Michael C. Hall and co-star Julie Benz will be appearing at SDCC. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Earlier this year, I briefly entertained a fantasy in which I would travel to the other side of the United States for San Diego Comic Con. There were a couple of big obstacles in the way of this idea, namely money and my highly illogical yet blinding fear of airplanes. Now I’m recovering from a busted leg and glad my plan never really moved beyond the idle daydream stage. And yet, it seems like every day something hits my browser or my phone that makes me truly sorry I won’t be there.

Here’s what I’m saddest about so far:

• No. 5 — Charles Vess: Vess is an artist who has collaborated with Neil Gaiman in works like “Sandman” and “Stardust,” both of which hold treasured spots in my library. Missing him at SDCC is doubly sad since I also missed his appearance at Asheville, N.C.’s Malaprops Bookstore/Café back in April.
• No. 4 — David Tennant and Russell T Davies: The tenth Doctor and Davies are both making their exits from the BBC’s “Doctor Who,” but both are appearing at SDCC to support “Doctor Who” on BBC America. Plus: limited-edition Comic-Con “Doctor Who” action figures.
• No. 3 — Michael C. Hall: “Dexter” is one of the shows I’ve turned to since “The Wire” ruined me for almost all television. A Dexter action figure (complete with a bloodstained microscope slide!) is also making its debut at SDCC.
• No. 2 — Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino: I started watching “Avatar: The Last Airbender” on a whim after seeing that Netflix had the first season available via streaming. Then I watched the last season and a half in a marathon session after busting my aforementioned leg. Konietzko and DiMartino are doing a signing session, but I mostly want to thank them for creating the show.
• No. 1: Hayao Miyazaki: Miyazaki’s latest feature film, “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea,” makes its English-language U.S. debut in August.

If Felicia Day weren’t on the Dragon*Con guest list, she might be tied for one of the top spots. But since I plan to be up and around by Labor Day, Dragon*Con is still on my list of things to do.

How about you? Are you headed to SDCC in a few weeks — and if you are, what are you most excited about?

My Comic-Con list is strangely low on comic books, so here’s more on comics at HowStuffWorks.com:
Wonder Woman’s Dirty Secrets
Heroes Unmasked: How Secret Are Secret Identities?
How the Joker Works
How Web Comics Work