Where else does Gumby encounter the Hulk?

IT’S not easy being green -- but it looks like this is the year to try. Just take a look at all the emerald doings at the Wizard World 2008 convention that sets up shop this weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center:

Seth Green, beloved by fanboys everywhere as the co-creator of the Emmy-winning “Robot Chicken” (not to mention playing the son of Dr. Evil in the “Austin Powers” movies, Oz on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the voice of Chris on “Family Guy”) will be there Saturday to tell everyone how much fun it was to goof on George Lucas. Green will be joined by pal Hugh Sterbakov, his collaborator on “Freshman,” the comic book from Top Cow.

Art Clokey, the creator of the beloved and malleable Gumby (and the voice of Pokey!), will be on hand to discuss the enduring magic of a little green clay boy whose head reminds us of a rhombus. April is a big month for Clokey -- a director’s cut of “Gumby: The Movie” (1995) hits stores, and the Sundance Channel will be airing the hourlong documentary “Gumby Dharma.” Bob Burden, writer of the award-winning “Gumby” comics, also will be at Wizard.

Lou Ferrigno wishes he had a dime for every wiseguy who walked up and said “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” But he doesn’t, so the man who got green on the old CBS show “The Incredible Hulk” will be selling his autographs at Wizard World.

The new film version of “The Incredible Hulk” hits theaters on June 13 with director Louis Leterrier (“Transporter 2”) and stars Edward Norton, Liv Tyler and Tim Roth. It’ll be one of the big topics at the convention, where there are a number of Hulky folks on hand, among them writer Peter David (his take on the character is considered definitive by many fans), artist David Nakayama (who does pencils on “Marvel Adventures: Hulk”) and editor Renee Witterstaetter (“She-Hulk”).

Other highlights include appearances by comics and TV creator Jeph Loeb (co-executive producer of “Heroes”), acclaimed artists Arthur Suydam and Michael Golden, and actress Erin Gray, who did wonderful things with spandex on the old “Buck Rogers” television series. There’s also a “Guitar Hero III” competition and, of course, a huge dealers’ room with comics, toys, gaming and everything else that helps you get in touch with your inner 14-year-old.

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-- Geoff.Boucher@latimes.com

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WIZARD WORLD

WHERE: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., L.A.

WHEN: Noon-7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

PRICE: Adults, $25 (three-day tickets, $45); children with adult, $3. Advance ticket buyers get a special edition of “Hulk” No. 1.

INFO: (213) 741-1151; www.wizardworld.com