SAN DIEGO — Comic-Con International opens its 2024 run with a preview night on Wednesday, followed by four action-packed days of events. Here’s a suggested list of events for your entertainment from A to Z. Most events take place at the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) at 111 Harbor Drive, unless otherwise noted.

For a full convention schedule, visit comic-con.org.

A

Artists’ Alley: Find over 100 up-and-coming creators, independent artists and new creative talent at the Artists’Alley inside Comic-Con. It’s a space saved for creative talent such as independent artists, animators and illustrators where each has a small table to sell their one-of-a-kind artwork. What also makes this area unique is you can talk to these artists one-on-one and pick their brains throughout Comic-Con and get tips on the industry, as some have done freelance work for major studios and comic book publishers. Wednesday through Sunday. Artists’ Alley is located on the south end of the Exhibit Hall, near lobby G, SDCC. (Carlos Rico)

B

Blood drive: Now in its 48th year, Comic-Con’s Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive is the San Diego Blood Bank’s largest and longest-running blood drive. Held in the Coronado ballroom of the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel (and at S.D. Blood Bank donation centers), this event has collected more than 77,000 pints of blood since it began 1977 at the El Cortez Hotel. All donors will get a free Deadpool/Wolverine T-shirt and other goodies. Wednesday through Sunday. Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place, downtown. Register at comic-con.org/cc/plan-your-visit/blood-drive/ (Pam Kragen)

C

Cam Gigandet: “Twilight” actor Cam Gigandet (he played villain James Witherdale in the 2008 film) joins actors Bella Thorne and Jack Kilmer on Friday for a panel on “The Tower,” a sci-fi fantasy film about a mermaid forgotten and trapped in a water tower. The stars will join director-writer Adam Sigal. 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Friday. Room 6A, SDCC (Michael Rocha)

D

Darren Barnet: We first met him as Paxton Hall-Yoshida on Netfix’s “Never Have I Ever,” the Mindy Kaling-produced hit about teenage angst and the life of a first generation Indian-American teen. Now he’s back on Netflix as the voice of Kenji Kon on the Dreamsworks Animation series “Jurassic Park: Chaos Theory,” premiering this fall on the streaming platform. He’ll join other cast members and the show’s executive producers, Scott Kreamer and Aaron Hammersley, for a panel and exclusive screening of Season 2’s first episode. 3 p.m. Sunday. Room 6DE, SDCC (Rocha)

E

Exhibit hall: Occupying 460,000 square feet of floor space San Diego Convention Center, the exhibit hall is the place to find props from famous movies and television shows, exclusive merchandise for sale, character and actor meet-and-greets, giveaways, and of course, hundreds and hundreds of comic books. Between all that, cosplayers wander around and fans stop to buy action figures, play video games and meet their favorite artists. Halls A-G, SDCC (Abby Hamblin)

F

Film festival: Catch world premieres and some of the best independent films from around the world at the 23rd annual Comic-Con International Film Festival. More than 50 films will be shown, including sci-fi, fantasy, pop culture-oriented documentaries, humor, horror, suspense, action, adventure, animation and comics-oriented features from Canada, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand and the United States. The festival also includes panel discussions and an award ceremony. Thursday through Sunday. Marriott Marquis and Marina Hotel Grand Ballroom 6, 333 W Harbor Drive, downtown (Rico)

G

Groundlings: Will Ferrell, Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Coolidge are just a few alums of the Los Angeles comedy troupe The Groundlings who will appear on Thursday. To celebrate 50 years of laughter, alumni, founders and members will talk about their favorite Groundlings sketches. The panel will also share some of their most iconic characters from over the years and plans for comedy in the future. 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, 1 Park Blvd., downtown. (Neumeyer)

H

Hall H: If San Diego becomes the center of the pop-culture universe for a few days every July because of Comic-Con, all the stars can usually be found in and around the orbit of Hall H. Big panel announcements don’t usually get made until we we get closer to the Comic-Con, but there’s already big news from Marvel: It already had a Saturday panel planned for Hall H, but it’s also headed for Hall H on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. With “Deadpool & Wolverine” opening the weekend of Comic-Con, Marvel is making a big splash with stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, director Shawn Levy and Marvel President Kevin Feige. We’d also thank our lucky stars if the cast of “The Fantastic Four,” which has a summer 2025 release date, made a surprise appearance, led by Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby. Confirmed for a Hall H return, though, is none other than Chris Hemsworth himself, who’ll be joining cast members of the Paramount animated film “Transformers One” for an appearance in Hall H. Hemsworth is no stranger to Hall H, having been on the stage there for Marvel’s “Thor” movies. The “Transformers One” panel is at 11:45 a.m. Friday. Hall H, SDCC (Rocha)

I

Illustrating Disney Magic: From iconic characters like Mulan to Winnie the Pooh, meet Rick Law, an illustrator who created cover art for famous Walt Disney animated films including “Mulan” and “Winnie the Pooh.” Come learn about the illustrating process in creating these timeless characters that audiences around the world know and love. 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday. Room 32AB, SDCC (Neumeyer)

J

Jonathan Bennett: You might know him from the Hallmark Channel, for playing Aaron Samuels in the 2004 comedy “Mean Girls” or for his run in the Broadway production of “Spamalot.” Bennett, who has been busy filming in Europe for Hallmark, comes to San Diego to join other celebrities in “TV Guide Magazine’s Fan Favorites” panel in Ballroom 20. If his 1 million Instagram followers are any indication, the panel will be packed. 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Friday. Ballroom 20, SDCC (Rocha)

K

Kevin Smith: Best known for his portrayal of Silent Bob in the 1994 comedy “Clerks,” American director and film producer Kevin Smith will appear at the Insight Editions booth on Saturday. Fans will not only be able to meet the author himself but also read his most recent autobiography, “Kevin Smith’s Secret Stash: The Definitive Visual History,” which breaks down his 25 years pursuing his passion for pop culture. 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday. Booth #2129, Hall H, SDCC (Neumeyer)

L

LiSA: Comic-Con attendees can experience a Crunchyroll concert featuring global J-pop sensation LiSA. Best known for her theme song “Gurenge” from “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,” LiSA will be gracing the stage at Jacobs Park as Friday night’s headliner. Doors will open for Comic-Con badge holders at 5 p.m. and seats will be limited to a first-come, first-serve basis. 7 p.m. Friday. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego (Neumeyer)

M

Masquerade: The 50th anniversary Masquerade sashays into the Comic-Con on Saturday. The annual event, designed as a mix of talent and fashion show, celebrates the best on fan-made costumes. Last year’s party drew a viewing audience of 5,000. 8 p.m. Saturday. Ballroom 20, SDCC (Kragen)

N

Nickelodeon: Celebrate 25 years of catching jellyfish and flipping krabby patties at the Krusty Krab with Nickelodeon at Comic-Con! “SpongeBob SquarePants” fans can step into the world of Bikini Bottom at Nickelodeon’s 1,800-square-foot showroom booth, filled with interactive displays, autograph signings, giveaways and more. Original voice actors Tom Kenny (SpongeBob) and Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick) who brought these beloved cartoon characters to life will be joined by fellow cast members for a panel moderated by actor-comedian Kel Mitchell. 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Room 6BCF, SDCC (Neumeyer)

O

Olympics: While you’re running around the convention, don’t miss an opportunity to watch the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. Watch real superhumans go for gold at Comic Con with the help of NBC Universal’s streaming platform, Peacock. On Friday, there will be a public viewing of the opening ceremonies via Peacock’s livestream using a 20-by-30 foot digital board on the corner of Sixth Avenue and L Street. Festivities will kick off with an ancient Roman-dressed band marching through the Gaslamp Quarter. 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. 170 Sixth Ave. (Natallie Rocha)

P

Paramount: Fresh from the multibillion-dollar sale of the iconic studio brand from the Redstone family to Skydance Media, all eyes will be on Paramount Global and its affiliates, including the on-demand platform Paramount+, which has announced it’s bringing back The Lodge, its popular activation outside Comic-Con featuring immersive activities tied to the studio’s many shows, including “Ghosts,” “Dora,” “Mean Girls (2024),” “Criminal Minds: Evolution” and “Star Trek: Discovery.” Thursday through Sunday. Happy Does Bar, 340 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter (Rocha)

Q

‘Quest’ 25th anniversary screening: On its 25th anniversary, the 1999 comedy and sci-fi movie “Galaxy Quest” will be screened at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina hotel. Guests will be able to watch stars Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and more leave their sci-fi roles behind in Hollywood to become heroes fighting galactic regimes in Outer Space. 6:45 to 8:29 p.m. Saturday. Grand 5, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, 333 W Harbor Drive, downtown (Neumeyer)

R

“The Rings of Power”: What’s a Comic-Con without a journey to Middle Earth? Amazon Prime Video’s “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” which premiered in 2022, will make a long-awaited return to Comic-Con with a panel in Hall H. Expect showrunners J.D. Payne, Patrick McKay and a yet-to-be-named roster of cast members. And what’s a panel without a sneak peek? So expect some footage from the new season, which returns Aug. 29. Panel at 11:05 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Friday, Hall H, SDCC. After the morning panel, a meet-and-greet will be held off-site at 1:45 p.m. at Venue 808, 808 J St., downtown (Rocha)

S

Superman: Actor Jack Quaid, who voices Clark Kent/Superman in Adult Swim’s “My Adventures with Superman,” is set to make an appearance Saturday as part of a panel in the Indigo Ballroom. Quaid — who’s made a name for himself in Hollywood, away from famous parents Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid — will be joined by other voice cast members, including Alice Lee (Lois Lane), Ishmel Sahid (Jimmy Olsen) and Kiana Madeira (Kara Kent/Supergirl). If you want to hear more than Quaid’s voice, you can see him as Hughie Campbell in Amazon Prime Video’s vigilante superhero series “The Boys.” He’s not a two-dimensional cartoon in that one. 10 a.m. Saturday. Indigo Ballroom, SDCC (Rocha)

T

“Those About to Die”: Peacock’s highly anticipated Roman epic drama “Those About to Die” — starring Anthony Hopkins, Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins, Moe Hashim, Jojo Macari and Dimitri Leonidas — will make a splash inside and outside the convention center. Outside, participants can experience a chariot race, much like the gladiators on the show, in an activation that is touted to be a replica of Circus Maximus, the largest stadium in Rome built for chariot races. Inside, some of the show’s stars will join executive producer/director Roland Emmerich for a panel on Thursday. The show premieres this week on Peacock. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. Ballroom 20, SDCC (Rocha)

U

Universe: Step into the "Star Trek" universe by exploring this year’s activations, screenings and panels. Guests can start their experience surrounded by creatures and displays from classic "Star Trek" films at Booth #3529 in the Exhibit Hall. In a Hall H panel on Saturday moderated by Justin Simien, cast members and producers will share the behind-the-scenes on four different "Star Trek" sets including “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” and “Star Trek: Section 31.” And at the end of the weekend, guests are also invited to watch a special screening of “Star Trek: Prodigy,” followed by a panel with voice actors and executive producers from the new Netflix series. Hall H panel at 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. Saturday. “Star Trek: Prodigy” screening at 10 a.m. Sunday in Room 6DE, SDCC (Neumeyer)

V

Voice actors: The current voice of Warner Bros.’ Porky Pig and Tweety, Bob Bergen, will be joined by other animation enthusiasts in Room 6A when MeTV Toons hits Comic-Con on Friday. Other panelists expected include voice actors Eric Bauza, Jeff Bergman and Candi Milo. Exclusive footage — including what the newly launched network plans for Bugs Bunny’s 84th birthday — will be screened. Might we expect an exuberant “That’s All Folks!” from Porky Pig — er, Bergen — himself? Call us looney, but we sure hope so. 1 to 2 p.m. Friday. Room 6A, SDCC (Rocha)

W

“Wynonna Earp: Vengeance”: If you think we were done with our favorite whiskey-loving gunslinger Wynonna Earp, you’re dead wrong. The cast of the “Wynonna Earp” Western horror series, which ended its fourth season on Syfy in 2021, returns to Comic-Con to promote a 90-minute special on Tubi, much to the delight of Earpers, as the show’s rabid fans are known. The special — written and produced by the show’s creator, Emily Andras — has been filming in Canada and will feature familiar faces from the series, including Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna, the great-great-granddaughter of Wyatt Earp). 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Saturday. Room 6A, SDCC (Rocha)

X

X marks the spot for “Dexter: Original Sin”: Paramount+ is introducing a new prequel series that dives into the young mind of serial killer and vigilante Dexter Morgan. Horror fans can join this year’s exclusive panel moderated by Sarah Michelle Gellar and learn about the surprises in store for the show. Patrick Gibson, who plays young Dexter Morgan, will be there in the flesh to answer questions alongside co-stars Christian Slater (Harry Morgan) and Molly Brown (Debra Morgan) and executive producers Clyde Philips and Scott Reynolds. 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Friday. Ballroom 20, SDCC (Neumeyer)

Y

Young adult author panel: Fans of young adult literature can attend a “battle of the BookTok Tropes” panel on Thursday, featuring YA authors Lily Anderson (“Scout’s Honor”), Trish Lundy (“The One That Goes Away With Murder”), Caitlin Schneiderhan (“Medici Heist”) and LaDarrion Williams (“Blood at the Root”). Tricia Levenseller (“The Darkness Within Us”) will moderate the discussion on these authors’ favorite tropes (which are heavily used plots or character types found in books of the same genre). The audience will have their chance to vote, as well. 7 to 8 p.m. Friday. Room 9, SDCC (Neumeyer)

Z

Zap into space with the King of Monsters: To celebrate 70 years (and 38 movies) of the Godzilla film franchise, Marriot Marquis will host a screening of the 1994 sci-fi thriller “Godzilla versus Space Godzilla” on July 27. Godzilla fans can also attend a panel on July 26 featuring Godzilla concept artists, directors and crew members. Godzilla panel, 11 a.m. Friday, July 26 in Room 28DE, SDCC. Godzilla film screening, 3:20 to 5:05 p.m. Saturday, July 27 in Grand 5, 333 W. Harbor Drive, downtown. (Neumeyer)

2024 Comic-Con International

When: Wednesday, July 24, through Sunday, July 28

Where: San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, downtown

Tickets: Sold out

Online: comic-con.org

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