Thousands of comic, superhero and anime fans descended on San Diego Thursday (July 19) for the start of Comic-Con.
The annual event is the largest comic book convention of its kind in the world, with guest panels and venues featuring comics, anime, movies, T.V. and gaming programs and events.
The event, which started humbly in 1970 as a get together for sci-fi fans to trade comic books, now takes on over 130,000 visitors during its four day run and is the showcase for the biggest multimedia pop culture franchises from the likes of Disney, Marvel, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros.
The homegrown feel is still evident in some of the cosplay outfits, some seemingly more thought out than others in their details.
"So I'm dressed up as Harley Quinn today, said Emily Echevarria of her character who's best known as a member of DC Comics Suicide Squad. "I did it because I just think she's a fun character and this is the version specifically from "The Lego Batman Movie" which I love, I took my little sister to see it five times in theaters so, fun character, fun cosplay, I like getting attention, like getting the pictures taken and and I just like to come here and have fun."
This year's big events include the introduction of the first female Doctor from cult hit Doctor Who, a reunion for TV's "Breaking Bad;" 10th anniversary celebration of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; 25 years of "The X-Files and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" "Strangers in Paradise" and the "Jurassic Park" film.
This year the convention is taking on new exhibitors from Canada, Japan, Spain, India, Holland, and Mexico.