Fan Expo is once again upon us. While there are still those who wonder at the weirdos who dress up as their favourite characters, the more than 100,000 people who pack the Metro Toronto Convention Centre every year know that this is basically geek Christmas.

Fan Expo, which starts Thursday and ends Sunday, is celebrating its 20th anniversary and it has become Canada’s one-stop extravaganza for all things comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and more. There are a huge number of guests, panels and activities. To mark the anniversary, here are 20 things we think you might want to check out. Go to fanexpocanada.com for scheduling details and locations.

1. Oh captain, my captain: It is the age-old Star Trek question. Kirk or Picard? This year, the answer is both. Starfleet’s most decorated officers come together for a special evening with both actors talking about their life on the bridge, which makes this a Prime Directive type of evening for all the Trekkers out there. It is the big closing event at 5 p.m. on Aug. 31 and requires additional tickets ranging from $29 to $59.

2. Yo Bro, let’s check out the next Call of Duty: The next iteration of the biggest first person shooter video game, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare arrives in November, but EB’s Gamer zone has an exclusive demo. With exosuits and more gizmos, it’s a different look for the series, but even jaded game critics are curious about where it is headed.

3. I was a fan before you were born: Which is very likely the case with one of TV’s classic cult series, Twin Peaks. Fan Expo reunites actors Ray Wise, Sheryl Lee and Sherilyn Fenn, and will have the three do an onstage Q&A with chances for autographs and photo ops (Saturday, noon, Room 206). There’s also a Nightmare on Elm Street reunion (Friday, 4:30 p.m., Room 105).

4. Fan Expo Speed Dating: Reportedly back by popular demand, this event gets to the beating hearts underneath all that makeup and cosplay. With sessions Friday and Saturday, it is free but requires sign-up beforehand.

5. Rock out with your geek out: Nerd Noise Night returns for a two-night stand at the Horseshoe and features a number of geek-inspired bands, including rappers Wordburglar and More or Les. There is also The Cybertronic Spree, who rock out in full Transformers costumes (Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m., the Horseshoe Tavern, $10 per evening).

6. I’m the Doctor! Whovians are likely still processing the Season 8 Doctor Who premiere, which introduced Peter Capaldi taking the reigns of the Tardis, but fans of the previous incarnation are in for a treat. Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill are around for a number of events, including a wallet-busting $700 package that basically makes you a Time Lord (various times, see official schedule for details).

7. Commander Rick, are you still out there? For nerds of a certain vintage, Prisoners of Gravity was the TV show that looked at all things science fiction and comic books. Very much ahead of its time, the series is celebrated with a panel on Saturday and a 25th anniversary reunion (Friday, 5:30 p.m., Room 714).

8. Learn how to work with all this cool stuff: While the focus of the show is mostly on buying stuff, there are a number of interesting industry panels. Marvel hosts “Breaking Into the Industry the Marvel Way,” while DC is doing portfolio reviews. There’s a Kickstarter seminar on funding your own dream while, on Friday, the Writers Guild of Canada hosts a panel on monetizing web series (various times, see schedule for details).

9. Buy an original piece of art: It is easy to forget Fan Expo started out as a comic convention and it still manages to bring in a ton of great artists. Artists’ Alley is chock full of big-name comics talent, who will draw commissioned work, sell prints and other work.

10. Take photos of awesome costumes, but don’t be a creep about it: The best thing about this kind of show is people dressing up as their favourite characters, and the passion and work they put into celebrating their fandom is incredible. Most are happy to pose for shots, but be respectful and ask permission first, please.

11. Get a sneak peak of the next Star Wars things: Stop gawking at Slave Leias and get an early look at what’s coming next. Star Wars Rebels, the hotly anticipated animated series, gets a preview screening at 2 p.m. Friday in Room 102. From early reports, this is the animation you are looking for.

12. Pro gamers come for the bounty:League of Legends and DOTA 2 continue to grow the e-sports community and the Fan Expo tournament boasts nearly $600,000 in prizes, which should bring in some big-name players.

13. Hulkamania will never die: Fan Expo tried to expand into sports memorabilia last year but, with little mention this year, it seems like a failed venture. That said, wrestling fans still have Hulk Hogan, Trish Stratus and Amy Dumas signing autographs and holding Q&As (see schedule for details).

14. What’s up Bats? DC has been celebrating 75 years of the Dark Knight Detective and hosts a panel on the hottest senior citizen superhero there is. As well, Adam West, Burt Ward and the Batmobile will be in the house.

15. Steampunk shenanigans: The mix of old-school style and technology is still pretty hot and there are a number of related sessions, including a pistol duelling demonstration, a discussion of multiculturalism in steampunk and a Steampunk 101 course for newbies (various panels, check schedule for details).

16. Archie is dead. Long live Archie: Fans of the denizens of Riverdale know that despite the passing of Archie Andrews, the comics are enjoying a creative renaissance. There is Life After Archie, a presentation on the comics as well as a sketch duel (see schedule for more details).

17. D&D Next: Remember when Dungeons & Dragons was the scourge of children everywhere? With the recent 5th edition of the D&D Player’s Handbook out, this panel might be a good spot to find some people for your next campaign (Sunday, 2:15, Room 703).

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18. Heroes on a half shell: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back, courtesy of Michael Bay, but if you want to see where “kowabunga” came from, check out the documentary Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Friday at 5:45, Room 716.

19. Buy a geeky T-shirt: If you’re too lazy to make a costume, the many giant T-shirt tower booths let you fly your geek flag by shelling out for something cool.

20. Remember, friendship is magic: On Sunday at 2 p.m., you can meet the voice actors behind My Little Pony. If you’re tempted to make fun of the male fans of the show, called Bronies, just remember: we are all fans of something and, at this big boiling pot of a show celebrating so many things, be excellent to each other.

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