enthusiasm.

In the two decades that I have had the pleasure to visit the nerd-fest in San Diego, one thing continues to be true: It’s an event for and by the fans of comics and pop culture.

And everyone is welcome, preferably in costume, (though I am guilty of not following this suggestion). Age, race, gender, mobility do not matter. A Hollywood truism says “never work with children or animals” but that does not apply here as fans come in all sizes and number of legs. The only guidelines are to share joy and admire the cosplay. In fact, walking up to strangers to take their photos or talk about their favorite superhero is encouraged.

Fans can expect and even meet their favorite comic book authors and illustrators or discover new talent during the panels, autograph sessions or in the Exhibit Hall of the San Diego Convention Center. And catch a glimpse of the many actors, filmmakers and showrunners who are ascending to the comic heaven this week in full force to showcase upcoming series and movies.

One Comic-Con highlight is “Preview Night” on Wednesday afternoon, before Comic-Con’s official start on Thursday, July 25. That’s when the Exhibition Hall is the most crowded for the chance to snag exclusive merchandise, rare collectibles and limited-edition items before they sell out. Or to grab some free items and giveaways by many of the vendors such as Mattel, Lego, Hasbro, Funko Pop, Marvel, DC and more. But no worry for those who visit the trade show during the convention’s regular days: There’s plenty – plenty! – to see and buy.

Another highlight is the Marvel panel in Hall H – traditionally held on Saturday evening. But for the first time, the pop culture giant added another date to the schedule: The fans were in for a treat Thursday night for yet another Marvel panel in Hall H, thanks to a tiny film called “Deadpool & Wolverine” 😉 The fanfare included Marvel chief Kevin Feige rolling out director Shawn Levy, co-star Emma Corrin as well as the action (anti-)heroes real-life representations Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, and treating the fans with a surprise screening of the blockbuster, followed by a 11-minute drone spectacle above San Diego’s Petco Park. Plus, every attendee in the filled-to-capacity (6,500 seats) Hall H was gifted a suggestive Wolverine-headed popcorn bucket.

Before the lights went out to experience Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (and Disney’s) rare R-rated movie, both Reynolds and Jackman gave credit to the fans and thanked them for their commitment and loyalty. “I was the most nervous human being you’ll ever see,” Reynolds recalled about his Comic-Con visit in 2015 that kicked off the “Deadpool” frenzy. “I remember that feeling where I was stepping into a dream come true, in a certain sense, and I remember making that movie for you, and I remember how gratifying it was that everyone else liked it too. I feel like I was able to connect with you in a way that I’d really kind of been yearning to connect.

“And I’ll never forget this moment, because this asshole was backstage…” referring his co-star, Jackman, who shared his own Hall H experience. “I was standing just over there. I watched the (“Deadpool”) footage and there was this chant that started up: ‘One more time, one more time.’ I ran backstage and I found that the stage manager, and I said, ‘Play the footage again. If you don’t play the f***ing footage again, they are going to tear Hall H to the ground.” The stars then sat down in the audience to watch the film together with the fans, but first Jackman stirred up the crowd with “Let’s f***ing go!”

The following night, Hall H featured another R-rated presentation: “Alien: Romulus.” Director Fede Alvarez was not shy to use profane language nor to scare the audience with footage from the latest addition to the sci-fi/horror franchise. During the traditional audience questions at the end of the presentation, 20th Century Studios showcased practical effects and animatronics. There were also virtual surprise questions by “Alien” creator and director Ridley Scott, as well as horror legend Guillermo del Toro. But to the fans’ biggest delight, everyone was gifted their very own “facehugger”!

But there’s plenty to do at Comic-Con without a badge. It’s like the whole city – most heavily the Gaslamp Quarter – is participating in celebrating the comic convention, with movie-, TV show- or pop culture-themed menus or displays at restaurants, bars, businesses and hotels, and pop-ups or activations open for the public. And for many fans, seeing celebrities is just icing on the cake.

Here are the programming highlights of the first two days of the gathering, Thursday and Friday: “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Alien: Romulus,” The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” “Doctor Who,” “The Boys,” “Transformers One,” “The Ark,” “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” “Snowpiercer,” new series “Dexter: Original Sin,” “Teacup” and “Those About to Die,” the “Walking Dead” franchise and 25 years of “SpongeBob Squarepants.”

Highlights on Saturday and Sunday: “Superman & Lois;” “Star Trek;” animated series such as “Futurama,” “The Simpsons,” “American Dad!” and “Family Guy;” HBO’s new limited series “The Penguin;” two shows from the Anne Rice universe; “Abbott Elementary;” “The Rookie;” “Silo;” Keanu Reeve’s comic book “BRZRKR;” DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming “The Wild Robot;” Marvel’s second Hall H appearance; a panel with Kevin Smith; and last but not least the 50th anniversary of the Comic-Con Masquerade – a costume competition showcasing the incredible talent, creativity and dedication of the fans.

In case you still would like to experience Comic-Con 2024: attending this event feels like a marathon. It’s best to pace (and hydrate!) oneself, and prepare to miss out on things as one can’t be at more than one place at a time (We can fly to the moon or even Mars, but no advancement in “beaming” or living the multiverse???). There’s simply too much that is happening at the same time: panels, programs, autograph sessions, film screenings, and so much more.