It began in 1970 for a couple hundred fans of comic books. Now, the annual Comic-Con International convention in San Diego presents Hollywood celebrities offering sneak peeks of big new movies, though sometimes only via satellite: Here, director Steven Spielberg, actress Karen Allen and actor Harrison Ford speak on the first day of this year's four-day convention from the set of "Indiana Jones 4."
More than 100,000 people attend Comic-Con, including female adults! But it's still a place where geeks can feel comfortable dressing up as Martians, wearing green skin and sipping green drinks ...
... Princess Leia and Bob Fett (or at least fans Heidi Schroeder and Kevin McCrersh dressed like them) can casually ride the escalator without attracting attention ...
... Wonder Woman can talk on the telephone ...
... And so can Batman, unperturbed by the looming presence of a life-sized Chewbacca from Star Wars, made out of Legos.
Comic-Con is a place where grown men dressed as Ghostbusters can feel at home. "It's the United Nations of nerds!" Reginald Hudlin, the president of Black Entertainment Television and a frequent Comic-Con attendee, told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
There remains a certain, let's say, overriding interest in science fiction and comic books, such as these artistically decorated Darth Vader helmets at the Lucas Films booth.
But there is now plenty of Hollywood glamour as well, such as actress Rosario Dawson ...
... and Jessica Alba. Both were promoting their roles in "Sin City 2," currently in production. Like the first "Sin City," in which they also appeared, it's based on Frank Miller's popular comic. Alba has other claims on the Comic-Con crowd: She starred in the sci-fi TV series "Dark Angel" (2000), and was nominated for a "Razzie Award" as "Worst Actress" for her role in "Fantastic Four."
Andy Samberg, left, the latest star of "Saturday Night Live" and (probably more important these days) one of the biggest stars of YouTube, was at Comic-Con with collaborator Jorma Taccone to talk about their new film, "Hot Rod." It's about a would-be daredevil who wants to jump the Snake River to win over both Evel Knievel and his stepfather.
"Heroes" star Zachary Quinto shakes hands with "Star Trek" veteran Leonard Nimoy in a moment that Trekkies would consider, well, momentous. Quinto is going to play the role Nimoy made famous (and that made him famous), Mr. Spock, in the new "Star Trek" film. Nimoy will be playing a different role in the movie.
There are other comic conventions, such as one in New York just a few days earlier. That one had its own momentous encounter, at least for horror fans: a meeting between author Stephen King and director Wes Craven, who is promoting his new movie, "The Hills Have Eyes 2."