Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2023 Booth Highlight - Hailing All Transformer Fans To Hasbro's Cybertron Fest

A section of this year's Singapore Comic Convention (SGCC) happening on 9 and 10 December 2023 at Sands Expo and Convention Center will become a stomping ground for Transformers fans! Hasbro's Transformers: Cybertron Fest 2023 will be taking up ample space at B2 Hall E for fans to immerse themselves in the world of Transformers.

Seriously, based on the press release, there is just so much Transformers that any Transformers fan would probably die happy hanging out in that festival space for the entire day.

Red Dot Diva's friend Edward gives his tongue in cheek take on what will be happening at Cybertron Fest 2023:

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Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for the riveting event of the century – Cybertron Fest 2023 at Singapore Comic Con 2023. Get ready to transform your excitement into … something … as we explore the wonders of a festival that attempts to resurrect a franchise single handedly disembowelled by that Bay dude. Yes, that’s looking back at 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, and 2017.

But I’m digressing.

Come, let’s jump right in to find that inner Autobot in you!

TRANSFORMERS LEGACY TITAN: BECAUSE TITANS ARE TOO MAINSTREAM

First things first, let's talk about the grand reveal of Transformers Legacy Titan. Launching in Fall 2024, it's the hottest topic since the last time anyone cared about Transformers. Be the first to witness it and feel the privilege of being slightly ahead of a trend that peaked in the '80s.

And if you're not content with just glimpsing into the future, grab the Cybertron Fest-exclusive Hasbro Transformers Jan’24 release toy. Because nothing says cutting-edge like a toy that's so advanced, it's from the future – January 2024, to be precise.

DRAGON YEAR ITEM: THOUGH ROBOTS DREAM OF SHEEP, THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE ONE

Clearly, not all animals in the Chinese Zodiac are equal. No self-respecting Autobot or Decepticon is going to transform into a rat or a rabbit or a goat. I’m expecting this to be gloriously awesome enough for fans to eagerly throw money in order to get one. Please do not disappoint.


GEEK OUT ON PAST CROWDFUNDED PROJECTS: BECAUSE NOSTALGIA SELLS

For those with a penchant for nostalgia, marvel at the past crowdfunded Transformers HasLab projects. Behold the War For Cybertron Unicron, Victory Saber, and the latest Deathsaurus. Like, you know, the best way to appreciate Transformers is by looking back at what was cool when cassette tapes were a thing.

And fear not, shopaholics! There are plenty of opportunities to drain your wallets with the latest products available for purchase and pre-orders. Pulse Exclusives, Pulse Con reveals, and stuff showcased at MCM London Comic Con are all up for grabs. Subscribe to Hasbro Pulse Singapore's newsletter for a chance to win the latest crowdfunded HasLab Transformers Deathsaurus project. Because who doesn't want a Deathsaurus project, right? It's not like it's a chair, but it's something!

But wait, there’s more - shop Transformers merchandises and enjoy exciting promotions on-site, including a limited-edition vintage BADGE gift with purchase (limited to the first 100 purchases per day).


9182469815 STUFF TO DO: IT'S A TRAP!

Jesus Christ, they are pulling out all the stops for this. You have to give them A for effort.

* Optimus Prime Meet & Greet
9 December: 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
10 December: 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

* More Nostalgia! Special Showcase of archived Transformers comic releases from 1985, as well as Transformers figures from Gen 1, Gen 2, Beast Wars and more!

* “Pose Your Transformers Bot” Photography Workshop - The toy photography experts from Plastic Singapore will be on hand to guide fans with their toy photography stint. Bring your Transformer toy along with you, or loan one for free at the booth to capture your own cinematic toy photos. Then, post your photo on Instagram and tag @HasbroSingapore and hashtag #CybertronFest2023Contest by 10 December 2023, 8pm. Stand a chance to actually win an OSIM uThrone V Gaming Chair worth $1,599!

* Biggest Transformers Fan Showcase - check out a specially curated collection of Transformers collectibles that include rare variations of Optimus Prime and Megatron owned by a group of superfans!

* Painting Workshop - Limited to first 40 participants daily. Session slots at 11am and 3pm, 20 participants per session. Unfortunately, all slots have been taken by now and registration has closed.

* Shop for Transformers licensed products like model kits, action figures, helmets, lifestyle products from licensee partners Agora, Blokees, Kayou, killerbody, Lego, Mighty Jaxx, OSIM, Pop Mart, Robosen, threezero, Vanch, XM Studios, and Yolopark

* Kids Play Zones - free childcare centre; let them spoil other people’s toys. They can also bring back a Transformers Earthspark colouring sheet! YAY!


So, buckle up, folks – it's time to roll out!

For more info on the full booth activities, please visit: https://sg.hasbropulse.com/cybertronfest2023


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If you enjoy Red Dot Diva's content, feel free to help her efforts going by showing your support through ko-fi. Thank you!

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2023 Artist Highlight - Stay Cool and Cheery With Ven Wong's Adorable Cubemelt

Ever since its debut on social media a few years ago, a web comic featuring a cute, wholesome ice cube named Cubemelt captured the hearts of fans with his optimistic take on life. The foibles of the little ice cube and his friends were later brought to life in an episodic series entitled The Misadventures of CubeMelt. By the way, you can still watch these episodes for free on MeWatch.

Senior Art Director of 7 Productions Peng Ven Wong, is the creator of the loveable Cubemelt. Red Dot Diva thinks it is amazing how Ven is able to construct these relatable story nibblets of Cubemelt's struggles in life that makes you go awwwwww...

Ven will be showcasing Cubemelt to old and new fans at Singapore Comic Convention (SGCC) 2023's Artist Alley, booth L1-AA29. Red Dot Diva had a quick chat with him before the convention kicks off on 9 and 10 December 2023.

Red Dot Diva: Hi Ven! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Ven: I graduated from Nanyang Polytechnic Digital Media Design. I was the Art Director at Scrawl Studio, an experience that deepened my passion for character design work, which I continue to cherish today. Then in 2013, I started my own venture, offering animation and design services, while also creating my own IP known as CubeMelt.

Red Dot Diva: The art field is so vast and varied. What made you decide to make animation your chosen art field?
Ven: I'm not someone who follows long-term plans; I typically make choices based on my interests. When I decided to choose a course at NYP, I simply went with animation. Since then, I've been consistently giving my best to keep it going because it's my comfort zone.

Red Dot Diva: What inspired you to create Cubemelt? He’s just too adorable!
Ven: Thanks! The inspiration behind CubeMelt comes from 'life is short'. I was sitting in a cafe one day, contemplating the creation of an original character/ IP because I realized I wasn't getting any younger. While sipping my drink, I noticed the ice slowly melting, which sparked the connection to the concept of 'life is short' and 'you only live once' (YOLO). Initially, CubeMelt's story revolved around the comical idea of a character whose life was incredibly short and who couldn't seem to get anything done. I used the element of melting as a subtle representation of death without being too overt.

Red Dot Diva: Being an ice cube, Cubemelt is basically a "simple", straight-lined object. How did you make Cubemelt so loveable?
Ven: Yes, I tried to keep his design as simple as possible. I feel his simple expressions, body language, his limitations and his stories are what make him interesting.

Red Dot Diva: Which animation movie or TV series have "wowed" you in recent times? And why?
Ven: The last animated movie that truly impressed me was Zootopia (Sorry, it's a bit of an old show :p) It's not that I think all other animations are bad; it's just that, for me personally, they didn't quite reach the same level. What I particularly admire about Zootopia is how the concept of the story is intricately tied to the world and character design. In many animations featuring humanoid animal characters, these characters often serve as visual enhancements, and you could easily replace them with humans without changing the core story.

However, with Zootopia, there's simply no other way to tell the story without the characters being animals. It's a testament to the unique and integral role that the animal characters play in the narrative.

Red Dot Diva: What do you think makes an impressive animator?
Ven: When it comes to animators, in my view, a great animator possesses the ability to convey their messages and emotions to the audience, with timing being the crucial element.

Red Dot Diva: What can we expect from your booth at SGCC 2023?
Ven: We're gearing up for the public launch of CubeMelt Art Toy, Plush, and other merchandise, with the aim of attracting and connecting with more fans during this event. Join us at booth L1-AA29 :D

To find out more about Cubemelt, head to the following links:

Website: https://www.cubemelt.io/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cubemelt/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cubemelt
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CubeMeltOfficialChannel
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Pw2qmEvmPx

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If you enjoy Red Dot Diva's content, feel free to help her efforts going by showing your support through ko-fi. Thank you!

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2023 Artist Highlight - Collect 'Em All From Pokémon Fanart Illustrators Abz Art and Trainer K

Singapore Comic Convention (SGCC) 2023 is just two weekends away!! There is so many aspects of pop-culture that will be featured at SGCC, of which one of them is the love for Game Freak's/ Nintendo's Pokémon series. In the magical hallways of Artist Alley in SGCC, you will be able to find a number of artists who specialise in Pokémon fan art.

Edward, Red Dot Diva's long time friend from the Glam Bloggers Alliance, spoke to two of such talented illustrators - Abz Art, who is based in Australia, and Trainer K (Kelvin) from Indonesia! Both of them will be looking forward to meet fellow Pokémon fans at the convention, and if you want to collect 'em all, do drop by their booths to check out their wares.

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Gather 'round, trainers of all ages! The time has come to celebrate the magical world of Pokémon at the most electrifying comic convention of the year. Whether you're a long-time fan or just beginning your journey, this event promises to ignite your passion and take you on a Pokémon adventure like never before.

Proudly wear your Pokémon Trainer hat, wield a foam Poké Ball, or trade stories with fellow fans who share your love for these iconic creatures. There will be countless merchandise available within the bustling convention floor, and today, we’ll be looking at the works of Abz Art [B2-AA17] and Trainer K [L1-AA21].

INTERVIEW WITH ABZ ART

Demon Slayer x Pokémon

Ed: What are the unique challenges and rewards of creating such crossover art?
Abz: The challenge lies in making the crossover instantly recognisable. I want fans of either franchise to be able to spot it right away. Therefore I have to make sure there's a good balance on both sides. For the Pokemon x Demon Slayer series, the Pokemon side is obvious, while the Demon Slayer side required me to mostly depend on clothing and aesthetics to get the vibe across. The reward is being able to share it with those who are fans of both, and the interaction and discussions I have with people about them. And of course, the joy I get from immersing two franchises I really enjoy!

Almost like kulit wayang

Ed: Do you have any piece that is particularly meaningful or special for you?
Abz: One of my personal favourite pieces is "Shadow Play", where I have the Kanto starters, Pikachu and Mew gathered around a campfire inside a cave, with their shadows depicting their evolved forms (or in Mew's case, Mewtwo). I did the piece back in 2015, and it was one of the first times I came up with a concept that I was very proud of, and also one of the largest pieces I've done at that time.

Ed: Do you find yourself drawn more to the classic Pokemon or those from newer generations in your artwork? How do you balance nostalgia with the excitement of new Pokemon designs?
Abz: Nostalgia is a very strong emotion for me, so I am naturally more drawn towards the first 3 generations which I grew up with. However I try not to let myself get too wrapped up in that, and allow myself to enjoy the newer Pokemon as well, they've got their own charm that should be appreciated.

Ed: Who would be in your Pokemon team? Mine would be Espurr, Wailord, Ursaluna, Chansey, and Bulbasaur. I may have broken some rule there.
Abz: Rules are meant to be broken haha. My team fluctuates often, but right now I'd say it would be Raichu, Absol, Blaziken, Gengar, Scizor and Pidgeot.

Zombie Pokémons!

Ed: What kind of merch will you be bringing, and what is the price point for them? Would you have any exclusives for Singapore? :3
Abz: I'll be bringing in A3 prints (30 SGD each, with deals available), A5 prints (10 SGD each, deals available) and hopefully large stickers too (around 3 SGD each with deals as well). As for exclusives, I'll be debuting a few new prints at SGCC. Though not confirmed yet, there will be new Uppermoon Pokemon prints as well as Naruto and One Piece prints.


INTERVIEW WITH TRAINER K

Ed: It's Origins time! Every superhero has one; needless to say, a level 26 trainer (it's in your bio!) like yourself must have a pretty tale to tell. How did you get here and why are you only level 26?
Trainer K: Actually, it's simpler than you expect. Level 26 represents my age. I've been a huge fan of Pokemon ever since I was at Level 8, where I first bought Pokemon cards and fell in love with the unique creatures. Since then, I watched the anime on TV, and started playing my first Pokemon game, which was Pokemon Ruby. As someone who loved drawing since I was a kid, I spent my time doodling these creatures on my notebooks. In 2014, I decided to create an Instagram account where I could post my Pokemon drawings. At that time, I was still using coloured pencils, and was highly inspired by another Pokemon artist called Itsbirdy (now known as Supbirdy). 9 years have passed and sometimes I find it hard to believe that I'm still pursuing this path even until now. Every year has been an exciting journey filled with self discoveries and how I can improve myself even further. I started taking commissions, running a huge series called 'Legends Discovered', joining conventions, and many more. I'm sure there are more adventures ahead of me, and I'm super excited to see what's in store in my future. I guess I'll keep on levelling up higher and higher!

Ed: Your Pokemon illustrations are truly captivating and evoke a deep nostalgia, capturing the heart of a Pokemon trainer's journey. Each artwork feels like a new adventure waiting to unfold, and it's clear that you have a deep connection to the world of Pokemon. Your talent for illustrating is extraordinary; it's like a window into the Pokemon universe. In no particular order, I love your Legends Discovered series, the recent Pika Paradise, and the tiny tribute to Arven and Mabostiff You've managed to bring everything to life in a way that transports me to the Pokemon universe and makes me feel like I'm part of the adventure. Which piece has been the most memorable for you and why? I hope there's a beautiful story behind it!
Trainer K: Thank you very much! I always imagine Pokemon being around, and how it would feel to have Pokemon beside me, or even encountering powerful Pokemon. When I started the 'Legends Discovered' series, I knew that this was going to be a big project and would take a very long time to finish. It's a huge commitment to draw all the legendaries and mythicals (there are 90+ at the time of this writing). But I convinced myself to do it and see where it goes, and so it begins. In this series, I wanted to convey the feeling of meeting the legendaries and mythicals of Pokemon world, and exaggerate the size of those legendaries to make the scene even more epic. I'm glad that the series has been well received. The support and kind words of people on this series pushed me to keep going forward and complete this legendary adventure.

I have a couple of favourite pieces throughout my 9 years journey. One of them is the piece I did for Pokemon's 25th Anniversary. As a huge Pokemon fan myself, I would like to create something special to celebrate the silver anniversary of Pokemon. I went in and drew all the protagonists, rivals and starters of 8 Pokemon generations (which I added 9th generation later on). It was a challenge to think of different poses for each character, and to show their different personalities. Combining them all into one huge compilation poster was also very tough.

Another favourite piece of mine is from 'Legends Discovered', which is my Shaymin piece. I really enjoyed the Shaymin movie when I was a kid, and I loved how Shaymin are connected to Gracidea flowers, which is a form of showing gratitude in the Pokemon world. When I created this piece, I would like to convey my gratitude for the support everyone has given me in my journey. I had Shaymin looking up, soaring through the sky in the middle of the beautiful Gracidea flower field, with all those Gracidea petals blown by the wind, as if I had Shaymin bringing the feeling of gratitude to everyone seeing the piece.

Ed: I've asked this of Abz as well. Who would be in your team? After the recent community day in PokemonGo, I'm going to swap out Bulbursaur and put in Clodsire. So now, my invincible team of cuties include Espurr, Ursaluna, Wailord, Clodsire and Chansey.
Trainer K: I have six Pokemon in my main team, which are Vee the Vaporeon, Royale the Serperior, Emerald the Mega Gallade, Ginsei the Shiny Ninetales, Yoghurt the Goodra, and Rayden the Braviary. They are some of my top favourites Pokemon of all time, which are my favourite Starter Pokemon, Mega Evolution, Shiny Pokemon, Pseudo-Legendary, and Bird Pokemon respectively, I introduced them to the page back when I hit 30k, and I've drawn them a couple times in my page milestone celebrations, and now in my page anniversaries.

Ed: What can we expect to get from your booth at SGCC?

Trainer K: I will be bringing in several art prints where you can buy 2 and get 1 free! The Small Prints (A6) are at 1 for $5; Medium Prints (20x25cm) 1 for $10, and Large Prints (30x40cm) 1 for $20. Other goodies that you can get are waterproof vinyl stickers, available as individual die-cut stickers, sticker packs and sticker sheets, (1 for $2.50, 5 for $10) and mystery packs which contains 3 random Postcards, 3 random stickers and 3 random TCGs! (1 for $10, 3 for $25).

There are more surprises to be announced in his Instagram so be on the lookout!


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If you enjoy Red Dot Diva's content, feel free to help her efforts going by showing your support through ko-fi. Thank you!

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2023 Artist Highlight - Wonder At Takahan Tan's Captivating Toy Photography

Stroll down the Artist Alley section of Singapore Comic Convention (SGCC), and you will spot talented artists, crafters, designers, comic book creators and toy photographers. This year, events planner and visual artist Takahan Tan, will be at the pop-culture convention showing off his toy photography. His photos - most of them consisting of Funko toys - have such a cinematic style and uses the Red Dot Island landscape to great effect. So, it is not surprising that his works have captured the attention of personalities such as directors David Ayer (Suicide Squad), David F Sandberg (Shazam), film set still photographer Clay Enos, production designer and art director Bill Brzeski, actor Ray Porter, and yes, even prominent producer-director Zack Sydner.

In this interview, Red Dot Diva chats with Takahan to learn more about his craft. She was also happy to know that he is a fellow DC Comics fan!

Red Dot Diva: When and how did you start doing toy photography actively?
Takahan: I started toy photography around year 2017, Originally it was meant to be a walking programme to keep fit. I walked about 8km a day, and in order to make it fun, I brought my toys along and took various photos of it. I did not really take it seriously until one day, one of my photos got a lot of attention and likes on social media.

Red Dot Diva: I see you love the DCU. What is it about DC Comics and their IP that makes you a hardcore fan? 
Takahan: I think it is the story and the character. I like Superman a lot. He is always in control of his emotions. When I was younger, there were times I felt like punching some guy, but I will think of Superman, and I decided to be like Superman and not let my emotions control me.

Red Dot Diva: How did you get featured at DC Fandom with mentions by Jim Lee?
Takahan: There was an international DC fanart competition where Jim Lee would choose the winner and feature the winners during DC Fandome. I took part in it and won the competition.

Red Dot Diva: What is your process like, from idea to setting up shots of the final image?
Takahan: I will think of the concept first, and after which I would look for the toys I require for the shot. The next thing to do is scouting for a site, taking the shot and do my post processing at Tiong Bahru Plaza's McDonald's. (Yes, McDonald's is where I chill and do my post processing work).

Red Dot Diva: You do a lot of outdoor shoots. What was the trickiest shot that you’ve done outdoors? And why?
Takahan: I think the trickiest shot I did was a Supergirl shot at the Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden in Osaka, Japan. The winds were very strong and the clouds were constantly moving. Hence the lighting and shadows are constantly changing because of the moving clouds. It is almost impossible to set the exposure of my camera. With the strong winds, I had to battle the freezing temperature and ensure that my toys does not get blown away.

Red Dot Diva: Can you give us any tips on how to make a toy photo shoot look cinematic?
Takahan: Have no fear of cropping your photo.

Red Dot Diva: Please let us know what we can look out for at your booth at the upcoming SGCC.
Takahan: Official book launch of my photobook which took me 5 years to prepare, and lots of photos of lesser known DC character s such as Space Cabbie, Kamandi, members of Justice League Dark.

Do you love toy photography and want to learn more about what it takes to get started? Check out The Film Language of Takahan's booth at L1-B09!


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Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2023 Artist Highlight - Discovering Artistry: Allen Erie (Andrea Rosaline)

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2023 - Legendary Comic Book Creators Stan Sakai and Julie Sakai Are Heading To Singapore!

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If you enjoy Red Dot Diva's content, feel free to help her efforts going by showing your support through ko-fi. Thank you!

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2023 Artist Highlight - Discovering Artistry: Allen Erie (Andrea Rosaline)

The Singapore Comic Convention (SGCC) may feature a smorgasbord of activities, like opportunities to meet esteemed comic book creators, a cosplay competition, stage activities and talks by industry professionals. However, Red Dot Diva thinks the soul of SGCC lies in the talented creators at Artist Alley.

It has been a Red Dot Diva blog tradition to interview a selected bunch of creatives who will be boothing at SGCC's Artist Alley. This year, Red Dot Diva's friend Edward helps to kick off this year's slate of interviews with a chat with Canadian freelance illustrator Allen Erie (Andrea Rosaline). Read on to check it out!

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Like any other kiasu attendee, I religiously combed through the exhibitor list and stumbled upon a treasure trove of creativity that left me utterly spellbound. The moment my eyes laid on Scaramouche, I knew I was doomed. As I scrolled through her entire IG, her fanart of mobile titles Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, held my attention a willing hostage; generic chibi wares have a hard time registering a bleep on the radar of a convention veteran like myself but this - this - was something else.

One of the defining features of Allen's work is her masterful use of colour. Her palette is a symphony of hues that dance across the canvas, creating a visual feast for the eyes. The colours she employs are not just visually appealing; they resonate with emotion, drawing you into the world of her creations.

This extends into the backdrop/ background. Whether it's the fiery intensity of battle or the tender embrace of friendship, her pieces tell stories through every carefully chosen shade. Allen has mastered it with incredible finesse. There is this sense of completeness in her fanart - the intricate details, and the unmistakable "kawaii" charm - a window into a world brimming with adventure, mystery, and heartwarming moments.

But wait, there’s more.

She crafts original characters from everyday objects like pendants and scissors, each brimming with personality and life, from lovable heroes with endearing quirks to captivating villains with a hint of darkness.

So, eager to spend my coin, I reached out to her.

Ed: I did a fair bit of stalking and realised that your first time in Singapore was last year's Anime Festival Asia (AFA). What was the experience like and any encounter/incident that really left an impression on you (e.g swarms of GI cosers paying homage to your wares)?
Allen: Yes! AFA was my very first Singapore convention and I had such a blast to be honest! It was very busy and also tiring even during the end of the pandemic. I met so many fellow artists and made friends with them, everyone was very helpful and sweet. I manage to get myself a Valiant Force artbook by accident because the people working for the booth just happen to pass by my booth walking around with it and It was seriously a pleasant surprise especially since I've been in love with their design and art for quite a while.I also saw 2 people who went for anime New York Comicon where I was boothing as well before going to AFA and we both were surprised to see each other in AFA as well. These encounters make it a memorable event for me!

Ed: I'm a Magic the Gathering player and WoTC has been expanding their stable of artists. In recent years, their art direction has also moved to include Japanese artists and anime re-imaginings of previous cards. When I see your work with Fabled Sagas, I cannot help but think that your designs will easily find a fan base. And to be brutally honest, I think you can probably come up with better card art. So here's two questions: What is your favourite card design for Fabled Saga and why? If you have the opportunity to do something for MtG, which card would it be?
Allen: I am fairly new to the TCG world as Fabled Sagas is the first card game I have worked with and I am very blessed for the opportunity. I came to know a few other card games and Magic the Gathering is one that I've heard of. I definitely still have a lot of room to improve and hopefully I can create better art for more cards I do in the future.

My favourite card design would be Dreamsweeper: Carmine.

I rarely get a chance to do male design and I really like how Carmine turned out! I am also a healthy woman who likes to refresh her eyes with some eye candy once in a while . Aside from that, I do like a design where there is a companion to the character so there is always a story behind the relationship to the character and the companion. Same as False Ashes of Rimesoul - not only she has a companion but she was also my first card design for the game so it holds a special place in my heart.

MtG has a lot of beautiful cards so it's fairly hard to choose. I am open to any card type and characters to challenge myself. Sneak Attack captured my eyes when I saw the card and really like how it is composed.

Ed: I also noticed that you do original character designs. I like all the ones with animals (CATS!) and especially this. Would you be open to doing sketch commissions on site, and if so, what are your rates?
Allen: Thank you for liking my original designs. I unfortunately would not be doing any commission on site, since from my past experiences, it is hard to juggle between paying attention and being attentive to customers at the booth with commissioning so I have decided not to do so anymore. I do take commission outside of convention and rates will differ depending on the needs of the client.

Ed: Important information I would like to get out there is the merch you would be bringing. So other than the stock inventory of 9x9 prints, 11x7 prints, artbook, passholders, will you be bringing any of the layered acrylics (e.g Endwalker) or wooden stack keychains to SGCC?
Allen: I will be bringing the con exclusive layered acrylics and also the wooden stacked keychains as well! They’ll be available for SGCC 2023.

The gorgeous Imbibitor Lunae above may be available at SGCC in limited quantities and it should give you a good idea of how beautiful the con exclusives are going to be.


Keep an eye out for Allen Erie at SGCC 2023 [Booth B2-AA20]. If you miss this opportunity, there’s always the merch store but you’re going to kick yourself really hard.

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Follow Allen Erie on her social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allenerie.artscrap
Twitter: https://twitter.com/allenerie
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Allenerie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allenerie.art
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/allenerie
Pixiv: https://www.pixiv.net/en/users/3011690
Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/alleneriear

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Cartoons Underground 2023 - Watch 15 Brilliant And Hopeful Animation Film Shorts At The Projector (25 November 2023)

Humanity is currently facing tough challenges of a global and personal scale - a devastating pandemic that brought life around the world to a grinding halt, ongoing political conflicts and wars, the effects of climate change, growing mental health issues all around the world as well as the encroachment of artificial intelligence. The annual Cartoons Underground event, SE Asia’s top Indie Animation Festival held in Singapore, aims to offer fun and hope to its audience as they navigate these growing concerns.

“There isn’t an elephant in any room anywhere that can’t be improved by being coloured pink and given a speech bubble,” says festival co-founder Vicky Chen. Chen began the community-driven Cartoons Underground in 2012 together with Patrick Smith, Director of MTV Daria.

“We are living through turbulent, challenging times as individuals and as a society. It’s a time of change and while change is inevitable it’s ultimately how we respond and adapt to it that defines us. And I hope that watching these films will help our audience to make sense of these challenges,” adds Festival Director, Jerrold Chong.

The 12th edition of Cartoons Underground will feature a screening of 15 films, specially selected by Chong from more than 1,500 submissions from over 100 countries. This is a record number of submissions received by the festival, indicating its growing reputation within the animation industry and its audiences.

Pig by Jorn Leeuwerink

The handpicked animation shorts in this year's festival hopes to offer audiences a chance to reflect on these issues and alleviate some of our anxieties. Some of these brilliant films that you can catch at the limited screening are:

Pig by Jorn Leeuwerink (Netherlands) - an allegorical piece about a big group of animals making itself dependent on a power grid, hooked onto the socket-shaped snout of a single sleeping pig...

Two Gracious Uncles Smooched to the Beat by Jon Dunleavy (United Kingdom) - very current topic on how the artist has to face his fears concerning AI and capitalism

The Square City by Ruth Lam, On Wa Chow, Ka Lok Liu (Hong Kong) - a film capturing the claustrophobia of a cramped Hong Kong neighbourhood, and yet, imagination survives

You can also enjoy a few student-made animation films which showcase the high quality of these artistic endeavours, like

In His Mercy (In Seiner Gnade) by Christoph Büttner (Germany) - a convicted criminal battles with his mental faculties the day before his execution. This film triumphed at festivals all around the world including Student Academy Awards - Semi Finalist, YUGO BAFTA Student Awards - Shortlist, ITFS - InternaMonales Trickfilm Festival Stuegart, Animafest Zagreb, Anim'est Bucharest, Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and many more

Cloudy by NTU students Joshua Pereira, Renee Teoh, Ryan Lee (Singapore) - a beautiful animation about communication and full of heart

Goodbye Old Fish by Cheu Li Qing Grace, Ben Tan Kai Xiang (Singapore) - as two old men fish by the jetty, they begin to remember their kampong days.

“Cartoons Underground aims for both catharsis and reflection. It’s a warm but unflinching hug in cartoon form!” says Vicky Chen.

So, if you are in need of some positivity and comfort, grab a ticket to the screening at The Projector's website - https://theprojector.sg/films-and-events/cartoons-underground. Red Dot Diva will be at there for her dose of creative imagination, optimism and reassurance. Hope to see you there!


Date: 25 November 2023 (Saturday)
Times: 7:30 PM
Run Time: 1 hr 36 min
Venue: The Projector @ Golden Mile
Admission: Ticket prices range from Standard tickets at $18 each.

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Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2023 - Legendary Comic Book Creators Stan Sakai and Julie Sakai Are Heading To Singapore!

In the last round of Singapore Comic Convention (SGCC) 2023's comic book guest announcements, Red Dot Diva was excited to see Peach Momoko on the list. The latest guest announcement is even more awesome. Legendary comic book creators Stan Sakai and Julie Sakai will be meeting fans at this year's SGCC!

Stan Sakai is the creator and owner of the iconic Usaji Yojimbo character. Set in the Japanese Edo period, the Usaji Yojimbo comic book series about a highly-skilled anthropomorphic rabbit ronin and his various adventures has been running for almost 40 years! Usaji Yojimbo books have been published by various companies through the years. The first issues were published by Fantagraphics, and later on, other stories were published by Onipress, IDW and Dark Horse, just to name a few.

The honourable warrior Usaji Yojimbo has also appeared with another fan favourite team Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in different media forms, including comics, animated series and computer games.

Last year, Netflix debut the animated series “Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles”, which was a collaboration between Stan Sakai and the streaming company. The show sets teenage Yuichi Usagi as his friends, Bounty Hunter Gen (Rhino), Neko Ninja Chizu (Cat) and Cunning Kitsune (Fox) in the far future, trying to rid their home Neo Edo from yokai, and evil aliens. The family-oriented series features a mix of olden Japanese aesthetic with sci-fi elements.

Julie Sakai is a fanatastic artist and is well known for her chibi art. She also does the lettering and colouring for several Usagi Yojimbo comics. Stan and Julie Sakai often work together as a creative couple under the signature JuSt Sakai. Their first collaboration was in in 2015 for “Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz”, a 65th anniversary anthology published by Kaboom! Recently the award-winning husband and wife teamed up to create the fun and adorable “Chibi-Usagi: Attack of the Heebie-Chibis”, which won the Eisner Award 2022 for Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8). The Sakais also own their own imprint called Dogu Publishing.

A few days ago, you might still be wondering if a SGCC 2023 ticket is worth the price. But, now that Stan and Julie Sakai has been announced as special guests of the pop-culture event of the year, Red Dot Diva says that you do not want to miss attending the convention!

This is a rare chance to meet the A-lister comic book creator team, especially if you cannot afford to head to comic conventions overseas. So, go grab those tickets from Klook now!!

SINGAPORE COMIC CON (SGCC) 2023
Where: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre
Date: 9 & 10 December 2023 (Sat and Sun)
Admission: SGD 35.00 per person per day. SGD 65.00 per person for 2-day tickets.
*Kids under 12 enter FREE! (Each paying adult can be accompanied by a maximum of 2 children under 12)



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If you enjoy Red Dot Diva's content, feel free to help her endeavours going by showing your support through ko-fi. Thank you!