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Comic, anime and science fiction enthusiasts found common ground at the first annual ArlingCon, Saturday at the University Center at UT Arlington.

The Arlington Public Library hosted the comic convention in collaboration with Wild West Comics and Games and the UT Arlington Library.

More than 500 visitors attended the event, which included drawing workshops, a cosplay runway, virtual reality simulations from the UT-Arlington Library's FabLab, comic giveaways, local artist appearances, a movie screening of Guardians of the Galaxy and more.

Tamera Miller, program specialist at the Arlington Public Library, said with the convention, the library aimed to attract young adults to one of its events. Sporting a full Wonder Woman costume, Miller said the convention succeed and offered "a great seamless mesh of entertainment and education."

Guest wore elaborate ensembles including Pantego resident, Madison Gover, who dressed as Bewitching Nidalee, a character from the League of Legends video game who can transform into a cougar and throws spears at her opponents.

Gover said the locality of the convention brings activity and culture to Arlington.

"I feel like going to the first ArlingCon, if it gets popular, it would be a piece of history," she said.

Raquel Reyna, a librarian at the Arlington Public Library, said comic conventions are about uniting people with the same interests. She said she anticipates ArlingCon to grow in the future to incorporate more businesses and surrounding cities.

In full Batman attire, teenager Waaiz Khan attended the convention with his parents. His mom, Haniya Khan, said she enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere of the convention and the event gave her and her family a good look at UT-Arlington.

Wesley Farnsworth, store manager at Wild West Comics and Games, and Deanne Jones, a volunteer at the Arlington Public Library, both said the event places Arlington in the world of comics.

"It has its niche now in the superhero saga," Jones said.