Dragon Con 2024 Program Concept

THE COMPLETE COMPENDIUM

Everything You Need to Know About Dragon Con

Dragon Con is the largest multi-media, pop culture convention focusing on science fiction & fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the universe – and the best place to celebrate all of these things with fellow fans on Labor Day Weekend.

There was a time, before Dragon Con, when every convention focused on its one genre. Gaming conventions were for gamers, literature shows were for readers, and comic book shows were retail events. The established conventions were successful, and the organizers stuck to their formulas.

But most fans had multiple interests. It was certainly true for Dragon Conʼs founders. They were all science fiction fans, but some of them also enjoyed gaming while others liked comic books. They could go to any convention and have a good time, but only for so long before boredom set in.

And that gave them an idea: Combine fandoms and genres into a single convention for fans who, like them, were interested in different things. In the early going, that meant bringing a science fiction convention and gaming convention together in the same hotel. While it doesnʼt seem so radical today, it was audacious for its time and, eventually, it upended the staid convention scene.

Chipping in $300 each, Pat Henry, David Cody, John Bunnell and Robert Dennis rounded out with a few of their friends planned the first Dragon Con for the fall of 1987.

Some 1,200 fans turned out to meet science fiction luminaries Michael Moorcock and Robert Asprin and gaming royalty Richard Garriott and Gary Gygax. Moorcock and his longtime friend Eric Bloom, lead singer for Blue Oyster Cult, jammed on stage.

The Atlanta Radio Theater broadcast a live performance of H.P. Lovecraftʼs Call of Cthulhu from the con. In almost every respect, the show was a smash.

The mix of gaming, science fiction and rock ʻnʼ roll kept fans coming back. Dragon Con moved to the Atlanta Hilton and Towers, which would become Dragon Conʼs home for the next seven years. Dragon Con was on a roll. Attendance was growing, and the ambition of becoming the convention that offered something for everyone was coming together.

While the founders were willing to take a chance on multi-genre programming, they still knew it was the fans that made a show successful. From the start, it was a show run by fans for the fans. As the convention landscape has grown, many shows today are driven by the television or comics industry, or organized by major corporations, Dragon Con remains the largest show that is about the fans.

Over three decades, Dragon Con has grown from the little Atlanta convention that defied the rules to one of the largest pop culture conventions in the world.

Along the way, it changed the expectations for a successful convention. While small cons still focus on one or two genres, the largest ones combine literature, television & movies, comics and gaming, just as Dragon Con did for the first time back in 1987.

PARADE ROUTE

GUEST SPEAKERS

Dragon Con welcomes guests from around the globe –with new people announced all the time! Take a look at the inventive minds, luminaries, and celebrities youʼll be spending the weekend with.

Cary Nord

Comic Book Artist: Daredevil, Conan, Wonder Woman, and Dynamite

Colleen Doran

Comic Artist: Sandman, Stan Lee biography, and Neil Gaiman graphic novels

Creees Lee

Comics Cover Artist who has worked for Image, Dynamite, and Chapterhouse Comics

Robert J. Sawyer

Author of FlashForward, Starplex, Factoring Humanity, and Calculating God

Jody Lynn Nye

Author of Rhythm of the Imperium, Moon Tracks, Myth-Fits among others.

Robert Wilson

Co-creator and artist of Heartthrob, Knuckleheads and Like A Virus

Tana Ford

Amazingly talented comic artist know for her work on Silk, Gwenpool, and more.

Tim Doyle

Talented illustrator and printmaker.

Timothy Zahn

Author of Star Wars books and Cobra, and Dragonback.

Tini Howard

Comic book writer best known for her work on X-Men, Excalibur, and Thanos

Things to do

DO. THERE IS NO TRY. Experience all Dragon Con has to offer.

Cosplay Contests

Definitely not as competitive as Thunderdome

Many will enter, few will win. During Dragon Con, members can participate in a variety of contests listed below where you can win cash, prizes, and bragging rights.

Animation/Anime Costuming Contest

Where: Hilton Grand Salon

When: Saturday, 4:00pm

CostumeMasqueradeContest

Where: Hyatt Regency, Centennial Ballroom

When: Sunday, 8:30pm

Page to Stage Costume Contest

Where: International North Ballroom

When: Thursday

Pre-Judging begins at 6:30 pm

The contest begins at 8:00 pm

Friday CostumingNightContest

Where: Marriott Atrium Ballroom

When: Friday, 8:30pm

Star Wars Costume Contest

Where: Marriott Imperial Ballroom

When: Sunday, 2:30pm

Video Game Costume Contest

Where: Westin Peachtree Ballroom

When: Friday, 7:00pm

art show

CREATIVITY TAKES COURAGE

See our artistic heroes and heroines

Dragon Con is proud to display the work of some of the most incredibly talented artists in fandom.

Anime District

No need to travel all the way to the Akihabara district of Tokyo, as we are bringing a taste of modern Japanese pop culture to you! Dragon Con is proud to introduce a brand-new area of the Art Show dedicated to otaku art culture.

Art Show

The 2024 Dragon Con Art Show is so excited to welcome artist GOH Julie Bell! The art show prides itself on having some of the best fine art artists from all over the world and we bring something special to Atlanta every Labor Day weekend.

Comic and Pop Artist Alley

Meet the creators behind the worldʼs favorite heroes

Dragon Con attendees have the opportunity to meet their favorite creators, get autographs, purchase comic and art, and attend fan panels over the course of five fantastic days.

PARTICIPANTS

Celena Dong

Harmony Gong

Syrren Song

Litarnes

Mei Mei Lam

Sang Lam

Paperlarva

Mickeyn Art

RVNNVS

Michael A. Gordon

Cloverune

Emma Rosander

Ruxin Zhang

Julie Bell

Dan Dos Santos

Annie Stegg Gerard

Justin Gerard

Todd Lockwood

John Giang

Scott Hanna

Jennie Breeden

Chuck Brown

Joe Corroney

Colleen Doran

Guy Dorian

Mark Dos Santos

Tim Doyle

Tana Ford

Matt Frank

Chandra Free

DRAGON CON, GAME ON

Join thousands in a world of limitless adventures.

Role-Playing

Campaign Role-Playing Games

Collectible Card Gaming

Video Gaming

LARPS Werewolf Social Deception Gaming

Miniature Gaming Board Gaming

Artemis Starship Bridge Simulator

Joystick Gamebar

Save Point

Tabletop Gaming

Vendors

More sellers than youʼd find in Mos Eisley Droids allowed

A Game Merch

Alkemie & Artistry

Anime Gift

Arda Wigs

Art of Scott Spillman

Art of Straya Obscura

Artemis Leather

Awl Father Wood Craft

Back to Earth Creations

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab

Blade Daddy

Blonde Swan Hats

Brittnee Braun Designs

Case Ology

CDH Creations LLC

Chessex Manufacturing

Critical Hit Collectibles

Critical Hit Gaming Supplies, LLC

Diana Stein

Edgework Imports Inc

Elven Caravan

Esclair Studios

Fandom Metalworks

Figments and Fripperies

Fine Collectibles Protection, Frames, & Displays

Forged Foam

Geek Orthodox

Glitch Gaming Apparel

Got Kilt

Holly Morningstar Art & Illustration

Honeck Sculpture

Horror Show Jack Productions

Imperial Quartermaster

InterEtching

Intergalactic Trading Co

Jason Engle

Lady Gurumi - Crochet Art Studio

Lolita Collective

Magical Fashions

Multiverse T-Shirts

New Age Discoveries

Night Phoenix Designs

Nite Owl Workshop

NoFlutter Studio

Norse Foundry

Panakal Art Ltd.

Panda Cult Games

Pegasus Publishing

Pendragon Costumes

PixelThat

Pop's Socks

Queen of All Shadows

Ravenswood Leather

Rebel Base Comics & Toys

Reel Art

Resplendent Rogues

Ruth Thompson Fantasy Art

Shadows On The Wall

She-Jackal Arts

Silver Leaf Costumes

Steve Argyle Studios

Stylinonline.Com

Tairen's Lair & Authors Lair

Talon Dunning

Tasty Peach Studios

Tentacle Kitty LLC

TG Comics 512 AND MANY, MANY

TRACKS

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

Created by fans for fans, these tracks are perhaps some of what Dragon Con is best known for. What will your journey be?

American Sci-Fi Classics Animation

Venture into the archives of nostalgia-inducing movie and TV awesomeness

Cartoons arenʼt just for Saturday morning (but we wonʼt turn down cereal)

Anime/Manga

The world of anime and manga, and all the madness that comes with it

Costuming

Jam-packed with DIY for the costumer (or aspiring costumer) in everyone

digital media

Combining the best of digital media, from podcasting to YouTube and beyond

Fantasy literature

Nothing transports us to other worlds like a beautifully woven story

filk singing film track

Filk is the music of fandom, by fans for fans. Come sing with us!

The place for filmmakers and film-lovers. If itʼs film, weʼll have it.

horror track kids track

Not only examining what goes bump in the night, but reveling in it

Family friendly programming with a focus on kids from 7-12 years old

science

Interested in the nitty-gritty details of the latest science has to offer?

space

A huge universe of possibilities weʼve only just begun to explore

silk road: asian cinema & culture

Historical and modern cultural aspects from the Mediterranean to Japan

star wars track

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…Star Wars changed the world

trek track

If you donʼt know what Star Trek is, youʼve been in a cave since 1966

video gaming

Grab your controller, joystick, or racing wheel, itʼs time to play!

writer’s track x-track

Writing is a craft and an art form. Come learn from the masters!

Studying the paranormal, with just a pinch of government conspiracy

young adult literature

Because navigating the the challenges of youth makes a great page-turner

Disability

Dragon Con supports equal-access and provides on-site assistance for anyone who has a disability. Please be sure to stop by the Disability Services table in the Sheraton if you need any assistance.

Services

Wheelchair accessible bus service between the Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Sheraton, Westin, and official Con overflow hotels.

Convention schedule in an electronic version to be downloaded to your screen-reading device (or printed upon request in advance).

Sign Language interpreters upon request.

Staff working all areas of Main Programming in the Hyatt, Marriott, Westin, and Hilton, keeping them accessible for people with disabilities.

Providing stickers to members with medical conditions to put on their badge, giving directions for emergency contacts.

Running registration for people who, due to the nature of their disability, canʼt maneuver the tight turns or long lines.

Disability Services Table

Mobility equipment may be picked up at our scooter booth which will be located near the Disability Services table at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel.

BOOTH HOURS

Thursday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Friday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm

Saturday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm

Monday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm