By Ryan Huff, Staff Writer

In what becomes the epicenter for all things a little bit nerdy, Comic Con made its annual return to San Diego and, for the first time in 12 years, I attended.

What is now the world’s biggest convention of its kind, gathering artists, movie stars and everyone in between, San Diego Comic Con International had humble beginnings 40 years ago at the U.S. Grant Hotel with a meager 300-person crowd.

Those days are long gone now, with crowds exceeding 120,000 people and passes selling out months in advance. This year’s convention was out of control. My sudden urge to attend came only a week before the opening day, Friday, July 23. Remembering how easy it was in 1997 to get tickets, I assumed nothing had changed. But, after learning that every day was sold out, I began scouting Craig’s List and eBay to find tickets. I did found many tickets available. However, all tickets being sold by third parties were going for at least $35 dollars above face value.

I reached agreements with two separate sellers (girlfriend wanted to come) who I paid on eBay and agreed to meet Friday mourning. After doing some research about traffic and the whole process of actually getting to Comic Con, I decided my best option was parking at Qualcomm Stadium and taking the trolley downtown.

The trolley ride was flawless, other than the fact that it was packed to the roof and, as an added bonus, I had the privilege of riding public transportation next to an overweight, middle age man dressed up like Batman and another person in full Storm Trooper (Star Wars) gear. That moment alone was worth the $200 dollars I spent on tickets.

After finally getting to the convention center, I spent the next half hour looking for the two people who sold me my tickets. The tickets were advertised as having one male name and one female name. Comic Con now prints the original purchasers name on the tickets to discourage reselling. Instead on getting one guy and one girl ticket, we got two girl tickets. So for a day, I was “Sarah”. In the end it didn't matter because Comic Con staffers weren't checking tickets at all. But for a few short moments, I was pretty nervous.

Once inside the convention center itself, I was consumed by the biggest indoor crowd I've ever been part of in my entire life. My girlfriend and I explored two floors, and both were ridiculously crowded. It took us easily 25 minutes to walk from one end of the convention center to the other.

In the center of the bottom floor were all the main attractions and movie studio booths, so that was especially a madhouse. The “Iron Man 2” stage was so full that it was impossible to even get into it. There were easily 200-plus people in a 10-yard box area.

Not that I got to see any of them, but the star power at this years Comic Con was very impressive. Tim Burton, James Cameron, Johnny Depp, Adam West, Robert Downey Jr. and dozens of extras were there to promote one thing or the other. There was a noticeable buzz and word-of-mouth excitement going around the convention about Cameron's new movie, “Avatar.” The creator of the Alien and Terminator series, Cameron returns the science fiction genre in what is being hyped as his next masterpiece.

My recommendations for anyone trying to go to next years’ Comic Con are simple; plan your time wisely. I was inside the convention center by 10 a.m., left at 5 p.m. and still felt there was so much I could have seen. Get your tickets early, plan out exactly what you want to do and bring your own food.

Overall, I had a great time and plan on getting a whole week pass for next year. The general excitement and great atmosphere at the event are so intense that even a person with little to no interest in anything comic-related will still have a great time. Just ask me.