Comic book enthusiasts took over Auburndale this weekend, as the city held its third City Con comic book convention.

  • Event ran January 20-21
  • Special event featured vendors, panels, special guests
  • Theme for this year's con was "G.I. Joe"-inspired

This year's City Con featured vendors, activities for kids, celebrity guests and a "G.I. Joe"-inspired theme to its marketing.

Celebrity guests including voice actor Mary McDonald Lewis and Jeremy Palko, who plays “Andy” in the television series “The Walking Dead.”

Palko told us that he got his start in acting working for the Disney Cruise line. He then landed his first speaking role in the film “Never Back Down,” which was shot in Orlando.

The eligible bachelor now lives in Atlanta. He told us he’s hoping to stay on “The Walking Dead” as long as he can, and then land an even larger role.

“I’ve read a couple of scripts this week for some new shows in Atlanta,” Jeremy Palko said.  “Some new films in Atlanta. That’s kind of the hot spot where I’m auditioning a lot for."

Many of the attendees wore costumes, including Winter Haven resident Hudson Koon, who dressed up as Jared Leto's take on "The Joker" in last summer's “Suicide Squad.”

“I just wanted to see a lot of people dressed up,” said Koon. “Everybody, you know, being who they want to be. This is something you can do. It’s like Halloween, but better.”

The convention drew guests from far and wide, including some from as far away as China.

“Oh it’s amazing," said Beijing native Kay Zhi, who is in Polk County studying acupuncture at the Orchid Springs Animal Hospital. "I love it.”

To learn more about this year's City Con, visit http://auburndalefl.com/city_con_schedule/.