Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy, and sci-fi convention, attracted an estimated 80,000 people for the five-day celebration. Fans came from around the world and all 50 states, with this year’s convention attracting people from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and other Pacific Rim countries.
Some of this year’s top guests include Once Upon a Time’s Jennifer Morrison, Ant-Man & The Wasp’s Evangeline Lilly, Luke Cage’s Mike Colter, and Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things.
The convention’s newest track, Diversity in Speculative Fiction, attracted standing room only crowds to many of its panel discussions. Diversity is extremely important and absolutely necessary, as seen by the absolute epicness experienced in the Opening Night Wakanda Party.
Dragon Con this year was amazing… but the cosplay? The cosplay was on point! I saw a lot of amazing cosplay, from custom cosplay to Dragon Ball to My Hero Academia.
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I had the opportunity to interview Dana Swanson* (Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Toonami) and James Urbaniak* (Venture Bros., OK K.O.!). They’re both hilarious and it was a blast speaking with them (and James actually looks like Dr. Venture).
The other fun fact about Dragon Con is when day turns to night! There’s a lot of partying and to my surprise, there were more parties at the other hotels than the main hotel the Marriott Marquis. So you party all night, take your power nap, then wake up and do it all over again. Shout out to Walter Jones, (the original black Power Ranger) who I met at one of the parties!
By Monday, you have to deal with reality, and that reality is: Dragon Con came to an end. Then, you get Con depression. It’s like, “Why does it have to end?” You experience a four day high of nonstop awesomeness in a judgment-free environment and then there’s just a mass exodus come Monday.
DRAGON AWARD WINNERS
More than 11,000 fans cast ballots for Dragon Award winners among 94 properties in 15 categories covering the full range of fiction, comics, television, movies, video gaming, and tabletop gaming. Winners were announced on Sept. 2 at the 32nd annual Dragon Con in downtown Atlanta.
All fans – not just Dragon Con members or attendees – are invited to select the Dragon Award winners by voting on the annual Dragon Awards ballot.
Final voting was held via the dedicated Dragon Awards website, and the voting period ran from August 7 to August 31. The ballot was selected in an open nomination process in which fans nominated their favorite properties. The nomination period ran from early April until July 31. The best and most popular of the nominated properties were elevated to the ballot.
And the winners are …
Best Science Fiction Novel
Artemis by Andy Weir
Best Fantasy Novel (Including Paranormal)
Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
Best Young Adult / Middle-Grade Novel
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel
A Call to Vengeance by David Weber, Timothy Zahn, and Thomas Pope
Best Alternate History Novel
Uncharted by Kevin J. Anderson and Sarah A. Hoyt
Best Media Tie-In Novel
Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray
Best Horror Novel
Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King and Owen King
Best Comic Book
Mighty Thor by Jason Aaron and James Harren, Marvel Comics
Best Graphic Novel
Brandon Sanderson’s White Sand Volume 1 by Brandon Sanderson, Rik Hoskin, and Julius M. Gopez, Dynamite Entertainment
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series
Game of Thrones, HBO
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie
Black Panther directed by Ryan Coogler
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC / Console Game
Middle-earth: Shadow of War by Monolith Productions
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery by Jam City
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game
Red Dragon Inn 6: Villains by Slugfest Games
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game
Magic: The Gathering Unstable by Wizards of the Coast
That’s it for Dragon Con 2018! We had a blast and hope you did too. If for some reason you didn’t come to Dragon Con this year, you need to make your plans right this second for next year! Don’t forget to like our Facebook Page and follow us on all socials @thepeachreview If you’re into podcasts you can find ours on several platforms HERE.
Live long and prosper!
-TBZ and Jon J.
Photography: Hakim Wright
*We’ll provide links to full interviews soon
