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Dragon*Con arrives in Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jason is a proud “Trekkie.” He started watching “Star Trek” at four (“I distinctly remember Captain Kirk, phasers and green Orion slave girls”). And, at seven, he watched “Star Wars” 19 times in one summer. “I was awed by the power and possibilities of the human imagination,” he said. His otherworldly interests soon include comic books, of which he has more than 4,000 spread over two states. He’s a graduate of Riverdale High School and Northwestern University’s School of Communication. After Northwestern, he moved to L.A. to start a film and television career. There, he worked as a writer’s production assistant on “Roswell” and other shows. Although back in Atlanta, Jason has worked as a writer and creative consultant on the non-fiction series “The Universe” for The History Channel. He hopes to move back to L.A. (another world to some) to create his own fantastic universe.
This summer superhero movies have dominated the box-office from hugely popular and lucrative “Iron Man” to “The Dark Knight” and “Hellboy II.”
What better way to close out the summer then than with Dragon*Con, the pop culture convention for fans of sci-fi , fantasy, gaming and comics. I’ll bypass dressing as the Green Lantern this time. At 33, I’m slightly more conservative and will just wear an “Iron Man” T-shirt. No offense to the costumed players, however.
It is only appropriate that the Grand Marshall for this year’s annual parade is TV’s original “Batman”, Adam West himself and riding in the classic ‘60s Batmobile, no less! Keeping the bat-theme going, acclaimed Gothic Vampire novelist Laurell K. Hamilton will be another guest of honor at the parade, along with another 2000 costumed marchers.
I’m looking forward to seeing Edward James Olmos, who in another incarnation was a star on “Miami Vice”. He’ll be here to discuss the last season of “Battlestar: Galactica” and his role as the stalwart commander Admiral Bill Adama.
Gaming, of all stripes, is a big deal at Dragon*Con. While Dungeons and Dragons never caught me in its scaly claws, my imagination was captivated by the miniature action figure game Heroclix a few years back, and there are several tournaments focused around the superhero based game that might be worth checking out. As an avid video gamer, the “Call of Duty 4” and “Warcraft 2” competitions also sound attention grabbing.
While this is my first time attending Atlanta’s premiere show, I have been to several similar gatherings around the country, including the San Diego Comic-Con, the nation’s largest at 130,000 registered attendees. Are you a Dragon*Con regular or are you a first-timer?
There are some panels that sound fascinating, including a discussion of the descent of the Sci-Fi Channel into mediocre horror and bad low budget movies. Why are they making so many horror and reality shows now? And talk about the summer blockbuster season: Why can’t Hollywood get “Wonder Woman”, “The Flash” and a better “Superman” off the ground?
Comments
By R
August 28, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
sounds fun. ill sure to check back for pics
By Clay
August 28, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
We’d like to go down and meet J and Grant from TAPS, but I don’t think putting up with the crowds and parking is worth a quick hand shake.
By Noelle
August 28, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
I’m a D*C volunteer for the second year. I’ll be heading down after work today. I’m mainly there for Joss Whedon’s shows (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly in particular), but I’ll be checking out other areas, too. I’m definitely going to try to see the two biggest names on the bill — Edward James Olmos and Beau Bridges — but there are plenty of others I’d like to meet, too. It’s always a lot of fun, with a full range from your average fan checking out a few big names to the die-hards in full costume. Expect to see a lot of Klingons wandering around!
By LMAO
August 28, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
DragonCon???!!! LOL!!! You gotta be kiddin’ me?!!! As “Ogre” from “Revenge of the Nerds” accurately stated…NEEEEEEEEEEEEERDS!!!
By GeoffDawg
August 28, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Won’t be attending but I definitely agree about the need for more DC comics superhero movies. What is wrong with Warner Bros. and why can’t they get their butts in gear? Those movies would have a huge built in audience and (if done right) could all turn into blockbuster series.
Also, I was just having a discussion the other day with someone and I said that the absolutley crappiest movies made these days are sci fi originals. You hit the nail on the head.
By ed
August 28, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Nerds Unite!!!
By Stuff
August 28, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Overgrown babies pretending life is Halloween. What a bunch of virgin losers!
By dave
August 28, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Wow. It only took until the fourth comment for the fine citizens of Georgia to start showing their collective ignorance.
By David "Nitehawk" Jones
August 28, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Altho I have never been a big convention goer this sounds like something I would at least look into if I happen to be in ATL at the time. At 55 I have probably grown even a little more conservative than the author, but I’m not dead yet :). But then IO can remember back to the days of the original Buck Rogers, several incarnations of Superman, and Batman comics BEFORE Adam West on TV (ah, the days of the 10 cent monthly and the 25 cent annual).
By rusty
August 28, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
If you aren’t interested, don’t comment. Ignore people who want to spoil. Jason, I remember my first comic books too. I wasn’t 7 but a whole new world opened up for me. I remember The Flash, Green Lantern. All the kids in my neighborhood would get together and swap books. I get to share some of that with my kdis now although i have a hard timme convincing them that reading a comic book is as good as playing a video game. well, at least a nice change of pace. They did get into dark knight etc and i reminded them of the start of Batman. you probably don’t have children or if youdo they’re youung. but what do you think of the boooks out today? how do you get kids interested in them? i’ve almost given up
By rusty
August 28, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
If you aren’t interested, don’t comment. Ignore people who want to spoil. Jason, I remember my first comic books too. I wasn’t 7 but a whole new world opened up for me. I remember The Flash, Green Lantern. All the kids in my neighborhood would get together and swap books. I get to share some of that with my kdis now although i have a hard timme convincing them that reading a comic book is as good as playing a video game. well, at least a nice change of pace. They did get into dark knight etc and i reminded them of the start of Batman. you probably don’t have children or if youdo they’re youung. but what do you think of the boooks out today? how do you get kids interested in them? i’ve almost given up
By isis
August 28, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Hey, NERDS rock. It’s one of the most awesome gathering of pople I’ve ever seen. Don’t knock it, til you’ve tried it. Check out the parade. It’s free and unlike any you’ve probably eyeballed. But Jason, I bet you’re one of the few people in the U.S. who didn’t like Superman.
By Jason Coffee
August 28, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
The President of Warner Bros. studios told the Wall Street Journal recently that he wanted to do four DC superhero movies in the next three years, including the next “Batman” and the “Superman” reboot. He also sad he wanted them to be darker and explore the characters’ evil side, like “The Dark Knight”. I don’t know, that might work for “Wonder Woman”, a warrior princess, but a dark Superman or Green Lantern (would that just be Dark Lantern) seems like it wouldn’t fit with the premise of the character.
Speaking of the Man of Steel, Michael Rosenbaum is also coming to town to talk about his role as Lex Luthor in “Smallville”. Since he’s reducing his participation in the series, it might be an interesting conversation. Also, Dragon*Con is hosting its first ever “Heroes” panels, and Hayden Panettiere and James Kyson Lee are both on the guest list.
As for getting kids interested in games into reading comic books, there are actually several comic books based on video games out there. Most of these are for the 17+ shooter games— Marvel has a “Halo” mini-series and DC is putting out “Gears of War”— but there’s a decent variety. Also, you could try to get them to play video games based on the comic book properties. That might make them interested in reading further stories. “Marvel Ultimate Alliance”, which came out a couple years ago, is a great one, with a variety of characters, and can be played by four people at once.
By MadeOfAwesome
August 28, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
NERDFIGHTERS?!?!?!!?! If you know what i am talking about, please respond. :)
By D Ward
August 28, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
I am a Brit and have traveled extensively around the world. And Dragon con is the best party on the east coast. I am not into sci fi at all but as I say until you have been to Dragon con and the 4 day party and disco that doesn’t even start until 2.30am you have no clue. No one I have met from Atlanta has any clue what it is, or what it is about,but folks travel from all over the country and world to par take and party. So to anyone that thinks this is a nerd convention just stay home and let those of us that KNOW have a blast and do it all again next year. I say again it is the best PARTY on the East Coast. Plus the folks that attend are polite and friendly even when drunk. Oh and many many sexy ladies.
By Maria
August 28, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
Hey MadeofAwesome — I’m pretty sure a majority of the local Nerdfighters will be at the Decatur Book Festival. It’s free, and nobody expects a costume. ;) DFTBA
By GA in TX
August 29, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
Anyone who thinks that conventions like DragonCon and its sister conventions around the country are the province of “nerds” or some other maginalized group are completely uncognizant of the role and impact of pop-culture phenomenon on modern society and marketing.
The television, movie and comic book franchises represented at these conferences are not only responsible for billions of dollars of U.S. economic output, but they figure into almost every facet of day-to-day life and cultural experiences.
The very fact that someone quoted “Revenge of the Nerds” in an earlier post is more ironic than I can possibly describe. Pop-culture references like that are EXACTLY why conventions like DragonCon are socially and economically relevant.
But please - continue to pretend that you are above it all…it just makes those of us with marketing educations giggle.
By Confan
August 29, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
I’m 56 and have gone to every DragonCon since the first. Not only is it great fun but the people are fantastic and the costumes are ‘out of this world’! You who make fun of something you have never experienced are showing your ignorance! Come on down and see the parade on Peachtree and experience the fun before you judge.
By DM
August 29, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
As a long time attendee of Dragon Con, I can tell you it’s big fun. The people watching is spectacular. And you’ll never see a nicer group of people.
By #1 Tech Fan
August 29, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
YESSSSSS!!!! Dragon Con is so my favorite thing to go to! YAY! I dress up like my favorite Start Trek heroes and go and have a tickle pile with my fellow Tech boyfriends, I mean students. Go Jackets and Go Dragon Con!
By gwarfan
August 29, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Dragoncon is for nerds. So what? Between online gaming, comics, and anime you got the majority of the country under 35 covered in the nerd department. I am finally going to the parade for the first time this year and it seem like a good time will be had by all. Dont forget Orge became a nerd in the end.