By Brady Talbert / Staff Writer

PELHAM – It was almost straight from the pages of a comic book, as the world of sci-fi met the scenery of the Alabama outdoors. From June 15-17, CAMPicon took over Oak Mountain State Park for it’s first year in existence.

CAMPicon, much like the popular Comic-Con that takes place in San Diego, allowed guests to show their “nerdy side” but with an “outdoor Southern twist,” said Jacob Lindsey, the man behind the event. The weekend allowed visitors to be immersed in gaming, comics, tournaments, live music and of course camping out while “geeking out.”

At similar events, guests are “crowded in a convention center,” Lindsey said. He compared CAMPicon to Alabaster’s City Fest, but with a comic book undertone.

Much like Comic-Con, the event featured famous comic book artists from groups like Marvel and DC, memorabilia exhibits and celebrity guests. Eventgoers had the chance to see John Anderson from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, voice over artist and actor Peter Kelamis and Savana Wehunt from The Walking Dead.

Lindsey said around 400 guests attended the newly created event, but he expects it to “easily double” in size in the future. He said fans of the event can plan on seeing CAMPicon again next year, when comics and camping collide yet again.