Comic-Con returns to San Diego

Comic-Con International, the comic book and pop culture extravaganza, is kicking off in San Diego. The convention, which draws over 130,000 fans annually, opened for a preview night on July 24 and runs through July 28.

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the Hollywood strikes disrupting past years of the convention either through complete cancellation or modifications to the way they ran, this year will be the most traditional Comic-Con since 2019.

Actors, filmmakers, comic book authors and illustrators and fans are making their way to the San Diego Convention Center and the several official (and unofficial) event locations for a weekend brimming with programming.

With the highly anticipated release of "Deadpool & Wolverine," Marvel is set to be a strong presence, from the costumes fans don to the panels that draw the longest lines. The Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman-led feature is the first and only Disney-backed Marvel movie of the year.

Marvel is also expected to announce news teasing their upcoming titles in their "Phase 5" cinematic universe plan and beyond, with Marvel president Kevin Feige as the only confirmed speaker on a panel. He will be joined by special guests, who may include stars of upcoming Marvel titles like "Captain America: Brave New World," "Thunderbolts [asterisk]" and "The Fantastic Four."

After their absence from the convention last year due to the actors strike, stars are returning to the convention in full force to showcase upcoming series and movies. While the lineup for Marvel's panel will likely remain under wraps until the event starts, several A-listers are confirmed to attend the convention.

Chris Hemsworth, Keegan-Michael Key and Brian Tyree Henry will be speaking on a panel for "Transformers...