We were pleasantly surprised by last year's Shanghai Comic Con (SHCC) -- a pretty impressive debut from convention organizer Reed Pop (they are also behind the New York Comic Con). They managed to bring thousands of comic fans, along with cosplayers, comic artists, and a handful of Hollywood stars to their two-day, activity-packed event. It was well executed and everyone had a good time.

*** This November, the Shanghai Comic Con returns with an extended program and a plan to take over three floors of this massive convention center in Putuo. Firefly and Castle star Nathan Fillion (who will also play a role in Guardians of the Galaxy II), Amy Acker ("Root" of Person of Interest), Robert Knepper ("T-bag" from Prison Break) and Lord of Rings's Billy Boyd (ED's Note: WHAT. OMG.) are confirmed to attend SHCC with meet-and-greet and autograph sessions. Nathan Fillion -- also a pretty damn good Green Lantern voice actor Celebrities from the comic world will show up as well: more than 20 comic artists, including Marvel's veteran writer Arthur ­­­­Adams, Salvador Larroca, and DC's Marcus To are going to host Q&A sessions and book signings. In addition to mainland artists, several from Hong Kong and Japan will also have a strong presence this year. Expect to see a big crowd in the artist signing area -- it's free by the way. And you can't talk comics without talking collectables: Alex Solis (you might recognize his cute and chubby superheroes), Nathan Hamill (illustrator and ... son of Mark Hamill) and Jason Freeny (who's anatomical cartoon characters have taken the fashion world by storm) will bring their signature pieces to Shanghai. Embrace the fandom! Aside from all that, there will also be gaming, TV screenings (HBO's new series Westworld), comic book publishers, and merch, merch, merch. Not to mention people dressed up like... sexy Deadpool, sexy Stormtrooper, sexy random inscrutable anime person, sexy Shrek, and so on... Single day tickets from 200rmb are available now; check their website for more information. Happens on November 5 and 6.