DragonCon invaded Atlanta from August 29 to September 1st, 2003. It is the largest annual science fiction, gaming, art, fantasy, and cult media convention in the world. I love sci-fi, comics, and the gothic genre, and dabble in gaming, which made this convention very exciting!
I attended the convention with Kathy who (sadly) hasn’t even seen Star Wars but recognized that the people-watching opportunities were very enticing. There is just so much to see and do at this festival of sorts, and this review will enlighten you to the 2003 convention.
How It Works
Iyari Limon who played Kennedy on Buffy the Vampire Slayer kindly stood up for a picture at the end of a long day of meeting fans and signing autographs.
DragonCon is a huge gathering and covers a vast array of unique interests from Sci-Fi TV and movies to customizable card game tournaments to Doctor Who panel discussions to art exhibits to Playboy bunnies. To make it easier for the fans to get around, the convention is divided in ‘traks’ based on specific interests. For example, the Star Trek Trak involves an hourly schedule of events just for Star Trek fans that runs over the entire course of the show. This year it ended with sexy Chase Masterson of Deep Space 9 fame (the last Star Trek Trak event which I was unfortunately unable to attend… DOH!).
The Guests
There are hundreds of celebrities that appear at this convention. With 20,000 fans in attendance, there is someone for everyone! For Star Trek fans, George Takei (Sulu from the original series) was the guest of honor this year.
Overall, there were just too many celebrities to mention in detail (see list below) but if you are a sci-fi fan and wanted to chat with your favorite stars, they were there! Among the numerous guests, Buffy characters Spike (James Marsters) and Kennedy (Iyari Limon) were particularly popular, as were Ray Park and Peter Mayhew (Chebacca!) from Star Wars fame. I was elated to see that numerous actors from Babylon 5 arrived at the show in this century! Babylon Fivers included Ivanova (Claudia Christian – who left early due to illness), Ambassador Delenn (Mira Furlan), Centauri Vir Cotto (Stephen Furst), renegade telepath Byron (Robin Atkin Downes), and a bunch of others. Actually, almost the entire B5 cast was there! Awesome! One of my favorite comic book writers, Peter David, was greeting fans, as were other comic book artists and writers.
The celebrities typically sold 8×10 pictures of themselves for about $10 and would gladly autograph them. They would also pose for pctures with you. Other stars such as comic book artists brought their original works and were offering those for sale, many of which were about $75-100.
I chatted with Robin Atkin Downes for a while and he was loving the convention. Aside from making some extra cash, a lot of these actors become more popular as more fans get to see who they are and learn more about the roles they played on various shows and in the movies.
A Dragon*Con Trek Trak panel discussing the first two seasons of the show ‘Enterprise.’ It featured J. G. Herztler, Chris Jones, Arne Starr, Brian Sussman, and Vaughn Armstrong.
You could meet some of the guests by waiting in line to get their autograph and then having a brief exchange with them. With so many fans, the stars couldn’t devote too much time to any one visitor, which is understandable.
There were also some ‘famous’ people who came as exhibitors (meaning they paid to be there as opposed to being invited) and signed autographs for fans.
Panel Discussions
One panel discussion that I attended was the Trek Trak meeting about the first two seasons of ‘Enterprise’ (see picture below). Now, I must admit that when one of the panel members exclaimed ‘kaplah!’ (A Klingon term meaning success) and everyone cracked up. Ok, so that was the single most episode of geekdom that I have ever engaged in, but it was fun!!
The five members of the panel each gave their own 2 cents about the show and then fans asked questions. At the end of that particular panel, someone stood up and accused the panel members of providing generic information that would not damage their relationship to the show and keep them employed. I loved the small-time anarchy that followed! The truth is, as interesting as the discussion was, this fan was right on in that they didn’t fairly address the negative aspects of the show but repeatedly asked everyone to wait for the next season to watch for major changes.
A Dragon*Con Trek Trak panel discussing the first two seasons of the show ‘Enterprise.’ It featured J. G. Herztler, Chris Jones, Arne Starr, Brian Sussman, and Vaughn Armstrong.
Halloween Arrives Early!
A large number of fans who attended the show came dressed up. This was one of the best parts of the convention! Check out the pictures on this page just to get a small sample of the amazing costumes that people were wearing.
Strangely enough, Kathy noted that that there were a lot of people dressed as peasants. Yes, peasants! They looked like they came out of an episode of Xena or Hercules or from the Lord of the Rings movies! In any case, there were plenty of Lara Croft and Matrix look-alikes, Star Wars Storm Troopers, and Marvel and DC super heroes (Spider-man, Batman, Superman, Supergirl, Poison Ivy, Green Lantern, Robin and the list goes on!) to keep everyone interested in their fellow fans!
A Typical Day
There is a lot to do at a giant convention like this. It can be simultaneoulsy exciting and overwhelming. A day at the show can consist of walking around, meeting people (fans, celebrities, artists), attending panel discussions, and checking out and buying tons of paraphernalia ( comic books, video games, ‘working’ lightsabres, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s weapon of choice: the wood slaying stake, S and M domination gear, posters, clothes, costumes, and so on).
On the other hand, if the large masses of people becomes too overwhelming, you can escape to the all-day movie marathons, watch costume competitions, or escape to your hotel room for a brief break since thousands of guests checked into the hotels in which the convention took place.
After Dark Entertainment
This convention attracted a lot of people in the goth crowd. Kathy dubbed it ‘Goth fest!’ Popular gothic band the CruxShadows played a show on Saturday night and the band had set up a booth for fans to meet them. There was also a showing of the classic movie the Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with actors performing in the room as you watched the movie.
Goodwill
DragonCon raises funds and awareness for the Georgia chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America and sponsors the Robet A. Heinlein 2003 Blood Drive. A DragonCon charity auction is held each year to support these causes.
Cons to the Con
If you didn’t buy your ticket online, you easily waited in line for 30-60 minutes to get your ticket and name tag. The organizers could have made this go faster by having more ticketmaster and registration booths. In contrast to the convention program which was decently organized, a lot of the areas at the show were very poorly marked. There needs to be larger and more local and centralized signs to help people get around. I would have also liked to see people in ‘staff’ shirts who could easily help you when you were lost. In any case, once you figured out where things were, you pretty much got around with relative ease.
One final point about the guests in attendance. While there were tons of them, many were second rate. There were a number of guests who would explain who they were as “I was the guy who had that one in line in that movie like 25 years ago…” We need more big name stars!! Although to be fair, there were a lot of awesome guests!
Was it worth it?
People want to know if a gathering of this kind is worth the price. I must say that it is very worth it. Prices ranged from $30/day to $75/multi-day pass. It should be noted that you can walk around and see a lot without even paying simply because many of the exhibits and booths are in free areas. Also, people are everywhere and constantly walking around so you get a general feel for the show. However, if you want to really get in on the action, just pay the fair price and check it out!
There are other annual conventions for the different areas of this one. For example, Star Trek has its own conventions and the gaming people run their own major tournaments and so on. The difference is that at DragonCon, all of these are brought together which makes for a great experience.
Expanded DragonCon Pictures Section!
Check out the DragonCon pictures of Lara Croft, Goth Model Diana Knight, Spiderman, Supergirl, and more! This is an expanded pics section. Enjoy!
The Future!
The next DragonCon is scheduled for Atlanta, Georgia, Friday September 3rd to Monday September 6th, 2004. I strongly recommend a visit if you’re a fan of sci-fi, comics, art, customizable card games, fantasy and horror, computer gaming, animation, science, music, science fiction tv and movies. Book now… you won’t regret it! For more of Dragon*Con, visit the website.
Attention Star Wars Fans!
Check out this Citynet Magazine Exclusive Interview!
Miss May 2004 is Orli Shoshan… Jedi Master Shaak Ti from Star Wars Episode 2 & 3
DragonCon 2003 Celebrities
| Deborah AbbottPeter Abrahamson Aaron A. Acevedo Forry Ackerman Chris Adams Steven R. Addlesee Beth Allen – The Tribe actress Tony Amendola Douglas Anderson Kevin J. Anderson Steve Antczak Ben Armstrong Atlanta Radio Theatre Company Robert Asprin Jeff Austin Stephen Austin – Pak Ma Ra Babylon 5 Rob Balder Betty Ballantine Bardiva Lawrence Barker Jim Bassett Frederick Beaudoin Steve Berman Cliff Biggers Darlene Bolesny Larry Bond Kammy Bonias Rick Bonilla Tye Bourdony Berl Boykin Ray Bradbury – The Legend himself! Michael Brady Dan Brereton Bill Bridges John Bridges The Brobdingnagian Bards Brom Julie Caitlin Brown – Natoth on Bab 5 + ST: TNG Steven Brown Phil Brucato Frank Brunner M.M. Buckner Bob Burden Patrick Burns Jim Butcher Jim Butler Michael Capps David Carradine Melissa Carter Angela Cartwright Jackie Cassada Meryl Cassie Corey Castellano Cats From Saturn R.J. Christensen Jeff Cioletti Stephen Euin Cobb Ivan Cohen Stephen B. Combs Bob Coughlin Hunter Cressall Ann C. Crispin Marie Croall The Crossed Swords The Cruxshadows – Goth Band Leslie Culton Jeff Darlington Kathleen O’Shea David Peter David Sohma G. Dawling Chris Demetral John A. De Vito Brad Dourif Robin Atkin Downes – Babylon 5 – Byron Brian Downey Ellen Dubin Andy Duncan Elonka Dunin Talon Dunning Dani Eder Darryl Elliott Emerald Rose Jason Engle Doc Ezra Lou Ferrigno – Incredible Hulk TV Show Glenda Finkelstein G. W. Fisher Rob Fitz Tom Fleming Bill Fogarty Dave Fooden Rick Forrester David Franklin Peter H. Friedman Mira Furlan – Babylon 5 – Ambassador Delenn Stephen Furst – Babylon 5 – Vir Bruce Gehweiler Gil Gerard Ghost of the Robot Bob Giadrosich Godhead Frank Gordon Mitchell Graham Andrew Greenberg The Green Goblyn Project Eric Griffin Andy Hallett Garner Halloran | Bill HolbrookDr. Stephen D. Howe Geoff Johns Herb Jefferson, Jr. Georges Jeanty Marten Jallad Matt Hughes Adam Hughes John Hudgens Sarah A. Hoyt Greg Horn Eva Hopkins Christopher Holland Bob Hobbs Jeffrey Hirschfield Tom Hern Tracy Hickman C.J. Henderson J.G. Hertzler Clay Henss Craig Hamilton David Hedison Hazmat Scott Hamilton Hattie Hayridge Gary Kim Hayes Cully Hamner Bo Hampton Nathan Hanish Noah Hathaway Anne Hardin Richard Hatch – Battlestar Galactica David Harmer Jonathan Hardy Drew Johnson Les Johnson Dan Jolley Dara Joy Christopher Judge Lloyd Kaufman Gregg Keefer Charles Keegan Sherrilyn Kenyon Richard Kiel Caitlin R. Kiernan Patrick Kilpatrick Michael John Kimball Kimiko Nancy Knight Walter Josh Krach Mur Lafferty Cheralyn Lambeth Michael Rich Larson George Lazenby James Leary Andy Lee Jeremy Lee Scott “Raven” Levy Ken Lightner Iyari Limon – Buffy – Kennedy Brad Linaweaver Joseph Michael Linsner – Artist of Dawn Lips Down on Dixie Kelly Lockhart The Lost Boys Norman Lovett David Mack Don Maitz Steven Marsh James Marsters – Buffy – Spike Anya Martin Michael Martinez Chase Masterson – ST: DS9 – Dabo girl James Maxey Peter Mayhew – Star Wars – Chewbacca Anne McCaffrey Todd McCaffrey Karen McCullough David G. McDaniel Rebecca McDannold Garry W. McKee II David McOwen Paul Mercer Billy Messina T.W. Miller David Millians Juliet Mills Rebecca Moesta James Moffet III Michael Monahan James A. Moore Monte Michael Moore Dean Motter Bill Mumy – Babylon 5 – Minbari Lenier Doug Murray Pam Murray Mystrys David Napolielo Nataya Ingrid Neilson Chris Nuccio | Philip NutmanJody Lynn Nye James O’Barr Keith Olexa Jana Oliver Opland-Freeman Joshua Ortega Leni Parker Rembert Parker Ray Park – Star Wars – Darth Maul Garrett Peck Bob Pendarvis Terri Perkins Luke Perry – ‘90210’ and sci-fi flicks Stefan Petrucha Rowdy Roddy Piper – Wrestler Ken Plume Chris Port Cherie Priest Mark Racop Kariann and Gary Raisor Blanche Ravalec Fred Olen Ray Nicky Rea John Rhys-Davies Dave Rickey John Ringo William Alan Ritch Tanya Roberts Jayne Rogers Leah Rosenthal Caleb Ross Cynthia Rothrock Rowena Jaye Roycraft Greg Rucka Philip Paul Sacco Susan Sackett Alex Saviuk Elizabeth Ann Scarborough Vivian Schilling Donald R. Schmitt Julius Schwartz Randal L. Schwartz Lisa Marie Scott Mike Shoemaker Bill Sienkiewicz Anthony Simcoe Marc Singer Marq Singer Sins of Lust Michael Wesley Smith Ray Snyder, Rob Sommers Soul Dogs Space Coyote Dr. Kris Sperry J. David Spurlock Lilith Stabs Steve Stanley Chris Staros Arne Starr Brian Stelfreeze Jim Steranko Karl Story William Stout Brad Strickland Danny Strong George Takei Tatsumi Anthony Taylor Sean Taylor The Last Dance Three-Quarter Ale Jim Torres Michael Tresca, Trinity Kevin Tucker Lani John Tupu Carla Ulbrich Ethan Van Sciver Andy Vetromile Tim Vigil Dexter Vines Voltaire Lamar Waldron Jenny Wallace Jon Waterhouse Graham Watkins J. Shanon Weaver Mike Weaver Wendy Webb Margaret Weis Pete Wellborn Michael Jai White Widgett Chris Wiese Blake Wilkie Doug Williams Tom Wilson Judd Winick Louise Wischermann Loren Wiseman Melissa Wolf Lindsay Woodcock Peter Woodward Susan Wright Janny Wurts Patricia Zentilli |
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