With comic book-based costumes and celebrity appearances, Mid Ohio Comic-Con works to bring superheroes to life.

Thousands of comic book enthusiasts gathered at the Greater Columbus Convention Center Saturday and Sunday for the Mid-Ohio Comic Con.

The event showcased comics, movies, video games, toys and original art featuring many artists and celebrities. There was a costume contest, celebrity Q&A sessions and gaming rooms.

Columbus is the first stop on the 2011-2012 tour, which will go on to visit conventions in Austin, New Orleans, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago.

Highlights from the Mid-Ohio Comic Con included appearances by “Star Trek’s” Walter Koenig, James Marsters of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the original Batman and Robin, Adam West and Burt Ward.

Along with signing autographs, West and Ward answered fans’ questions in a Q&A session with roughly 180 people. The dynamic duo made the crowd laugh with inappropriate jokes about their relationship on the show.

Anne Jordan, a second-year in anthropology, was excited after getting West’s autograph, and said her favorite part about Comic Con is the costumes.

“I’m a huge nerd, so I like to see what people are selling that have to do with the series I watch and the books I read,” Jordan said. “It’s really fun to dress up with my friends.”

Guests also had the opportunity to see the “Huge Glass Comic Book,” which is registered for three world record claims with Guinness World Records, including first glass comic book, largest glass comic book and largest comic book. The 500-pound book made its public debut Saturday.

Creator and writer of the book, Wade Gugino, said the Columbus Comic Con was the perfect place to debut the $17,000 book.

“My intent was to inspire people to think differently about comics,” Gugino told The Lantern. “Everybody seems to think it’s something unique, and they like it.”

Erica Bowling, a fourth-year in social work, came to Comic Con to escort her brother and sister-in-law, Brett and Liz Bowling, who dressed as Bizarro and Bizarro Supergirl for the event.

“I was excited to see what they dress up for,” Erica Bowling said. “The best part is visiting the booths and seeing the different artists, and the costumes, of course.”