Dragoncon 2014 Day 1: The Greatest Muppet Cosplay Ever

Honestly, there was so much amazing stuff it was impossible to narrow it down.

I should preface this by saying I am not being hyperbolic. Because I’m not. In all seriousness, of all the conventions I’ve been to, and I’ve been to a LOT, my absolute favorite ever is Dragoncon.

Maybe it’s because Dragoncon has always been the forgotten yet enormous fan fest in the south. Or maybe it’s just because the convention finally separated itself from the odious connection it had with cofounder Ed Kramer. Personally, I think it’s because more than any other convention, it’s the one that is most focused on the cosplay community. Whatever it is, it has to be the most unambiguously awesome, joyous and supremely lovable fan experience I’ve ever witnessed.

It’s like all of downtown Atlanta has turned into a giant celebration, not only of the art of cosplay, but of the sheer joy of just letting your freak flag fly proudly and loudly (something that, if I might be so presumptuous, reaches its apex in the South.) Everyone is nice, cool, welcoming, and most of all, apparently a genius at cosplay.

This almost makes me mad, because I could have been feeling like this for years and years, but I’m glad I get to finally experience it with new eyes. As I write this, I feel like I’m about to die from a combination of exhaustion and heatstroke (seriously, Atlanta is hot and muggy) but it’s worth it. Dragoncon is something every one on of you needs to do at least once, and then at least 5 more times.

I’m going to have a ton of cool coverage from this thing over the coming days, but I’ll start slow with a gallery of some of the funniest, most intricate, cutest or just mindblowing cosplay I saw on the first day. So sit back relax and strap on your seat belt. It’s on.

First up, this adorable couples Guardians of the Galaxy Costume. This is Amanda and John as Gamora and Star-Lord in prison, with lil’ Rocket and lil’ Groot in tow.

The best thing about this is that only the zombies were a group photo. While I was taking pictures, the Michael Jackson cosplayer (who walked away before I could get his name) just randomly showed up, did this photo, mugged for a couple of other people, and bailed. It was like Kane from Kung Fu – he went where he was needed most, then moved on.

Incidentally, the shorter guy in this pic is Charles C. Pickney. He’s an Atlanta-based Photographer, and you can check out his work here.

This is a cosplayer who does his thing under the nom de cosplay “I’ve Got Red On Me”. Obviously his thing is Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright/Nick Frost-inspired cosplay, and he does it extremely well. Here he is as Police Officer Nicholas Angel from Hot Fuzz, complete with a (mock) peace lily. See more of his stuff here.

This guy is named Kevin, and I think we can agree that he has mastered the art of sweaty Rocky.

Andy Fields and Servio Collazos don’t have a cosplay site or social media profile, but maybe they should, because holy crap they’re perfect as Dr. Frank-N-Furter and Rocky Horror.

This crew is part of one of the truly massive group cosplay groups at Dragoncon, Game of Thrones At Dragoncon. I’ll be checking out the full group tomorrow, but for now, here’s ​Bradford Barth as King Robert Baratheon, Stephanie Crets as Cersie Lannister, Stephanie Chergi as a truly awesome Lady Stoneheart, and Dawn Fifer Margaery Tyrell.

PS: It is absurd that apparently we’re not going to get Lady Stoneheart on the tv series. COME ON.

This is Tyler England pulling off a spectacular Samwell despite the horrible heat and enormous humidity. Definitely follow this guy on Twitter.

This is Casey Renee as Danerys. Check out all her majesty!

Here’s Christopher Kouse as an amazing Steampunk Darunia, which is better than anything any of us will ever do. I’m interviewing him this weekend all about this amazing costume by the way, but in the meantime, he’s a small comics publisher and you should check him out.

With him in the picture is Samantha as lil’ Link, who was accompanied by her mommy and dawww.

This is ​Rickey Foster as Zangief, also my personal hero for going balls out with this costume.

This is the sign Ricky was holding.

These suits were made by the people at Robot Costumes.

This mind-bending costume is the work of Amberle Linnea. Definitely follow her on Twitter.

Seriously, god damn this is awesome.

Here’s the adorable ​Piperonni as Peter Pan and the also adorable Havenaims as Rufio from Hook.

This here is ​Monica as Psylocke, Jamel as Black Panther, and Sylvia as Storm, demonstrating again how goddamned dedicated people are at Dragoncon. Seriously, look at all that rubber and remember it was insanely hot today.

Here’s Chad Fraley as Evil. Seriously, how often do you see Time Bandits cosplay? Not often enough. Not by a longshot.

This is in competition for my favorite costume of the day. It’s cosplayer Mae as the new Batgirl doing a selfie and kind of nailing the tone of the new series. And I approve. follow her on Twitter. Like now.

Also in competition for my favorite costume of the day, this is Samantha Witlox as the “We Can Do It!” woman from World War II (AKA the big inspiration for Rosie the Riveter.) Obviously, go and follow her on Twitter.

Really, I’m just throwing some light on these cosplayers’ work. They run Anatomy of Cosplay. It’s incredibly informative and fun, and you should check it out here.

Here it is though. THE BEST COSTUME OF THE DAY EVER. It’s ​Russell Blalock as a zombie killing, militarized police version of Beaker from The Muppets. You’re welcome.