Gallery: Gallery: A Salute to Comic-Con's Superfans
01u3c7901-copy
SAN DIEGO — Comic-Con International sends out its bat-call each year to fans, stars and aficionados of everything from mainstream science fiction to obscure comics. [](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/underwire/comic-con-2012/)Those who respond, whether for the first or the 20th time, are the die-hards: They battle through crowds for limited-edition posters or collectible toys, while effortlessly sporting an array of costumes and accessories that could pique the interest of any nerd. Wired took to the streets of San Diego and the hallways of the Convention Center to get a taste of the action. And, as expected, we were not disappointed. __Above:__ Duncan Farr, dressed as Spider-Man, and his girlfriend Siobhan Campbell (to his left) flew to the United States from Australia for a five-week vacation. They planned their entire trip around Comic-Con. "We're waiting for the *Walking Dead* panel," Siobhan said, "but there's an hour and a half till it starts and we just got in line." *Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired*
Image: Elisabeth Fall02u3c7882-copy
Newlyweds Jiri and Erica from Petaluma, California, came to Comic-Con this year to dress up and have fun. "We also have blue shirts, but there's no particular reason we chose red this year," said Erica. "We're poly-divisional in the *Star Trek* universe," Jiri added. *Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired*
03u3c7887-copy
San Diego native Leo Izbicki, dressed as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, has been attending Comic-Con for the last six years, and each time he looks forward to something different. This time around he's excited about *Game of Thrones*; he's a huge fan of the books as well as HBO's hit TV adaptation. "I can't wait for the third season to come out," he said. *Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired*
04u3c7894-copy
Adam Ellison is attending his first Comic-Con. He got up at 5 in the morning Thursday to snag a limited-edition Todd McFarlane Spider-Man guitar. And ladies: He's single and nerdy. *Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired*
05u3c7875-copy
Andrew Joslyn, from San Diego, is at his fourth Comic-Con. He's spending most of his time walking the floor, hiding in crowds and taking pictures as Odlaw, Waldo's nemesis. "I'll walk up to people dressed as Waldo and sneer," he said. *Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired*
06u3c7867-1-copy
Soukwei Arndt, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, showed up in San Diego with her husband. They flew in Wednesday night and are really excited to see anything Batman-related. They've been attending Comic-Con for the last five years. *Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired*
07mg-2099-1-copy
Last year's Halloween costume became this year's Comic-Con go-to for San Diego resident Kyle Lauritch-Kullas. The 35-year-old commissioned a friend to make the jacket, manually added LED lights to the shoes, and found a hoverboard online built by a guy in Ireland. The board doesn't operate, but Lauritch-Kullas said he's considered putting his degree in physics to work in an attempt to make it fly. *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/Wired*[](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/about/#faq13)
08u3c7934-copy
"This bracelet, which is actually a watch, was custom-made by an artist in Las Vegas," says Gregory Noveck, a 20-year Comic-Con veteran. "I'm actually on my way to [w00tstock](http://w00tstock.net/). It's the coolest thing here." *Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired*
09u3c7868-copy
David Dafonseca, from Linhurst, New Jersey, has been in San Diego for the last five days. He and his girlfriend built an entire California road trip around Comic-Con. "I wanted to have my photo taken in front of the Tumbler because I'm a huge Christopher Nolan fan," he said. "I love what he does with his characters in the Batman films. *Memento, The Prestige* — all his movies are great." *Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired*
10u3c7885-copy
Erica Reisig bought a vintage tricorder to go along with her Red Shirt costume this year. "I'm also using it to store lipstick," she said. *Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired*
11u3c7871-1-copy
"This whole thing is an awesome experience, even though we're only here for one day," says Jeff Bradley of San Diego. He's here with his daughter Isabella, her friend Emma, his nephew Christopher, his brother-in-law Romero, and his wife Cecilia. "We just left the *T.U.F.F. Puppy* and *The Fairly Odd Parents* panel. We also saw the *Hobbit* panel. We're gonna go eat next." *Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired*
Breathe Easy Thanks to the Best Air Purifier for Every Home
Protect your home against dust, pets, allergens, and more with the best air purifiers, tested firsthand.
Molly Higgins
The Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online in 2026
WIRED has tested 100-plus bed-in-a-box mattresses for a week each. Our top pick, the Helix Midnight Luxe hybrid, is the best bed you can buy online.
Julia Forbes
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Meal Kits of 2026, Tested by a Former Restaurant Critic
Here are the best delivery services and meal kits in 2026, including Martha Stewart’s meal service, a GLP-1–supportive plan, and a budget-friendly option.
Matthew Korfhage
Stop Playing Monopoly and Scrabble. These Board Games Will Elevate Your Family Game Night
From monsters to kittens to strategy games, these sets will liven things up on nights when everyone is tired of screens.
Simon Hill
The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid)
Apple just raised its prices. Here’s an updated breakdown of the brand’s tablets to find the best one for your needs.
Luke Larsen
The 10 Best WIRED-Tested Pet Cameras
Whether you’re near or far, keep an eye on your fur baby with our favorite pet cameras.
Molly Higgins
What’s Worse Than Romance Scams? Adoption Scams
This week in WIRED Book Club, we recap the final chapters of The Yahoo Boys.
Kate Knibbs
23 Gift Ideas for the Cook in Your Life
From the best air fryer to frying pans to knife sharpeners anyone can use, these ideas will keep the curious home chef in your life tinkering away.
Matthew Korfhage
I Tried 12 of the Most Popular Indoor Gardening Systems
Grow a backyard’s worth of greens and vegetables in your house with a vertical hydroponic garden. Here are a few that might be worth the investment.
Kat Merck
The Best Portable Power Stations for Blackouts, Camping, or Van Life
Whether you’re going off-grid or safeguarding against blackouts, these beefy, WIRED-tested batteries can keep the lights on.
Simon Hill
A Guided Tour of Donald Trump’s Renovated Washington, DC
Trump has remade the nation’s capitol in his own image. Ahead of the Fourth of July, WIRED guides you through the dizzying effects of DC’s makeover.
Hugo Lowell