Masked crusaders and villains we love to hate may be spotted around town as Comic-Con 2017 takes over the San Diego Convention Center.
Four days of panels, presentations, screenings and autograph signings begin on Thursday. The sold-out event is expected to draw more than 130,000 attendees.
Netflix is making a splashy presence at the event with several anticipated properties, including "Stranger Things 2," the new original series "Marvel's The Defenders" and the Will Smith fantasy film "Bright."
HBO will have "Game of Thrones" and "Westworld," which received 22 Emmy nominations last week. Warner Bros. will present details about "Justice League," "Blade Runner 2049" and Steven Spielberg's adaptation of "Ready Player One."
Fox and Marvel Studios also plan presentations.
On Wednesday, fans flooded the convention center floor for the annual Preview Night tradition.
The Mattel booth boasted a life-size replica of the new Batmobile from Justice League, which looks like a tank crossed with a sports car. Sanrio's booth shows Hello Kitty reimagined as Sonic the Hedgehog.
What started as a comic-book convention with 300 participants in 1970 has grown into a corporate-heavy media showcase.
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Among the fan obsessions on view this year: "Stranger Things 2" and "Marvel's The Defenders" from Netflix, which also promises a surprise screening Thursday night; HBO's "Game of Thrones" and "Westworld"; "Justice League" and "Blade Runner 2049" from Warner Bros., along with an anticipated appearance by Steven Spielberg showcasing his adaptation of "Ready Player One."
