DragonCon 2008That low rumble you hear from the depths of the Internet is the annual DragonCon in Atlanta waking up from its slumber. While Smaug the Magnificent is waiting in the wings of the hearts of fantasy and movie-lovers everywhere, DragonCon 2008 has no shortage of build for the forthcoming pair of Hobbit-themed movies; and as we seem to be every year, TheOneRing.net is in the middle of it.

The show runs in several Atlanta hotels Friday through Monday and highlights the wide-ranging world of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Highlighting the schedule for TORn are two presentations of our completely unofficial and unauthorized look at the two Hobbit movies coming from director Guillermo del Toro and the Peter Jackson producing team. The first of two presentations is Friday at 2:30 p.m. with the next one set for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. both in the Centennial I ballroom. Panelists include our own founder William Thomas (Corvar) and Larry D. Curtis (MrCere).

In addition TORn will be staffing its Fan Table in the basement of the Marriott, selling our latest dragon shirt which marks our first co-op with Weta of New Zealand. They designed the beautiful dragon that appears on the front of the shirt (by Daniel Falconer) and let us sell the shirts again like we did at Comic-Con. We may also have some free items and other dragon and TORn themed shirts as well. Sales of all items keep the not-for-profit site at places like DCon and keep the lights on.

But other Tolkien-related items there be as well. A full track of Tolkien programming is on site, located near the TORn table in the Marriott. Director and friend Jean will be missing this year due to a private matter but the track will carry on, thanks in no small part to our own staffer Deej.

Part of that programming features the great Sean Astin and Brad Dourif together on a panel discussing good and evil! They meet together on Saturday and then Astin returns on Sunday for the musings of the accomplished actor and his memories of Middle-earth. All of these breakout panels occur in the Centennial Ballrooms. Visit the Tolkien track for full details.

Author and friend Dr. Anne Petty will also be back, talking about her extensively revised, second edition book “Dragons of Fantasy”. Playing the annual “Evening at Bree” will be old friends Emerald Rose who have helped create one of the great annual parties at the Con and who have well-earned their title as one of the best and hardest working bands on the schedule.

Day or all-weekend passes are still available in Atlanta Georgia. Click DragonCon.org for more details!