Cheers erupted in the Atrium Ballroom as fans got a second chance to see Star Trek legend Leonard Nimoy.  He began by discussing his early career, including his first film, Zombies of the Stratosphere.  “I thought it would rocket me to stardom,” he said with a wry smile.  After all, “I was the first zombie through the spaceship door.”  Strange that his job was to portray an alien outsider, a role that would eventually make him a science fiction icon.

Nimoy …

And the winner is…Warrior Ariam (Lucy Maria Boydston), of Hixson, TN.  [The Daily Dragon staff appreciates very much the subtle reminder received from Miss Klingon Empire 2008, Nej Vestai Le'nIvnav (Sonya Desilets), that the winner is really what the contest is all about.  Torture by 'oy'naQ painstick will not be necessary.]  The Daily Dragon staff cowered behind red-shirts hired for added protection while Warrior Ariam …

Leonard Nimoy, famous for his role as Mr. Spock in the original Star Trek series, has been wowing the crowds at Dragon*Con.  Actor, director, singer, poet, photographer—this distinguished man seems to have done it all.  And to have done it all so well.  As he waited backstage before the “Beyond Spock” panel, Nimoy graciously agreed to answer a few questions for the Daily Dragon.

A light morning mist failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds lining Peachtree Street Saturday for the Dragon*Con parade.  In nine years of attendance, these two reporters have never before been able to attend the event.  It’s not hard to catch sight of the amazingly authentic costumes around the hotels, so we wondered if the parade would be as good as advertised.  To dig up the truth, we squeezed into …

One of the classiest actors to ever work in the genre, Patrick Stewart spent an hour on a conversation-format panel on Saturday afternoon. Pleasing the crowd right from the start, he took off his cap and, with his signature gesture, Engaged the crowd.

Eric Watts sat behind a desk, orchestrating the interview Carsen-style. Stewart mentioned that he felt, “nervous and insecure,” but within moments, Watts had eased him into a …

Famous for his role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, Tom Felton captivated the audience the moment he stepped onto the stage and admitted being nervous.   “There’s so many people,” he said with a smile.  “Be gentle, please.”   Felton was witty and sweet, taking the time to thank each fan who asked him a question.  With his dark blue shirt setting off his trademark white-blonde hair, he joked that he first auditioned to be Harry, and they dyed …

Want to belong to an international organization dedicated to protecting and promoting Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy)?  Join Feltbeat’s Army, a fan group started by Misha in Illinois.  According to members, this is the only fan group officially endorsed by Felton.

What will your duties be?  Well, besides the requisite adoration, you’ll actively support Felton’s career.  For instance, when he mentioned that he wanted a photo shoot with Kai Z. Feng, a photographer from Shainghai who currently live in Great Britain, recruits …

Award-winning author Lois McMaster Bujold is equally adept at science fiction and fantasy, with works ranging from her Vorkosigan saga to her Chalion books and her recent Sharing Knife tetrology.  Winner of five Hugo and three Nebula awards, Ms. Bujold is one of the few authors to have won both awards simultaneously.  And she has accomplished this feat twice—first for her novella, “The Mountains of Mourning,” and second for her fantasy novel, Paladin of Souls.  Miles’s fans are in for a special treat: Ms. Bujold will read from the first chapters from her recently completed Cryoburn, a new Miles Vorkosigan adventure set for release in late 2010 (Sun 1PM, Hanover C-E).

The most impressive panel to open Dragon*Con programming in years blasted off to a packed crowd Friday morning at the Hyatt.  Two icons of Science Fiction television, Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner, exuded warmth, camaraderie, and humor throughout the hour-long dialogue. Their friendship as apparent as their talent and enthusiasm combined into a remarkable “fascinating” exchange. Yes, Shatner used the line, emphasizing to Nimoy that, “Just because you used to say it, doesn’t mean you own the word.” He added, “Live Long and Prosper, I can say that, too.” To which Nimoy retorted, “You can say it, but it doesn’t mean the same thing!”

The Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant celebrated its 10th anniversary this year at Dragon*Con. Backstage, contestants snarled over last-minute costume adjustments and fought for the few available safety pins supplied by the human lackeys who scurried to obey their commands. The 2007 Miss Klingon Empire, when asked by the Daily Dragon how she felt about relinquishing her title, growled, “I’ll cut the head off the new winner, and then I’ll have two crowns and a trophy [the upstart's head].”