STGCC is back at MBS!!

Hi Huneybees,

The annual Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC) announces its first wave of pop culture personalities for 2012. Fans in Southeast Asia can look forward to meeting Marvel Comics illustrator Mark Brooks, well-known for his stunning illustrations for Marvel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic illustrator Mark Torres and recognised kaiju (Japanese monsters) illustrator and toy designer, Mark Nagata.

Fans can also expect more exclusive STGCC collectibles at this year’s event. Cult toy designers Tristan Eaton and The Beast Brothers, well-known for their distinct urban art style as seen on the infamous Dunny and Munny toys by designer toy label, Kidrobot, will be in Singapore for the first time at STGCC. Tokidoki creator Simone Legno, a huge fan favourite, will also be creating limited edition collectibles only available at STGCC.

From Asia, Japanese pop culture fans can look forward to meeting Chibi art illustrator CHANXCO and DJ Zanio from popular Japanese vocaloid group, ZANEEDS, and Chief Editor of Japan’s top cosplay magazine Cosmode, Tadaaki “Jacky” Dosai.

The annual event will take over the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Marina Bay Sands from 1 to 2 September 2012. Online ticketing opens 31 May 2012.

“This year, we want to showcase more aspects of pop culture from both East and West. Our fans can expect a greater mish-mash of personalities, exhibitors and offerings that will span across mass and niche segments of pop culture, including more cult toy designers and illustrators which fans have been asking for,” said Ms Yeow Hui Leng, Project Director of STGCC. The pop culture fest is co-organised by Reed Exhibitions Singapore and ReedPOP in the U.S., organiser of New York Comic Con (NYCC).

Exclusively drawing for Marvel Comics, Mark Brooks is well-known for his stunning cover work on comic titles such as X-Men Legacy, Uncanny X-Force, The Amazing Spider-Man, Dark Reign: Young Avengers and TRON. His current projects include illustrating the pages for the Brian Wood miniseries Wolverine and X-Men: Alpha and Omega.

An L.A. native, Tristan Eaton, began pursuing street art as a teenager, painting everything from billboard to dumpsters in London, Detroit and New York. The graffiti artist has done work for Nike, Hasbro and U.S. President Barack Obama’s voteforchange.com campaign. Tristan also has a permanent collection in New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MOMA).

Carlos and Ernesto East, better known as The Beast Brothers, are artist powerhouses who have created memorable works for Nike, Kidrobot, Reebok, Barcadi, Vans and Coachelle Boutique Art Auction.

Comic illustrator Mark Torres, whose graphic drawings has graced the pages of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, HOPE and Zombies vs. Robots, will also be making his debut at STGCC. He is also well-known for his attention-grabbing mix of traditional and digital art styles and twisted playfulness to his interpretation of subjects.

CHANXCO, the illustrator behind Japanese vocaloid group, ZANEEDS’ distinctively cute Chibi characters, will be coming to STGCC with DJ Zanio. Having performed at World Anime Festivals in Germany, Seattle and Los Angeles, fans can look forward to electrifying performances of popular anime and video game music.

Joining the line-up is illustrator and toy designer, Mark Nagata, one of the most recognised kaiju (Japanese monsters) illustrators in the world and the man behind the San Francisco-based Max Toy Company, which specialises in original custom and limited editions of kaiju toys and artwork hand painted by Mark. He has worked with prominent companies such as Lucasfilms, DC Comics, Hasbro Toys, IBM, and Sony. His colourful art style can be seen on over 40 cover paintings for R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps book series Give Yourself Goosebumps. Mark also owns one of the largest Ultraman toy collections in the world.

With more creators, illustrators, designers and exhibitors of comics, toys, games, anime, manga as well as famous Japanese cosplayers to be announced in the coming months, fans can look forward to an adrenaline-charged weekend as they get up close and personal with iconic pop culture personalities at autograph signings and forum sessions.

Tickets this year are priced at $15 for a 1-day pass and $25 for a two-day pass. VIP tickets are priced at $50 per ticket. For more details, go to www.singaporetgcc.com/buy-tickets

STGCC is also collaborating with tokidoki to create a special tokidoki pack comprising a special design tee exclusive to STGCC, limited-edition STGCC tote bag and a 1-day pass to the event. Each pack retails at $60.

For the latest STGCC news, visit www.singaporetgcc.com!

[Movie Review] John Carter

Hi Huneybees,

Thanks to Disney Singapore and Nuffnang, I could catch John Carter before it's official launch! It was my wedding anniversary that day too and I was super glad that I was given a pair of tickets, so I could share this moment with hubby too!



A century ago (February 1912), Edgar Rice Burroughs' fantasy adventure, 'Under the Moons of Mars' began to be serialised in a magazing called The All-Story. The serial was about a former American Civil War soldier transported to Mars and plunged into a conflict between its various races.It was collected into a novel called 'A Princess of Mars' and got publishes in October 1917. That novel is the basis for the film John Carter, starring Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins and Willem Dafoe.

The Marvel title is a full-colour, hardcover graphic novel collecting its 1977-1979 series of comics by writer Mary Wolfman. It includes tart from (among others) the late Dave Cockrum, known to X-Men fans as the co-creator of Storm, Nightcrawler and Colossus.

The movie John Carter followed closely to the comic and together with the help of modern technology, the comic came alive in this new blockbuster.

Taylor Kitsch as John Carter.

Lynn Collins as Princess Dejah Thoris

Synopsis of the movie:

From Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”—a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.

My take on the movie:

I like this movie as the storyline is pretty interesting, not only was it a action packed movie, the producers did not forget to add in some romance and humor; also alot of reference to actual Mars is made. But both hubby and me couldn't resist comparing this movie to that of Star Wars. Probably 'coz we grew up watching Star Wars?

Like above, the Tharks reminded us alot of Jar Jar Binks (except stronger), there were also moments of the Force and podracing. Me and hubby were literally shouting out the moments to each other while watching the movie. There was also alot of moments that reminded us of  '300', 'Avatar' & 'Clash of the Titans'. It felt a little like the grand mash-up of all these movies.

The 3D works and make-believe world of Barsoom (Mars) is so real that it makes one believe that life on Mars is possible and that aliens DO exist. Some parts of the movie are pretty predictable, not much of a climax, except for the little twist towards the end of the movie. 

One thing I love is the body of both the lead actor, Taylor and actress, Lynn. Not only are there packs of muscles to drool over, for once, the lead actress is not just some pretty figure, sweet dolls. Lynn had muscles at all the right places, she fought like a warrior and I bet her deep sultry voice would have made lots of guys dreaming... :D

I give the movie 3.5 out of 5 popcorns.

Catch John Carter in cinemas this 8 March 2012 and like the Official Disney Studios Singapore Facebook Page and follow @DisneystudiosSG on Twitter!