Comic book fans have their day Jed-Angelo Q. Segovia Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 15, 2009
LAST August 8, 2BU! checked out the vast, sprawling pop-culture lollapalooza that was Manila Comic Con. Toy collectors, comic book fans, artists and cosplayers made a pilgrimage to the local version of hallowed geek Mecca, San Diego Comic Con.
So what was Comic Con like? In a phrase: A melting pot of art, hobbies and off-the-wall talent.
As early as 10 a.m., a long line had already formed outside Megatrade Halls 1 and 2 at Megamall. Organizers were still prepping sets, and booth-runners still setting up shop. Roadies carried in statues of Spider-Man, Green Lantern and a headless Batman.
In the ticket booth line, anxious con-goers ambled forward as they trickled near the gates. The line was indeterminately speckled by people in peculiar outfits: Cosplayers.
Vast fandom safari
As con-goers crossed alleys of comic-bedecked tables, an announcement boomed, “Welcome to the first ever Manila Comic Con, our local version of the San Diego Comic Con!”
Ahead of me, a troupe of girls in cosplay sang Japanese songs in unison. It was an amusing sight, like watching a chorus of anime girl scouts singing their troop anthem. A lot of the cosplay ranged from the cute to the bizarre – some guys came in drag and bright pink.
At Imagine Nation Studios’ booth, a dad photographed his stroller-bound baby with a Hellboy bust and Batman statue. It was adorably odd – dad clearly wanted baby to revel in his old hobbies, but I wonder if the kid would burst out crying at the statues’ fearsome visages. All around were bins of comics and shelves stacked with all sorts of toys, from Star Trek to superheroes.
These would just be a few of the intriguing sights of Comic Con
An all-female band, Matilda, jammed onstage. After that, a panel of voice actors did Tagalog dubbing on anime.
Fat Boy Studios’ exhibit drew con-goers with its sculpted busts of Hulk, Michael Jordan and more. TV screens played Naruto and GI Joe footage. Booths selling merchandise like stickers, wigs and hats were mobbed by curious cosplay fans.
There was a standing backdrop of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with a broomstick that people could ride and snap photos with. Cosplayers paraded and posed.
All around, folks snapped away at this vast safari of fandom.
‘Please sign my comic!’
One of the main come-ons of the convention was the chance to get up close to artists and comic book creators, and to get their take on the “con” itself. Comic book creator Elbert Or, who had his own booth of merchandise, said about the con, “Okay lang siya, but I’m surprised to see more toys than comic books. There are a lot of familiar faces, people who’ve been to cons before ... but there are also a lot who look lost.”
Elbert was interrupted by a fan pushing a pen and comic book into his face, gleefully pleading, “Sir, please sign my comic!”
“Trese” writer and co-creator Budjette Tan peddled his comic and merchandise in his booth. “I went to the SDCC (San Diego Comic Con) long ago,” Budjette said as buyers mingled in his booth. Previous comic book conventions were held at UP Diliman’s Bahay ng Alumni, but the new organizer moved it to Megamall.
In the larger venue space, he said, “the atmosphere of this con is similar to the early days of SDCC.”
One corner of Megatrade was reserved for more than a dozen independent artists, selling humble photocopy versions of their comics. Dubbed Indie GO! Valley, this was a means by which underground artists could sell their stuff. One creator, Natasha Ringor, was pleased just to be able to sell 17 copies. “I’m really an amateur, but I’m glad it’s here!” gushed Natasha as she showed off her comic, “A Thousand Stars.”
Jiggy and Jonty Cruz, Cory Aquino’s grandsons and also avid comic fans, showed up. They would later have a generous bag full of merchandise, and sneak a peek at the toys based on their grandfather, Ninoy Aquino.
The fan in everyone
By 2:30 p.m. the convention hall was packed. There were video game areas.
“I’m surprised I’m the only Star Trek cosplayer,” said Bunny Luz, dressed in a blue Star Trek crew uniform complete with insignia. Bunny had gone to the recent San Diego con, and noted differences. “For one thing, there’s live music here. In SDCC, the con has been overtaken by big companies. The vibe here is similar though. And Filipinos are more into anime.”
A moment later she and her friends melted into the crowd, on the way complimenting a guy who came as Doctor Horrible.
Missy Halili, a mom, followed her young son as he rushed to a shelf of Transformers. “The place reminds me of my kids,” she said. “But we mostly came to see the people in costumes, to see how creative they are.”
Casual acquaintances and old friends, drawn by the promise of toys and comics, hollered and hugged each other. I bumped into an old high school friend who was scouting for Marvel action figures. “It’s a hobby I share with my brother. The fringe Marvel characters are really cheap,” my friend said.
That was one wonderful aspect of the con – it drew out the fan in everyone.
In the evening, there was an indie comic panel headlined by creators like Budjette, Elbert, Reno Maniquis, Gilbert Monsanto, Gio Paredes and Gener Hedrina. Artist Andrew Drilon was unwittingly pulled into the panel to answer questions. “I had no idea I was part of this panel,” gawked Andrew. “Ambush panel!”
The day was an exhausting but enriching exposure to the vast world of pop culture in the Philippines. The hundred bucks entrance fee was definitely worth it. Even with just snapshots of amazing sculptures, cool cosplay, and a signed comic book, no one went home empty-handed.
It was an event fans felt was too little, too soon.
But many are already looking forward to next year.
