Dragon Con 2024: A Must-See Pop Culture Extravaganza
Dragon Con 2024, held from August 29 to September 2 in Atlanta, is one of the biggest pop culture conventions in the United States. Celebrating geek-dom since 1987, Dragon Con brings fans of sci-fi, fantasy, comics, gaming, and more for five days of panels, workshops, gaming, and cosplay competitions.
Celebrity Guests
This year’s lineup is pretty awesome with many guests from various genres. Fans can meet their favorite stars, attend Q&A sessions, and even get autographs. Some of the headliners include:
- John Cleese (Monty Python!!!)
- Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Elijah Woods (LOTR!!!)
- Babs Olusanmokun (Star Trek, Dune) (one of my favorites)
- Vincent D’Onofrio (Daredevil, Full Metal Jacket) (another favorite)
- Mike Colter (Luke Cage, Evil) (Another one!!!)
- Seth Green (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Family Guy, Mass Effect, Robot Chicken, etc.) (okay… more!!!)
- Nathan Fillion (Castle, Firefly, Serenity, The Rookie)
- Jodie Whittaker and Catherine Tate (Doctor Who)
- Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian) WHATTT!!!!
- Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, and Gates McFadden (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
- Alan Tudyk & Alice Wetterlund (Resident Alien)
- Walter Koenig (Star Trek, Babylon 5)
- Ming-Na Wen (Mulan, The Mandalorian)
- Danny Trejo (Machete, Spy Kids)
- Cobie Smulders (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Here’s the list of confirmed comic artists and writers attending Dragon Con 2024:
- Tim Bradstreet – “The Punisher” and “The Walking Dead”.
- Andy Brase – artist for “Magic the Gathering” and “Star Wars”.
- BREED – artist for Marvel Comics and Zenescope Entertainment.
- Chuck Brown – writer for “Aquaman” and “Bitter Root”.
- Ryan Browne – “God Hates Astronauts” and “Eight Billion Genies”.
- Bob Burden – created “Flaming Carrot” and “Mystery Men”.
- Greg L Burnham – “Tuskegee Heirs” and “The Search for Sadiqah”.
- Richard Lee Byers – author of various fantasy and horror novels.
- Tana Ford – comic artist known for “Silk” and “Gwenpool”.
- Antonio Fuso – artist for “G.I. Joe” and “Wyrd”.
- Bryan Scott Fyffe – illustrator for Dark Horse Comics & Disney.
- Juan Gedeon – “Venom” and “The Jurassic League”.
- Scott Hanna – a top inker for DC & Marvel Comics.
- Bob Hall – co-creator of the West Coast Avengers.
- Larry Hama – “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” and “Wolverine”.
- Jody Houser – a writer for “Star Wars: Thrawn” and “Stranger Things”.
- Tini Howard – “X-Men” and “Excalibur”.
- Steranko – innovated comic art with groundbreaking techniques.
- Wolfman – creator of characters like Cyborg, Raven, and Blade.
These creators will be participating in various events at Dragon Con 2024. For detailed schedules and appearances, refer to the official Dragon Con website. Dragon Con 2024 also has a lineup of musical guests spanning various genres, some of the notable performers include: The Crüxshadows, Galactic Empire, Frenchy and the Punk, HEALTH, DJ Neon the Glowgobear (https://www.dragoncon.org/people-to-see-2/performers)
Panels, Workshops, and More
Dragon Con isn’t just about celebrity encounters. It offers a wide array of panels covering topics from sci-fi literature to deep dives into beloved TV series. Workshops on cosplay, writing, and game design provide opportunities to learn from experts. The gaming floor, filled with tabletop and video games, is a highlight for both casual and competitive gamers.
Dungeons & Dragons sessions are always a big hit, with experienced Dungeon Masters leading players through epic adventures. Whether you’re a veteran player or a newcomer looking to try your hand at role-playing, the gaming area is the place to be.
Legendary Cosplay
The cosplay at Dragon Con is renowned, with thousands of attendees displaying their creative and detailed costumes. The convention’s famous parade is a must-see event, where cosplayers march through downtown Atlanta, showcasing their craftsmanship and fandom pride.
The Vendor Hall: A Shopper’s Delight
If you’re looking to bring home a piece of the Dragon Con experience, the vendor hall is the place to go. This massive marketplace will be filled with vendors selling everything from rare comics and collectibles to custom artwork and handcrafted goods. Whether you’re searching for that perfect addition to your collection or a unique souvenir, you can try your luck here.
Nightlife and Parties: The Fun Never Stops
When the sun goes down, Dragon Con’s nightlife comes alive. The convention is known for its lively after-hours scene, with themed parties and dances that keep the energy high well into the night.
This year will be exciting, and whatever you’re attending for Dragon Con 2024 promises to be a weekend filled with excitement and unforgettable experiences.
If you’re a fan of pop culture, downtown Atlanta is the place to be this Labor Day weekend.
Here is the cost of going this year:
- 5-day pass: $175
- Thursday only: $35
- Friday only: $55
- Saturday only: $75
- Sunday only: $65
- Monday only: $35