STGCC 2016: Mega Picture Post Days 1 & 2

As is the annual tradition, here is my mega picture post from the Singapore Toy, Games and Comics Convention. This year, STGCC was held on the 10th and 11th September at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. I will be the first to admit that I found this year a little underwhelming compared to last year, and part of it might have to do with the fact that the event was held in the hall in the basement and not the first floor. It’s all enclosed so it shouldn’t matter anyway, but I guess you could feel it. Honestly, I couldn’t get overly excited for the special guests, but I certainly enjoyed interviewing them. I also had fun hanging out with my cosplayer friends and taking in the booth displays. I joined in a group of friends who were cosplaying members from the Teen Titans as a zero-effort Superboy. I’m not a cosplayer, but it was fun kinda sorta pretending I was for that moment. Enjoy!

 

STGCC Hot Toys Batman v Superman display

STGCC 2016 Star Wars The Force Awakens Hot Toys display

STGCC 2016 Star Wars The Force Awakens Hot Toys display 2

STGCC 2016 Star Wars The Force Awakens Rey Speeder Hot Toys display

STGCC 2016 Star Wars The Force Awakens Riot Trooper FN-2199 Hot Toys display

STGCC 2016 Star Wars villains Hot Toys display

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Star Wars The Force Awakens Luke Skywalker figure

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Star Wars The Force Awakens Resistance Rey figure

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Star Wars original trilogy figures display

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Captain America: Civil War airport battle diorama 1

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Captain America: Civil War airport battle diorama 2

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Captain America: Civil War airport battle diorama Captain America vs. Iron Man

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Captain America: Civil War airport battle diorama Hawkeye vs. Black Widow

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Captain America: Civil War airport battle diorama Winter Soldier vs. Black Panther

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Back to the Future display

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Alien Ellen Ripley figure

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Netflix Daredevil figure

STGCC 2016 Hot Toys Deadpool movie figure

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Ghost Rider Statue

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Spider-Man villains

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Punisher on motorcycle statue

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Spider-Man and Mary Jane statue

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Cable statue

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Kingpin statue

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Venom statue

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Boba Fett statue

STGCC 2016 XM Studios X-Men vs. Sentinel statue 1

STGCC 2016 XM Studios X-Men vs. Sentinel statue Bishop

STGCC 2016 XM Studios X-Men vs. Sentinel statue Psylocke

STGCC 2016 XM Studios X-Men vs. Sentinel statue 2

STGCC 2016 XM Studios X-Men vs. Sentinel statue 3

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Namor statue

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Witchblade statue 1

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Witchblade Statue 2

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Samurai Batman unmasked statue 1

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Samurai Batman unmasked statue closeup

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Samurai Batman Beyond statue

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Catwoman on bike statue

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Catwoman on bike statue 2

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Catwoman on bike statue closeup

STGCC 2016 XM Studios unpainted prototypes

Hulk Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. statue

STGCC 2016: Artist Phil Noto

STGCC 2016: Black Canary cosplay

STGCC 2016: Arkham Asylum Joker cosplay (Alexander Jameosoun Tan)

STGCC 2016: Arkham City Harley Quinn cosplay (Nyria Nox)

STGCC 2016: Quicksilver Avengers: Age of Ultron cosplay

STGCC 2016: Hawkgirl cosplay (Niko)

STGCC 2016: Nightwing cosplay

STGCC 2016: Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde Zootopia cosplay

STGCC 2016: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Orson Krennic cosplay

STGCC 2016: Silk cosplay (Theresa)

STGCC 2016: Suicide Squad Joker and El Diablo cosplays

STGCC 2016: Pocahontas cosplay

STGCC 2016: Arkham Asylum Joker (Alexander Jameosoun Tan) and Arkham City Harley Quinn (Rina Carissime)

STGCC 2016: Esmeralda cosplay (Belle)

STGCC 2016: Miranda Lawson cosplay (Cara)

STGCC 2016: Dr. Harleen Quinzel cosplay (Amaya)

STGCC 2016: Wolverine cosplay

STGCC 2016: Jessica Jones (Jenny) and Kilgrave (Frasier)

STGCC 2016: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Evie Frye cosplay (Neptys)

STGCC 2016: Black Widow and Scarlet Witch cosplay

STGCC 2016: Black Widow, Scarlet Witch and Jessica Jones cosplays

STGCC 2016: Daenerys Targaryen cosplay (Theodora)

STGCC 2016: Arkham Knight Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy cosplays

STGCC Milo Thatch (Anne) and Kidakagash Nedakh (Caetuna) cosplays – Atlantis: The Lost Empire

STGCC 2016: Vic as Psylocke with Shaun as Luke Skywalker

STGCC 2016: Father and son Deathstroke cosplays

STGCC 2016: Dust from the X-Men cosplay

STGCC 2016 XM Studios Black Panther statue

STGCC 2016 Star Wars Plastic model kits

STGCC 2016 sculpture booth

STGCC 2016 Deathstroke trio

STGCC 2016 Deadshot cosplay 1

STGCC 2016 Deadshot cosplay 2

STGCC 2016 501st Legion Star Wars booth 1

STGCC 2016 Star Wars booth 501st Legion 2

STGCC 2016: my friend, toy photographer Sunny Ang (Zekezachzoom) and I

STGCC 2016: XM Studios Samurai Batman statues

STGCC 2016: Kylo Ren cosplayers (Kylin and Ria)

STGCC 2016: Star Wars Revenge of the Sith Anakin Skywalker cosplay (Alexander Jameosoun Tan)

STGCC 2016: Band of Doodlers working on the doodle wall

STGCC 2016: Kai Le Red Hood cosplay 1

STGCC 2016: Kai Le Red Hood cosplay 2 and me

STGCC 2016: Two-Face cosplay (Joe)

STGCC 2016: Red Hood cosplay (Kai Le)

STGCC 2016: Red Hood cosplay (Kai Le)

STGCC 2016: Red Hood vs. Two-Face cosplays

STGCC 2016: The Force Awakens Luke Skywalker cosplay – bad nephew!

STGCC 2016: The Force Awakens Luke Skywalker cosplay

STGCC 2016: Star Wars photo booth

STGCC 2016 XM Studios booth

STGCC 2016: Special guest digital artist Sakimachan and her Rule 63 Cruella de Vil art

STGCC 2016: Rey cosplay (Xinyi) and Kylo Ren cosplay (Ria)

STGCC 2016: Armoured Batman statue

STGCC 2016: Overwatch Tracer cosplay

STGCC 2016: Suicide Squad Harley Quinn cosplay

STGCC 2016: Madame Joker cosplay (Darah)

STGCC 2016: Rule 63 Flash cosplay

STGCC 2016: Belle (Kuro Koneko), Alice (Celeste), Mulan (Amanda) and Ariel (Matty)

STGCC 2016: Raven cosplay (Niko)

STGCC 2016: Spider-Punk cosplay

STGCC 2016: Wolverine Cosplay

STGCC 2016: Raven cosplay (Min Lauren)

STGCC 2016: Black Panther cosplay

STGCC 2016: Mayday Parker Spider-Girl cosplay (Theresa)

STGCC 2016: Red Hood Cosplay

STGCC 2016: King Llane Wyrn cosplay (Joey)

STGCC 2016: Nightwing and Robin cosplay 1

STGCC 2016: Nightwing and Robin cosplay 2

STGCC 2016: Terra cosplay (Ching Hui)

STGCC 2016: Granny Emma Webster cosplay (Aunty Shirley)

STGCC 2016: Granny Emma Webster cosplay (Aunty Shirley)

STGCC 2016: Suicide Squad Joker cosplay

STGCC 2016: Starfire cosplay (Anne)

STGCC 2016: Deadshot Suicide Squad movie cosplay

STGCC 2016: Steven Universe and Rose Quartz cosplay (Charles and Caetuna)

STGCC 2016: Terra and Starfire cosplay

STGCC 2016: Terra and Raven

STGCC 2016: Starfire with Matt the Radar Technician custom action figure

STGCC 2016: No Terra, stay away from the Slades!

STGCC 2016: Green Arrow and Arsenal cosplays

STGCC 2016: Matt the Radar Technican cosplay (Mezame)

STGCC 2016: New 52 Harley Quinn cosplay

STGCC 2016: New 52 Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy cosplay

STGCC 2016: Judge Dredd, Wonder Woman and Deathstroke cosplays

STGCC 2016: Doctor Who Lady Cassandra cosplay

STGCC 2016: Suicide Squad Joker (E-Hong) and Harley Quinn (Hana) cosplays

STGCC 2016: Suicide Squad Joker (E-Hong) and Harley Quinn (Hana) cosplays

STGCC 2016: Suicide Squad Joker (E-Hong) and Harley Quinn (Hana) cosplays

STGCC 2016: Batman and Catwoman cosplays

STGCC 2016: Beast Boy and Raven cosplays

STGCC 2016: Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin cosplays

STGCC 2016: Gar gives Beast Kingdom a free advertisement

STGCC 2016: Terra x Beast Boy

STGCC 2016: Fables Boy Blue cosplay (Kie)

STGCC 2016: Raven cosplay

STGCC 2016: Darth Talon cosplay

STGCC 2016: Raven cosplay

STGCC 2016: Jack Frost and Elsa cosplays

STGCC 2016: Weapon X Wolverine cosplay (Rocky)

STGCC 2016: Batman cosplay

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STGCC 2016: Green Goblin cosplay with functioning Goblin glider

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STGCC 2016: Baby Mercy Overwatch cosplay

STGCC 2016: Constantine and Zatanna cosplay

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STGCC 2016: Omar Dogan and Harley Quinn artwork

STGCC 2016: Teen Titans and Super cosplay group

STGCC 2016: Teen Titans group cosplay

STGCC 2016 Preview Day

For F*** Magazine

STGCC 2016 – PREVIEW
F*** gets a taster of the latest edition of the pop culture maelstrom
By Jedd Jong

Yesterday, F*** was at Terra in Suntec City’s Sky Garden for the press preview of the Singapore Toy, Games and Comics Convention (STGCC). The annual event, organised by ReedPop, is in its ninth year. Reed Exhibitions assistant project director Lin Koh repeatedly referred to this year’s instalment as “crazy”, “massive” and “insane”. She had the numbers to back it up – a total of 43 invited guests, including writers, artists, cosplay celebrities and musicians, will be meeting fans and holding panel discussions at the convention. We were told that it’s up from last year’s figure of 29. 263 companies will be participating, releasing 193 exclusives and new products at STGCC between them. 45 000 attendees are expected over this Saturday and Sunday.

This year, STGCC will host its first ever computer game tournament, the STGCC eSports Mountain Dew Cup 2016. An exclusive mystery Be@rbrick figurine will be unveiled, and exclusive Hot Toys figures being sold include Disco Iron Man, Resistance Outfit Rey from Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Knightmare Batman from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The Hot Toys booth is always a highlight of the convention floor, and this year’s display will include a staggering 1/6^th scale diorama re-creating the spectacular clash between Team Cap and Team Iron Man from Captain America: Civil War.

We were introduced to a panel of Singaporean artists, comprising manga artist Rachta Lin, sculptor and toy designer Daniel Yu, illustrator Andy Choo and T-shirt designer Xuanming Zhou of Xmashed Gear.

Yu had some practical advice for those looking to become full-time artists. “As artists, we need to have the mindset of an entrepreneur, because at the end of the day we’re running our own business and cultivating your brand, you’re trying to establish yourself.” Yu’s resin sculptures and collectibles have been exhibited in cities including Tokyo, Beijing, London and New York.

Choo related an encounter he had with a member of the public when he was drawing caricatures in a local mall. “There was this rich-looking lady, and she asked me ‘so where did you study?’ I said ‘NUS (National University of Singapore). I majored in economics.’ She replied ‘Economics! Your parents must be so sad that you became an artist, what a pity.’ And I was like ‘I think my parents are quite okay with my job right now.’” He added with a grin that he drew her nose a fair bit bigger in the caricature. “I feel that we need a few Joseph Schoolings in our art industry to really help inspire more young artists,” he continued, referencing the Olympic Gold Medal-winning swimmer. Choo conducts workshops, and remarked that many of his students were able to land spots in polytechnic animation courses from which they were rejected a few years earlier.

Next, we met four international guests: Spanish comic book artist Emma Ríos, Malaysian illustrator Hwei Lim, American comics writer Nick Spencer and British collectibles designer and sculptor Jon-Paul Kaiser.

Ríos described the current popularity of comic book movies as a “dream come true”, having read a lot of superhero comics in her childhood and named Captain America: The Winter Soldier as her favourite. However, she also added that she is beginning to feel a little fatigued “because there are starting to be so many of them”. Ríos cited Katsuhiro Otomo, famed for writing and illustrating the Akira manga, as main the artist who inspired her to create comic art. Ríos’ credits include the fantasy horror western Pretty Deadly, written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, and Marvel Titles Doctor Strange and The Amazing Spider-Man. Ríos and Lim met at an art workshop and became best friends – the duo are collaborating on the fantasy series Mirror, published by Image Comics.

Spencer listed Brian Michael Bendis, Keith Giffen, Peter David and Chris Claremont as inspirations. Spencer was the subject of much ire and raised plenty of eyebrows when he penned the controversial issue Steve Rogers Captain America #1, revealing the good Captain as a Hydra spy. The mystery behind the shocking twist has since been explained, but some fans didn’t wait before sending death threats Spencer’s way. Spencer explained that unpopular story arcs are part of any comic character’s ebb and flow over the decades, making reference to the Winter Soldier story arc by Ed Brubaker that was once reviled for bringing Captain America’s loyal sidekick Bucky Barnes back from the dead and making him into a villain, remarking “People had to live with Bucky being a bad guy for a year!”

Ríos, Lim, Spencer and Kaiser were presented with a tasting platter of Singaporean food. While Lim was familiar with the cuisine since she’s from neighbouring Malaysia, it was a novel experience for the rest of the panel. They sampled salted egg yolk croissants, mooncakes, egg tarts, bubur cha cha (a coconut milk sweet soup) and Hainanese Chicken Rice. It went over well – Kaiser visibly enjoyed the mooncakes, while Ríos exclaimed “I could live here!”

The artists performed demonstrations for the press: Lin drew a journalist clad in a Pikachu hoodie, Ríos and Lim painted stunning ink and watercolour pieces side-by-side, while Kaiser customised a blank Munny doll with micron pens.

Other guests who will be attending the convention include Star Wars: Poe Dameron artist Phil Noto; Lumberjanes creator Brooke Allen; Injustice and All New Wolverine writer Tom Taylor; Macross mangaka Haruhiko Mikimoto, and digital artist Sakimichan, who has a massive online following.

STGCC 2016 is being held from Saturday 10^th September to Sunday 11^th September at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore. One-day passes are priced at $19, with two-day passes at $28. Please visit www.singaporetgcc.com for more information.