Delivering a massive event with his trademarked smile behind the camera, Morgan Spurlock‘s Comic-Con Episode Four: A Fan’s Hope is the kind of joyous celebration that might also serve as a gateway drug for those not initiated into geek culture. It’s a documentary that easily straddles the line between service to those already fascinated by the subject and to those that haven’t ever heard of a comic book. It could have been annoyingly fluffy, but Spurlock has crafted a film that doesn’t just act as advertisement for the largest comic book/multimedia convention in the country. In fact, the question of whether the convention is still faithful to its comic book roots is at the center of the multi-faced exploration that gives the movie much more dimension than it initially lets on. The doc is composed of several stories – a pair of artists looking to break into the business, a costume designer and her crew looking to make a mark, a young couple who fell in love at the event, and a comic book dealer who is trying to justify coming back financially. All are woven together with expert timing (and a fun, comic book style art element that turns them into characters of a different sort).

Make no bones about it, the UK has been screaming out for a local equivalent to the sprawling and genius beast that is the San Diego Comic-Con, as well as something that offers “regular movie fans” the opportunity to enjoy a similar festival that takes into account their various levels of nerdery, without feeling like they are second-class behind hacks and those attendees who turn up in full Klingon gear every year without fail. And now, thanks to Empire Magazine, British film-fest-fans are set to get their wish, with August seeing the inaugural Big Screen festival opening at the O2 and offering a so far unrivaled opportunity to get up close and personal with the movie world. I had the opportunity to meet the Empire team at a swanky, on-the-beach restaurant yesterday to find out some more details, and to be punched in the soul by the very best steak I have ever eaten. And I’ve eaten a lot of steak in my time.

Maybe you don’t want to bother with the crowds. Maybe you’re stuck at home because your brother-in-law is coming up for the weekend. Maybe you forgot to buy tickets. Whatever your situation is, it’s a sure thing that you don’t really want to miss Comic-Con but fate has forced your hand, and the rest of you, to stay right where you are. Which isn’t in San Diego (disregard if living in San Diego). But have no fear, dear reader! We hear your plight and even empathize with it, which is why we have created the essential list of everything you’ll need to have your very own Comic-Con in the convenience of your own home. Trust us. Your brother-in-law will love it.

In a three-way, melee attack of awesome that will leave you wondering how we removed your heart from your chest without breaking the skin, FSR is gearing up to head to sunny San Diego in order to stay indoors all weekend. Interviewer extraordinaire Jack Giroux, Robert “Fists of” Fure and I will be sharing the experience with you from Wednesday night through a hungover Sunday morning. Pack your bags, dear reader, because you’ll be coming along for the ride. Just don’t believe Fure when he tells you he’s a commercial airline pilot.

Morgan Spurlock is teaming with Stan Lee, Thomas Tull, Joss Whedon and Harry Knowles to deliver a documentary…and they want you.

Robert Fure is a nerd and so are you. So why can’t we all just get along?

Reject Robert Fure fondly recollects his time spent in San Diego at this years Comic Con 2009.

Watch as Triumph The Comic Insult Dog rips into fanboys in a much far worse way than any FilmSchoolRejects video ever could

So Hugh Jackman gave the convention-goers at Comic-Con a big treat today. He came on stage unannounced, and showed some footage for X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Along with our written coverage that will quite literally blow your mind, we also have our roving photographer Cody Miller on the scene, taking shots of all the action. Lets see what he found on Day 1.

And so it has begun — the Film School Rejects team, normally scattered across the country (and the world) is assembling this very day in San Diego, California for Comic-Con International. It is time to find out who we’ve brought along and what we’ve got in store for you.

Check in with Robert Fure’s Check List for Comic Con 2008 to see if you’ve got the right idea on how to survive.

The full event schedule for Comic-Con International 2008 has finally been released online via the official Comic-Con website. And just to give you a taste of what you should be looking out for, I have dug into the schedule and emerged with some of the can’t miss movie geek events.

Fellow Fat Guy Brian Gibson joins Neil in the Magical Studio in the Sky to remember the late George Carlin, chat about the San Diego Comic-Con and ramble on and on about why people should see bad movies

What most of us inside that beautiful comic universe forget is that there will also be a large number of fish hopping out of their water to cover the event for the rest of the normal world.

The mother of all Comic conventions gets its own magazine…