Diversity in Comics Exhibition @ Booth No. B2-D05
Heroes. They capture our imagination. They intrigue us, and they inspire us. They rise above us and, in so doing, remind us to look upwards to reach beyond and stretch ourselves, to be more than we can be.
Heroes make us ask what qualities define them, what sets them apart from the rest of us and, more importantly, what makes them Super. Through this exhibition, we endeavor to provide answers to these intriguing questions as we explore the different heroes depicted in the comics.
These heroes are different and come from diverse makeups, backgrounds, and experiences. But they also share common characteristics and ideals. Explore these questions with us and be inspired to join the hero club! Capes are optional!
*Photo shown is for promotional purpose only, actual exhibit may differ slightly. Click to zoom.
X-Men's Legacy of Fighting For Equal Rights
For decades, X-Men comics have tackled themes of racism, female representation, homophobia, and anti-Semitism.
In the realm of American pop culture, Spider-Man, the Hulk, and the cinematic sensations of Iron Man, Thor, Dr. Strange, and Ant-Man have etched an indelible mark on legions of comic book enthusiasts.
These larger-than-life characters, crafted with imaginative brilliance by the luminary of Stan Lee, transcend mere fantasy. Instead, they become vessels for the human experience - fraught with imperfections and vulnerabilities, navigating the tumultuous spectrum of pain, regret, triumph, and defeat – reflecting the poignant Civil Rights struggles decades ago.
By narrating the stories of characters subjected to public demonization, Lee emphasized messages of tolerance and acceptance while unequivocally rejecting demonization and bullying. As he expressed in a 2017 Marvel video, "Those stories have room for everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or colour of their skin. The only things we don't have room for are hatred, intolerance, and bigotry." The pinnacle of this inclusive vision was realized in the X-Men, introduced in September 1963. This team of teenage mutants, led by Professor Charles Xavier, faced not only super-criminals but also the disdain of the very humans they defended. As Lee remarked in 2000, "I loved that idea. It not only made them different, but it was a good metaphor for what was happening with the Civil Rights Movement in the country at that time."
The Civil Rights Movement aimed to secure equal rights and protections for African Americans in the United States and sought to end racial segregation and discrimination. It was in this backdrop that Stan Lee and X-Men collaborator "King" Kirby delved further into racial equality with the creation of Black Panther, a black superhero character that first appeared in "Fantastic Four" #52 in July 1966. Black Panther was a ground-breaking character for several reasons. Firstly, he was one of the first black superheroes in mainstream American comics, debuting before many other significant black characters. Secondly, he was not only a superhero but also a king, presenting a positive and powerful portrayal of African leadership and royalty. This was a departure from the prevailing stereotypes in mainstream media at the time. Following that in 1968, Lee issued his most unequivocal declaration on civil rights: "Let’s lay it right on the line. Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today. It’s totally irrational, patently insane to condemn an entire race - to despise an entire nation—to vilify an entire religion. Sooner or later, we must learn to judge each other on our own merits. Sooner or later, if a man is ever to be worthy of his destiny, we must fill our hearts with tolerance.”
The X-Men's narrative of systemic persecution proved adaptable, resonating with the fight for LGBTQ rights from the 1980s to the present. The mutants' struggle for acceptance became a powerful metaphor embraced by the LGBTQ community. Beyond being a titanic creator, Lee's legacy extends to making individuals who feel different realize they are special.
Stan Lee died on November 12, 2018 at 95 – mourned by millions across the globe whose minds were opened to impossible possibilities and paving the way for acceptance of those were once deemed to be unacceptable.
Art Competition Theme: Diversity in Art
Art is a universal language; it can bridge divides within a community. Diversity in Art also connotes different forms of styles and expressions. The objective of this activity is to inspire local aspiring artists to experiment and draw comic art and just have fun at SgCC.
Click image to zoom.
Our Primary Corporate Sponsor and Prizes: XM
The prestige and satisfaction of owning a XM piece is not due solely to our uncompromising quality, outstanding designs and limited availability. Our relentless pursuit of excellence has driven us to push the limits of possibilities, shatter myths and create new grails.
Beyond creating works of art, we strive to perfect the most important element - the collecting experience itself. Exhilaration. Excitement. Pleasure. Pride. Status. The XM experience is real.
Highly valued in limited availability, XM pieces appeal only to the most determined, discerning collectors. Afterall, nothing worth having comes easy. Happy Collecting.
Grand Prizes: One 1:6 Batman: Bloodstorm, two 1:6 DC Premium Collectibles DC Rebirth series - Catwoman and Deathstroke
Our Primary Corporate Sponsor and Prizes: Kinetiquettes
Kinetiquettes was founded by a group of enthusiastic individuals, passionate about figurines and collectibles. The team has over 40 years of combined experience in the video games and animation industry. Due to the nature of their work experience, they aim to introduce highly artistic and dynamic collectible statues unlike anything introduced in the market before. Kinetiquettes not only creates its own line of collectibles based off popular licenses but also designs and manufactures statues/figures for clients from all over the world.
Fifteen t-shirts (assorted licensed designs from games), Ten designer masks, and
Grand Prize: Monster Hunter statue of Palico.
Our other Corporate Sponsors
Other prizes for the Art Competition have been generously contributed by Corporate Sponsors and Individual Donors: Pink Ponk Comics, Kalibak Komiks, Steven Lim, ChinChieh Wan, Myron Tay, Kelvin Chan, YongMing, Nathaniel Itoses, Christopher Hwang and Wu Zhiyou. Click the images below to zoom in.
Find us @ Booth No. B2-D05
The event map below shows you where we will be located. We will be situated at Basement 2, next to the Hong Kong 60th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition. Click the map to zoom in.
Great Company
Join us and have fun. Hang out with SCC members to chat about comics, share your collection with other collectors. Here are some photos from our Original Comic Art and Comics Exhibitions in previous years. As you can see from the photos, even guest artists like spending time at our booth.
