For comic-book fans everywhere, the San Diego Convention Center is officially christened the coolest place on Earth for this weekend’s 37th annual Comic-Con International.

If you’re a comic-book fan in denial, or someone who wouldn’t be caught dead at a comic-book convention, you’d better think again. Starting today through Sunday, Comic-Con pulls out all the stops for pure fun - with or without the comic books.

Here are some insider tips from a seasoned Comic-Con veteran to steer you safely through the eye of the one-of-a-kind storm of pop culture that is the largest comic-book convention on the planet - this planet anyway:

Comic-Con Film School (CCFS): You want to make your own superhero flick or no-budget indie? No problem. This popular, hands-on series of CCFS workshops covers everything you need to know from “Pre-production and Screenwriting and Production Part I” (today) and “Production Part 2 and Post-production” (tomorrow) to “Working With Actors and Crew and the ’Tears of the Dragon’ Experience” (Saturday) and “Podcasting” (Sunday). All CCFS workshops start at 10:30 a.m. and run roughly 90 minutes, each in room 26AB.

Comic-Con International

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Drive, downtown.

$25 today and tomorrow; $30 Saturday; $15 Sunday. Four-day membership is $65 adults; $30 for ages 12 to 16; children under 12 free with a paid adult membership. (619) 491-2475 or www.comic-con.org Universal Monsters 75th Anniversary: Mr. Sci-Fi himself, Forrest J. Ackerman of Famous Monsters of Filmland fame, will chat with moderator Jeff Bond and other panelists to reminisce about the likes of Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Mummy and the Creature From the Black Lagoon. How cool is that? (Today at 3 p.m., room 6B.)

Stars shining brightly: Indie fans don’t despair since Richard Kelly of “Donnie Darko” fame will be promoting “Southland Tales” (tomorrow at 3 p.m., room 6CDEF) and cartoonist-turned-filmmaker Robert Rodriguez will unveil clips from his “Grind House” (Saturday at 11:45 a.m., Hall H). Meanwhile, Rodriguez’s “Sin City” co-director Frank Miller and director Zack Snyder will discuss the challenges of translating Miller’s epic Spartan tale “300” (Saturday at 10:30 a.m., Hall H) to the big screen.

Please note: These panels fill up quickly, so anticipate long lines and show up at least 45 minutes early to get a good seat. And do not try to videotape these presentations. You will be kicked out of the convention center, plain and simple.

Artists’ spotlights: Cartoonist Daniel Clowes’ brilliant comic “Eightball” is the genesis for his screenplays for Terry Zwigoff’s “Ghost World” and “Art School Confidential.” Fantagraphics’ publicist Eric Reynolds will pick Clowes’ hypercreative brain in what promises to be an insightful talk (today at 4:30 p.m., room 8). Without question, one of this year’s highlights will be “Roger Corman: 50 Years of Filmmaking,” where the legendary filmmaker and early mentor of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, among others, is sure to share colorful anecdotes (tomorrow at 3:30 p.m., room 6B).

Clerking with Kevin: Longtime Comic-Con fave and comic-book writer and filmmaker Kevin Smith is guaranteed to keep his fans laughing as he returns with an engaging rant while plugging his new film, “Clerks II,” (Saturday at 1 p.m., Hall H).

TV touchstones: Your inner couch potato can get a heads-up on “’Lost’: Season 3” (Saturday at 10:30 a.m., room 20), and if you’re old enough to remember this much-beloved childhood icon, be sure to celebrate “Gumby’s 50th” (Saturday at 11:30 a.m., room 5AB).

First-timers shouldn’t miss the Comic-Con International Masquerade whether you’re in costume or not (Saturday at 8:30 p.m., Room 20), while the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards (tomorrow at 8:30 p.m., room 20) may be the comic-book equivalent of the Oscars. The Masquerade is where Comic-Con really shines. Here, conventioneers of all ages take center stage, parading their homemade costumes crafted with little money and a whole lot of heart. People start lining up hours before this must-see costume contest gets under way.

You probably figured out that it’s impossible to see everything Comic-Con offers, even if you storm the convention with your own army of clones. So, get over it, crack open your piggy bank and wander through the exhibit hall in search of those items to make your collection of comics and memorabilia complete.

After all, if it isn’t at Comic-Con, chances are it doesn’t exist.

Neil Kendricks is a San Diego artist and writer and the film curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and a longtime Comic-Con attendee.

Major film-related panels: Although movie-related content makes up less than 10 percent of Comic-Con programming, according to Comic-Con’s director of marketing and public relations, David Glanzer, the numerous film panels are among the convention’s most popular and crowded attractions. This year’s highlights range from getting the scoop on such shockers as “Crank,” “Skinwalkers” and “Saw III” (today at 3:30 p.m., 6CDEF) to “Hellboy” director Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” (today at 6 p.m., room 6CDEF).

Movie stars on parade: Of course, Comic-Con wouldn’t be complete without appearances from major actors. Expect massive crowds to hang on every word from Samuel L. Jackson (or Mace Windu to “Star Wars” fans), the undisputed prince of cinematic cool, even if his new movie bears the questionable title “Snakes on a Plane” (tomorrow at 5:45 p.m., Hall H). Nicolas Cage might even explain his motivation as Johnny Blaze in “Ghost Rider,” while Sam Raimi will provide a small peek at next year’s “Spider-Man 3” (Saturday at 5 p.m., Hall H).