You don’t have to be a trekkie or have a favorite Avenger to appreciate the area’s penchant for the fantastical, though catching up on the latest Marvel blockbuster isn’t a bad way to prep for a trip. The obsession with superheroes and graphic novels comes by way of San Diego Comic-Con, the massive pop culture convention that brings celebrity sightings and geek-approved events galore downtown every summer, drawing more than 135,000 fans.
Seriously, it’s a big deal, which is why even though this year’s crowds have returned home, the buzz over the future Comic-Con museum and entertainment complex remains strong. Spoiler alert: The Balboa Park newcomer is talking about screening films in addition to its exhibits starting in 2019. In the meantime, fill the void at the recently revamped San Diego Comic Art Gallery, where local publisher IDW presents blown-up pages, making-of videos, and tons of free comics in a converted military barracks in Liberty Station.