San Diego Comic-Con is a week away and here at Nerdgeist we’re getting pretty excited. Announcements for panels, signings, exclusives and offsite events have been rolling in fast sending us into a frenzy about how we’re going to manage to be in 3 different places at once. Each day is packed to the brim with cool and interesting things to see and do. 2015 looks set to be an amazing year at Comic-Con so we thought we’d put together a list of the things we’re most looking forward to.

1.       Star Wars Mania

The force is awakening at Comic-Con. There will be numerous panels, exclusive action figures and merchandise, new novels and just general Star Wars excitement across the week. But the thing that everyone’s talking about? That Friday panel in Hall H. The big one. Lucasfilm president and producer Kathleen Kennedy, director J.J. Abrams, writer Lawrence Kasdan and special guests will grace the stage to talk about the movie and answer questions.

Fans will also be treated to an exclusive new look at the film. We’re gonna go ahead and call it as the most anticipated panel of SDCC, as such there’s going to be very long lines. However if you can’t bear the crowd fear not, there’s still plenty of Star Wars related fun to get involved in.

2.       Nerd HQ

Zachary Levi and The Nerd Machine are back with a vengeance at this year’s SDCC. This year they’re teaming up with the The New Children’s Museum to bring the four day event to fans. Nerd HQ will deliver exclusive gaming and tech, nightly events and intimate celebrity panels. The schedule for those panels just went up and it looks to be an incredible line-up.

People appearing include Stephen Amell, Zachary Quinto and Joss Whedon. Plus if you’re a fan of Nathan Fillion Nerd HQ seems to be the place for you. Fillion is appearing in a record 3 panels across the week so you can get your fill of everyone’s favourite Browncoat. The best thing about the Nerd HQ though; proceeds raised from the panels go to the charity Operation Smile.

3.       The 100

The 100 are moving on up in the world. And by that I mean they’re getting a room change at this year’s Comic Con. Executive producer Jason Rothenberg, and cast members Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos, Lindsey Morgan and Isaiah Washington will be headed to Ballroom 20 on Friday to discuss the latest season and answer fan questions.

And after that season 2 finale we sure do have a lot of questions. What’s with the City of Light? Will Clarke ever be able to forgive herself? How will the Grounders factor into Season 3? Yeah we’re pretty excited. If like us you’re disappointed that you’ll have to wait till midseason for new episodes then this panel is the place to be. We’re also hearing that some of the writers will be around as well so be sure to look out for them!

4.       MTV Fan Fest and Fandom Awards

Last year MTV showed everyone how to party with their Fan Fest and Fandom Awards, and 2015 looks to be no different. This year’s event will once again take place on Thursday at Petco Park. There will be free food and drink, rides, games and giveaways, as well as live presentations of the awards.

Award categories include Fandom of the Year, Ship of the Year and Best Fandom Forever. The thing I love about this event is that it doesn’t just celebrate TV and movies; it celebrates the fans that support them. As such the whole thing just has a great atmosphere. And with recent news that All Time Low and Flo Rida are performing it looks to be an amazing night for all.

5.       WB and DC Entertainment Screening Block

This is basically the holy grail of TV programming. 3 hours of our favourite superhero shows all in one place.

This year fans will be treated to video presentations and Q&As from Arrow, The Flash, Gotham and Supergirl. They’ll also be a sneak peek at the new digital series Vixen and a special Q&A with the cast of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. We can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday night.

6.       Vikings

If it’s possible Vikings is going even bigger this year at Comic Con. Not content with just a panel, they’ve got their own booth, offsite events and are providing attendees with some great swag.

The panel this year will be on Friday and will feature actors Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, and Alexander Ludwig, along with writer and creator Michael Hirst and HISTORY’s EVP Dirk Hoogstra. Standen, via Twitter, has promised some awesome season 4 exclusives during the panel. At the booth fans can dress in authentic costume, choose their opponent, and then swing their Viking weapon whilst cameras film and edit the footage into 15 second, social-media-sharable clip.  You can also snag a free Vikings comic book there. If that wasn’t enough you can board a Vikings Longship, a San Diego Seal Boat that’s been transformed, which will be driving through Downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter, and sailing the harbour. After your ride you’ll get given a Vikings Drinking Horn. Select fans will even have a chance to win a sunset cruise aboard the Longship with the cast. Sounds like a cracking time to us!

7.       Preview Night Screenings

A gentle easing in to the madness that is San Diego Comic Con, Preview Night offers attendees the chance for a first look at upcoming series. This year new shows include Lucifer, Containment, Supergirl and Blindspot. Of course they all have panels but nothing quite beats the excitement of getting to see the pilot months before it airs.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it though, Nerdgeist will be reviewing the episodes and letting you know what we think.

8.       Mattel Exclusives

Mattel has unveiled a plethora of awesome exclusives that they intend to bring to SDCC. These range from Halo blasters to Ghostbusters action figures to Wonder Woman Barbie dolls. Particularly cool is their range of Hot Wheels coming in DC, Marvel and Stormtrooper design.  Our favourite exclusives though are the Thomas and Friends Super Friends Minis. It’s Thomas and Friends meets DC and models include Batman, Superman and The Joker. They are seriously adorable. It looks as if Mattel haven’t revealed everything yet, as a Batman v Superman exclusive was added just today, so be sure to keep checking updates.

9.       FX Fearless Arena

Another cool offsite event, the FX Fearless arena is bringing some of our favourite shows to one place. Fans will get to entera live-action virtual reality experience inspired by The Strain, suit up as “warriors” and square off against each other in order to escape The Bastard Executioner forest, step inside a giant 20-foot inflatable snow globe for Fargo and venture into American Horror Story’s Hotel to get a taste of the era.

We can’t wait to explore the different worlds and also pick up some great swag along the way.

10.   Con Man

Geeks everywhere were thrilled when Alan Tudyk’s new project Con Man was announced. Months have passed and that excitement still hasn’t died down.  So when it was announced that they’d be having not one but two panels at San Diego naturally we were pretty ecstatic.

The comedy web series will follow Wray Nerely (Tudyk), who starred as a pilot on a cancelled sci-fi show that went on to become a cult classic, as he makes his way through the convention circuit. If the concept isn’t exciting enough for you, Nathan Fillion will star alongside him. It’s like a mini Firefly reunion! They’ll both be appearing in Hall H on Thursday and Nerd HQ on Friday along with producer PJ Haarsma and other cast members. We are beyond excited for this!