The biggest comic convention of the year kicks off next week, and I’m going to be there in the thick of it. Here’s a guide to what to expect — and a few ways that you can join in the fun if you’re not going to be in San Diego.

I’m going to be posting live audio commentary during the flight out, from the convention floor, and on the long road back. You can track the updates if you follow my Twitter feed or if you’re a friend on Facebook.

I’ll be exhibiting along with Dave Kellett and Kris Straub under the Halfpixel banner at booth 1228. See the map below for a detailed look at the Webcomics Pavilion at Comic Con. Scott’s PvP booth is up the aisle, next to Penny Arcade.

We’re going to be featuring a couple special offers — ‘Pixel Packs — at the Halfpixel booth. ‘Pixel Pack #1 is the first volume of each daily-comic collection (Evil Inc, Starslip and Sheldon) for $30. ‘Pixel Pack #2 is the latest volume of each daily-comic collection (Evil Inc, Starslip and Sheldon) for $35. Of course, we’ll have the How To Make Webcomics book on hand as well — and this is an excellent time to pick one up since you’ll be able to collect signatures from all four authors while you’re there.

I’ll have both new books available at the convention — Phables and Evil Inc Annual Report Vol. 4. I’ll also have back issues available, too, including all of the earlier Evil Inc collections, and I’ll have original art from the strip available at a special convention-only price. If you want me to bring a certain original, please e-mail me and let me know.

On Saturday, I’ll be appearing, along with my friends Scott Kurtz, Dave Kellett and Kris Straub, in a panel discussion at 2 p.m. We’ll be doing a live version of the Webcomics Weekly podcast in Room 8. This panel has been standing-room-only in the past, and last year the convention staff actually had to deny entry to people who arrived late, so get there a little early.