The Joker was there, so was R2-D2 and a bunch of Jedi masters.

Thousands of comic book lovers gathered in Asbury Park for Comic Con.

The event, which closes today at 6 p.m., has grown from a few dozen exhibitors in 2012 to over 200 exhibitors this year, featuring big names in comic book creation and design, artwork, and a slew of collectibles.

Amid the fanboys and fangirls dressed as their favorite comic book character were figures from a galaxy far, far away.

Using a remote control device, Richard Cuesta of New York City guided his homemade R2-D2 robot into the event, which started Friday at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel near the boardwalk. As children gathered around the realistic replica, Cuesta said: "It's great when everybody appreciates your work".

Inside the hotel, people purchased comic books, listened to panel discussions or just watched others dressed in costume.

At one table famed comic book artist and author Jim Steranko signed a stack of memorabilia for Hanzi Kartak of Staten Island. Steranko joked, "you have more of my stuff than I do".