Come, See Toys: STGCC 2013 Part 5: MARVEL

C.B Cebulski

Marvel was back at STGCC after a year's absence and what a return they made. Check it out!

The Marvel booth was THE most happening booth a STGCC. There were prize giveaways and freebies every hour. Answer a simple question (sometimes not so simple) and you can walk away with prizes such as t-shirts, toys, tickets to a private screening and autographed posters!

There were autograph sessions and photo opportunities with Joe Madureira, David Mack, Adi Granov, Cort Lane and C.B Cebulski.

Joe Madureira

Cort Lane and C.B Cebulski

Free sketching of Marvel characters by Noval Hernawan, Lefty Kam, Sheldon Goh, Soefara Jafney Jaafar, Alan Quah, Ong Ean Keat, Ray Villegas, Sami Bastri, Garrie Gastronny. Two artists would sketch at different times of the days.

Noval Hernawan and Ray Villegas

The queue would snake round the booth!

There were various Marvel games which you could try out. And there was an Iron Man 3 competition held.

The fun doesn't stop there.

Nicholas Foo, the only Asia-based LEGO Certified Professional built a portrait of Spider-man using LEGO.

A LEGO competition was held four times a day.

In the middle of the booth were two Marvel Universe dioramas. Finally! Some Hasbro Marvel figures on display.

There was a Marvel Costume Parade on Day 1.

There were a number of good photo spots. You could pose with Thor holding Mjonir or with the Captain America and Spider-man statues.

There were seven Marvel related panels that took place at the main stage. I attended four of them. I'll try to recap what was discussed.

Marvel Artists Spotlight (Day 1)

Featuring Joe Madureira and David Mack. Hosted by C.B Cebulski.

L to R: C.B Cebulski, Joe Madureira, David Mack

- This was the first time Joe and David were in Singapore and they described STGCC as fantastic. They've been doing lots of signings and meeting the fans.

- Both were asked about their first experience in comics. David's was Daredevil. Joe lists Lonshot, Alpha Flight and Teen Titans as the comics that left an impression.

- They talked about their life and college.

- Joe was asked about the difference between working on games and comics.

- David recalled how he got into Marvel. Joe Quesada had read Kabuki and asked him.

- Inspiring words. Important to know what you really want to do and focus.

A Q&A followed.

Marvel: Page to Screen (Day 1).

C.B Cebulski and Cort Lane presenting.

Several animation trailers and clips were shown throughout.

- need to simplify in animation. Too much detail is not good.

- update characters to modern costumes

- Deadpool appears in Ultimate Spider-man.
- Needed more villains so they looked to see who could be used. Dracula was one of them. He'll be appearing in Ultimate Spider-man and Avengers Assemble.

- talked about updates in look to Modok and Captain America. Modok now has a big band on his head to highlight the power from his brain more. Some thought it was the gem in his forehead. For Cap, wanted to make what he was wearing look more like gear rather than a simple red, white and blue costume.

A few from the Q&A:

- How do you choose which characters to use?

See if the story requires. Focus on introducing film characters to kids. Characters who often appear may be in the movies.

- Which animated universe would you like to be in?
Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. They are a fun group.

- Any plans for a Guardians of the Galaxy cartoon?
No plans.

Marvel: Your Universe by C.B Cebulski (Day 2)

Before the panel began, "Agent Coulson" called and said we did not have clearance for it. But we could be given clearance if we passed a test.

The audience were asked questions to which were all were answered correctly. An example is "Of the Avengers, who had a comic first?". The answer is Captain America.

Some bits from the Q&A:

- Is Peter Parker coming back?

Have you seen a superhero die and come back?

- About the competition between Marvel and DC.

We like each others comics. But I think people like our comics better. Marvel focuses on the human and superhuman which more people can relate to.

- Asked about Inhumanity.

Some slides were shown of Infinity. Inhuman comes after.

- About character inconsistencies and origin changes.

When there's a good story, they'll update it. It all has to make sense.

- Any chance of a Marvel/DC crossover?

Like to. For now, no. Maybe when the original DC is back.

- For Civil War, whose side were you on and will we see it in a movie?

On Cap's side. For a movie they'll need to have the licenses back.

- About Disney taking over Marvel?

Disney and Marvel have a positive relationship. They have a creative connection. It helps to expand Marvel's reach and access different markets.

A video was played about Infinite comics. Wolverine: Japan's Most Wanted is available now and soon to be released is Iron Man: Fatal Frontier.

He then talked about Marvel Digital Comics and its advantages such as searching and cataloging.

He talked about the cost of comics here. Marvel tries to give us more value with AR. Digital bonus content.

- How old were you when you first started comics?

About 5. Read the X-men. Interest in making comics started when I watched George Lucas talking about Star Wars. Joined Marvel in 1999.

- What's your opinion on the Mandarin in Iron Man 3?
Loved it. Liked the twist. Thought it was hilarious.

- Who's your favourite hero?
Dani Moonstar and Nightcrawler.

Marvel Animation Spotlight (Day 2)
Cort Lane presenting.

Cort Lane

Trailers and clips from Ultimate Spider-man, Avengers Assemble and Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H were shown throughout. And also a scene from Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel.

- Phineas and Ferb will have a Star Wars crossover special next year.

- The Sinister Six will show up in season 2 of Ultimate Spider-man

- Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H has lots of humour.

- Avengers Assemble will premiere in November locally on Disney XD