Dragon Con is back! This is always my most anticipated convention every single year. I was becoming the fittest I’ve ever been for it. Atlanta is home for me as I was born and raised there. Dragon Con was the first con I went to and was my introduction to what cosplay was. It quickly became my favorite convention to attend and still holds the top spot to this day.
Two years ago I was invited to represent Dragon Con this year on a Fox 5 news segment which was an honor. Last year I was invited to participate in the parade for the first time by the Diversity and Inclusion group. This year I was invited back to be a part of the group in the parade. I dressed as A-Train from The Boys in the African print suit which went over well. The parade was amazing. Even on little sleep. The energy from the crowd was everything and I absolutely want to participate again. Seeing the joy in the spectators faces and slapping hands with them is amazing. Here are some pics from the parade with my group.
Dragon Con 2024 started with a bang from the very beginning and my friends and I picked up from where we left off in 2023. Hosting pop up parties at the Marriott in the evening has become a trend that cosplayers have come to depend on from my crew. Everyone likes to dance to the music of DJ Swaggy while the crew is partying with all the cosplayers. Last year we threw a party at Vanity Restaurant and Lounge on Saturday evening. It was very successful and the response from everyone has been amazing. People have been saying it was the best party during Dragon Con and want us to continue to try to host the party officially at one of the host hotels for Dragon Con. So we ran it back for the cosplay community. Here is our video recap.
@cosplaysbyshinobi Dragon Cosplay Party Council Recap #dragoncon #cpc #cosplaypartycouncil #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp @Swaggy Cosplayer @Lou Beezy @U Go & Cosplay
Everyone knows I’m a huge fan of the Boys and one of the most well-known A-Train cosplayers. This was my second year cosplaying A-Train at Dragon Con and people were anticipating it. Not only did I walk in the parade with the Diversity and Inclusion group but I hosted a party as A-Train. I recently put out a A-Train fan movie and a soundtrack for it in the voice of A-Train. This is me performing one of the singles off the album at Vanity Restaurant and Lounge.
@cosplaysbyshinobi Performing #mrrunthroughyagirlfriend at a #dragoncon after party #atraincosplay #theboystv #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp
As a Black cosplayer and photographer one of the special things about Dragon Con is connecting with other Black people. I have seen the Black Geeks of Dragon Con Photoshoot grow from a small group to a group that completely fills up the stairs in the back of the Hilton. The Wakandan Photo Shoot has also become a staple. Here is video of @royaltycosplay directing the shoot.
@blerdography @Royalty Cosplay enters the stage in high cosplay fashion and directs the Wakanda shoot. Wakanda Forever!!!!!! Check out my latest vlog from Dragon Con 2023 at the Wakanda United Cosplay Shoot. #Cosplay #Wakanda #wakandaforever #blackpanther #dragoncon #marvel #mcu #disney #Vlog
The Black Geeks of Dragon Con Photoshoot is always a highlight. Being surrounded by so money blerds that cosplay never gets old. I never knew this type of gathering was possible before Dragon Con. I make sure to make it every year to meet new blerds and reconnect with old ones. The group was formed in 2014, and in 2023 300 cosplayers participated in the shoot, more than twice the number from 2017. At this year’s Dragon Con 400 cosplayers participated in the shoot. Here are photos of the Black Geeks of Dragon Con shoot.
Dragon Con was simply amazing and the cosplay is always hitting. The Raygun breakdancing group from the Olympics was a highlight.
One of the highlights at Dragon Con was seeing a cosplayer dressed as Madame Vice President Kamala Harris by @theleighannlord.
@ugoandcosplay We’re just doing our jobs at @Dragon Con! Thanks to all who were a great sport and participated. Video footage by @Shinobi #kamalaharris #jjk #jujutsukaisen #nanami #cosplay #nanamikento #dragoncon2024
Where else can you see a lego Darth Vader dancing in the Pulse in the Marriott? Only at Dragon Con!
@cosplaysbyshinobi Meanwhile @Dragon Con! With @cosplaymike #darthvader #starwars #atraintheboys #theboys #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fyp
An artist messaged me to stop by artist alley to pick up a print of a painting they did of me back in February. I stopped by the booth to not only see my print available for sale but featured at the artist’s booth. I can’t lie I’m freaking honored to have my print up at Dragon Con and for it to actually be sold. I met @kailunqu with @tonethegoat at LA Comic Con and we chatted for a while about how much I admired his style and how we didn’t have enough artwork from @theboystv at cons. This is the result after talking about my fan movie and being passionate.
The original photo this painting is based on was taken by @candidjohnkim.
Video by @ugoandcosplay
The best part of Dragon Con was catching up with old friends and making new friends. Meeting people you have been following and exchanging messages with for years now. The people are what makes any con special to me and this one was no different. My heart is full. It was a real homecoming and I can’t wait to do it all again next year.
Here is the official Dragon Con recap edited by our director and editor Ugo and Cosplay.
Cover photo and all photos provided by @gxftd