Wizard of Aus ... tin

Wizard World Austin Comic Con

Friday-Sunday, Nov. 22-24, Austin Convention Center

Tickets are still available. Visit www.wizardworld.com for complete event details, hours of operation, and ticket information – including VIP passes to select events.

The three-day nerd culture blitz of Wizard World Austin can get a little overwhelming, even for veterans. The challenge is to separate the mint-on-card vinyl cape Jawa from the Turkish Star Wars. So here's what to do if you're a fan of ...

... Star Trek, then the mind-melding of two captains should melt your brain. The original, accept-no-imitations Capt. James Tiberius Kirk, the one-and-only William Shatner returns to Austin after his recent sold-out show "Shatner's World" took the Paramount by storm. He'll be joined by another Enterprise captain and sci-fi icon, Quantum Leap's Scott Bakula.

... The Walking Dead, then grab your autograph pen and zombie-dispatching crossbow. Laurie Holden (Andrea), Sarah Wayne Callies (Lori Grimes), Chandler Riggs (Carl Grimes), Norman Reedus (post-apocalyptic sex symbol Daryl Dixon), and the human tornado Michael Rooker (Daryl's brother, the one-handed, redneck wrecking machine Merle) will all be in attendance. Anyone who caught the Dixon brothers' Q&A last year knows there's nothing like the laconic Reedus and the supercharged Rooker to light up a room. Hardcore collectors will also want to hunt down the special printing of The Walking Dead #1 with a new cover by Rob Guillory (creator of Image's cannibal-detective drama Chew).

... Joss Whedon, get ready for two alumni of genre TV's master of witty banter. James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's undead punk Spike) returns to entrance the Austin audience, then Firefly's Jewel Staite will be landing here for the first time.

... pro wrestling, then the champ is here. WWE World Heavyweight champion John Cena, that is. Recently returned from elbow surgery and back with gold around his waist, he'll be holding what promises to be a packed Q&A on the squared circle, while divas (that's WWE speak for women wrestlers) and E! stars the Bella twins will be around Friday and Saturday.

... original comic art, then there's a rare opportunity to own a new piece by industry legend Neal Adams (Batman). That will be the opening piece at an auction for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Over at the Artist Alley, there'll be dozens of sequential storytellers, including Austin native David Marquez (All-New X-Men, Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man), and they'll all be selling original sketches and taking commissions.