Comic-Con 2011': 'Walking Dead', standing fans

It's kind of hard to resist the urge to compare the hordes of fans waiting for Friday's (July 22) "Walking Dead" panel to the hundreds of zombies who shuffle slowly toward their prey on the AMC show.

Fans started lining up for the 11:30 a.m. panel on Thursday evening, and even die-hards who turned out at 8 a.m. to start their long slog toward the San Diego Convention Center's Ballroom 20 weren't guaranteed a seat in the room, which holds just 1,200 fans -- not to mention members of the press on hand to cover the event.

Jessica and Caitlin (above) started their morning outside the Convention Center, where the end of the line wrapped past a nearby marina. By 10:30 a.m. PT they'd made it within striking distance of the ballroom -- and a bathroom, though both were too concerned about losing their place in line to heed the call of nature.

"We're hoping to see someone stabbed in the head again," said Garrett, a fan from North Carolina who was -- it should be noted -- equally excited about the "Big Bang Theory" panel slated for the same room later in the day.