STGCC 2013 UPDATE

 

STGCC 2013 returns to galvanise Singapore’s pop culture sphere

Marvel Comics’ artists Adi Granov and David Mack headline the

first wave of pop culture personalities

The annual Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC) is back for another electrifying weekend to satisfy the pop culture cravings of fans in the Southeast Asia. Fans can look forward to meeting Marvel Comics’ artist Adi Granov, the designer behind Iron Man’s trademark red and gold armour on the silver screens, as well as David Mack, famed for his works Daredevil and KABUKI. Both will be in Singapore for the first time at STGCC.

 

From the popular cosplay scene, cosplayer Vampy Bit Me will jazz up the show floor with her enticingly gorgeous depictions of famous characters from the universe of DC Comics, Marvel Comics, anime and videogame. Fans will be delighted to know that Vampy will be donning brand new costumes at STGCC.

 

Redjuice, a rising star in the anime industry and the gifted character designer of the hit anime Guilty Crown, will be joining the line-up of comic artists at STGCC. The riotously creative design team behind the highly sought-after TO-FU OYAKO, DEVILROBOTS, will also be back in town due to popular demand.

 

Up-and-coming music producer DJ kz (livetune) will also rock the floor of STGCC with his latest creations of masterful mixes. This year’s STGCC will also see TAM, armed with his classical violin, performing uniquely refreshing renditions of musical tunes from genres like Anime and Game, which will definitely captivate the senses of fans from both the East and West. Listen up as TAM will be doing a special set list exclusively for STGCC.

 

"As the leading show in Southeast Asia that unites the best in pop culture from the East and West, we always strive to be the game changer for the benefits of fans and our supporters. We hope the content for this year’s STGCC will be a testament to our response to fans’ feedback and how we have packaged a programme mix that is high in pop culture index and wide in ground appeal," said Ms Yeow Hui Leng, Senior Project Director of STGCC.

 

STGCC has set a new record attendance of close to 35,000 local and regional visitors last year, where fans of Western comics, toys and games and Eastern anime, manga and cosplay congregate to celebrate pop culture pandemonium.

 

This year, STGCC will invigorate the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Marina Bay Sands from 31 August to 1 September 2013.

 

GUESTS

Adi Granov

The most memorable moment from the box-office shattering Iron Man 3 is none other than the final showdown involving some 40 over auxiliary armours that Tony Stark calls for backup during the battle with Aldrich Killian.

 

And Stark’s sleek armour on silver screens is the brainchild of Adi Granov, who will be here with us at STGCC.

 

Adi is best known for his work in the Iron Man: Extremis comic book series, written by Warren Ellis, and his role as a conceptual designer and illustrator on the Iron Man and the Avengers films with Marvel Studios. In fact, the book that he worked on sparked off the Iron Man blockbuster series. Hollywood director John Favreau not only assigned him as the suit supervisor, but also asked for his help to design all main characters and fight scenes in the first movie.

 

His pens have graced hundreds of cover pages for many of Marvel Comics’ bestselling comic books including X-men, The Avengers, Ultimates, Iron Man, Captain America, and many others.




David Mack

With nominations for seven Eisner Awards (Oscar Awards equivalent in the comics industry), four International Eagle Awards (Longest established awards in the comics industry), and both the Harvey and Kirby Awards (Distinguished awards among comic-book professionals) in the category of Best New Talent amongst many others, the list undoubtedly proves to be a testament of David Mack's skills as an author and an artist.

Best known for the New York Times Best Selling KABUKI Graphic Novels and Daredevil from Marvel Comics, Mack's unique ability to transit smoothly between independent and mainstream comics often sees to the creation of remarkable works of art. Interweaving Eastern and Western influences, his avant-garde practices materialise into mainstream superhero characters while his own KABUKI comics showcase innovative use of techniques.

Out of comics, Mack has illustrated and designed jazz and rock albums for both American and Japanese Labels, including work for the former Beatles member Paul McCartney.

Vampy Bit Me

Vampy Bit Me is not her real name, but it definitely is a title that stirs excitement among her near 100,000 fans on FaceBook.

 

Having learnt styling in the States, Vampy Bit Me made a splash into the cosplay scene. She was discovered by Japanese toy company Kotobukiya, and was featured in the cosplay showcase book Otacool 2.

 

Currently part of a costume/prop makers group named Team Mantium Designs, Vampy Bit Me is involved in building and fabricating highly articulate armour.

Redjuice

 

Rocketed to stardom as the character designer of the hit anime Guilty Crown, Redjuice is one of the most promising illustrators in the anime-manga industry. Also a member of the creative doujin (self-published Japanese works) music group supercell, his upcoming works include illustration of the novel BEATLESS.

DEVILROBOTS

An established five man design team, DEVILROBOTS is globally famed by the character TO-FU OYAKO. They have collaborated with international brands such as ADIDAS, Coca-cola, Disney, Nike and so on. The official TO-FU shop will open its store this month in Hong Kong.




DJ kz (livetune)

Producer of the commercial track Tell Your World for the collaboration between Google Chrome and Hatsune Miku (famous vocaloid character), the rising music producer DJ kz (livetune) will join the STGCC’s line-up of pop culture personalities to bring the house down.




TAM

 

There is no doubt to TAM’s rise to international fame from a regular street artist along Akihabara, Japan. His renditions of popular musical tunes from genres like Anime, Game, Vocaloid and Touhou have received more than 20 million YouTube views, and he has performed to more than 10,000 people and released more than 100 albums for his collection of 2000 over songs.

For the latest STGCC news, visit http://www.singaporetgcc.com/.

 

NERF Power Play 2013

NERF Power Play 2013 was held from 17 June to 23 June 2013 at the NEX Shopping Mall Atrium Level 1. I dropped by on several days to catch the action.

UPDATE 24 June 2013: Final day tournament and "Ah Boys to Men" images and videos added.

The carnival portion was on from 17 to 20 June 2013. Here's the setup. 

There were several displays of various NERF series. Click on images to enlarge.

Diatron and Vortex Praxis

 

NERF Elite Series

Super Soakers

Dart Tag Duel

 

You could try out the latest range of NERF blasters from the Elite series at the various activity booths. Shoot down Play-Doh tubs or at electronic targets. If you managed to shoot a certain number or achieve a certain score, you would get a prize.  

Snap a picture of yourself at the "Get NERFED" booth and stand a chance to walk away with the latest NERF Elite Alpha Trooper CS-12 and Spectre Rev -5. "Like" Hasbro Singapore and share your photo by 23 June 2013. Multiple entries are allowed.

There was a retail section where you could pick up things such as NERF guns, board games, Play-Doh and Transformers.

The retail section was reduced in size when the tournament started on 21 June 2013. Mostly NERF merchandise was sold then.

Here's the NERF Battle Zone for the tournament. There were several barrels and walls players can hide behind. In the middle is a barrel where players can grab ammo. They can also pick up ammo from the ground to reload. There's also a flag in the middle. Players can retrieve it and plant it in the opposing team's flag goal post for points. Before planting the flag, a player must first obtain a "license" by shooting a target. The "license" is reset if the flag bearer gets "Nerfed" and the flag has to be dropped. "Nerfed" players had to sit out of the match for 10 seconds.

Two teams of three would compete against each other. You had to score more points to win. You get one point for each player "Nerfed" and ten points for each successful flag planted.

 

The matches were fast paced and competitive. Here are images from the Youth Category third and foruth place match and the finals. Click on images to enlarge.

 

NoobBusters were the Youth Category champions. They beat Triple S.





 

Several cast members of "Ah Boys to Men" made a special appearance on Sunday 23 June 2013.

Lots of fans turned up to catch them.

 

They participated in three matches, the last one being a bonus match to the delight of fans. Here's the video of the bonus match:

 

After that they performed "Recruit's Anthem", the theme song of "Ah Boys to Me".

The finals of the NERF Power Play Open Category was contested between S-16 Command and Tiny Titanium. A member of S-16 Command suffered an injury during the match. (I wish him a speedy recovery) I'm not sure of the rules but I think a replacement is allowed however, that person must not have played for another team. The person that came on had played for another team but Tiny Titanium were very sporting and allowed the match to continue. The match was closely fought and S-16 Command won it in the end.

Here's the video of the finals:
S-16 Command are in blue and Tiny Titanium in orange.

 

(refresh if any of the videos fail to load)

NERF Power Play 2013 was a fun filled event. The matches in the tournament were exciting to watch. Hasbro Singapore has already hinted of future NERF events. Look out for them!

Thanks for viewing!

 

Marvel Universe The Uncanny X-men Team Pack

Here's a look at the Marvel Universe Uncanny X-men Team Pack. I actually took the photos of this some time back but for some reason did not put a post up.  

Rogue is the most wanted figure in this pack for me, and for quite a few others I'm sure. She's looks fantastic. Her hair is very well done. It's got good volume and detail. The white paint was well applied as well. I would have preferred if she didn't have the headband. The jacket is a separate piece from the body and it's got some nice detail on it. It's actually a vest with the sleeves glued on her arms. The belt too is a separate piece. It's bigger than her waist which allows it to be slanted, which is how Rogue usually wears it. If you want you can position it straight.

Articulation. She's got a ball hinge neck, ball hinge shoulders, swivel hinge elbows, wrist swivel, torso pivot, ball hips, thigh swivel, double jointed knees and ankle hinge and pivot. She can look down very well.

Comparison shots. We need a new, taller Gambit.

Next up is Longshot. I'm not too familiar with this character. The figure uses the Ghost Rider body. He's got a different head of course, and hands. His head sculpt and hair makes him out to be an older person, like someone in his forties or fifties. I did a quick search online and most images of him has him looking younger. The eyes on my figure has him looking to his right. It's rather annoying. He has only three fingers and a thumb on each hand. His left hand is a little too big but it clearly shows his fingers. He comes with a pouch strap and a satchel bag.

Articulation. He's got a ball joint neck, ball hinge shoulders, bicep swivel, single hinge elbows, wrist swivel, torso pivot, waist rotation, ball hips, thigh swivel, double jointed knees and ankle swivel and hinge.

Comparison shot.

Next is yet another Wolverine. It's similar to previous figures. One difference is that this figure has painted hair on his arms. I like this added touch. My figure has a twisted ankle. It seems his healing factor is not working...
 

The last figure in the pack is the X-Babies Cyclops. It's a neat little figure. It does not have any articulation. The plastic use for it is quite soft, especially the legs. Hence it's unable to stand on its own.

I doubt that more X-Babies will be produced. Fortunately there's already a great line in Marvel Super Hero Squad which can serve that purpose.

That's all for now. Thanks for viewing!