8. 2005-2008

2005

An estimated 113,000 showed up for Kevin Smith, Stan Lee, Richard Kelly (previewing Southland Tales), Bruce Campbell and Bryan Singer (Superman Returns).

One of the bigger pimped pics was V For Vendetta, with producer Joel Silver bringing Natalie Portman along for the ride.

2006

Attendance was now at 123,000 and among the talent is Samuel L Jackson, who wows the crowd as he stumped for Snakes On A Plane (the panel includes a live set of the slithery reptiles which ended up draped around willing volunteers).

The Spider-Man 3 gang, including Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and Bryce Dallas Howard did the rounds.

But the big surprise was Zack Snyder's 300, with the Hall H crowd reacting wildly to a trailer and demanding to see it again like rowdy children.

It was also the year that TV truly invaded, with Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, Jericho and other shows holding big, cast-filled panels to promote new seasons and DVD sets.

The event ended up straining the convention centre's limits - with some fans denied entry during the big Saturday crowds.

2007

Jon Favreau and Iron Man were the undoubted stars of the show, with the movie hitting full speed towards its successful box office launch.

Favreau proved to be a natural raconteur. Must be something to do with his acting background...

Also there? Nic Cage, JJ Abrams, Steve Carell, Dwayne Johnson and loads more.

It's a sell-out crowd for the first time in the event's history, with all multi-day and single-day passes gone by the time Friday rolled around.

2008

Twilight was the sensation of the Con as the fans queued for hours (and in some cases, a day) before the Hall H panel and stripped the paint from the walls with their screams when cast members including Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart took the stage.

Hugh Jackman popped up with a surprise Wolverine trailer and Zack Snyder whips the crowd up into a frenzy with Watchmen material.

JJ Abrams also had a trick up his sleeve, bringing Zachary Quinto on stage with Leonard Nimoy to get the Trek fans talking.

And once more the event was a roaring success, attracting 126,000 people and all passes sold out weeks before the event began.

So to this year...

Next: 2009