Visual Arts Expo 2018 – Preview
Official press release!
Bridging East And West With Visual Arts Expo 2018
VAX is back for its fourth year with more content for creatives and the creative-minded, plus big names including Dave Ross and Studio Orange as guests.
Kuala Lumpur, July, 2018 – Visual Arts Expo 2018 (VAX2018) is back again for its fourth year, bringing together creatives in a one-stop location for both locals and international content. Artists such as Dave Ross, FUMIO and representatives from Studio Orange headlines this year’s guest lineup.
It will be held at the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC), with its continuing goal to gather, present ideas and portfolios of people in the creative industry to interested parties, and to find opportunities both big and small.
Fazri Nuha Yusuf, Project Director of VAX2018 has this to say about this year’s event: “As we enter the fourth year of VAX, we have seen growth in many forms – both internally and externally. Not only the industry has grown exponentially, the public has been made aware of the creative industry and are no longer dismissing it as a non-viable career path.”
Hence why the heightened interest is something we would like to capitalize on. This is where VAX2018 comes in; as a platform to connect people in and out of the industry, we want to build up new relationships or create new ones between creative industry players both local and overseas.”
This year, VAX2018 is proud to present many great names for the event. This includes Studio Frontwing, one of the major players in the Visual Novel genre. Illustrators from the studio – FUMIO and Yosai Kuchu – will be joining VAX2018 as guest creators, alongside director Keiichiro Kawaguchi. FUMIO is well known for works such as the Grisaia series while Yosai Kuchu has created intricate art for content such as ISLAND and Queen’s Blade. Keiichiro Kawaguchi, meanwhile, is no stranger in both the anime and game world with titles under his belt such as Zettai Karen Children, Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission, Frame Arms Girl and also Hayate The Combat Butler.
VAX2018 is also proud to present Dave Ross as special guest creator. Dave is no stranger to the comic book universe, with his name attached to comics from both Marvel and DC. He has worked with multiple IPs such as Iron Man, Daredevil, Star Wars, Justice League of America and Spider-man, to name a few.
Waki Kiyotaka brings the best of both worlds to the table. He has worked in iconic and memorable anime titles such as Wolf Children and the Land of the Lustrous, as well as western concept titles like the recent Iron Man animated series. Hige Driver brings some music to the scene, with his spin as a DJ as well as his experience in creating main-stream anime music like in the recent Umaru-chan R series.
VAX2018 targets an audience of school leavers, fresh graduates, young adults, and entrepreneurs. The event will present content in various forms – including (but not limited to) animation, comics, video games and music.
VAX2018 will be a two-day event, running on 21st and 22nd July 2018 at the Shah Alam Convention Centre. There will also be panels and seminars by invited guests, past presenters and the public on both days of the event. These seminars and panels are open to the public.
For more information, head on to www.VAX.asia
Join the discussion at VAX’s social media channels:
Facebook.com/visualartsexpo
Twitter.com/Vax_my
Instagram.com/VAX_MY
About Valkyrie Creative Solutions Sdn. Bhd.
Valkyrie Creative Solutions (Valkyrie) is a design and communications agency founded and currently based in Puchong, Selangor aiming to introduce new ideas, services, and platforms that operate within the creative industry. Valkyrie aims to create platforms for creative agencies, studios, and developers to come together for collaboration on and mutually outsourcing creative ventures. The dream is to establish an ecology where creativity flourishes and mainstream media is rich with Malaysian-made content.
#VisualArtsExpo #VAX2018 #TatsumiInui #Reika #ReikaAkiwara #WakiKiyotaka #DaveRoss #DavidRoss #DavidHRoss #KuchuYosai #Fumio #KeiichiroKawaguchi #CureCosplayCollection #ComicBookArtist #Marvel #DC #DarkHorse #Valiant #Comics
Big Bad Wolf Sale 2016 – CosplayFun Recon
Here are the good stuff that caught The Captain’s eye at this years @BigBadWolfBooks Big Bad Wolf Books Sale! Pop-Culture ICONs, Comics, Gaming, Cosplay, TV, Movies, Sci-Fi and classics!!
Here is the selection from DAY 0 aka Preview Day of this years Big Bad Wolf Sale! Do take advantage of the 24 hours opening times to comfortably browse, explore & shop. It’s very obvious to frequent goers that there a wider selection of books in each of the standard categories of the sale. Including a new area with Japanese & Thai books too!
Say good bye to the elaborate choice of food & drinks on the mezzanine floor! There is just only 1 source of food & drink which is a little cafe like place where the kids books usually is.
THE POP CULTURE GOODIES!! There are loads of new trade paper back comics or as they categorised it under – “Graphic Novels”, that we have not seen before. Most often we find the Marvel titles & comic strip cartoons but this year had a good deal of Dark Horse titles of old & new. DC was also decently represented with some nice hard cover collectibles like The War Years Superman & The War Years Wonder Woman, DC Super Villains etc. 
There is also the emergence of gaming ART books like The Art of: Uncharted trilogy, Final Fantasy, World of Warcraft, Fallout 4, Dragon Age; and reemergence of movie ART books – The Hobbit: BOFA, Book of Life, Penguins of Madagascar, Mr Peabody & Sherman, Blue Sky Studios etc. A lot of these goodies seem to be the similar stuff on offer at Book Xcess itself. However I could only manage to compare the Halo trade paper back comic & it was cheaper by RM 5. So it would be most gratifying for a bargain hunter / trift shopper if you knew the Book Xcess price then compare here at the BBW sale so your decision will be swift haha 
Here is our Top 3 Finds of Day 0!
- He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Mini Comic Collection – What’s this? Well if you collected these He-Man figures from the 80’s, you will know that each figure had a mini comic inside. The figure you bought would star in that comic, in that particular version whether good or evil. I thought it was a very cool way of extending the fandom in between watching the cartoon series. Anyways, my mom threw away my collected of mini comics & this is a very sweet redemption. The surprise part is that I never knew they made a compilation like this till now!! It’s in my hands haha ^^ RM 30 WIN
- Star Trek COSTUMES – Outpost Commander flashed this new book to us which he picked up last year in America. This book is a whopping US$40… times 4.43 to our Ringgit = not going to buy… untill now! This book was released in 2015 in which it would feature costumes from 5 decades of Star Trek including the soon to be released latest feature film (at that time) Star Trek Beyond! RM85 WIN!
- Game of Thrones: A Pop Up guide to the Westeros – Now is was the coolest thing I found at the whole sale – Game of Thrones 3D POP up book! I don’t watch the series but this pop-up book was uber cool with ideas I have not yet seen in pop-up books! Each page has a center piece then mini pull-outs + mini pop up in the pull out. All 7 kingdoms are represented & then the magic of which it ALL folds out together! RM50 for this almost magical collectible!
As always it’s a MUST-GO!.. at least once event hehe! The check out counters are arranged differently & the queue looks to be a killer long zig zag…. however it does move fairly quick.
*IMPORTANT TO KNOW when paying – just know that there are 2 MAIN queues, the left line is CASH which is a lot shorter than the right line Credit Card. CASH queue is an ‘L’ shape & the Credit Card queue is the zig zag zig zag. 
Check out our all the photos here on FB: Big Bag Wolf Sale 2016
Have a good one!!
#BigBadWolf #BBW #Marvel #DCcomics #MarvelComics #DarkHorseComics #HeMan #MastersoftheUniverse #StarTrek #TrekStuff #StarWars #Batman #Superman #WonderWoman #AssassinsCreed
Dave Ross Illustrators Workshop
Out of the blue I got news that Pekomik was bringing a Marvel Comic artist to Comic Fiesta 2015. Wow! What an amazing treat! In all the 13 years of Comic Fiesta… this is the first that I can remember to have a western comic artist as a guest. Then again he was Pekomik’s guest & not CF’s guest, thus not receiving any promo or mention at all from the countries biggest ACG event. This is part of what lead to the joke tagline in the past like “Manga Fiesta” or “Cosplay Fiesta” haha.
Anyways, the special guest was Mr. Dave Ross aka Mr. David H Ross. He is an art lecturer in his homeland of Toronto, Canada. http://www.daverossart.com
So what’s up with him? Well here’s 3 major factors that made me (at the last minute) change my mind to want to go to CF (despite people jam & vehicle jam)!
- Mr. Dave Ross is a real veteran in the comic scene as he’s been involved since its glory days in the mid 80s till this decade.
- He is also one of the few comic artists to work for the “big 3” comic publishers – Marvel, DC and also Dark Horse! Titles he’s penciled are house hold names from across the genre like Star Wars, Star Trek, Batman, Spiderman, Aliens vs Predator, X-Men, X-Factor, Excalibur, New Avengers, West Coast Avengers, Justice League, Daredevil, Punisher, my first comic series Alpha Flight & many more!
- I visited his website (www.daverossart.com/checklist.html) & ran through the checklist of his work… and WOW!! I actually have comics of his work & it’s some of my favourite titles – THE PUNISHER!
Well unfortunately I couldn’t make it to CF15 even if I wanted to due to work. Fortunately Pekomik & Abang Sireh Cartoonist posted that Mr. Dave will be conducting an art workshop at Multimedia University (MMU) Cyberjaya on Tuesday, 22 December 2015. A small fee of RM 20 to meet the man himself & get hims to autograph my comics huhu!! This is really so much more relaxed & different from the schedule chasing experience of Singapore Toys Games Comic Convention (STGCC) but with the same excitement! 
So here are some of the sights from the full house work shop titled – Free Hand Drawing for Illustrators by David H Ross. 
Full photo album here: Free hand Drawing Workshop with Dave Ross
His book by the same title will be arriving to Malaysia somewhere this next week at Kinokuniya. Estimated price is RM 92.90.
So happy to meet him & get him to autograph my comics! Punisher War Journal #14 & #15. And by far the one in best of condition – The Spectacular Spider-man Annual #9: Atlantis Attacks!
UPDATE: For those of you who missed the chance to catch Mr. David Ross at Comic Fiesta & the workshop, here is a 3rd chance for you – MR DAVE ROSS will be making an unofficial mini appearance this Saturday, 26 December at Avenue K – 1230pm to 230pm. I am guessing it is on Level 4 where Cosmart was held but we’ll see how. For more updated news stay tuned to the Cosplay-Fun Facebook page. The actual link to the post is below.
Pekomik post here: https://www.facebook.com/pekomik/posts/970002693068388
#DavidHRoss #DaveRoss #Pekomik #MarvelComics #MarvelArtist SketchesOnlineStore
STGCC 2015 Updates
Official news from STGCC!! More good stuff for the fans!
=========================
Singapore, 27 August 2015 – The eighth installment of the biggest annual pop culture event in Singapore, the Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention (STGCC), continues to bring a myriad of attractions to the show on September 12-13 at Marina Bay Sands! Hot Toys is thrilled to be joining the event once again this year and will be bringing a wide range of latest collectible figures from Marvel and Star Wars to fans to enjoy in the region! One of the most exciting and attention-grabbing news will be the world premiere and pre-order of exclusive 1/6th scale collectible figures from Iron Man and Star Wars by Hot Toys! Fans remember to stay tuned for more updates when the event date draws near!
Bringing even more exclusives and unique artworks to STGCC is the diverse mix of creative talent at Artist Alley, recording its largest turnout this year with 178 participants from 11 countries.
More notable personalities from Japan will also be joining the line-up of pop culture personalities at this year’s STGCC. Acclaimed voice actor Tomokazu Sugita and game designer Mori Toshimichi come from behind-the-scenes to up-close and personal with fans while Japanese crooner You Yanase and song-and-dance sensation Rie Yunohara will be staging a special music and dance segment for the first time in Singapore. Get ready for a weekend of pop culture indulgence at STGCC 2015!
===========================
Hot Toy releases to blow your mind
Collectors looking to expand their movie and game collectibles will not have long to wait as Hot Toys is bringing a host of 1/6th scale 2015 Toy Fair Exclusives to STGCC 2015.
The first to be announced is the Iron Man 3 Mark XXIV (Tank) Collectible Figure. The Heavy Combat Suit is made available at STGCC, accompanied by Mark IX and Mark XXVII (Disco) mini collectibles, forming a trio ideal for reenacting the scene in the Iron Man 3 poster featuring the House Party Protocol Suits fired up in mid-air!
Feeding more movie mania is the Maria Hill Collectible Figure. The tenacious agent from The Avengers will finally come in the form of a collectible, much to the delight of fans. Yet another spine-tinglingly movie-accurate collectible from Hot Toys, this piece is based on the image of actress Colbie Smulders.
One year after Hot Toys celebrated winning the rights to produce characters from the Star Wars universe at STGCC, the toy manufacturing giant releases a special version of Luke Skywalker, designed based on the image of actor Mark Hamill, disguised as a Stormtrooper, reminiscent of the scene in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, where Skywalker slips into the detention centre to rescue Princes Leia.
Collectors will know that movie-centric toys are not all Hot Toys is noted for. To show gaming collectible geeks some love, Hot Toys brings cyborg Raiden, one of the most famous characters from the game series Metal Gear, to STGCC. The Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance character stands gloriously armored in striking metallic red and gold.
Action City releases the Jiang Shi (Glow in the Dark Version) of BE@RBRICK at STGCC 2015. A collaboration with Medicom Toy, this exclusive is in remembrance of iconic Hong Kong vampire films of yesteryear like Mr Vampire (僵 尸 先 生 ) and Encounters of the Spooky Kind ( 鬼 打 鬼 ). Collectors can get their hands on the 100% and 400% versions, but be sure to keep your eyes peeled and cameras ready for the 1000% version on display!
===========================
Get your ‘green’ on with Hulk vs Hulkbuster
Are you big, green and mean enough? Be sure to practice your Hulk face and muscle-flexing as fans will get to challenge the real deal at STGCC. Requiring three months of labour from over 30 staff and partners, as well as an additional 8 hours to set up for display, is the 7m x 8.5m Hulk vs Hulkbuster. The jaw-dropping installation will keep you entertained with many a photo opportunity. 
============================
Largest Artist Alley turnout at STGCC 2015
This year, 178 participants from 11 countries will call Artist Alley home for the weekend. Singapore-based Pobber is one of them, bringing five exclusives, from their one-of-a-kind toy display rack, Autumn Stag, to their sultry Bella Lee, given a vintage touch with the Noir edition. Black Seed from Hong Kong will release two exclusives, Cocoa Monster and Corm Monster, both adorable curios designed and hand-sculpted by its gifted founder, Kenneth Tang.
============================
Hotshots in Comic Illustration STGCC is thrilled to announce more top-notch artists from the West that promise to excite comic fans
Jim Cheung, the brilliant penciler whose exclusive engagement with Marvel Comics has spawned Young Avengers, will come to Singapore for the first time to attend the show. Currently working on Secret Wars and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., he has also penciled for Marvel series Axis and Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. Outside of Marvel, Jim has amassed an extensive portfolio of illustration projects that range from co-creating Scion for CrossGen Comics to penciling for Kill Bill (The Village Voice), and has worked with The New York Times, ESPN, Mattel and Dorling Kindersley (DK Books). 
llustrator and conceptual designer Adi Granov will be back for his second appearance at STGCC. His work on Iron Man: Extremis spurred the formation of the Marvel movie universe and paved the way for his role as a conceptual designer and illustrator on the Iron Man and Avengers films. Star Wars, Darth Vader and Princess Leia comics are just a few of his other notable illustrations. His work can also be seen on the special edition CD release of Opiate by multiplatinum American rock band Tool. 
Behind every superhero and super heroine lies an artist recognised for his vision and artistic talent. Renowned comic book artist Adam Hughes, who will appear for the first time in Asia at STGCC 2015, is one of the best. An Eisner, Harvey and Inkpot award-winner, he has brought to life legendary heroes like Captain America, Hellboy, Wonder Woman and Supergirl. With over 25 years of experience as a professional illustrator, he has worked with notable companies to produce favourites such as DC Comics – Catwoman, Marvel Comics – X Men, Dark Horse Comics – Star Wars Legacy and Warner Bros. Pictures – Wonder Woman.
============================
Go behind the scenes of the movies and games industries
Voice actors are often the unsung heroes behind many Japanese anime and games. Tomokazu Sugita, an acclaimed seiyuu (voice actor) returns to STGCC with his low and crisp voice. Gintoki of the popular Gintama, Kyon from Haruhi Suzumiya and Joseph Joestar of Jojo’s Bizzare Adventure, are just a few of the adored lead roles in anime he has lent his voice to. He has brought to life characters from video games, such as Ragna the Bloodedge from fighting game BlazBlue.
Mori Toshimichi, the game producer and illustrator who has worked hand in hand with Sugita in many productions such as BlazBlue, will make an appearance in Singapore for the first time at STGCC. Mori, one of the creative forces behind Arc System Works, has produced many other prominent titles including the internationally renowned game P4U and XBLAZE. 2D video gaming fans will also get to know more about the video game producing luminary at the Spotlight on Mori Toshimichi segment. Tomokazu Sugita and Mori Toshimichi will take you behind the scenes by sharing what it is like to be a creator at the Creator Talk Show. While learning about the challenges and rewards that the duo have experienced, the audience will also get an inside scoop in what the pair is collaborating on.
============================
Top cosplayers from the East and West make their Singapore debut at STGCC 2015
Joining the list of explosive guests from the West is Stella Chuu, dubbed Anime Princess of Burlesque for marrying cosplay and burlesque in her one-of-a-kind acts. She will be making her first appearance in Asia at STGCC. Her humorous and risqué performances in themes ranging from Pinkie Pie to Jayne Cobb from Firefly, as well as her trademark TRON routine, are her calling card to fame and saw her touring around the Americas. She is also recognisable for cosplaying Ivy Valentine from Soul Calibur, Supergirl Kai and Devil Momura Akemi, all hinting at what she may bring to the table at her maiden appearance in Asia.
From the East, the doll-eyed wonder with sensual curves will come in the form of cosplayer Saku. Hailing from Japan and making her debut appearance in Singapore, she has brought to life the characters Ryuko and Satsuki of Kill la Kill, and Juliet Starling. Apart from female characters from animations, games and fantasy-themed titles including Vocaloid, the charismatic cosplayer also cosplays male characters.
One of Japan’s most well-kept secrets is Kuryu, who will be in Singapore for the first time with fellow cosplay personality Nakoto. The duo often pair up and are expected to enthrall fans at STGCC with a showcase of their artfulness and chemistry as demonstrated through their partnership as characters like Haruka Nanase and Tachibana Makoto of popular anime Free! Other famous anime brought to life through their cosplay are Diamond no Ace, Tiger & Bunny and Gintama.
============================
Music and dance stars from Japan come together for a special segment
This year, STGCC introduces a special segment of music and dance, helmed by songstress You Yanase and song-and-dance professional Rie Yunohara. You Yanase brings her harmonious style of music, “Wa” (和) to the audience at her maiden STGCC appearance. With an individualistic talent for harmonising tradition and modernity, as depicted in both her music and get-up, Yanase enjoys a growing popularity in Japan. Stepping out in 2014 with a solo career based on the “sing and dance” theme after having gained fame as a member of the All Japan Idol National Team at the French Japan EXPO 2013, is Rie Yunohara. Get prepared to be treated to Rie’s strong vocals and energetic moves, all wrapped up with her bubbly personality. 
STGCC tickets are on sale now, priced at SGD$19 for a one-day pass and SGD$28 for a two-day pass. Tickets are available for sale at selected authorised retail outlets and at the event.
Visit http://www.singaporetgcc.com/ticketsqueues for more ticketing details.
Check out http://www.singaporetgcc.com for the latest STGCC news!
CosPlay-FUN Malaysia (CPF) 