Comic-Con, the world's biggest pop culture extravaganza, returns this week

Comic-Con finally returns to San Diego this week, where new 'Lord Of The Rings' (right) and 'Game Of Thrones' TV series will compete before tens of thousands of cosplaying geeks and fans. – Photos: HBO (left) and Amazon (right)

Comic-Con finally returns to San Diego this week, where new "Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones" TV series will compete before tens of thousands of cosplaying geeks and nerds at the world's most famous pop culture gathering.Disney and its Marvel superheroes will also preview their upcoming films and shows to adoring fans at the sprawling convention, which has not taken place in full for three years due to the pandemic.

"I think it'll look like Comic-Con from 2019," said the event's communications chief David Glanzer, even if guests – whether dressed as hobbits, dragons or princesses – will be required to wear face masks.