Angel

What do Luke Perry, Rowdy Roddy Piper, a one-shot James Bond and a man in a Wookie suit all have in common?

They’re among the typically strange and eclectic lineup of guests scheduled for Dragon Con 2003, the annual sci-fi, fantasy and horror extravaganza that begins a week from today in downtown Atlanta.

Once again, more than 20,000 fans of movies, television, comics, music, art, computers and games will converge on the Hyatt Regency Atlanta and the Atlanta Marriott Marquis to celebrate the state of the fantastic arts.

As always, the round-the-clock festivities - which begin next Friday and conclude Labor Day — will offer a sensory spectacle for the eyes and ears of imaginative minds.

Celebrity guests include genuine genre legends (DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz, "Pern" creator Anne McCaffrey and "Mr. Sci-Fi," Forrest J Ackerman), familiar television faces ("Buck Rogers" stars Gil Gerard, "Lost in Space" survivors Billy Mumy), renowned illustrators ("Crow" creator James O’Barr, dinosaur artist Bill Stout) and alumni of "Star Trek" (original crewmen George Takei and Walter Koenig) and "Star Wars" (Chewbacca player Peter Mayhew and Darth Maul actor Ray Park).

Programming tracks focus on cult phenomena ranging from "Doctor Who" to "The X-Files." Fans of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and its "Angel" spinoff will be treated to appearances by stars James Marsters (the vampire Spike), Andy Hallett (lounge-singing demon Lorne) and Iyari Limon (potential slayer Kennedy).

Screenings, panel discussions, celebrity programs and dealers-room displays preview anticipated highlights for months to come.

Perry, best-known for his years on "Beverly Hills 90210," will be plugging "Jeremiah," his new sci-fi series for Showtime. Brad Dourif ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest") and John Rhys-Davies ("Raiders of the Lost Ark") hope to intensify interest in the holiday release of the final "Lord of the Rings" feature, "The Return of the King."

Some guests add nostalgia or novelty appeal. George Lazenby, for instance, succeeded Sean Connery as 007 in "On Her Majesty’s Secret Service" - then relinquished the role to Roger Moore. Another Bond favorite, towering Richard Kiel, played the ferocious villain Jaws in "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "Moonraker."

Other Dragon Con guests bridge past and present. Tanya Roberts attracts "Charlie’s Angels" buffs as well as viewers of "That ’70s Show." TV’s original "Incredible Hulk," Lou Ferrigno, capitalizes on the character’s recent big-screen revival. Meanwhile, David Carradine draws fans of his TV classic "Kung Fu," but he’s also on the verge of a comeback as the star of Quentin Tarantino’s new "Kill Bill."

For Dragon Con details, or to order expo tickets, visit www.dragoncon.com or call (770) 909-0115.