Singapore Toys, Games and Comic Convention 09
Into its second year, Singapore Toy,Games and Comic Convention (STGCC) came back this year with a “G” up its sleeve. Coming along after a boom in events from various genre throughout the year, with many capitalising with the transition of various subcultures into pop-cultures, STGCC attempts in elevating it’s platform by targeting audiences of all three cultures and its derivative.
Frankly speaking I did not have much expectation, judging from past experience of some past “major” events earlier, this has a great potential to be another marketing and consumer scheme. To make matter worst, finding myself needing to pay for a copy of the event guides did not help one bit.
Walking in though, I find myself impressed. What was felt was passion and soul put into the event, this was not just another “bring all the big retailers in to sell their stuff and call it a convention” crap. More exotics items are been showcased and tidbits given from the organisers to its fan to show that their desires have been looked after.
Lego's china cousin??
Take Bandai as an example, a familiar yes but in place of its usual Gunpla exhibitions is a Gundam capsule machine and with it a fleet of Gashapon machine. A real treat for all Gashapon collectors.
Gundam Gashapon Machine
Gashapon Machines
As you take a walk around, you will find many marco-events running concurrently on and off stages. From long queues of fans meeting and having their prized collections sign by its creators to demonstrations of newly released games, a lively and engaged participation can be felt.
Brian Bolland- Artist of various artwork in DC comics
Testing out a Graphic Tablet on display
An attendee resting with her daughters
The essence of the convention though was its movement in maturing the local scene by showcasing the talents of many independent artists in its artist alley and other aspiring artist the different paths available locally to support their growth.
Artist Alley
Looking through artist alley, I find myself amazed by the work of many artist from many local and foreign countries. Many of which have transited from amateur into professional fields. Psychedelicmind was one of the many local artist I met, really enjoyed the short comics strips of pandachan and her dream agent as I read through her sketch books, hope that I would be able to see more of them.
PsyK with her artwork
Race Krehel dressed as Joker
Rick Treweek's Character Clay Model
Ziqi of monsterlittle and Junwei from Dralaxy, another two local indie artist I met, whom have created a brand of their own selling their work online. I would definitely be keeping my eyes on their development.
Angel by Junwei
DEvil by jun wei
It is in such platform where the local artist and their work are brought to the attention of the public, showing them we do have things that we can call our own. It is them who we should give our support, for who will if even their own people are bias to them?
Tan Kwang Yang, Author of R.E.M featured in Mugen
Although movement such as the First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative that spawn the Mugen project which publish 10 selected finalist from the initiative in a JUMP styled release, there are no channel where local production can be properly connected to the masses. Sadly, I have not a clue what Mugen was about untill STGCC where Chuang Yi showcased the Solo Publication of each series feature in Mugen, speaking of low publicity. Well since the time of Celestial Zone, I have not seen much local production, time to give it a try.
Last of all Cosplay
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