With cacti and strip malls obstructing the views at times, visitors could easily write Phoenix off as a place where water and culture are scarce. But this metropolis — which includes upscale Scottsdale and college town Tempe — is a nature lover’s oasis with pristine peaks and the vast Sonoran desert.

A TV show DVD set represents more than a holiday gift that’s easy to wrap. It also demonstrates respect: you know the recipient is mentally fit and couch-ready for a viewing marathon of “Dr. Who” or “House.”

A TV show DVD set represents more than a holiday gift that's easy to wrap. It also demonstrates respect: you know the recipient is mentally fit and couch-ready for a viewing marathon of "Dr. Who" or "House."

Pulp author Robert E. Howard is widely regarded as the godfather of the sword & sorcery saga and everyone knows his most famous character, Conan the Barbarian, who has thrilled genre fans since his creation in 1932. But in 1928, four years before Howard envisioned the surly Cimmerian, he created another swashbuckling character who uses a rapier instead of a broadsword and who, unlike Conan, would never indulge in the “pleasures of women.” His name is Solomon Kane.

They may be geeks. They may be non-conformists. They’re definitely champions for practically anything alternative.

If the saying is right, it’s certainly not the geeks who shall inherit the Earth.

SAN DIEGO — There are lots of people dressed like Superman at Comic-Con, but the real guy — or at least the actor playing him in the latest Superman film — made a surprise appearance at the fan festival.

SAN DIEGO - Back in the day, Tim Burton remembers critics finding his take on Batman rather gloomy.

Full Comic-Con coverage, presented by Nerdvana (the East Valley Tribune's pop-culture/sci-fi/technology/all-things-geek blog)

For football fans there is no bigger ticket than the Super Bowl, and for baseball fans the biggest annual attraction is the World Series. But for pop-culture enthusiasts the holiest of holy events is the San Diego Comic-Con.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Comic-Con International, the four-day pop-culture celebration that takes over the San Diego Convention Center each summer, runs Thursday to Sunday. Here's a look at some of the hottest films, TV shows and video games expected at the sold-out 43rd annual convention:

PASADENA, Calif. - The barn doors opened, and Carol Peletier's life changed.

PASADENA, Calif. - The barn doors opened, and Carol Peletier's life changed.

A little curiosity went a long way to Gina Carano's transformation from mixed-martial-arts fighter and "American Gladiator" competitor to action-film star in "Haywire."

Batman relaunch artist Greg Capullo will be a guest at the Amazing Arizona Comic Con, Jan. 6-8 at the Mesa Convention Center.