Daft Punk Star Trek and a ton of Smite are only a tiny fraction of the impressive cosplay on display at the annual Dragoncon parade.
I can’t really describe just how exhausted I still am after 4 days in Atlanta for Dragoncon 2014, but it’s somewhere in between ‘jogging 10 miles’ and ‘boxing’.
Take the sheer amount of activity and people as 60,0000 fans and an unknown number of onlookers converged on a cluster of hotels in downtown Atlanta, and throw in fours days of racing from panels to parties to concerts to photoshoots. Add to that Atlanta’s summer heat and sweltering humidity. It’s enough to make someone (like myself) who has been softened up by years on the west coast reach for the smelling salts and run for the coldest, wettest swimming pool one can find. But I was only wearing jeans and probably ought to shut the hell up. Dragoncon is all about the cosplayers, and they braved the extreme weather and crush of humanity like it wasn’t even happening.
Related: Be sure and check out our previous coverage of Dragoncon 2014 here.
Need proof? Simply attend the annual Dragoncon parade, a march through downtown Atlanta where cosplayers show off their creations just as the sun is burning off what remains of the previous night’s cooling-off and and starting the hard work of melting everyone caught outside into a puddle. It’s staggering to see people in latex and makup, or wearing bulky, heavy recreations of everything from Middle Earth to Smite, smiling and waving at the local citizenry without passing out from heatstroke.
We were on the scene for the big event and have brought back evidence that cosplayers ought to be studied by scientists trying to unlock the secrets of human endurance. I might be in need of a week long nap, but after looking back through these photos, I’m pretty sure I’m just a wimp. And now you can be too!
We have a ton of photos from the parade, and for the first gallery we’ll start with a look at the staging area before the parade began in earnest. The Escapist’s own Newton Grant managed to get behind the lines for an up close and personal look. Enjoy.
Cobra football players kind of make a lot of sense, right?
This is pretty much what downtown ATL looked like the whole convention.
Looks like “who ya gonna call?” has finally been answered. According to this Ghostbuster, it’s “instagram”.
Doc, this is heavy. I mean the air quality. It’s really hot and humid.
When this guy walked past where I was during the parade, a group of little kids freaked the hell out and ran over asking for autographs. Which now that I think about it, is not only adorable but also a great pun.
Meme cosplay is something we need more, not less, of.
Oh great, another dead journalist. Atlanta heat’s been busy. Oh wait, you’re not dead! You’re just a huge gigantic wimp!
I really can’t believe Newton managed to capture this guy in the perfect pose, and the perfect dramatic distance from the people around him.
Consider this your periodic reminder that it was in the upper 80s and 60+% humidity at 10 AM when this guy was walking around as Big Daddy.
Normally she only shows up during tornados, but she made a rare sunny day exception just to prove she can.
I don’t know if this is the greatest crossover idea ever or a recursive mindscrew, but I want this to happen.
You can thank Atlanta-based Box Heroes for bringing this magic into your life. Visit their official site and see for yourself.
Our man Newton managed to get to the staging area by tagging along with the guys from Smite. The next few photos show off what they, and fans of Smite, brought to the parade.
Welcome to Atlanta where the cyborg cops play.
If you don’t admire the commitment of her actually shaving her head, shut up now.
There are no words for how awesome this is. CONTEST: In comments, how awesome is this? Best or funniest answer wins a high five from me.
On that day, we were all Spartans. Or at least we wanted to be. I didn’t do enough situps to qualify.
Is there anything that the Hip Hop Stormtrooper can’t make even better?
Live long and get lucky.
