This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

There is so much going on at Salt Lake Comic Con — the celebrity appearances, the geek-filled panels, the vendors and artists selling cool stuff — that it's difficult not to feel you're missing out on something.

That's inevitable, so the best strategy is to pick your spots. Look over the convention's schedule (available at saltlakecomiccon.com), pick those few celebrities or panels you absolutely have to see, and start scheduling around those. And, when all else fails, choose something at random and see if you get lucky.

Here are 10 things that look to be fun, or at least interesting, during Salt Lake Comic Con's three-day run starting Thursday at the Salt Palace and beyond. See if any of these tickle your fancy.

Mark Hamill

(Thursday, 11 a.m., Vivint Smart Home Arena)

The convention is kicking off with a bang, putting the hero of the "Star Wars" franchise in the biggest room the organizers could secure — the arena where the Utah Jazz play. It's Hamill's only appearance at a U.S. fan convention all year.

William Shatner

(Thursday, 12:15 p.m., Vivint Smart Home Arena)

Next to Stan Lee (who's retiring from convention gigs after this year), no one looms larger in the fandom firmament than Shatner, the original Capt. Kirk. Shatner recently wrote a book about his friend and longtime "Star Trek" co-star Leonard Nimoy, so expect to hear a few reminiscences and shed a few tears.

"The Brandon and Dashner Show"

(Thursday, 3 p.m., room 250A)

Two of Utah's better-known writers of fantasy and science fiction — Brandon Mull ("Fablehaven") and James Dashner ("The Maze Runner") — share the stage and swap some stories.

John Cena

(Friday, noon, Grand Ballroom)

Some geeks may see the name of John Cena — the WWE superstar, sometime movie actor ("Trainwreck," "Sisters") and walking internet meme — and say, "What's he doing at Salt Lake Comic Con?" A more important question: Who's going to tell him he can't come?

Millie Bobby Brown

(Friday, 3 p.m., Grand Ballroom)

Netflix's creepy new series "Stranger Things" may be the hottest binge-watch of the moment, and a lot of its popularity centers on Eleven, the odd little girl at the center of the mystery. Brown plays Eleven, and her appearance is quite a "get" for Salt Lake Comic Con.

Comic Con Bash

(Friday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sky, 149 W. Pierpont Ave.)

An after-hours, adults-only (21 and older) party, headlined by the metal band Rock Sugar. The band, fronted by voice actor Jess Harnell ("Animaniacs," "Transformers"), performs mash-ups of heavy-metal classics and '80s pop tunes. (Example: "Don't Stop the Sandman," a mix of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' " and Metallica's "Enter Sandman.") Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, separate from convention passes.

"The Greatest Movie Franchises That Never Were"

(Saturday, noon, room 150G)

"The Rocketeer" turned 25 this year, and this panel intends to ask why it never got a sequel — along with other shoulda-been-contenders, like "The Golden Compass," "John Carter" and "Buckaroo Banzai," that never got a second shot.

"Salt Lake Comic Con Family Feud Live"

(Saturday, 1 p.m., room 251A)

Members from two of Utah's beloved geek assemblages — Geek Show Podcast and Hello Sweetie! Podcast — meet in game-show battle, in a rematch of the much-disputed contest at FanX last spring. (Warning: Recommended for 18 and older, because of the likelihood of F-bombs.)

"Salt Lake Comic Con Debate"

(Saturday, 2 p.m., room 250A)

Programming director Ryan Call has wanted to set up a debate for ages, and it's finally happening. Six panelists (including this reporter) will square off, three on a side, to debate the Sokovia Accords, the U.N. legislation aimed at reining in superpowered people (and the thing that set Cap against Iron Man in "Captain America: Civil War"). Expect fireworks.

Chris Provost

(All three days, various times, Grand Ballroom)

If you've ever seen a big celebrity in the Grand Ballroom, you've seen Chris Provost, the local actor/comedian who serves as the room's emcee. Provost is known for introducing major celebrities, keeping the crowd entertained between acts and telling some of the dumbest jokes known to mankind. Like cosplayers and overpriced concessions, Provost is part of the fabric of Salt Lake Comic Con, and it wouldn't be the same without him.

spmeans@sltrib.com

Twitter: @moviecricket

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Salt Lake Comic Con info

Here's the important information on the 2016 Salt Lake Comic Con:

Where • Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City

When • Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 1-3

Registration • Opens at 8 a.m. all three days

Vendor floor hours • Thursday, 2 to 9 p.m. (opens at 1 p.m. for VIP and Gold passes); Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (opens at 10 a.m. for VIP and Gold); Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (opens at 9:30 a.m. to VIP and Gold)

Panels • First panels in Salt Palace are Thursday at 1 p.m. (not including the Mark Hamill panel at 11 a.m. and the William Shatner panel at 12:15 p.m. in the Vivint Smart Home Arena); Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m.; last panels start at 8 p.m. all three days

One-day passes • Advance prices are $20 for Thursday, $35 for Friday, $45 for Saturday (prices go up $10 each at the door)

Three-day passes • Advance prices: $70 for a regular Multipass, $95 for a Gold pass (includes early entry to the vendor hall, a collectible gold badge and a small collectible), $230 for a VIP pass (includes early entry to the vendor hall, collectibles, express panel lines, an exclusive print and a $30 photo-op voucher). Prices go up $10 each at the door.

Website • For online ticket and pass sales, schedules, cosplay rules and other information, go to saltlakecomiccon.com