Sunday, December 29, 2019

Legends of Tomorrow Season 5 and Crisis of Infinite Earth Part 4 & 5 Premiere in January 2020 on Warner TV


DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW, the motliest rag tag crew of the DC Universe will be back with a 5th season on Warner TV, the same day as the U.S. on Wednesday, 22 January at 9.50 PM.

In this season, consulting producer Marc Guggenheim tweeted that things are going to get even more hilarious with the crew. This brings much joy to Red Dot Diva, because LEGENDS OF TOMORROW has the zaniest storylines and wierdest creatures (evil human heart-devouring unicorn, hello!!) in the entire Arrowverse.

It is just too bad that in the middle of the season, fans will have to say goodbye to Brandon Routh and Courtney Ford, who have both left the series. Luckily, there is snarky sorcerer Constantine (Matt Ryan) still around to create more havoc and heartbreak in several timelines.

For a peek of what is to come in the new season, here's a trailer from The CW channel, where the series is being aired in the U.S.:



Sunday, December 22, 2019

RDD Westeros Holiday Contest - Win A Pack of Game of Thrones Goodies!



The HBO series Game of Thrones may have ended, but there is no lack of gifts from Westeros!

As a year end holiday giveaway,  Red Dot Diva has a set of swag for Game of Thrones fans to enjoy. All they need to do is join this online contest by completing the following steps:

1. Follow Red Dot Diva on Twitter and/ or Facebook
2. In your answer, tag someone you know who is a Game of Thrones fan.
3. Answer the contest question below by posting in the Facebook post's comment box, or a tweet with a mention to @reddotdiva:

QUESTION -- What is Jon Snow's real name?

Good luck! And if you were not the chosen winner, there will be another round of giveaway this before December ends!

Friday, December 6, 2019

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Artist Alley Booth Highlight on Versatile Illustrator Soefara Jafney


Freelance illustrator Soefara Jafney may be based in Amsterdam, but there is no denying that there are very recognisable South-east Asian touch points in many of her drawings. More importantly, Soefara has a special skill - she is able to depict various women characters in history as well as in pop-culture as interesting personalities in their own right.

Having worked in the commercial world as an art director, her versatility is evident as she her work is seen in various forms, including children's books illustrations, designs for headscarves and leggings, and also high-end collectible toy statues.

It was wonderful to know that Soefara will be having a booth at Singapore Comic Con's Artist Alley this year. Red Dot Diva recommends that the geek ladies (and of course, men too) should head there, get to know her and her art, and show what woman power can be and do!

Here's a Q&A with Soefara, where Red Dot Diva chats with her about the art scene, representation for women, and her dream project.

Red Dot Diva: How is it like being a Malaysian artist living in Amsterdam, and now, in Singapore? Do you think there's hope for Singapore's local arts scene?
Soefara: Hmm.. what can I say about the art scene here? It is glorious! The level of artistry is eminent. From their Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh to other forms of art such as ivory carving, cheesemaking and Taxidermy, The Dutch seem to have mastered their craft beautifully. Take for example Taxidermy, there are courses available here for those who are interested to learn but the wait list is 2 years and the course is pretty hefty. That itself shows how much commitment they’re willing to atone to advance in a skill. Having said that, the Netherlands have had the economic and art boom since the 16th century. That gives them one big head start compared to Singapore. And time is a precious commodity when it comes to mastery in any field. Singapore is one melting pot, reminds me of London on a smaller scale ( But Singapore has better train system heh..) The buzz and the speed of the city is inspiring. Singapore has always welcomed talents from around the world, hence there is a lot of transfer of technology and ideas to inspire the local art scene. But like I've mentioned earlier, the path has been made, perhaps what we need is just time to see it bloom.


Thursday, December 5, 2019

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Artist Alley Booth Highlight on Seth Adams of "GOTH" Comics Series

Red Dot Diva first met Seth Adams at Singapore Comic Con (previously know as STGCC) a few years ago. They had bonded as ardent fans of mixed-media and award-winning artist, David Mack.

Seth has been a regular participant of Artist Alley for a number of years, and from what Red Dot Diva noticed, requests for art commissions has always kept him busy during the convention. He has also been constantly practising and improving on this artistic skills. Recently, his pencil work shines with bold confidence, and a very personal art style is emerging more clearly. 

It is no wonder then, that Seth was asked to illustrate for a new comic book series called GOTH, published by Comics Experience and South Point Press. The first one-short comic was released just over a week ago on 27 November 2019.

Red Dot Diva managed to catch Seth Adams to find out more about his experience with his first published comic book!

Red Dot Diva: How exciting is it to have your first published book GOTH: YOUNG LOVERS AT WAR being released? Tell us more about it!
Seth Adams: It’s nice to get something into the world! As described by Previews, Goth is "the first in an exciting, genre-bending series of Goth one-shots from critically-acclaimed writer Paul Allor and exciting newcomer Seth Adams! When a young Visigoth warrior named Dolphus finds himself spurned by his lover, Gerda, he throws himself into battle, seeking an honorable death that never seems to come. As desperation takes hold, Gerda works to save him... preferably in the most painful way possible. It's the third-century CE, and love... love will tear them apart." That sums it up pretty well. :) 

Red Dot Diva: How did you get to collaborate with Paul Allor? How has the experience been like?
Seth: I had just finished an online workshop class with Robert Atkins over at Comics Experience and I was on the forums posting my work. I’m not sure if Paul already had the idea brewing, but he contacted me there on Comics Experience and asked if I would be interested in collaborating. He was immensely patient and kind guiding me through the process while still giving me alot of room to explore.

Coca-Cola Singapore Launches Galactic Hunt for Star Wars Lighted Bottles


The most OMG!! Wow! announcement from today's Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) media preview was the launch of Coca-Cola Singapore's specially designed STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER lighted bottles, as part of their “Full Force No Sugar Campaign”.

Soon after Red Dot Diva posted a video of the bottles on Instagram, she received queries on how Star Wars fans can get their grabby hands on this unique collectible item.

First, some quick facts about the promotional merchandise.

* These are the world's first lighted STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Coca-Cola No Sugar bottles.
* There are limited editions - only 8,000 up for grabs.
* These are only available in Red Dot Island!
* There are two bottle designs - one Rey design with a lightsaber that lights up in blue, and the other for Kylo Ren, with a lightsaber that lights up in red.




So, how can you nab these bottles for your own collection? Well, the bottles will be hidden in 45 locations around Red Dot Island from 6 to 22 December, and fans will have to hunt them down as fervently as a bounty hunter from a galaxy far far away.



To get your bottles, here are your First Order instructions. Read them carefully. Commit them to memory.

1. The Galactic hunt takes place over 3 weekends - 6 to 8 December (that is during SGCC!), 13 to 15 December, and 20 to 22 December.

2. At 10 PM, on the night before each activation day, five riddles will be released through Coca-Cola Singapore's Facebook and Instagram, and the official campaign website.

3. Fans have to solve these riddles. The answer will lead them to the location of a gatekeeper, who will hand them a special pass. The passes are redeemable from the gatekeeper from 12 PM to 8 PM each day.

4. Using this special pass, fans will be allowed to purchase a lighted bottle at the nearest 7-Eleven outlet. It will be at the price of a regular Coca-Cola No Sugar 500ml bottle.

5. The purchase of the Coca-Cola No Sugar bottle from 7-Eleven will have to be done by 9 PM on the same day.

We are excited to be launching the world's first lighted STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Coca-Cola No Sugar bottles here in Singapore. We know how special the iconic lightsaber is to the Star Wars universe and its fans, so we wanted to bring this to life and deliver a one-of-a-kind experience through innovative packaging and a fun activation for consumers. We wish them all good luck hunting and may the Force be with you!” said Lim Kean Yew, integrated Marketing Communications Director for Coca-Cola Singapore.

During the promotional campaign, fans can also win other Star Wars-themed merchandise - like drawstring bags, lunch bags, rolltop backpacks and Royal Selangor R2-D2 canisters. They can participate in the “Full Force No Sugar Campaign” by purchasing a regular Coca-Cola No Sugar 500ml bottle from any 7-Eleven store, and submit their proof of purchase at this link: https://starwars.coca-cola.com.sg

How exciting is that?!


Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Q&A with Creative Hong Kong-based Artist Tik Ka

Since Tik Ka Ng's playful mash-ups of Western superheros and pop-culture characters dressed in Chinese opera and traditional costumes have gone viral, Red Dot Diva has kept a constant eye on his Instagram feed to see what amusing images he will come up next. Even celebrities like Stan Lee and Robert Downey Jr have noticed these creative mash-ups!

In his Tik Ka from East series, he has drawn the Guardians of the Galaxy, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, various Star Wars characters, and even characters from the Minions movies in old school Chinese clothes.

Other than these mash-ups, Tik Ka has exhibited his paintings internationally in cities like London, Paris, New York and Milan. He has also designed for vinyl toys, like the attractive Hambuddha series, and the Chinese-looking Santa Guan figurines.

Red Dot Diva: Before Tik Ka from East series, you have another one featuring cute, cherubic babies, especially one called Chizi. How did this baby theme come about? 
Tik Ka (TK): I started from contemporary art. Before my discovery to infuse Chinese elements into the baby theme, I was a creative for an advertising firm. It was a highly charged profession, and I felt the strain. And it made me wonder if that is what I really wanted. I decided to leave that profession behind and concentrate on painting. I feel complete when I am busy with my paintings, and I have no regrets with that decision. 

Red Dot Diva: What made you decide to branch out from babies to drawing Western pop-culture characters and superheroes in Asian costumes and scenarios? 
TK: The baby painting art world or “Chizi”, is maintained throughout my paintings, while Tik Ka from East was derived from a culmination of Chinese elements. My years experiencing the mix of East and West culture while growing up in post-colonial Hong Kong has inspired me artistically. I try to mix these elements in my works, and I see the finished product as a representation of myself. 


Red Dot Diva: The Chinese opera costumes in these mash-up drawings are very detailed. Did you do a lot of research on this?
TK: I love Chinese culture! From the splendid food their dramatic opera, and its rich history and have spent countless hours researching. It is thus wise to find a balance between East and West elements, sort of like finding a common ground so as not to misrepresent any culture. 

Monday, December 2, 2019

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Artist Alley Booth Highlight on Malaysian Artist Alan Quah

Malaysian artist Alan Quah has been a regular participant of STGCC's Artist Alley for many years, and he will be back again this year in the re-branded Singapore Comic Con, held this weekend at Marina Bay Sands.

A brilliant and versatile artist, Alan has worked with a range of comic book publishers, like Image, Titan, Zenescope, Valiant, Boom! Studios, IDW and yes, even DC Comics! His drawings of comic book characters look dynamic and powerful. They seem as if they might pop out of the page and step into reality any minute!

His artistic skills are also showcased in concept art for Royal Selangor's current line of Marvel and DC figurines.

Here's Red Dot Diva's quickie interview with Alan Quah

Red Dot Diva: Hi Alan! Nice to know that you are coming back to Singapore Comic Con this year! Is there anything different from your artist alley appearance this year, compared to previous years?
Alan Quah: It is always great to be back to Singapore and visiting Singapore Comic Con again. Even more so this year because I am coming with my family, the founders of Scott's Collectibles Alan and Daniel Scott, the people who were instrumental to getting me on mainstream comics and also with my buddy and colleague the talented Kael Ngu. This will be Scott's first year visiting Asia and we hope it will be the beginning of a larger presence with more of our colleagues joining the fun next year. And personally I am looking forward to see all my local friends again.

Red Dot Diva: You have done artwork for several comic book publishers - DC, Image, Titan, Valiant, just to name a few. Is there a particular project that resonates with you in a very special way?
Alan: I like to think that when I accept a project it will one that I am totally invested into and I will give my all to it. That has always been my approach. But if I have to pick one, it has to be my 1st mainstream DC Cover, Tales of the Dark Multiverse, Batman Knightfall. To those who followed my journey, know that I have gone through a lot trying to break in over the past 9 years. I came to STGCC in 2010 as an amateur artist hoping to get a break via the Marvel talent hunt, got shortlisted but eventually rejected multiple times over the course of the following years. Until this year, I got the DC call, thanks to my gaffer, and the 1st gig is a Batman cover. So yeah, that was something special.