STGCC 2012: Mark Out Your Calendar For These Guests!

The special blend of East and West that Red Dot Island has become well-known for, continues this year at the Singapore Toy, Games and Comic Convention with today's first announcement of guests and special booth exhibitors.

Red Dot Diva noted that fan favourites like Tokidoki's Simone Legno and Tadaaki Jacky Dosai of Cosmode will be back for this year's convention.

Vocaloids Creative band Zaneeds will also be returning to the convention, which should keep anime-Nippon-esque fans quite happy.

For those, like Red Dot Diva, who indulge in more Western pop-culture and comics, there are not one .. but two Marks to look forward to!

Popular Marvel artist Mark Brooks will be making his way here as a guest at STGCC 2012. Mark Brooks has worked on "Ultimate X-Men", "X-Men Legacy" and "Uncanny X-Force", and have also done a series of comiquettes with Sideshow Toys which feature femme fatales like Scarlet Witch, Psylocke and Dagger.

Local store Invasion! Toys and Collectibles is hosting Mark Brooks and is now inviting fans to contribute questions for a special Q&A video shoot with the artist. Two winners will be selected and each will receive an exclusive Mark Brooks art book, signed by Mark with a character sketch! Isn't that awesome? Remember to email your questions to Invasion by 15 July.

Just to keep surprises at a minimum, Red Dot Diva has given Mark ample warning about her *ahem* Biceps-Perving before he arrives at our island shores.

Then, it's the case of "The Return of the Biceps" with the other Mark, who happens to be one of Red Dot Diva's favourite comic personalities. Complete with his tattooed biceps and a cool laidback attitude, indie artist Mark Torres will be back here for STGCC 2012. W000t!!!

Mark and companion Punky were here recently for a special artist event at Invasion and Red Dot Diva had spent quite a few very fun moments with the duo. Dear Mark -- here's to more Jim Beams, and art!

In the toys arena, there are a few interesting custom artists who will making an appearance. Custom vinyl artists and toy makers The Beast Brothers (no, you're not seeing double. Oh wait, yes you are) will be making new friends with their special brand of art-style which pay homage to their Mexican/ Aztec roots.

Check out their oh-so-adorable twin-mugs and accent in their video here:



The brothers will be doing panels, live demonstrations and autograph-signings during the weekends. Can't miss that!

Other toy designers announced as guests for STGCC include LA-based street-style meister Tristan Eaton, who has worked as a consultant with big names like Nike and Hasbro, and Mark Nagata - the man with many titles and an almost all-encompassing artistic resume. Amongst the toy community, Mark Nagata (aha! another Mark!) is a well-known collector and artist, especially in the area of Japanese-inspired works of art.

Some exhibitors have also been announced for the convention. One of the featured exhibitors will be "One Stormy Night" (Akiba No Hoshi) - the first Japan-Singapore co-produced CG animated children's TV series by Sparky TV and Duckbill Entertainment. Accompanying their presence at STGCC, will be the Akiba No Hoshi retail booth and Duckbill's own showcase.

Regionally, there are a few exhibitors coming from Malaysia and Indonesia, like game development team Big Bunker Studio and artists Ario + Hakim and Keatopia. Contributing to the local artistic flavour will be artist Otto Fong, ToysREvil and Asuka Sakumo.

To whet our appetites, STGCC has also given hints on the exclusives which will be available at this year's convention.

There is little doubt that HK company Hot Toys will be bringing in more limited edition sizzling hot toys this year. Red Dot Diva bets the fans and collectors are already salivating at the thought. Plus, those who decide to make a pre-sale order with Hot Toys will get a free admission ticket.

And here's something interesting to look out for - a Sonny Liew and Gilamon Studio booth collaboration! Fans can pick up a limited edition "Malinky Robot" boxed set filled with goodies and celebrate the launch of new titles - "Jimi Germ" by Julian "Lefty" Kam and special anniversary release, "Zero Hero" by the Gilamon artists. A visual feast indeed.

Despite the Japanese slant to things, the latest STGCC announcement seem to make most local fans happy. But what seems to be missing again, are those involved in the field of gaming. Where are the games voice actors and/ or game developers?

Red Dot Diva also wishes that there will be a stronger female presence at this year's STGCC. This has been sorely absent in the past, and she knows there are many female pop-culture and comics talent (other than the usual pretty cosplayers) out there!

It's still early times yet. And there seems to be a few slots available for more guests to be announced in the near future.

So for those who are still hoping for their squee-targets to be here at STGCC, you still have time to make dedicated sacrifices to your god(s)!

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STGCC 2012 will be held on 1-2 September at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands.


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