Conventions are about the artists and the fans, not just the products, merchandising and consumerism. As a lead up to STGCC 013, we hear from the people who will be there.
Carlo Jose San Juan is a medical doctor/cartoonist from the Philippines who took a booth at STGCC last year. He studied for a few years in Singapore when he was younger. We also met at Komikon in April in Manila this year.
1. What's the big deal about this year's STGCC?
I believe this year's event will be the biggest STGCC so far as there is a lot of participation of exhibitors and guests from various countries in our region and beyond.
2. I don't read comics. Why should I attend?
STGCC is a pop culture event. While comics are a big part of that and more mainstream than many believe, there are many other things to enjoy. As the name implies, Singapore Toy Game and Comic Convention also involves participation from the toy and game industries. All those also involve movies and TV series, so seeing such media in the event wouldn't be a surprise. There's also the possibility that you'll find a comic you'd enjoy!
3. What is there to buy from you?
My comic strip series, "Callous", features a physician named Dr. Rianne Nicah who happens to have a Guardian Duck, Cal Duck, and their lighthearted everyday adventures in the medical world and beyond. I'll have four of my self-published, fun-filled "Callous" comic books for sale in STGCC 2013. Two of which, "Chocolate Chip Wishes and Caffeine Dreams" and "Take Two Spoonfuls of the Sunny Side", compile gag-a-day strips such as those I submit to and are published by the Manila Bulletin. The other two, "The Land of the Guardians" and "On Lighter Dreams" are of the adventure/fantasy fare involving the same characters. "Webcomics: What's Cooking?", a collaborative charity comic book/cookbook project of many of the top webcomic producers in the world for the benefit of North American food banks, will also be available in my booth. I'll also have related merchandise such as coffee mugs, prints, posters, and button pins available.
4. Okay, I am sold. When and where I can find you?
I'll be at STGCC on August 31 - September 1, 2013 in the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in booth F37! You can also find my comic strip, "Callous", in the Manila Bulletin and at callouscomics.com!
5. What's the future of comics?
The sky is the proverbial limit for comics right now with the relatively new avenues of webcomics and digital comics to explore. The comic reading experience may go beyond just looking at drawings and reading words in speech bubbles with the possibility of animated panels and accompanying speech, sound effects, and soundtracks. Creativity in comics is looking at a new frontier and it is a very exciting time to be a part of the industry right now. But there is also the fondness of the tactile experience in printed comic books that I believe can't and won't go away. There's still a lot of creativity that can be explored there.
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