(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa-born actor who first won international fame for his 2006 role as the Man of Steel in “Superman Returns” is returning to his home state this weekend. Norwalk native Brandon Routh tops the list of headliners for the fourth annual Des Moines Con, what event founder Ben Penrod describes as a pop culture festival, celebrating comics, cosplay, TV, film, gaming, and anime. “Des Moines Con is something like a nerdy flea market featuring celebrities and discussion panels and workshops and costume contests,” Penrod says. “If you’re in downtown Des Moines at some point this weekend, you might see some folks wearing some crazy costumes, dressed like superheroes or cartoon characters.”

While many convention attendees will be clad in detailed, sophisticated costumes, many others will just be in plain clothes, while hoping to catch a glimpse — and a photo — of famed figures from comic books and movies. Penrod reminds, follow the rules of comicon etiquette. “Most cosplayers are there because they want people to take photos of them, so it’s usually fine, but we just say, you know, make sure you ask permission first,” Penrod says. “As far as the celebrities who come, those guys do typically charge and they they’ll have a price list.” He says it’s a thrill to be bringing a global star back to central Iowa. “Brandon Routh has been getting a ton of love on our social media,” Penrod says. “I think people are so excited to see him back in Des Moines.”

One new event this year is a concert on Saturday night that will feature Epic Rap Battles of History, the celebrated California rap group, though Penrod says it’s the T-V and movie celebrities that will likely be the most popular draws. “Between Brandon Routh, Charlie Cox (of Daredevil), Mike Colter (of Luke Cage), and Neil Newbon from Baldur’s Gate Three, I think those guys are kind of the big heavy hitters for this year,” Penrod says, “but we’ve got some really good cast reunions that I think maybe don’t get the same attention, but they’re also just as big of a deal if you’re a really big fan.”

The cast reunions include five of the original voice actors from Overwatch, and multiple cast members from Demon Slayer, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and others. Events run Friday through Sunday at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.