Saturdays at Dragon*Con always start with a huge cosplay parade through downtown Atlanta. It also is, by far, the busiest day of the convention. This year’s Dragon*Con had the most jam-packed Saturday I’ve ever experienced. The ticket line wrapped around the hotel well past mid-afternoon. The Marriott hotel closed its entrance and only allowed entry through the connecting skybridges. The dealer halls were crammed with vendors desperately hawking their wares to con-goers. Dragon*Con is infamous for its nightlife with crazy, cosplay-filled parties such as my annual favorite, The Last Party on Alderaan, where us geeks let loose, drink ourselves stupid, and dance way past our bedtimes.
I braved the masses and snapped some cosplay pics while gathering loot and taking in the whole Dragon*Con experience. My personal favorites among this set are Marty McFly from the parade with his awesome VHS camcorder, the day-glow Green Lanterns Corps, and the group from Hocus Pocus. Okay, maybe I’m biased on that last one. My wife, cousin, and sister-in-law cosplayed the Sanderson Sisters and I made my debut as Billy Butcherson. We had an absolute blast playacting our roles all night. Nothing covers your shitty dancing like zombie stumbling on the dance floor.
Dragon*Con 2012′s Aspen Comics panel was attended by co-owner and company president Frank Mastromauro, co-owner and company vice president of publishing Peter Steigerwald, creator Joe Benitez (Lady Mechanika), and creator Alex Konat (Fathom).
Peter Steigerwald opened the panel with his traditional, loud, audience-participation, “ALOOOOOOHA!” Mastromauro followed with a 20-minute promotion of Aspen Comics’ upcoming releases which included details and cover art for Soulfire, Executive Assistant Assassins, Idolized, Homecoming, Kiani, Lady Mechanika, Charismagic, Broken Pieces, Michael Turner’s Fathom, Shrugged, Dead Man’s Run, Haunted City, Mindfield, and Zooiverse, which will most likely see a title change.
Along with the costume contest, Saturday at Dragon*Con always features a massive street parade down the streets of Atlanta between the hotels where the convention is held. There are costumes galore, tricked out vehicles, and really anything else you can imagine.
Check out our gallery from Day 2 of the Dragon*Con 2012 costume parade!
For years, on the second night of Dragon*Con there is a look-a-like contest for the comic book character Dawn. This year for the first time in many years the contest has been changed. The new contest is all about comic book characters of all sorts.
The winner of the epic battle this year was a truly amazing Hawkgirl who had hand-made giant wings. There were many other fantastic heroes and villains to behold too though. The contest was hosted by the surprisingly hilarious comic book icon George Perez and author Peter David.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press
