<a href="http://www.dragoncon.org/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dragon Con</a> first opened its doors in 1987 to about 1,400 science-fiction and fantasy enthusiasts in an Atlanta hotel. This year's convention is expected to draw 55,000 fans. Each year, organizers publish a convention program with eye-catching cover art from a variety of sources: popular novels, comics and a few original illustrations. The first program from 1987 featured art by Robert Gould that was also used for the paperback cover of Michael Moorcock's novel "A Messiah at the End of Time."
Dragon Con program art through the years —
Dragon Con first opened its doors in 1987 to about 1,400 science-fiction and fantasy enthusiasts in an Atlanta hotel. This year's convention is expected to draw 55,000 fans. Each year, organizers publish a convention program with eye-catching cover art from a variety of sources: popular novels, comics and a few original illustrations. The first program from 1987 featured art by Robert Gould that was also used for the paperback cover of Michael Moorcock's novel "A Messiah at the End of Time."
courtesy Dragon Con
"Journey to the Gathering" by Larry Elmore in 1988
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Journey to the Gathering" by Larry Elmore in 1988
courtesy Dragon Con
"Lord Protector" by Michael Whelan in 1989
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Lord Protector" by Michael Whelan in 1989
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"Above Top Secret" by Douglas Chaffee in 1990
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Above Top Secret" by Douglas Chaffee in 1990
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"Swan Song" by Thomas Canty in 1992
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Swan Song" by Thomas Canty in 1992
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"Kalea" by Keith Parkinson in 1993
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Kalea" by Keith Parkinson in 1993
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Cover art by Dave McKean, Jeff Jones, Jon Muth, George Pratt, Walt Simonson and Kent Williams in 1994
Dragon Con program art through the years —
Cover art by Dave McKean, Jeff Jones, Jon Muth, George Pratt, Walt Simonson and Kent Williams in 1994
courtesy Dragon Con
"Lookout" by Michael Whelan in 1995
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Lookout" by Michael Whelan in 1995
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"Tam Lin" by Charles Vess in 1996
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Tam Lin" by Charles Vess in 1996
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"The Dragon Slayer" by Greg and Tim Hildebrandt in 1997
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"The Dragon Slayer" by Greg and Tim Hildebrandt in 1997
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"Red Dragon" by Roger Dean in 1998
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Red Dragon" by Roger Dean in 1998
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"Dune: House Atreides" by Stephen Youll in 1999
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Dune: House Atreides" by Stephen Youll in 1999
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"Hero and Dragon" by Yoshitaka Amano in 2000
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Hero and Dragon" by Yoshitaka Amano in 2000
courtesy Dragon Con
"Dragon Angel" by Syd Mead in 2001
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Dragon Angel" by Syd Mead in 2001
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"Bardo Being" by Alex Grey in 2002
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Bardo Being" by Alex Grey in 2002
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"Spawn of the Dragon" by Jim Steranko in 2003
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Spawn of the Dragon" by Jim Steranko in 2003
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"Pink Dragon" by Olivia in 2004
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Pink Dragon" by Olivia in 2004
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"Lair of the Dragon" by Arthur Suydam in 2005
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Lair of the Dragon" by Arthur Suydam in 2005
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"The Huntress" by Larry Elmore in 2006
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"The Huntress" by Larry Elmore in 2006
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"Dawn" by Joseph Michael Linsner in 2007
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Dawn" by Joseph Michael Linsner in 2007
courtesy Dragon Con
"Glaurong" by Stephen Hickman in 2008
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Glaurong" by Stephen Hickman in 2008
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"Troubles With Heroes" by Tara McPherson in 2009
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Troubles With Heroes" by Tara McPherson in 2009
courtesy Dragon Con
"St. George and the Dragon" by Donato Giancola in 2010
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"St. George and the Dragon" by Donato Giancola in 2010
courtesy Dragon Con
"Gift From the Sea" by Michael Whelan in 2011
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"Gift From the Sea" by Michael Whelan in 2011
courtesy Dragon Con
"The Dragon Empress" by Dan dos Santos in 2012
Dragon Con program art through the years —
"The Dragon Empress" by Dan dos Santos in 2012
courtesy Dragon Con