Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Q&A With Artist Extraordinaire David Mack

Talented mixed-media artist David Mack was busy meeting and signing for fans at Tokyo Comic Con the past weekend. For his next convention stop, the creator of acclaimed comic book series “KABUKI” and the character Echo from the Daredevil series, will be in Red Dot Island for Singapore Comic Con (SG Comic Con) 2019 on 7 and 8 December. YEAHHH!

A fan favourite with the fans in this region, David Mack has been here a few times already, but he was still sorely missed last year when he was unable to attend the pop-culture convention due to other commitments.

Since the last time he was here, David Mack has been busy as always. He has been working with long time bestie Brian Michael Bendis again on the Jinxworld series called “COVER”, and drawing beautiful covers for comics, including Neil Gaiman's “AMERICAN GODS” and Chuck Palahniuk's “FIGHT CLUB”. In addition, he has been working on Dark Horse's new 400-page plus “KABUKI Omnibus”, which will be released in December in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of “KABUKI” .

Red Dot Diva managed to catch up with David Mack and talk about his various projects - the past, current and future ones!

Red Dot Diva: Helloooo David! We were so happy to hear that you will be back in Singapore for the comic convention. What is it about the convention and our island that draws you back? (Is it the Kopi-O, kaya and toast? Haha.)
David Mack (DM): I’m very happy to be returning to Singapore! The convention, the people, the culture, the food, the art & artfulness… all of it has been inspiring for me every time!

Red Dot Diva: What is it about your friendship with Brian Michael Bendis that makes the artistic collaborations between the two of you work so well? Do you both have your thoughts in sync?
DM: Brian and I have been best friends since 1993, so we have a long history together of creating together. We try to bring out the best in each other’s work, and I think when we work together, each of us pushes the other into a zone that we would not normally explore on our own. It feels like making music together in which each of us is contributing a part, and the other is building on that, and back and forth for each step.

It's Winter Time And Changi Airport Gets Frozen 2

Winter has arrived in Red Dot Island again!

To escape from the heat and humidity, enjoy a little frost and snow at Changi Airport's “A Frozen Wonderland” as Disney “FROZEN 2” is brought to life at the different terminals, from now till 5 January 2020.

The main installations are held at Terminal 3's Departure Hall.

TERMINAL 3

MEET ELSA, ANNA AND OLAF
Always dreamt of meeting Queen Elsa, Princess Anna and Olaf in person? Here's your chance!

Head to the frozen wonderland at Terminal 3 and get there early to line up because this opportunity is FREE of charge, and there are limited passes available.

Dates: From now till 24 November, and 29 November to 1 December,
Times: 11.30 AM, 2 PM, 3.30 PM, 5 PM and 6.30 PM

Red Dot Diva got to meet the lovely and elegant Elsa, who was freely giving warm, cool(?) hugs to wide-eyed kids who could not believe that they have finally met their favourite character. Elsa complimented on Red Dot Diva's colourful hair. Red Dot Diva suggested doing her signature pose, but Elsa leaned toward her and whispered that she rather not make the hall too cold. So, they both made this gentle snow flurry power pose instead!

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Barbie Celebrates Her 60th Anniversary With A Special Singapore-style Exhibit

For her 60th Anniversary this year, Barbie® has collaborated with The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for a special exhibit held at *SCAPE. The showcase was launched as part of the Street Superior Festival, an event that focuses on street culture and art.

For the Barbie Doll exhibit, 18 local creatives and design brands has been challenged to customise Barbie dolls inspired by Singapore culture, street art or other interesting ideas.

Barbie doll by Josiah Chua

The display of 60 specially customised dolls, includes two by fashion designer/ stylist Josiah Chua. For one of the Barbies, he paid tribute to Red Dot Island as a Garden City, by creating a gown made out of orchids and other flowers. He also used turmeric, roselle and butterfly pea flowers to dye the outfits for both of his Barbies.

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Q&A With Thai Award-Winning Manga Artist Prema-Ja

Thai artist and animator Prema Jatukanyaprateep - more commonly known by her pen name Prema-Ja - will be coming to Red Dot Island this December as one of the guests of popculture convention, Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019.

In 2014, BOKBIG, her manga about a boy and his mischievous pet dog, beat 256 entries and won the 2014 Gold Award at the International Manga Award in Japan.

Prema-Ja's cheerful, colourful and fun artwork has been featured in children's books as well. Go take a look at her her social media accounts, where she has posted an imaginative take on Inktober with a series of wonderful mermaid drawings, and you will see what Red Dot Diva is talking about!

Red Dot Diva: What got you interested and passionate about animation art?
Prema-Ja: I think it is about the storytelling. When start working on my art projects - beside beautiful pictures, I try to focus on the story in the work. And I love telling a story so the animation art and also comic art serves my intention.

Red Dot Diva: Who are your favourite artists, and why?
Prema-Ja: Amano Yoshitaka, a Japanese artist. His style is unique. The ambiance in his work, mysterious and brimming with fantasy, fascinates me. Another one is Beatrix Potter, an English artist. I love how she draws humanoid animals characters. They are so attractive.

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A post shared by Prema-Ja (@prema_ja) on Oct 28, 2019 at 7:39am PDT

Cartoons Underground 2019 (9 November 2019) Shines Spotlight on Women Animators

Animation movies are more than just Disney princesses and a bunch of talking toys. To get familiar with the sheer variety of topics and directorial styles, head down to Cartoons Underground 2019, Asia's leading indie animation festival, at Kult Yard, 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace next Saturday, 9 November, 6PM to 11PM.

The Cartoons Underground festival began in 2012, by founders Patrick Smith, Director of MTV Daria, and Vicky Chen. This will be the event's 8th year celebrating the visual wonders of animation films.

There was a record-breaking 1,416 entries from all around the world, as film makers vie for a spot in the festival's screening schedule, as well as to compete at the coveted Golden Durian Awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Student Film and Audience Choice Award. After much deliberation, 19 short films were selected for screening by Cartoons Underground's Programming Director and recent Singapore Young Artist Recipient Tan Wei Keong.

Some of these entries have won awards at Ottawa Animation Festival, Zagreb Animation Festival and Edinburgh international film festivals. 13 of these films showcased during the event are by women directors.

Get Enchanted By ArtScience Museum's Disney: Magic of Animation Exhibition

Be ready to be enchanted (or bewitched) at the DISNEY: MAGIC OF ANIMATION exhibition, which opens at ArtScience Museum today, 26 October 2019. With displays consisting of over 500 over pieces of original drawings, concept art and paintings from the vault of Walt Disney Animation Research Library, this specially curated exhibition is something that a Disney fan should not miss!

Visitors are taken on a journey on Disney's 90+ years of animation, from a recreation of both retro and modern versions of an animator's work desk, to the various processes related to the iconic movies, like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) to The Lion King (1994), to recent hits, like Frozen (2013), Big Hero 6 (2014) and Moana (2016),

Upon entering the first gallery, Red Dot Diva felt like she had stepped into animation history. The area was about the brilliance and skill of 2D animation, and includes a tribute to Steamboat Willie (1928), the black and white short film that featured Mickey Mouse's very first appearance.

Fans can get step into a recreation of the famous steamboat and get their selfies, while the Steamboat Willie is screened beside it. Even though the art of animation has progressed in leaps and bounds by now, the old film is still as charming as ever.

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Only on Singtel TV - Warner TV Premieres Batwoman On Demand, 25 October 2019!

The BATWOMAN series which focuses on the adventures of Bruce Wayne's cousin Kate Kane, will be available for Red Dot Island fans after all. The premiere goes live only on Singtel TV's Warner TV Encore, an on-demand channel, on 25 October 2019. Each new episode is available, on the same week as the U.S. telecast. Bravo, Warner TV Asia!

This is the first lesbian superhero series on TV, and it stars gender fluid, openly gay actor Ruby Rose as the titular character. The BATWOMAN series has since attracted a gamut of reactions from the audiences and comic book fans. However, Red Dot Diva feels that there is a need for more stories that champion women power and LGBT communities. (Although, Red Dot Diva is not sure how heavy handed censorship would be, knowing how conservative it is here.)

A fully-costumed Batwoman in her classic red wig, first made her appearance in the Arrowverse last year during the Elseworlds crossover. Contemporary and sleek, the Batwoman costume is designed by the Academy Award-winning costumer Colleen Atwood.