Behind the masks and the makeup: The faces of Dragon Con 2013
What’s so appealing about Dragon Con?
Dragon Con 2013 is here! Last year, more than 52,000 people descended upon downtown Atlanta for the Southeast’s largest sci-fi convention. This year, attendance is expected to increase by a third. The cosplay has been in full swing all weekend, and as part of this year’s coverage we’ve taken a look behind the masks and the makeup to ask, “What’s so appealing about Dragon Con?”
- Chad Radford
- Tony. Savannah, GA
“I do cosplay for fun, and for meeting new people. I’m usually very shy in my everyday life, but when I’m wearing a costume I’m more adventurous, and I like to talk with everyone. I’m the character for three days and I meet people that I would never normally be able to talk to. Last night I ran into some people that I have usually avoided, but today I saw them again and was like, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’ The two lions on my hands: The 10 pound one is Guildenstern, and the 15 pounder is Rosencrantz. They definitely put a spoke in my wheel. I did a month of jogging with 15 pound weights in order to be ready for this - for posing. The police officers in Savannah think I’m crazy because randomly during my jogs I’ll do a pose, and the cops are like ‘yeah, let’s just leave him alone.” - Tony. Savannah, GA
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- Chad Radford
- Kelsey. Atlanta, GA
“I started sewing when I was 9 years old, and I was already doing cosplay when I was 16. I’ve wanted to do theater for a long time and this is a good way to be myself - expand my skills. I get to come to a party with 85,000 of my closest friends. Honestly, there is nothing better than doing something that you’re passionate about, and dressing up like someone you’re passionate about - Harely Quinn from Batman is one of my favorite characters of all time. I’ve loved this character since I was a kid and it’s kind of a dream come true to have it fully done. Also, I get to run around and be a crazy person and drink as many energy drinks as I want and nobody questions me.” - Kelsey. Atlanta, GA
- Chad Radford
- James. New Orleans, LA
“I do this for the fun of it - strictly for the fun. Being from New Orleans, costuming is in our tradition with Mardi Gras. Being here is just an extension of that costuming tradition that’s in my heritage. Over the years it’s grown from just doing things for Mardi Gars every year to going to conventions and festivals, and things like this.” - James. New Orleans, LA
- Chad Radford
- Mike. Buford, GA
“I do this because Jesus is as good of a fictional character as anyone else.” - Mike. Buford, GA
- Chad Radford
- Gordon. Melmac by way of Louisville, KY
“I’m a nerd and I come here mostly because it’s fun - and to find cats.” - Gordon. Melmac by way of Louisville, KY
- Chad Radford
- Ed. Atlanta, GA
“Why am I a Ghostbuster with a tiger on my shoulders? It’s because packs are expensive. I can’t buy a pack, so I got a tiger. As it turns out, tigers are natural ghost catchers, they just leap up into the air and grab them, but they can’t contain them - that’s where I come in. She snags ‘em and I tag ‘em. Put them in the trap, put them into the containment unit, and when the light is green the trap is clean. She’s Ted, I’m Ed. Together we’re the ghostbusting team Tedward.” - Ed. Atlanta, GA
- Chad Radford
- Larenzo. Atlanta, GA
“You get to meet new people and see crazy costumes, and go to the different panels and just have a lot of fun. So far I’ve done five of them. I went to the Anime panel and that was fun. I also went to the weapons panel and learned so new tricks of the trade. Now I’m looking forward to pulling out some new tricks next year.” - Larenzo. Atlanta, GA.
- Chad Radford
- Lane. Smyrna, GA
“I come to Dragon Con because there are so many different things to do and see and see here.: I love seeing all of the media guests and going to different panels and learning how to do different things. This is my first year bringing the puppet - I just finished him on Thursday, actually. I’ve gone to some of the puppetry track things and I really wanted to start participating.” - Lane. Smyrna, GA
- Chad Radford
- Helen (left) and Lakoya. Augusta/Macon, GA
“We come here for the experience, really. There are a lot of amazing props and costumes that you can see, and there are all of the celebrities that you run into. It’s a really nice environment. Everyone is really friendly, and really helpful. Lot’s of opportunities to try new things out, and indulge our passions.” - Helen and Lakoya. Augusta/Macon, GA
- Chad Radford
- Dustin. Atlanta by way of Pittsburgh, PA
“I come here for the people watching, mostly. I’ve been to four Dragon Cons, I think.” - Dustin. Atlanta by way of Pittsburgh, PA