She Likes to Watch

Comic-Con International: Where the nerds come out to play

I’m feeling a little mopey this week, and it’s got nothing to do with the morning fog or the fact that the guys who set fire to their friend’s crotch are behind bars.

No, the real reason I’m down in the dumps is this: Comic-Con International.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people converge on San Diego for the biggest geekfest known to mankind. They meet iconic comic book artists and writers, get the scoop on upcoming movies and television shows, check out cool gadgets and video games, and score bags upon bags of free swag.

They shop. They cosplay. They squeal with uncontrollable excitement whenever George Takei strolls buy.

Comic-Con, which runs today through Sunday, is easily the Dorkiest Place on Earth. The beauty is that everyone — from fans to professionals — is just as dorky as you are. Probably more.

That’s right. It’s a place where I appear almost … shudder … normal.

The economy and gas prices being what they are, however, I’ve decided to skip Comic-Con this year.

That means that I’m missing out on sneak previews and panel discussions for some of the hottest upcoming titles.

Never fear, readers. Just as Tribune blogger Justin did with E3, I’m going to be monitoring the Interwebs and airwaves for juicy Comic-Con tidbits.

Here’s a sampling of today’s events. Scheduling info comes courtesy of MovieWeb.com; the quips and comments are my own.

• Who knew that Click and Clack, hosts of the popular radio show “Car Talk,” were destined for greater things? A new PBS cartoon is coming to primetime.

• “Freakazoid!”, the hilarious animated series from “Batman: The Animated Series” wizard Bruce Timm, is going to be released on DVD. So is “Tiny Toon Adventures.”

• Happy 30th anniversary, “Battlestar Galactica”!

• Hasbro’s bid for world domination (”Transformers 2,” anyone?) continues with the upcoming blockbuster “G.I. Joe.”

• Does 20th Century Fox hate humanity? They took a classic science fiction movie — “The Day the Earth Stood Still” — and remade it with Keanu Reeves as alien ambassador Klaatu. Then they cast Mark Wahlberg as video game hero “Max Payne.” Jerks.

• So we’re getting a new “Knight Rider” series after all?! Thanks for jerking us around for six months, NBC.

• Two scrumptious panels about “Doctor Who” AND “Torchwood.” Or, why I love British sci-fi.

• “Twilight” — based on the best-selling novel about a vampire and a mortal teenager falling in love — is hitting the big screen. How they plan to get author Stephenie Meyer, director Catherine Hardwicke and six cast members seated around one table is anyone’s guess.

• Why do I love Robert Rodriguez? Oh yeah, because he remakes silly, silly movies like “Red Sonja.”

• The Incredible Hulk squares off with Wolverine in a keen animated tale. Neato!

• So, you’ve never heard of Dark Castle Entertainment? Neither have I. All I care about is the fact that they’re releasing Guy Ritchie’s latest, “RocknRolla,” as well as “Ninja Assassin” starring Korean pop sensation Rain.

• Indie animator Bill Plympton wants you to see his just-completed feature “Idiots and Angels.” Why not sit through “Hot Dog” while you’re at it?

• If at first you don’t succeed … A first look at “Punisher: War Zone.”

• Guaranteed to make you gag: Lionsgate brings us the latest installment in the so-called torture porn genre, “Saw V,” as well as “Repo! The Genetic Opera!”, a goth rock musical from the director of the first three “Saw” movies.

• Welcome back, Corey Feldman. It’s the world premiere of “The Lost Boys 2: The Tribe.”

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Above photo by Chris Daly. Taken last year during Comic-Con International.