Dragon*con is a little bit safer today

Check this out. At 2:30 p.m. Sunday, anyone dressed in a DC Comics' outfit could be in this massive group photo. Naturally, tons of people showed up with cameras as those dressed appropriately were positioned in a large, open area.

The organizer of this event sat atop a ladder as he shouted directions. He could have used a megaphone, but his voice will recover, I'm sure. First, he ensured everyone was properly spaced. Then everyone gave their best "action" pose as the pro and amateur photographers snapped away.

Then it was time for the evildoers to vanquish the heroes, who were prone on the asphalt as the villains perched on their torsos.

Keep checking back!

Where's Waldo?

I did some great con walking last night. If you're not familiar with the subject, con walking is a time honored tradition at any large con in which you pretty much go from A to B and check out all the amazing costumes you see along the way.

In addition, you may also reach B and then hang out, finding a good vantage point such as the one pictured here. However, at some point you'll also want to get closer to the costumes as opposed to hiding from them a few floors up.

The best places Saturday night to con walk appeared to be the Hyatt, pictured here, and the Mariott. I saw more David Tennant Doctor Whos then should be legally allowed. I also saw some costumes a little too risque to see publication here, though there may be another blog for that ...

If you can, spot Waldo in this picture. If you're especially cunning, you'll also find out just where in the world is Carmen Sandiego.

Dragon Con parade!!!

Without too much explanation, here's some pics from Saturday's parade:

I found Waldo!

The dragon, appropriate when you consider the name of the convention, appeared a little more than halfway through the parade. He belched smoke and came complete with a soundtrack as he trundled down Baker Street.


Supergirl and Co. were close to the front of the line. Good weather for the outfit.

Also for you enjoyment, some random parade pics:

Attempted robbery at Dragoncon

Check out this story from the AJC about an attempted bank robbery just across the street from the Hyatt.

After walking outside of the hotel on my way back to the condo, I spotted the police and the yellow crime tape. Then I heard that someone had tried to rob the bank.

According to the above-linked story, the suspect has been caught and the suspicious package he left in the bank turned out to be nothing. But still, pretty odd way to kick off your Dcon experience ...

The Dealers' Room dash

The Dealers' Room - actually three dealers' rooms and a silent art auction - opened at 1 p.m. Friday. I got down there around 2:30 p.m. and dove straight in.

The Dealers' rooms, I guess as they should be called, are a bit of a crap shoot. Some years they're great. You'll find tons of stuff you want and not be able to afford all of it.

This year wasn't like that. The guys from Troll and Toad, a company that sells lots of board games, isn't here this year. That means the hunt through shelves and shelves of cool board games was just a wash.

There may be games for sale in open gaming, but I haven't made it over there yet. Stay tuned.

What was really cool, though, is that people are already in costume as they stroll around
looking at stuff. And, yes, I've already seen my first slave girl Leia. I also saw a really good David Tennant Doctor Who along with sidekick Rose.

Keep coming back for pics. Again, I'm having trouble getting them off my camera and onto the laptop.

Meet Gil Gerard

Welcome back, con fans. As promised, our brush with fame at Thursday's media party will now be revealed.

We were fortunate enough to speak with Gil Gerard, aka Buck Rogers of 25th century fame. for a brief moment as he was being assailed for photograph requests.

As it turns out, Gerard has a home about 45 minutes from the Atlanta area. As he put it, he fell in love with a woman from Georgia who couldn't live in L.A. However, he can live anywhere, he said, so here he is.

He's working on a movie right now, the name of which we'll only give a tease to: "... Rage." It's about a Civil War soldier who's entire squad is wiped out. Charon, of River Styx fame, won't take the guy because he doesn't have any coin to pay for his trip.

So, they work out a deal. The soldier hangs around on Earth to gather souls.

Gerard was quick to point out that he doesn't play the soldier. Instead, he plays the college professor who helps a doctorate student work on her research into that Civil War battle.

"A lot of people get killed," he said. "But not me."

Nice.

At the con

I got to Dragon*Con around 4:10 p.m. Thursday, found a parking spot close to the condo. Then, I dragged the 120 pounds worth of personal items to the side door, rose the 20 floors to the room and dumped everything in a corner of the room.

The con has officially begun.

What now? The media party - an annual event that's essentially a "thanks" to all us media types for covering the event. This year's theme was "Mad Scientist," so they had vases bubbling and concoctions with names such as the "mad martini."

The event began at 6 p.m. Thursday, probably had the most people there around 7 p.m. and started to wind down at 7:30 p.m. Check back later for pictures of me and a special guest, if I can get my laptop to register my camera.

We are 1 day away from Dragon*Con!

Hey, everyone. We are now a mere day away from the start of Dragon*Con, and there's a few things you should keep at the tip of your mind as you prepare.

For starters, make sure you get there Thursday or Friday, no matter the consequences with your job, wife or pet. The registration line on Saturday is pure pain, and you don't want any part of that. Seriously, if you register on Saturday, there's a strong likelihood you'll stand in line, outside, for around two hours.

Second, it's a good idea to bring some snacky snacks in a cooler. Also, toss some beverages in there. You'll want to avoid getting food at the food court or those little food lines they set up in the Hyatt at night. It costs tons and takes time away from people watching, game playing and friend making.

I know some of you can't make it to the con on Thursday. No problem. You're not really missing all that much. If you do arrive on Friday, shoot for getting into downtown before 4 p.m. if at all possible. Find your hotel, park your car and leave it there for four days. You don't want to fool with parking fees or finding another free spot upon your return.

Keep reading this spot for more info on Dcon!

Get ready for Dragon Con 2010!!!

If you're reading this, you've already taken the first step.

The next few steps will occur over the following days as we prepare for Dragon*Con 2010 - the latest installment in the annual convention based in downtown Atlanta.

We intend to follow the mundane and the magical, the terrible and the tepid as we traipse through con suites and dealers' rooms in our quest for everything sci-fi, fantasy and game related.

Over the next few days, we'll be posting tidbits about the con for the first time attendee and for those who have made Dcon their home for more than a decade. We'll also dish out the lowdown on where to get food, how to avoid the lines and what to do when it's 3 a.m.

Sleeping will not be on the menu.