The streets of Atlanta overflowed Labor Day weekend with costumed super heroes and evildoers — a sure sign that the 25th annual Dragon Con had come to town. The four-day multimedia conference, which featured television and movie stars, gaming and comic books, drew an estimated 20,000 fans from all over the world to five Atlanta hotels. 
Saturday’s festivities began with a parade down Peachtree Street in the center of Atlanta. At night, the party-like atmosphere included conventioneers in elaborate costumes.
Comic book vendors sold everything from the latest comics to high-dollar classic 1930 Golden Age comics.
The latest and most innovative gaming products were on display in one room while authors autographed their latest books in another. Charlaine Harris, who wrote the Sookie Stackhouse series that inspired HBO’s popular program, “True Blood,” mingled with fans. William Shatner, “Star Trek’s” Capt. Kirk, and Lou Ferrigno, who played The Incredible Hulk on TV, sat in the “Hall of Fame” room and signed photos, which were sold to attendees. Carrie Fisher, “Star Wars’” Princess Leia, Julie Benz of Showtime’s “Dexter” and many other celebrities required fans to abide by a strict no-photography policy.
Cynthia Corley, dressed as Freddy Kruger of the “Nightmare on Elm Street” movies, stood in line to spend a few minutes with actor Robert Englund, who played Kruger in the films. After a brief exchange with her favorite star, Corley said, “I don’t have words to describe what it was like to meet him. I am a big fan of his work.”