Kelly McCorkendale

Kelly McCorkendale is a dog-lover, avid quilter, and occasional creative writer who loves the color orange and boycotts cable (except Game of Thrones because, well, what if winter is coming!?). After college, she realized poets weren’t in demand, so she shipped off to Madagascar with Peace Corps. Since then, she’s found a niche working on health systems in Africa but has a long-list of life tasks yet to be fulfilled--such as perform blackmail, learn a trade, and become a competitive eater. She has an MA in International Education, believes rice is the elixir of life, and, in high school, won the best supporting actress honor for the state of Missouri. She may also recite poetry (her first love) when imbibing in alcohol.

Evangeline Lilly: Saint, Sinner, Writer, Wasp

Evangeline Lilly: Saint, Sinner, Writer, Wasp

Evangeline Lilly may be most recognizable these days as the Wasp in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but she considers herself a writer first. And a dirty thief (wink, wink—more on that later). But, Sunday in the Marriott during her first appearance at Dragon Con, she showed con-goers that her megawatt smile fronts a truly magnanimous soul—jumping off stage in… Read more →

No (Future) Spoilers, Just Feelings with Mantis and Wong

In Avengers: Infinity War, the mad titan Thanos snaps his fingers and—spoiler alert!—half the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) disintegrates into dust. Around the world, a collective jaw dropped in shock and sadness. And while Benedict Wong and Pom Klementieff will not divulge the fates of their characters—Wong, Doctor Strange’s trusty comrade, and Mantis, the resident empath for the Guardians of… Read more →

Being Bad and Good with the Cast of Black Lightning

Being Bad and Good with the Cast of Black Lightning

The cast of Black Lightning—Marvin Jones III, China McClain, Christine Adams, and Nafessa Williams—is bad, bad, bad. And by bad, I mean awesome. Thoughtful. Radiant and beautiful—like literally blinding to the naked eye. And full of joy, fierce pride, spirituality, and strength when talking about being at the vanguard of diversity in superheroes, specifically, and science fiction, generally—a fact acknowledged… Read more →

Return of the Fab: Tony Lately!

Return of the Fab: Tony Lately!

If you don’t know Tony Gowell, get to know him. He’s Dragon Con’s very own institution—a moderator with flair and the gift of gab, a la Graham Norton, who brings guests with disparate backgrounds to the table and spins gold. This year, with the return of his feature “Tony Lately,” on Friday afternoon in the Hyatt Centennial II–III, he pulled… Read more →

Barrowman, Garber, and Noble: Giants of Stage and Screen

Barrowman, Garber, and Noble: Giants of Stage and Screen

What do John Barrowman, Victor Garber, and John Noble have in common? Besides appearances in the Arrowverse—the shared fictional universe of Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow—wicked quick wit that makes for a fun panel, and good ole’ song and dance chops, they all were on hand Friday afternoon in Hyatt Centennial II-III for the “Arrowverse Cast: Heroes and… Read more →

Sesame Street: Nearly 50 Years of Friendship and Fun

A walk down memory lane. That was how it felt being in the Marriott’s Imperial Ballroom on Friday at 1 PM. When the original, infamous theme song started playing, cheers erupted throughout. That song alone brought back a warm fuzzy feeling, like snuggling with your Snuffleupagus. Family had arrived in the household via television. Caroll Spinney, the legendary puppeteer and… Read more →

British Accent and All: Benedict Wong Charms in First Dragon Con Appearance

British Accent and All: Benedict Wong Charms in First Dragon Con Appearance

A few things may surprise you about Benedict Wong—the actor who plays Wong, a master of the mystic arts alongside Dr. Stephen Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He has a full head of luscious dark locks, speaks in a perfectly delightful British accent, and can do a spot-on Sean Bean impression, which he treated co-goers to on Friday… Read more →

Zachary Levi: A Man of Passion

Zachary Levi is many things—namely a charismatic, triple-threat performer who may be able to do a little Kung Fu—but, mostly, he is passionate. Passionate about Chuck, the show that made him famous, passionate about nerd culture and his fans, and passionate about bettering the world by addressing social media bullying, abject poverty, and getting undiscovered talent into Hollywood: all things… Read more →