Downtown Atlanta was teeming with characters last  weekend.
There was Superman, Batman, “Star Wars” stormtroopers, even zombies walking or shuffling through the streets for the 27th annual Dragon Con.
On Saturday, the convention kicked off with its annual parade of characters, including well-known actors such as Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in the “Star Wars” series.
The four-day event is estimated to draw upwards of 52,000 fans each year. The largest draw is the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where fans get to meet actors from shows such as the original “Star Trek” and one of the hottest shows on television, “The Walking Dead.”
Chad Coleman, who plays Tyreese on “Walking Dead,” offered his assessment of why the show is so popular.
“I think it’s an adrenaline rush for people,” he said. “Everyone likes being scared on a certain level, and it brings the older generation back to their childhood, and the kids naturally love it.”
Coleman said the show offers something for everyone, from action and drama to horror.
Coleman’s character struggles with his loyalty between two warring groups on the show.
“I love the conflict,” he said. “I love being on the fence. You just don’t know which way Tyreese is going to go.”
Coleman said his character will have a larger part in season four.
The convention is held every Labor Day weekend and occupies several hotels downtown, giving fans the chance to learn about new games coming or story lines of their favorite shows from panels made up of actors and others responsible for the work.