DragonCon launchpad for the next generation

DragonCon for years has been known as a big playground for adults, where folks can dress up in elaborate costumes, debate intricate plot details from “Battlestar Galactica” and meet their favorite stars.

But the four-day extravaganza in downtown Atlanta, which continues through Monday, has been drawing more and more little kids, brought along by sci-fi loving parents. While children remain a small percentage of the 30,000-plus attendees now spread over four hotels, Con vets have noticed a shift.

“The first time we brought our kids six years ago, we were, like, the only ones,” said LeAnna Stockman, 28, a Calhoun mother of three. “We feel a lot more comfortable now.”

Her oldest daughter, Katelynne, 10, donned a red, white and blue Sailor Moon costume; her 7-year-old, Kathrynn, opted for a red and black “Star Trek: The Next Generation” uniform while mop-topped 5-year-old Nathanial picked a light blue Captain America costume.

“When people want their pictures taken with them, I get just as excited as if it were me,” LeAnna said.

Her husband, Werner Stockman, 53, is at his 10th convention. “We need to pass on the love of fantasy and science fiction. If you don’t, it’ll die out.” (He notes DragonCon is adults only after 8 p.m.: “Some of the gothic scene outfits get pretty strange.”)

At the Marriott Marquis on Saturday, the Stockmans pondered T-shirts. Kathrynn wrapped herself around her dad and asked, “Can I get a ‘Family Guy’ T-shirt?’ Can I?”

Werner punted: “That’s a Mommy question!”

“As long as it’s a two-for-$35 deal,” Mom said. “I don’t want to spend $100 on T-shirts!”

While the Stockmans were shopping, the Hunnewells of Suwanee with three girls in tow were simply people watching.

Gabby 3-year-old Ella, in a Mulan costume, was fearless going right up to Cookie Monster and accepting a red sucker from Ryan Shile of Chicago, who was mock campaigning for president as Zod from “Superman 2.” “Kneel for change!” he proclaimed.

Ella danced to the “steam punk” band Abney Park and looked mystified by a man dressed as an ugly stepsister from “Shrek” in a blue dress with chest hair and an unsightly unibrow.

The second that Ella’s mom, Patty, snapped a photo of Ella with the stepsister, she fled, hugging her mom’s legs.

“I can’t blame her for running,” mused “stepsister” Ron Garner. “I can imagine this has warped her for life.”

But Ella found no fear meeting “Star Wars” icon R2D2.

“How old are you?” R2D2 asked.

“Three,” she said bravely.

“Will you take a picture with me?”

She nodded and started petting the robot like a dog.

Ella’s parents led her away, but she soon ran back and whispered to R2D2, “Maybe I’ll see you later.”

Then she kissed him.