SCC's Comics Talk

Ratings out of 5 stars. Comics courtesy of Absolute Comics (Plaza Singapura) except for War Stories #13, Mythic #4 and Singapore Subterranean Grapevine Book 9.   Mythic #4 Story: Phil Hester Art: John McCrea Image Comics Released 3 weeks ago, this is still worth hunting down. Phil Hester and John McCrea get back together 10 years after their horror series, The Atheist, for Image Comics. Mythic deals with working class magicians trying to police the mythical world. You know, normal blokes like you and me and working towards our government pension and retirement. (of course, there is no more pension in Singapore, but if you believe in magic…) Imagine BPRD set in Britain and the team knocking back for a pint at the local pub after work, you get an idea of the world of Mythic. John McCrea (Hitman, The Boys) is pretty active recently. Drawing this and also regular partner...

Ratings out of 5 stars. Comics courtesy of Absolute Comics (Plaza Singapura) except for Island #3, Perfect World Today, Roleplayers #1-3 and Paper Girls #1   Island #3 Story and art: Various Image Comics Another one too good to miss. Even though this came out on 16 September, 3 weeks ago, this is the comic to read now. Just like 8House is the brainchild of Brandon Graham, Island, the new oversized comic magazine (no ads!) published by Image, is conceived by Emma Rios and Graham. Comic magazines are rare these days – the other recent one is Meanwhile published by Soaring Penguin Press. I am really excited by Island’s esoteric stories. It is anything goes. From Kelly Sue DeConnick’s heartfelt essay (with illustrations by Ríos) about her friendship with the late writer and poet Maggie Estep in the first issue to Rios writing and drawing her own story in the two-parter,...

Ratings out of 5 Stars. Comics courtesy of Absolute Comics (Plaza Singapura) except for 8house #3.   8HOUSE #3 Story and art: Brandon Graham and Xurxo G. Penalta Image Comics One of the most exciting titles in the market now, 8house is a high level sci-fi concept series with rotating creatives and a different kind of scheduling. To quip: There are four 8HOUSE stories. Arclight is created by Marian Churchland and Brandon Graham, and its first two chapters ran in 8HOUSE #1 and #2. Kiem is created by Xurxo G. Penalta and Brandon Graham, and its first chapter ran in 8HOUSE #3. Yorris is created by Helen Maier and Fil Barlow, and its first two chapters will run in 8HOUSE #4 and #5. Finally, Mirror, created by Emma Ríos and the Malaysian artist, Hwei Lim, will run in its entirety from 8HOUSE #6-9. After that, the finales for the remaining stories...

Ratings out of 5 stars. Comics courtesy of Absolute Comics (Plaza Singapura). A slow week according to Absolute Comics, so only 3 comics were provided for reviews. All from DC.   We Are Robin #4 Story: Lee Bermejo Art: James Harvey DC Comics A few months ago, I bought an oversized Image one-shot, Masterplasty by James Harvey. It was an orgasm of colours and wackiness done by a pop art cartoonist on drugs. You can imagine my surprise when I picked this up to find it’s the same James Harvey running havoc in this standalone issue of We Are Robin. So kudos to the stuffy suits at DC, who show that the mainstream can still take a walk on the wild side. We are Robin borrows the Kickass concept of kids becoming superheroes to protect their city and extends it to Gotham City. In this issue, one of the Robins got...

We have stories to tell. Singaporeans, I mean. Which isn't the same as saying that we have stories about Singapore to tell. Yes, there's a place for stories about growing up in Toa Payoh or kampong life – but we're capable of more than that. On the other end of the spectrum, that doesn’t mean we have to carve out our own Marvel or DC universes either. And while that’s not to say that we can't create our own superheroes, we're still capable of more than that too. So, what exactly are we capable of? Well, you don’t really need me to tell you. People talk a lot about the Singapore comic scene as if it’s some elusive phenomenon, or still in its gestation – but we already have comics out there that we can proudly point to as Singaporean, either because of the creators behind them or their subject matter....

Ratings out of 5 stars. Comics courtesy of Absolute Comics (Plaza Singapura) except for Sex Criminals #11.   Harley Qinn #20 Story: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti Art: John Timms DC Comics Hot favourite Harley Qinn is on a roll. She flies to the West Coast to rescue a girl kidnapped by a cult. Along the way, she had a bad dream about flying coach with the rest of the DC heroes with the Joker and Poison Ivy as the pilots. But soon she is back to her usual self, putting a rude airport staff in her place (literally) and hanging out with the cowboys, pimps and hookers. This one is pretty much for fans as the comic is too text heavy. Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti do not allow the art by John Timms to breath. A typical page would have an average of six panels. Some of them are...

Adam, which of your past projects did you enjoy doing the most? Why? Adam: My 4 year cover run on Catwoman, because Catwoman can be both dangerous and funny, and I found that combination appealing. While you are known for the ladies on the covers, what male character do you love to draw? Adam: What's a Male Character? (Joking) What is the best cover you have drawn? Adam: huh- I don't know quite what to say. Tell them Supergirl on the meteor. It's near the top - I don't look at it and hate it. But I don't really have a favorite or one I'd consider the best. Do you love Star Wars? If so, which is your favourite character? Adam (turning to the life sized replica of the Darth Vader helmet in our living room): A little. As for favorite character: It's gotta be Luke. Hi Adam, I love your...

Who are the artists (both within and outside of comic books) who influenced your style? I tried to emulate a lot of the comic artists I read, as a kid, from John Byrne to John Romita Jr, and others. It was pretty much how I learned to draw, though eventually I realized that I needed to do more than just copy, and moved into trying to understand the structure of things before applying that final surface layer of 'style'. It's what I try to tell everyone who asks me to look at their portfolio of work. It's important to understand the foundation of something. I tell them not to focus on the cool rendering details because if the underlying drawing is broken, it won't matter how you dress it up, it'll always be broken. All the brightest paint colors won't mend a crooked wall. Do you think that comic book artists...

Star Wars comics returned to Marvel Comics again in 2015 to much fanfare. This was especially helped by the release of numerous variant covers creating an atmosphere of having something for everyone. This return came after an absence of almost 30 years (the last issue of the original Marvel Star Wars series, #107, has a cover date of September 1986). During this absence, Dark Horse comics filled the Star Wars comics void by producing a large selection of mostly original Star Wars titles for a good 23 years (i.e. even longer than Marvel had been printing Star Wars themselves). As a long-time Star Wars comic reader, I feel that it is a shame that many new Star Wars comic readers are not familiar with (or had conveniently forgotten) the efforts of Dark Horse so here are five Dark Horse Star Wars comic series that you should absolutely read! 1. Star Wars:...

With the return of the Star Wars as a household name by now, no other franchise has garnered this much hype, months before they are released in cinemas. There are various mediums and ways that fans can enjoy the Star Wars experience. The list below is not exhaustive but will give you an idea of the myriad options available.Toys It’s a fantastic time for Star Wars toy collectors. Several companies have announced a slew of toy line ups and their release dates. Lego has played an integral part in the Star Wars toy scene; from A New Hope right up to the current Star Wars Rebels series. About 32 sets have already been announced in 2015 and more to come next year. Hasbro's on-going Black Series 3.75" and 6" figures has been successful in bringing back the vintage vibe. The recent controversy at SDCC 2015 over the product management issue for...

To those who have yet to make the voyage to San Diego Comic Con, you might have the idea that it is a Mecca for all-things ‘geek’. You would be half right as those who have gone in the last few years will tell you its actually more like Mecca at the top of Mt. Everest. And like the real Everest, you need to prepare yourself mentally and physically even if you have a lot of money to throw at the prospective expedition. Trying to get a pass now is basically the digital version of the Hunger Games. You pray for the odds to be in your favor. For my first visit to SDCC, all i had to do was send a fax and mail a cheque. If you are lucky enough to buy a pass for yourself, here is how to prepare for your first foray into what is now...

As Singapore gears up for STGCC and the General Elections in September, the region is going abuzz with comic and toy conventions, which gives you an idea of the kind of creatives we have in Southeast Asia and the big money that is generated through pop culture. For some of us, pop matters more than politics. In the month of August itself, two major conventions took place in Jakarta, Indonesia and in Metro Manila, the Philippines. The latter was held Komikon Indieket 2015 at Pasig City while the city of Jakarta played host to Popcon Asia 2015. I had the privilege to attend Popcon Asia 2015, which was a great event for local comics and original IP. Held over three days at the Jakarta Convention Centre, this was my second time to Popcon and it was bigger than ever. Estimates given were that 37,000 attended this 4th edition of Popcon as...

Ratings out of 5 stars. Comics courtesy of Absolute Comics (Plaza Singapura).   Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #2 Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Jamie McKelvie Colourist: Matthew Wilson Image Comics Comic of the week. It’s almost meaningless to summarize what Phonogram is about. Like that 3-minute pop song that has changed your life, to provide a synopsis of the first two volumes of Phonogram is to miss the whole bloody point. All you need to know is that this is the series to broke Gillen and McKelvie to the mainstream, paving the way for their Marvel work. They have continued to work their mojo in The Wicked + The Divine (also Image Comics) while Gillen has turned in pretty nasty stuff for Avatar Comics in Uber, the WWII superhero comic. The release of this third volume of Phonogram has gotten notices from The Guardian, Pitch Fork and Paste magazine. Music is magic...

  Ratings out of 5 stars. Comics courtesy of Absolute Comics (Plaza Singapura) DC Comics Bombshells #2 Story: Marguerite Bennett Art: Stephen Mooney, Laura Braga, Ted Naifeh DC Comics DC Comics return to an excellent idea from the 1990s that they have not revisited for quite some time - the Elseworlds concept which allows writers and artists to tell familiar stories in an offbeat way. We get a retelling of Wonder Woman leaving Paradise Island with Steve Trevor in a WWII setting and Mera from Atlantis came along for the ride. (see cover) What is unique about the book is that the different sections are drawn by different artists. So Laura Braga handled the Paradise Island portion while Stephen Mooney depicted the Soviet Supergirl and Stargirl. Ted Naifeh shows what Posion Ivy and Zatanna are up to in Nazi Germany. There is even a cameo by John Constantine. But this comic is to...

  Start of a new weekly comic review column - 26 Aug 2015. Rating out of 5 stars. Comics courtesy of Absolute Comics (Plaza Singapura).   Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #3 Story: Kelly Sue DeConnick and Kelly Thompson Art: David Lopez Marvel Comics Kelly Sue DeConnick continues her winning streak with Captain Marvel, the title that made her a fan favourite and brought her critical acclaim a few years ago. Part of the Battleworld series, we see Carol Denvers refashioned into a squad leader of a group of fighter pilots, the Banshee Squadron. To me, Deconnick does not simply write superhero comics; she plays with genres like giving the old Western a twist with Pretty Deadly (Image Comics). Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps is her chance to write a  WWII style fighter plane comic book. It reminds me of Garth Ennis' Night Witches, also featuring a group of all...

I have a sneaky feeling an ant farm would be a cool present for kids after watching this. Marvel has taken risk by using a C-lister (although an original Avenger) superhero to end phase 3 of its Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) experience. To be honest, I was never a fan of Ant Man myself being a comic reader. The movie and the recent run in the comic has made me a new fan of Scott Lang, the 2nd generation of Ant Man. He's your relatable hero. Doesn't have the wealth and charm of Tony Stark, nor the innate leadership quality of Steve Roger nor the godly good look of Thor. Lang is an ex-convict trying to make a decent living so that he can earn visitation rights to see his daughter Cassie. Marvel has taken the creative right in putting the 2 generations of Ant Man together. The ever suave Michael...

For years I've been listening to everyone I know who has seen a comic book movie. From praises to condemnations from the widest spectrum of viewers; from the most fanatical purist to the most passive of movie goers. Hollywood had listened to all sides and had done what every demographic of viewers had demanded but the comic book movies always ended up as train wrecks. My conclusion: Nobody knows what they really want in a comic book movie, so should Hollywood continue to listen to fans? Fans had always been nitpicking at movies with the mantra of “That’s not how it’s supposed to be”. There are considerations to be made when making a comic book movie, starting from simple cinematic perspective to condensing the story to fit the average movie run time. There will always be liberties taken whether they like it or not.The typical reader of this newsletter (such as myself)...

One of the most popular threads on SCC is about the old comic book shops of the 80s and 90s in Singapore. We all have our own memories of Leisurecraft, Comics Mart, Comic Art Gallery, Comics World, The Comic Shop and the uncles and aunties behind the counters – Mrs Wong, Raymond, Uncle Bill, Carol and Ming, and especially this individual by the name of Carlos. Most of us have our own Carlos story. I have mine, which I will share later.The story of the first comic shops in Singapore is similar to the development of comic speciality shops in America with the rise of the direct market as a result of convention organizer and comic dealer Phil Seuling approaching comic publishers in 1972 to purchase their titles directly from them on a non-returnable basis. This was different from the traditional distribution model of selling comics at newsstands and drug stores,...

Ever since the comics boom in the early 1990s, the local comics market has gone through its ups and downs (e.g. shops opening and closing, the effects of the Asian Financial Crisis, changes in story / art quality, emergence of the trade paperback market.) Regardless, I believe that the key factor that drives the market is (and will always largely be) interest in the medium as a form of leisure. On an important related note, how comics compare against other forms of leisure (e.g. video games) will matter too. Comics are meant to entertain. Accordingly, questions like who they entertain and how they entertain matter. In this light, here are three opinions that I have on the near future of the comics market here in Singapore:(i) Serious collectors will run solo and turn to the inter-net much more for the collecting needsSome would say that this has already happened a long...

Like Superman and Spiderman, the comic collector in Singapore can be elusive. Some of us have wondered who is this person. Does he or she have a secret identity like the superheroes? Even for the bestselling titles, newspaper reports would only give rough estimates based on ballpark figures provided by comic shops or booksellers. A few years ago, I...