Beware of geeks
When the Bible was first written, there was an unfortunate typo in the phrase 'The meek shall inherit the Earth'. Yea verily, it should hath read 'geek'. Jonathon Valenzuela reveals the best of Supernova Pop Culture Expo 2008
A sex symbol for the nerd generation is appearing at Supernova this week - Jared Padalecki
Nerd culture has truly come into its own, as dorks, dweebs, poindexters and pencilnecks shed their pocket protectors and calculators and take their rightful place as the kings and queens of popular culture.
From YouTube clips with multi-million hit counts to massive Hollywood movies based on comics most lonely bookish types would have spent their childhoods consuming, to video games that will go down in history as the biggest media products of all time. What was once a reason to eat lunch in the library is now something to put a swagger in your step. There is no greater way to celebrate this than Supanova, Australia biggest convention of everything that used to get you picked on for in high school. This two-day con' encompasses movies, television, video games, comics, trading cards, anime and a panoply of nerdy pursuits. Here's five events to sink those buck teeth into.
1 Stars galore
Appearing over the course of the weekend are numerous talented individuals, all ready to sign autographs, take pictures and answer your questions. The big names include Jared Padalecki from Supernatural, Jewel Staite from Firefly/Serenity and Stargate: Atlantis, Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek and a special live cross to LA to talk with Guillermo Del Toro and Selma Blair about the upcoming Hellboy II movie.
2 Wrestling
Thrice daily the hulks of the Australian Wrestling Federation take to the squared circle to unleash a
tsunami of brutality the likes of which has never been seen. It is a nerd's ultimate dream, watching brawny aggressive men beating each other up instead of bullying them. Also, they will be signing autographs.
3 Gladiators
They have taken your Sunday night TV by storm, with no-holds-barred athleticism and savage challenges to the Australian public to best them in competition. You will not need to wield a padded stick or roll around in a spherical cage to get to them, as Tank and Outlaw will be signing autographs.
4 Video games
Warm up your mouse finger and stockpile aspirin to combat RSI, because FragFest is coming! A LAN (local area network) party for all the multiplayer gamers out there. FragFest encompasses Counterstrike: Source, Dawn Of War, Call Of Duty 4 and Team Fortress 2. The digital slaughter will be going all day for anybody who can bring their computer down, but move quickly as there are only 120 places each day.
5 Everything else there
There is no end to the amusing diversions you can undertake at Supanova. Search for back issues of comic books, browse the numerous action figures, build a killer Yu-Gi-Oh! Deck, see preview screenings of anime and cartoon titles, or just sit back and laugh at the cosplay enthusiast.
Supernova Pop Culture Expo 2008, The Dome, Sydney Showground, Showground Rd, Sydney Olympic Park 2027. Fri 20 Jun. 5.30pm-10pm. Sat 21 Jun & Sun 22 Jun. 10am-6pm. Supa Fan Pass $33 (or $40 at the door); Single day pass $20; child day pass (6-12 yrs) $10; Supa-hero pass $153.50 & Supernova VIP ticket $453.50