Pop culture, nerdiness and cosplay center stage at Fan Expo Boston

Boston's a pretty nerdy town most of the time , but this weekend, it's going to get extremely geeky.

Why it matters: Fan Expo Boston — New England's biggest comic book, sci-fi and cosplay festival — promises pop culture immersion, numerous vendors and plenty of genre celebrities.

• Mads Mikkelsen, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rosario Dawson and Marisa Tomei are among those expected at the Hynes Convention Center.

Marvel will have a big presence this year, with "Spider-Man's" Tomei, "Daredevil's" Vincent D'Onofrio and "Guardians of the Galaxy's" Sean Gunn all booked for meet-and-greet appearances.

• '90s nerds can check out "Saved by the Bell's" Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Mario Lopez.
• Star Trek actress Kate Mulgrew joins the ranks of starship captains who have visited the expo through the years.

The intrigue: This year's expo is also a reunion for the cast of the original "Vacation" movies, with Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid and Beverly D'Angelo making appearances.

The Expo's "artist alley" showcases local and national comic book writers, illustrators and crafters.

• Panel discussions will offer insight on all things pop culture, with veterans and up-and-comers discussing the ins and outs of the comic book, game and movie industries.

And oh, the merch! Vendors will be on hand selling Funko Pop figurines for every conceivable character, cosplay weapons inspired by video games, anime and movies, and of course, many, many comic books.

Zoom in: A special panel discussion on the Massachusetts film industry later today will feature some of the creators behind Oscar-winning films made in the Bay State.

If you notice cosplayers wandering around the convention hall or out in the Back Bay, know they are not alone. They are legion.

• Thousands of cosplayers are expected to come dressed as their favorite characters in meticulously crafted outfits.

By the numbers : Single-day passes cost $43 for Friday, $63 for Saturday and $48 for Sunday. A three-day pass is $105.

• The $145 "ultimate fan package" includessd all three days, a special preview this afternoon, guaranteed photo opps with celebrities and limited-edition merchandise featuring Batman, Marty McFly and more.

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