Last week, the New Orleans convention circuit showcased meteorologists. The week before that, the Society of Plastics Engineers paid us a visit. This weekend, however, the focus turns to more advanced technology like warp drives, positronic brains and the occasional phaser. That's right sci fi gee...fans, Wizard World Comic Con is back in the Big Easy!

The Morial Convention Center's Saturday-Sunday transformation into the spaceship of the imaginiation marks the beginning of the comic book convention season, and marks the second year that the giant showcase sets its course for the Crescent City.

“It was a great first year show, says John Macaluso, a member of Wizard World’s board of directors, "and we are coming back to give another great show.”

The list of celebrity guests and artists at this year’s comic con seriously rivals last year, and this allows for fanboys and fangirls to help grow New Orleans into a mecca for artist/fans of comics, just as the movie industry has made the city, “The Hollywood of the South.”

Wizard World is attempting something unparalleled in the reality tv world by creating a reality show about comic book conventions and the fans that make them flourish. The pilot is being shot at this weekend's superfan and collector gathering. So along with dreams of meeting celebrities and artists, your dream of being on TV alongside the very heroes you worship can be realized as well.

The amount of celebrity guests, artist and fan groups from last year were remarkable such as, Ernie Hudson, Billy Dee Williams, Adam West, and Robin, along with some great fan groups, artist and vendors. 2012 looks to be even more phenomenal with guests like, The Negotiator/Captain Kirk William Shatner, the legendary Stan Lee, Adam Baldwin, Mary McDonnell, James Marsters, and Vic Micnogna and the man who wore the wookiee suit, Peter Mayhew, just to name a few.

A Boondock Saints reunion is also in order for three celebrities at this years comic con. The actors are, Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus, and David Della Rocca. These three played Boston's most respected murderers on the big screen, and now we get to learn about what it was like to film such a controversial movie.

Celebrities are not the only aspect of the con that has been expanded. From Star Wars to Ghostbusters to Krewe of Chewbacchus and Krewe of Pirate Wenches, the fan groups this year are making a huge presence as well.  .

One group that will be in attendance is making a positive impact for kids and comics. Comics4Kids is an organization that collects, receives, purchases and inherits comic books. They give the books away for free in order to promote and improve literacy along with inspiring kids to use their imagination. The group also hopes this reinvigorates the art of comic book collecting.

Imagination does not seem to be much of a problem for many of the people attending the con. That was evidenced last year by the amount of people who spent countless hours on costumes and gadgets for the event. This year will be no different. Once again there will be an adult costume contest on Saturday with the kids costume contest occurring on Sunday.

Wizard World is making an effort to make the event more family friendly and designating Sunday as kids day with activities specifically geared towards children.

“We are putting a lot of emphasis on kids day, states Macaluso. “It’s very family friendly.”

One of the activties includes mosaic building with Stephen Wagner from Galeria Alegria, which will give the kids a chance create masterpieces of their own.

Something that both adults and kids alike will love is the Jedi Lightsaber Masterclass that is being offered on Saturday and Sunday. There will be two classes per day that will be taught by Star Wars stunt coordinatior and master swordsman, Nick Gillard, who choreographed fight scenes in Star Wars I, II, and III. Lightsaber novi to masters will have a chance to learn a fight scene from Revenge of the Sith. This event does require a separate ticket purchased, so get them early!

If something less physical strikes your fancy then try your hand at Sci-Fi Jeoparody. Show off those facts learned from watching everything from the galaxy and beyond!

The main reason for comic con is to celebrate the art of comic books and the artist that create them. This year we see four Eisner Award winners gracing their presence upon the masses. The Eisner Award, which is referred to the Oscar Awards of the comic industry, is considered to be one of the highest honors bestowed in the comic industry. Stan Lee, who co-created many classics such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, Thor, etc, George Perez (Superman, JSA), Rob Guillory (Chew), and John Layman (Chew, and Puffed) are all Eisner Award winners.

There are also four Eisner Award nominees who will be present. John Dell (“Ultimate Spider-Man,” “X-Men”) Joe Eisma (“Morning Glories,” “Existence 3.0”), Jesus Merino (“Avengers Forever,” “Superman/Batman”) and Alex Saviuk (Spider-Man Newspaper Strip,” “The X-Files”).

Wizard World is once again bringing quality acts to New Orleans that will allow people to meet their idols and mingle with fans and comic industry people alike.

Tickets are still available for purchase online as well as on site. If you are a college student, bring your id for a major discount. If unable to make it to the Con itself, then there is another option available. Friday offers a Wizard World Extravaganza Part I with a pre-kick off party and on Saturday night part II will be offered well into the wee hours in the morning.

For more info visit, www.wizardworld.com