Tag Archive for: convention

DRAGON CON RETURNS THIS LABOR DAY WITH 75,000 FANS, COUNTLESS COSTUMES, AND MORE NERDY FUN THAN YOU CAN FIT IN A TARDIS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/20/25

From Screen Legends to Dungeon Masters, Fans Turn Out for Star Encounters, Gaming Hall Glory,

and the Most Colorful Parade This Side of the Multiverse

Dragon Con, the internationally known pop culture, fantasy, science fiction, and gaming convention, returns to downtown Atlanta for the five-day Labor Day weekend, attracting some 75,000 fans from all 50 states and several foreign countries.

Fans come to Dragon Con to meet their favorite actors, artists, authors, creators, and experts, show off their latest cosplay, make new friends, and revel in nerdy fun.

Dragon Con 2025 runs from Thursday, Aug. 28 to Monday, Sept. 1 with events and activities across five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Courtland Grand – plus AmericasMart Buildings Two and Three.

Guests – Cultural icon William Shatner, Mission Impossible’s Simon Pegg, and John Boyega from the Star Wars sequels are set to light up the stage while legendary actor Christopher Lloyd will be on hand to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future.

They will be joined by Bones’ David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel, Superman Returns’ Brandon Routh, Marvel’s Kingpin Vincent D’Onofrio, Arrowverse’s Emily Bett Rickards, and Katee Sackhoff from The Mandalorian, all coming out to meet fans, lead panel discussions, and sign autographs.

The Muppet Show and Sesame Street Muppeteers Bill Barretta (Pepe the King Prawn), Kevin Clash (Elmo), Bonnie Erickson (Miss Piggy), and Dave Goelz (Gonzo) will be on hand to lead fans in sing-alongs, panel discussions, and puppetry demonstrations.

In addition, Dragon Con will host some 300 authors, artists, game designers, puppeteers, scientists, engineers, and other experts to lead panels and talk with fans across 38 tracks of programming, from high fantasy to hard science.

Gaming – Dragon Con, one of the largest gaming conventions in the nation, offers more than three acres of gaming in AmericasMart Building Three, plus additional gaming and game-related programming in the nearby Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel.

Dragon Con offers the full array of games including PC and console games, miniatures, role-playing games, collectible card games, social deception games, LARP games, and a basement full of familiar and rare board games. All gaming is free to Dragon Con members and begins Thursday, Aug. 28 at 4 pm.

Fans can explore traditional arcade cabinet favorites and imports from across the Pacific in the ever-popular Japanese and Asian arcade game section that are free to play. Atlanta’s own Joystick Game Bar returns with a pop-up version of its retro arcade in Peachtree Center Mall.

Programming highlights include the return of celebrity Dungeon Master Mark Meer, who will lead a D&D Live session with the cast of Baldur’s Gate III including Samantha Béart, Tim Downie, Emma Gregory, Cissy Jones, and Dave Jones through a classic adventure. Meer will also team up with Atlanta’s own Dad’s Garage for a one-of-a-kind improv tribute to Baldur’s Gate III.

Sean Copeland, Loremaster at Blizzard Entertainment, Ashley Ruhl, Narrative Director on Star Wars: The Old Republic, along with Alison Carrier from Scopely, Brian Urbanek from Marauder Tech, and content creator Jynxie Rose will participate in multiple panels on game design, development, and content creation. Paris K. Arrowsmith brings the award-winning Cyberpunk Red podcast to Dragon Con with guest stars Mikal Mosley and Tracie Hearne.

Parade – Atlanta’s most colorful and always popular Dragon Con Parade steps off on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 10 am. The parade is free and open to the public.

The parade route remains the same as in past years. Beginning at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Linden Avenue, the parade will head south on Peachtree, east (left) on Andrew Young International Boulevard and north (left) on Peachtree Center Avenue. It will end on Peachtree Center Avenue between John Portman Boulevard and Baker Street, in front of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

The route is convenient to three MARTA stations – North Avenue, Civic Center, and Peachtree Center. Parking downtown is expected to be tight. Dragon Con encourages parade spectators to ride MARTA.

The 2025 parade will be televised live on CBS Atlanta (formerly Atlanta 69). Live coverage will begin at 10 am and will remain on air through the entire parade. 

There are a number of live streaming options. DCTV will broadcast the parade live on a closed circuit to the convention’s host hotels, with rebroadcasts throughout the weekend. Parade coverage will also stream on dragoncon.tv, subscription required.

Cosplay – Dragon Con is well known for the quality of its cosplay and that tradition will certainly continue. The nation’s top cosplayers will show off their best work during the show, participating in costume contests every night of the convention and promenading throughout the five host hotels and the streets of downtown Atlanta.

Cosplay competitions remain a mainstay of Dragon Con, including the queen of competitions, Dragon Con Masquerade, the oldest continuously-run competition in fandom, the craftsmanship-focused Friday Night Costume Contest, and the low-key and fan-voted Hallway Costume Contest.

Official Charity – Mental health advocacy and education organization NAMI Georgia is Dragon Con’s official 2025 charity. NAMI Georgia works to raise awareness across the state and provide support to its 18 local affiliates serving individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Through convention-based auctions, special merchandise sales, special events, plus a dollar-for-dollar match from the convention, Dragon Con raised $300,000 in 2024 for the Georgia chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Since 2015, the convention has raised more than $1.48 million for Atlanta-based charities. 

In addition to fundraising, Dragon Con conducts the largest convention-based blood drive in the nation. Each year, some 3,000 fans donate more than 6,000 units of blood and blood products in the annual Robert A. Heinlein “Pay It Forward” blood drive, benefiting LifeSouth, which serves more than 40 hospitals in the Atlanta area and 110 hospitals in the Southeast.

About Dragon Con

Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 28 – Sept. 1, 2025) in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

BOARD GAMES, BOSS BATTLES, AND BALDUR’S GATE: DRAGON CON DELIVERS FOR GAMERS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/1/25

More Than Three Acres of Gaming Lets Gamers Do It All

Dragon Con, one of the nation’s largest gaming conventions, offers something for every kind of gamer, from the latest hit video games and international arcade cabinets to rarely seen board games and fan-favorite tabletop titles.

An estimated 75,000 attendees are expected to descend on downtown Atlanta for the five-day convention held over Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 28 – Sept. 1), filling the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree Plaza, and Courtland Grand Hotel, as well as AmericasMart Buildings Two and Three.

Dragon Con’s gaming floor, spanning more than three acres in AmericasMart Building Three, features a massive assortment of games: console and PC games, RPGs, LARPs, miniatures, collectible card games, and an extensive board game library

As always, Dragon Con offers a place to connect, learn, and play. Panels and discussions led by some of gaming’s most influential designers, developers, and voice actors offer fresh insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert advice. After the sun goes down, the Heroes & Villains Ball and the 8-Bit Bash give gamers a chance to unwind and celebrate their favorite fandoms.

“Whether you’re rolling dice in a dungeon, throwing hands in a competitive fighting video game, or looking to learn something new about your favorite games, Dragon Con’s got you covered,” said convention co-chair David Cody. “Gaming isn’t one thing at Dragon Con – it’s all things. We celebrate every corner of the gaming universe, from tabletop to video games, role-playing, and beyond.”

Programming highlights include the return of celebrity Dungeon Master Mark Meer, who will lead a new D&D Live with the cast of Baldur’s Gate III including Samantha Béart, Tim Downie, Emma Gregory, Cissy Jones, and Dave Jones through a classic adventure. Meer will also team up with Atlanta’s own Dad’s Garage for a one-of-a-kind improv tribute to Baldur’s Gate III.

Sean Copeland, Loremaster at Blizzard Entertainment, Ashley Ruhl, Narrative Director on Star Wars: The Old Republic, along with Alison Carrier from Scopely, Brian Urbanek from Marauder Tech, and content creator Jynxie Rose will participate in multiple panels on game design, development, and content creation. Paris K. Arrowsmith brings the award-winning Cyberpunk Red podcast to Dragon Con with guest stars Mikal Mosley and Tracie Hearne.

Magic: The Gathering remains a competitive staple, while Disney’s Lorcana continues to grow in popularity. A relatively new game, Lorcana lets players create unique Disney narratives using beloved characters, music, and lore.

Fans can explore traditional arcade cabinet favorites and from across the Pacific in the ever-popular Japanese and Asian arcade game section that are free to play for convention members.  Atlanta’s own Joystick Game Bar returns with a pop-up version of its retro arcade in Peachtree Center Mall.

Werewolf and other social deception games will once again claim a central spot in late-night gaming. Known for its accessibility and high energy, Werewolf is often an entry point for the gaming curious while retaining its appeal among veterans.

About Dragon Con

Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 28 – Sept. 1, 2025) in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

AUTHORS, COMIC CREATORS, SCIENTISTS, AND MAGICIANS IGNITE CREATIVITY AND FUEL FANDOM AT DRAGON CON

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/25/25

Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy, sci-fi, and gaming convention, is a hub for creators, experts, and thought leaders from a wide range of fields who help fans explore their interests.

While the convention’s celebrity guests get immediate notice, only about a quarter of Dragon Con’s roster of guests come from television and movies. The majority of convention guests are storytellers, artists, scientists, and other experts in fields like science, space exploration, digital rights, and more.

“Our authors, comic creators, and experts don’t just help fans understand the world — they make sure no one leaves without having their minds at least slightly blown,” convention co-chair Rachel Reeves said. “Whether they’re diving into speculative fiction or tackling real-world topics like science, space, civil rights, or skepticism, we bring in sharp minds who can break down big ideas and make it fun.”

Dragon Con’s 2025 convention runs from Thursday, Aug. 28 to Monday, Sept. 1 with events and activities across five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Courtland Grand Hotel – and AmericasMart Buildings #2 and #3.

Reporters from any outlet approved to cover Dragon Con are invited to seek interviews with artists, authors, and other creators and experts who are attending the convention – not just those listed below, but any guest or attending professional.  For more information, please contact interviews@dragoncon.org.

Guests have the final say on whether to do an interview. They may be limited by schedule, contractual obligations, or other reasons.

Authors

Dragon Con’s roster of science fiction and fantasy authors includes master storytellers whose characters and worlds have transported readers across galaxies, into magical realms, and onto The New York Times Best Sellers list — while racking up awards along the way. Timothy Zahn, author of more than 40 novels including the iconic Thrawn Star Wars series, returns this year. Jim Butcher, best known for The Dresden Files, brings not only his bestselling books but also his outspoken advocacy for mental health awareness. Jack Campbell, the pen name of retired Navy officer John G. Hemry, is a fan favorite for his blend of military science fiction and epic space opera. Roswell, Georgia’s own Delilah Dawson, was recently chosen to continue the beloved Shannara series. Also appearing: Richard Kadrey, whose Sandman Slim books have earned cult status, and Michael Stackpole, the multi-genre storyteller known for his work in novels, games, and screenwriting.

Comic Creators

Comics — and the powerhouse writers and artists behind them — are a cornerstone of Dragon Con, taking fans into the creative process behind the legendary heroes, villains, and worlds that have shaped pop culture as we know it. Craig Kyle, a longtime Marvel writer best known for creating fan-favorite X-23 and contributing to X-Force, New X-Men, and Amazing X-Men, will be on hand along with Eisner Award–winning artist and writer Becky Cloonan, who made waves with her self-published hit The Mire, earning her both critical acclaim and the prestigious Inkpot Award. Former Marvel editor-in-chief Tom DeFalco brings decades of experience and more than fifty published works to the table. Legendary writer Steve Englehart has shaped the stories of Spider-Man, Captain America, The Fantastic Four, Batman, and Superman. Illustrator Darick Robertson, co-creator of Transmetropolitan and The Boys, bridges comics and screen as a creator and executive producer. And Colleen Doran, a New York Times bestselling artist, has contributed to Neil Gaiman’s Troll Bridge and Stan Lee’s Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible.

Electronic Frontiers Foundation

Dragon Con’s EFF track exists at the intersection of technology, law, activism, and society, and how they fit within the framework of a democratic society, touching on AI, information security, privacy, and individual rights online. This year’s guests bring serious policy chops to Dragon Con. They include: Meredith Rose, senior policy counsel at Public Knowledge and a science fiction and fantasy/horror author, covers tech, copyright, fandom, and music. Kurt Opsahl of the Filecoin Foundation focuses on cybersecurity and protecting the decentralized web. Hayley Tsukayama, associate director of legislative activism at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, drives state-level tech and privacy policy. And Tatiana Rice, director of AI legislation at the Future of Privacy Forum, explores the shifting dynamics between AI, data privacy, and civil rights.

Space Scientists

The Space track explores the unfathomable vastness of space, from manned missions to low earth orbit to the latest telescopes, missions, and probes that are bringing back hard information about our solar system, our galaxy, and regions beyond. This year’s guests span galaxies — and disciplines. They include: Les Johnson, futurist, author, and NASA technologist, writes both space science for the public and hard science fiction. Dr. Brett McGuire, astrochemist and MIT professor, has contributed to cutting-edge work at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Harvard-Smithsonian. Astrophysicist Steph LaMassa helps lead research on supermassive black holes with the James Webb Space Telescope. Dr. Robert E. Hampson, neuroscientist and author, explores how the brain encodes memory at Wake Forest. And Kim Steadman, systems engineer at NASA, is planning surface operations for NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Titan.

Science

Dragon Con’s Science Track brings together experts from a wide range of fields to share their passions and dive into the real-world science that fuels fandom, challenges assumptions, and sparks curiosity. This year’s guests include paleontologists David Moscato and Will Harris, co-hosts of The Common Descent Podcast, who use fossil hunting experience to lead entertaining discussions about life on Earth; Award-winning science writer Bethany Brookshire explores how humans relate to the environment and their place in it; Ryan Consell, an engineering professor and author of the Stealing from Wizards series, blends science with storytelling; and psychopharmacologist Jessica Cail, a Hollywood science advisor, unpacks addiction and the science behind favorite shows from Marvel, Disney, and Netflix.

Skeptics

Experts presenting in the Skeptic track teach critical thinking and good science in an entertaining way, giving fans the tools to spot scams, misdirection, and misinformation. This year’s guests include Brian Brushwood, award-winning magician and host of the hit podcast The World’s Greatest Con; comedian and director Ian Harris, known for his dead-on impressions and smart, socially charged humor; author and stand-up comic Leighann Lord, a StarTalkRadio co-host with Neil de Grasse Tyson and veteran of Comedy Central, HBO, and Showtime; and Curt Anderson, a professional magician and academic who specializes in human deception and how we fall for it.

About Dragon Con

Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 28 – Sept. 1, 2025) in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.

DRAGON CON SELECTS NAMI GEORGIA AS ITS OFFICIAL 2025 CHARITY

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/13/25

Significant Mental Health Issues Across Georgia

Demands Increased Investment in Awareness and Support

Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, sci fi, fantasy, and gaming convention, has selected mental health advocacy and education organization NAMI Georgia as its 2025 official charity.

Many Georgians struggle with mental health challenges without access to the care they need, making it critical to invest in resources that support well-being, resilience, and recovery across our communities. In fact, approximately 1.4 million adults in Georgia experience mental illness annually, yet only 41 percent receive treatment.

NAMI Georgia is a leading voice on mental health in the state, working to raise awareness, provide support, and advocate for those affected by mental illness. They empower more than 18 local affiliates to offer advocacy, education, support, and public awareness to improve the lives of individuals and families dealing with mental health challenges.

Through convention-based auctions, special merchandise sales, special events, plus a dollar-for-dollar match from the convention, Dragon Con raised $300,000 in 2024 for the Georgia chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Over the last decade, the convention has consistently raised more than $100,000 for each of its annual official charities – and more than $200,000 in each of the past four years – for a total of more than $1.48 million donated to Atlanta-based charities since 2015.

“What makes Dragon Con truly remarkable isn’t the costumes or the panels – it’s the heart of our community,” said Pat Henry, president of Dragon Con, Inc. “Every year, our fans rally behind a new cause, showing up with incredible generosity and a spirit of giving that inspires us all. Their support for local charities is a powerful reminder of what this community stands for.”

Dragon Con 2025 is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28 to Monday, Sept. 1 in downtown Atlanta. The convention attracts more than 75,000 pop culture fans from all 50 states and several foreign countries who come to Dragon Con to meet their favorite actors, creators, and experts, show off their latest cosplay, make new friends, and revel in the joy that is Dragon Con.

For more information about NAMI Georgia, visit https://namiga.org/ or follow them on your favorite social media platform.

AN OVERFLOWING GUEST LIST AT DRAGON CON 2024

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/6/24

JOHN CLEESE, WALTER KOENIG, DANNY TREJO, JODIE WHITTAKER,

GIANCARLO ESPOSITO, VINCENT D’ONOFIRO, MING-NA WEN, AND COBIE SMULDERS

HEAD UP AN OVERFLOWING GUEST LIST AT DRAGON CON

Comics Legends and Creators Jim Steranko and Marv Wolfman Will Meet Fans

Newbon and English Lead a Large Cast of Baldur’s Gate III Voices; McFadden, Spiner, and Frakes Host a Meetup of Star Trek: Picard Fans; And Roswell Cast Reunites for its 25th Anniversary

Website here.

A trio of living legends – John Cleese, Walter Koenig, and action movie icon Danny Trejo – lead a stellar list of celebrity guests headed to Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy, science fiction, and gaming convention, for Labor Day weekend.

They will be joined by Giancarlo Esposito, Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker, Emmy-nominated Vincent D’Onofrio, Disney princess Ming-Na Wen, Firefly’s Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk, Marvel’s Cobie Smulders, and comics legends Jim Steranko and Marv Wolfman, all coming out to meet fans, lead panel discussions, and sign autographs.

Other top guests from television and movies include Resident Alien’s Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Alice Wetterlund, and Meredith Garretson; Baldur’s Gate III’s Neil Newbon, Jennifer English, Devora Wilde, Theo Solomon, and Aliona Baranova; Star Trek: Picard will be represented by Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden, Johnathan Frakes, John de Lancie, and Todd Stashwick and fans of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds can see Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Dan Jeannotte, Melissa Navia, and Babs Olusanmokun.

Fans of WB’s hit aliens-among-us drama Roswell will have a chance to celebrate its 25th Anniversary with an original cast reunion featuring Shiri Appleby, Jason Behr, Majandra Delfino, Brendan Fehr, and Nick Wechsler.

Karen Prell, better known as Red Fraggle, will lead a band of puppeteers – and their Fraggle Rock puppets – from Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock television series in a series of sing-a-longs, panel discussions, and puppetry demonstrations. She will be joined by John Tartaglia (Gobo), Kevin Clash (Uncle Travelling Matt), Donna Kimball (Mokey), Jordan Lockhart (Wembley), Frank Meschkuleit (Boober/Pa Gorg) and Ben Durocher.

For Gen X fans, Dragon Con welcomes the cast of the original 1980s animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles including Barry Gordon, Cam Clarke, Renae Jacobs, Rob Paulsen, and Townsend Coleman – all four pizza-munching, crime-fighting turtles plus reporter April O’Neil.

Other media guests will represent Smallville, Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D, Heroes, 12 Monkeys, X-Men 97, Star Trek: Lower Decks, the Harry Potter franchise, and video game Demon Slayer.

An estimated 72,000 people are expected to attend Dragon Con over the five-day Labor Day Weekend – Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 – with events and activities across AmericasMart Buildings Two and Three and five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Courtland Grand.

English actor and writer Cleese is best known as a co-founder of the Monty Python comedy troupe, responsible for Monty Python’s Flying Circus television show, three Monty Python films and an assortment of television and movie specials, video games and live tours. Outside of Monty Python, Cleese has had roles in dozens of television shows, movies, and video games, winning an Emmy for his guest appearance in the sitcom Cheers.  Cleese will be at Dragon Con on Saturday and Sunday only.

Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original 1960s Star Trek television series, brought teen idol good looks to the bridge of the USS Enterprise. Koenig also appeared in all seven motion pictures featuring the original cast. Later in his career, Koenig had a featured role in the science fiction television series Babylon 5.

Trejo, the self-described ex-con turned icon, has appeared in over 350 movies in his career and is best known for his leading role in the three Machete action films and the first three Spy Kids films. With his distinctive, tough guy looks, Trejo regularly plays gangsters, convicts, and other criminals. Despite his appearance, he is also known as one of the nicest people in Hollywood.

Giancarlo Esposito, best known to fans for playing a series of wicked characters in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian, The Boys, and Once Upon a Time, will next appear as the villain Sidewinder in Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World.

English actress Whittaker is best known for her five-year turn as the Thirteenth Doctor in the long-running Doctor Who television series, followed by her work in the crime drama Broadchurch. Whittaker, who will be at Dragon Con on Sunday only, will appear with Doctor Who castmate Catherine Tate.

D’Onofrio is best known to fans as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Daredevil, Hawkeye, (Georgia-produced) Echo and two new series slated for 2024 and 2025. Other key roles include Pvt. Pyle in Full Metal Jacket, Edgar the Bug in Men in Black, Hoskins in Jurassic World, Jack Horne in Magnificent Seven, and eleven years as Det. Robert Goren in Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Wen, the voice of Mulan in Disney’s animated movie and television spin-offs, has appeared in a wide variety of fan-favorite television, including Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D, Star Wars’ The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, and Stargate Universe.

Fillion, best known to Dragon Con fans as Capt. Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds on television’s Firefly and its follow up film Serenity, currently stars in television’s The Rookie. He has previously starred in television’s Castle and made appearances in the Marvel films Suicide Squad, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and, in theaters now, Deadpool & Wolverine.

Tudyk, who appeared alongside Fillion in Firefly and Serenity, currently stars in SyFy’s Resident Alien and previously appeared in Star Wars Rogue One, American Dad, and pop-culture convention take down series, Con Man.

Cobie Smulders has played Agent Maria Hill in six Marvel Cinematic Universe movies between 2012 and 2019 as well as reprised the role in several MCU television shows, including Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D and What if? She was also a lead actor for nine seasons of the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother.

Comic writer and artist Steranko changed the look of comics with innovative artwork featuring surrealism, psychedelia, op art, and graphic storytelling that became a benchmark of 1960s pop culture and the Silver Age of Comic Books.

Wolfman is an influential comics writer for DC and Marvel who created or co-created dozens of characters, including Cyborg, Raven, Deathstroke, Tim Drake/Red Robin, and Blade. In January 1970, Wolfman was the first comic writer to receive printed credit for his work, kicking off an industry wide change of practice.

DRAGON CON IS FOR FANS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/28/22

More Than 60,000 Cosplayers, Gamers, and Pop Culture Enthusiasts Return to Atlanta for

Annual Celebration of Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Gaming

http://www.dragoncon.org/

Dragon Con, the internationally known science fiction, fantasy, and gaming convention, returns to downtown Atlanta for Labor Day weekend, bringing with it some 60,000 pop culture fans.

Dragon Con 2022 runs from Thursday, Sept. 1 to Monday, Sept. 5 with events and activities across five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Sheraton Atlanta – and AmericasMart Buildings Two and Three.

Dragon Con attracts fans from all 50 states and several foreign countries who come to Dragon Con to meet their favorite actors, artists, authors, creators, and experts, show off their latest cosplay, make new friends, and revel in the joy that is Dragon Con.

Guests – Two members of the original Star Trek television series, William Shatner and Walter Koenig, lead a long list of celebrity guests who will appear at this year’s convention. Joining them are Emmy-nominated actor Morena Baccarin; Once Upon a Time’s Jennifer Morrison; Lauren Ridloff, Tony-nominated deaf actress from Marvel’s Eternals; and David Ramsey and Emily Bett Rickards at the head of a long list of actors representing the Arrowverse.

Other top guests from television and movies include Charmed’s Holly Marie Combs; Stargate Atlantis’ Joe Flanigan and Rachel Luttrell; Encanto’s Diane Guerrero, Mauro Castillo, and Adassa; and The Boys’ Laz Alonso, Nathan Mitchell, and Tomer Capone; as well as voice actors Kaitlyn Robrock (Disney’s Minnie Mouse), Jim Cummings (Disney’s Winnie the Pooh), and Nolan North (Superman).

Joining Shatner and Koenig, Star Trek fans will have a chance to meet Anson Mount, Anthony Rapp, Michelle Hurd, and many other cast members from the latest installments of the beloved franchise, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Fans will also recognize guests from Georgia-filmed productions including Doom Patrol (Joivan Wade, Matthew Zuk, Riley Shanahan, and Mark Sheppard); Stargirl (Brec Bassinger, Yvette Monreal, Trae Romano, and Anjelika Washington), The Walking Dead (Chad Coleman, Laurie Holden, Katelyn Nacon, and Chandler Riggs), and Fear The Walking Dead (Lennie James and Danay Garcia).

For the MTV Generation, Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson from the cult classic movie, Flash Gordon, will be on hand. Jones played star quarterback Flash Gordon while Anderson played ally Dale Arden who helped save planet Earth from the wicked Ming the Merciless. 

Cosplay – Dragon Con is well known for the quality of its cosplay – or costume play – and that tradition will certainly continue. The nation’s top cosplayers will show off their best work during the show, participating in costume contests every night of the convention and promenading throughout the five host hotels and the streets of downtown Atlanta.

Cosplay competitions remain a mainstay of Dragon Con, including the queen of competitions, Dragon Con Masquerade, the oldest continuously-run competition in fandom, the craftsmanship-focused Friday Night Costume Contest, and the low-key and fan-voted Hallway Costume Contest.

Gaming – New this year,Dragon Con is moving a large part of its ‘round the clock gaming programming one block up and one block over, from AmericasMart Building One to Building Three.

While the move was necessary because of renovations to Building One, the new space is better laid out and quite roomy – offering nearly three acres of games and gaming, from the latest and most popular video games to rarely seen board games.

The popular Artemis Bridge Game, in which eight players man the bridge of a USS Enterprise-like starship through its galactic adventures, is also expanding. First offered in 2016, the Artemis will now have two dedicated installations to allow cooperation or head-to-head competition. 

Joystick Gamebar will once again offer a pop-up experience at 161 Peachtree Center, featuring dozens of classic American arcade games. No need for quarters, these games will be free to play for the full convention.  

Overall, Dragon Con is one of the largest gaming conventions in the nation. From the latest video games to the most popular tabletop games, plus Japanese and classic American arcade games, ‘round the clock gaming is free to Dragon Con members starting Thursday, Sept. 1 at 4 pm.

Parade – The always popular Dragon Con Parade steps off on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 10 am. After a year in which only badged Dragon Con members could attend, the parade is once again free and open to the public.

The parade route remains the same as in past years. Beginning at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Linden Avenue, the parade will head south on Peachtree, east (left) on Andrew Young International Boulevard and north (left) on Peachtree Center Avenue. It will end on Peachtree Center Avenue between John Portman Boulevard and Baker Street, in front of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

The route is convenient to three MARTA stations – North Avenue, Civic Center, and Peachtree Center. Parking downtown is expected to be tight. Dragon Con encourages parade spectators to ride MARTA.

The 2022 parade will once again be televised and streamed live on Atlanta’s CW69 and our own DCTV. CW69’s live coverage will begin at 10 am and will remain on air through the entire parade, with a time-edited rebroadcast on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 11 p.m. 

There are a number of live streaming options. DCTV will broadcast the parade live on a closed circuit to the convention’s host hotels, with rebroadcasts throughout the weekend. Parade coverage will also be available through the Dragon Con Goes Virtual streaming app.

Official Charity – Open Hand Atlanta is Dragon Con’s official charity for 2022. Through auctions and other charity events, plus a dollar-for-dollar match up to $100,000 from Dragon Con, the convention will raise money to support this important organization.

Since 2013, the convention has consistently raised more than $100,000 for each of its annual official charities. In 2021, Dragon raised more than $140,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta.

Open Hand’s mission is to help underserved individuals prevent or better manage chronic disease through tailored nutrition interventions, which include a variety of therapeutic meal plans as well as nutrition counseling and coaching delivered by an experienced team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.  With the dedicated support of over 14,000 volunteers, they currently prepare, pack, and deliver over 5,500 meals per day in Metro Atlanta and rural Georgia.

In addition to fundraising, Dragon Con conducts the largest convention-based blood drive in the nation. In 2021, some 3,000 fans donated more than 6,000 units of blood and blood products in the annual Robert A. Heinlein “Pay It Forward” blood drive, benefiting LifeSouth, which serves more than 40 hospitals in the Atlanta area and 110 hospitals in the Southeast.

DRAGONCON 2022 ANNOUNCES STELLAR GUEST LIST

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/9/22

WILLIAM SHATNER, WALTER KOENIG, MORENA BACCARIN, TOM CAVANAGH,

DAVID RAMSEY AND DANIELLE PANABAKER BRING OUT THE STARS AT DRAGON CON

Thursday, 9/1 to Monday, 9/5

Cavanagh, Ramsey, Panabaker Lead a Large Cast of Arrowverse Stars; Flanigan and Luttrell Will Lead a Meet Up of Stargate Atlantis Fans; And Encanto Castmates Will Charm Con-goers

Two living members of the original Star Trek television series, William Shatner and Walter Koenig, lead a long list of celebrity guests headed to Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy, science fiction, and gaming convention, for Labor Day weekend.

Emmy-nominated actors Morena Baccarin and Tom Cavanagh, along with David Ramsey and Danielle Panabaker, will join Shatner and Koenig to meet fans, lead panel discussions and sign autographs.

Other top guests from television and movies including Charmed’s Holly Marie Combs; Stargate Atlantis’ Joe Flanigan and Rachel Luttrell; Encanto’s Diane Guerrero, Mauro Castillo, and Adassa; Stargirl’s Brec Bassinger, Yvette Monreal, Trae Romano, and Anjelika Washington; and Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD’s Brett Dalton, Jason O’Mara, and Briana Venskus; as well as voice actors Kaitlyn Robrock (Disney’s Minnie Mouse), Jim Cummings (Disney’s Winnie the Pooh), and Nolan North (Superman).

Several television shows filmed in Georgia will be represented including Doom Patrol, Stargirl, The Walking Dead, and Fear the Walking Dead, which recently moved production to Georgia after several seasons in Texas. Other media guests will represent Titans, Supernatural, Star Trek Picard, Star Trek Discovery, Stargate SG-1, The Magicians, Locke & Key, and The Expanse, as well as video game Red Dead Redemption.

An estimated 60,000 people are expected to attend Dragon Con over the five-day Labor Day Weekend – Sept. 1 to Sept. 5 – with events and activities across AmericasMart Buildings Two and Three and five host hotels – Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Sheraton Atlanta.

Literary Guest of Honor Nnedi Okorafor, an award-winning science fiction novelist best known for Who Fears Death and the Binti trilogy, and Artist Guest of Honor Stephanie Law, a fantasy fine artist whose work explores mythology in next contexts, especially into the natural world.

For an older generation of fans, the convention also welcomes Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson from the 1980 cult classic film, Flash Gordon.

Shatner is a cultural icon and best remembered as Capt. James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise in the Star Trek television series, the animated series, and seven motion pictures. He will be at the convention on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only.

He will be joined Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov, who brought teen idol good looks to the bridge of the USS Enterprise. Koenig also appeared all seven motion pictures featuring the original cast. Later in his career, Koenig had a featured role in the science fiction television series Babylon 5.

Baccarin has a wide following in pop culture, having had lead roles in television’s Gotham and The Flash, two Deadpool movies, television’s Firefly and its follow up film Serenity, and the 2009 television reboot of V.  Baccarin will be joined by Gotham castmate (and spouse) Ben McKenzie.

Cavanagh leads a strong showing of castmates from the Arrowverse, the CW franchise that includes several DC Comics-based shows including Arrow, The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and several others.  Cavanagh is an original cast member of The Flash, appearing as Dr. Harrison Wells and Reverse Flash, with appearances in Legends of Tomorrow, Arrow, Supergirl, and Batwoman.  Cavanagh is also well known to television audiences from the shows Ed and Scrubs.

Ramsey plays the role of John Diggle (also known as Spartan or Green Arrow), initially on Arrow, which ran from 2012 to 2020, and continues in that role across the so-called Arrowverse programs, including The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, Superman and Lois, and Supergirl.

Panabaker, another The Flash original actor, played Caitlyn Snow (also known as Killer Frost) across the Arrowverse, also appearing in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, and Arrow.

Cavanagh, Ramsey and Panabaker will be joined by Danielle Nicolet (The Flash), Olivia Swann (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), and Arthur Darvill (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow).  Darvill is also well known in fandom as companion Rory Williams from the Doctor Who franchise.

Website: Dragon Con – Largest Multi-genre and Pop Culture Convention

THE ODDITIES AND CURIOSITIES EXPO RETURNS TO ATLANTA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/30/22

Enjoy a showcase of all things weird.

Saturday, February 19th!

AmericasMart

One-part horror convention and one-part dark arts – The Oddities and Curiosities Expo featuring over 150 local and national vendors and will visit Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, February 19. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at https://odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com/tickets

Attendees can expect to see vendors and small businesses showcasing taxidermy, preserved animal specimens, original horror and Halloween-inspired artwork, antiques, handcrafted oddities, quack medical devices, creepy clothing, odd jewelry, skulls, bones, and funeral collectibles.

“The Oddities and Curiosities Expo was created purely out of the excitement of bringing communities we care about together through events,” said Michelle Cozzaglio, who owns the expo with her husband, Tony. “Honestly, we had no idea it would turn into what it has today! Our goal has always been to uplift those around us while giving everyone, including ourselves, the opportunity to truly do what they love.”

The Cozzaglios have been taking The Oddities and Curiosities Expo on the road from coast to coast for the past five years after observing there was a market for this type of large scale event. Long-time collectors of oddities and obscure memorabilia themselves, the pair also own a record store and screen printing business, and operate punk festivals across the country.

In addition to visiting the showroom floor, guests of The Oddities and Curiosities Expo are able to purchase tickets to a day-long taxidermy class where they can learn to make their own two headed duckling mount. Participants will work with frozen animals to learn the basics of taxidermy.

The O&C Expo also hosts Rainy Day Revival and their Museum of Marvelous Mutations, a 1600 square foot carnival sideshow reminiscent of big top attractions of the early 1900’s. For an additional $7 ($5 advance), guests can experience “The World’s Largest Traveling Freak Show” and meet Simon the Cyclops Lamb and Beefcake the Bulldog Calf.

It is important to note: All animals in the taxidermy class and other parts of the show – like preserved specimens – are sourced ethically and died of natural causes.

EVENT INFO

The Oddities and Curiosities Expo will take place Saturday, Saturday, February 19, from 10am to 6pm at Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart – Building 3 at 250 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30030. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door and children 12 and under are free. The event is all ages – however parents are advised to use their best judgment about if their children should attend.

Tickets can be purchased at https://odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com/tickets

The Two Headed Duckling Taxidermy Class hosted by Heather Clark of Sleeping Sirens Art & Oddities will be held from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with breaks built-in for lunch and exploring the expo. The class is $235, and is available to those aged 16 and up, or younger with parental approval. All materials and tools will be provided. Tickets for this class also include admission to the expo.

For additional information, follow The Oddities and Curiosities Expo on Facebook and Instagram.

THE FANDEMIC TOUR DEBUTS IN ATLANTA MARCH 18-20

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/27/22

Comic and TV Convention Brings the Ultimate Pop Culture Experience to the Peach State with Stacked Roster of Celebrity Guests Including Sebastian Stan, Norman Reedus, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, + More 

Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20, 2022
Georgia World Congress Center Building A
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Making its Atlanta debut this spring, the illustrious Fandemic Tour will take over the Georgia World Congress Center March 18-20 for three days of exclusive, all-access fan experiences. Produced by former CEO of Wizard World, John Macaluso, the star-studded tour will bring together celebrities, producers, cosplayers and artists from across the pop culture multiverse to connect with their fanbases in the flesh. With more than 30 notable names and faces already announced on the weekend roster, the Fandemic Tour is a fan dream for more reasons than just the lineup.

“We’re incredibly excited to be combining our Fandemic Tour and Fandemic Dead brands for an all-encompassing fan experience in Atlanta,” said Macaluso, Fandemic Tour CEO. “By doing this, we’re able to bring in a wide array of celebrities spanning the realms of horror, sci-fi and pop culture. We’re counting down the days until we get to bring Atlanta one of the best comic and TV conventions to date.”

After incredibly successful runs in Houston, Texas and Sacramento, Calif., the Fandemic Tour in Atlanta will allow fans to experience their favorite genres like never before. Fan-favorite icons from across the nation will come together for once-in-a-lifetime Q&A sessions, discussion panels, autographs, photo ops, and more. See the full list of already-announced celebrities attending the Fandemic Tour below. LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Sebastian Stan
Captain America: The Winter Soldier  

Norman Reedus
The Walking Dead, Boondock Saints

Jeffrey Dean Morgan   
The Walking Dead, Supernatural  

Michael Rooker
The Walking Dead, Guardians of the Galaxy

Scott Patterson 
Gilmore Girls, Saw 

Tom Payne
The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead

Stephen Amell 
Arrow  

Melissa McBride 
The Walking Dead, The Mist 

Michael Cudlitz
The Walking Dead, Southland

David Morrissey  
The Walking Dead, Doctor Who  

Bruce Campbell
Evil Dead

Jon Bernthal
The Walking Dead, Punisher

Chandler Riggs  
The Walking Dead, A Million Little Things  

Michael James Shaw
The Walking Dead, Avengers: Endgame

Cassady McClincy
The Walking Dead, Ozark

Cooper Andrews 
The Walking Dead, Halt and Catch Fire 

Nadia Hilker
The Walking Dead, Allegiant  

Ryan Hurst
The Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy

Sean Patrick Flanery 
Boondock Saints, Saw 

Seth Gillam
The Walking Dead, The Wire, Teen Wolf

Sarah Wayne Callies
The Walking Dead, Prison Break

Jenna Elfman 
Fear the Walking Dead 

David Della Rocco
Boondock Saints

Greg Nicotero
The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead

Cailey Fleming 
The Walking Dead, Star Wars, Loki 

James Marsters
Buffy the Vampire Slayer     

Dean Cain                                                                   
Superman, Lois and Clark, The Platform  

Alexa Mansour
The Walking Dead: World Beyond 

Austin Amelio              
The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead    

Ross Marquand  
The Walking Dead, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: End Game                     

John Barrowman 
Doctor Who, Torchwood, Arrow, Flash, Legends of Tomorrow

…and more to be announced.

Tickets for the Fandemic Tour vary in price. See below for more details.

General Admission tickets are available at the following price points: 
$40 – Friday Pass (Hours 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.)
$60 – Saturday Pass (Hours 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
$50 – Sunday Pass (Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
$86 – Full Weekend Pass (admission for all three days)

Fandemic Fanatic VIP – $175 – 3-day pass, early admission, fast pass for photo ops/autographs (behind Celebrity VIP pass holders), swag bag and VIP reserve seating at panels.

The Fandemic Tour is also accepting volunteers, ages 18 and over, to assist with the convention. Applicants must be able to work a minimum of two shifts on two different days, one of which must be Saturday. Volunteers will not be paid but will be able to enjoy the show before and after their shifts and receive exclusive fan merchandise. For more information, please view the Volunteers section of the website.

Exhibitors, Guest Artists and Cosplayers can now apply to be a part of the Fandemic Tour by visiting the convention’s Exhibitor or Contact page.

AMERICA’S FAVORITE TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE SHOW RETURNS TO ATLANTA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/17/21

Explore Hundreds of Vacation Destinations Open for Travel Now, 
Meet With Travel Experts to Plan Your Next Trip, and More
Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17, 2021 at Georgia World Congress Center
The nationally acclaimed Travel & Adventure Show is returning to Atlanta this fall at Georgia World Congress Center on Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17, 2021.  Attendees will have an opportunity to discover over 200+ vacation options that are open for travel now, plus meet with the destination experts who are on-hand to answer questions, customize itineraries, and answer questions on travel safety. They will also attend dozens of educational seminars with renowned experts who have been traveling over the past year, designed to give the audience real-time travel advice on navigating the new travel environment.
Featuring three theaters, including the Travel Theater, Destination Theater, and Savvy Traveler, guests will have the opportunity to meet travel celebrities, including Samantha Brown, host of PBS’s “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love”; Peter Greenberg, Emmy award-winning investigative reporter; award-winning travel writer, actor and director, Andrew McCarthy, and many more.
Advance sale tickets are available starting at $11 for a one-day pass and $18 for a two-day pass. Children ages 16 and under can attend free.  Active men and women in the U.S. armed forces are invited to present a military identification prior to the event or at Will Call for free admission for up to four members of their family. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit travelshows.com/shows/atlanta/.