The event, Singaporean Comic Creator: Meet and Greet, held yesterday at Actually books can be considered a success. The turnout is actually quite good with the at least 20+ cramping the small bookshop. Attracting the crowd are local Comics Creators like, Ken Foo, Adrain Teo, Jian Yee and etc. Providing interesting insights during the almost 1 hour QA session.
Some of these insights could prove to be quite a good lessons for all aspriring comic creators. Let me recap some of the questions while waiting for someone else to maybe provide a Youtube video or something… Since I went rather unprepared, not bring event my voice recorder… I’m sorry.
One of the most interesting aspect of the session, is when a lady asked, if a child wants to be comics artist, what is needed?
In reply to this, they replied that they should not be taught common sense, since common sense will kill off of spirit and creativity. One common example is when a child expresses interest, they are often put down. Why? Because the common sense of their parents that comics artist in Singapore or generally don’t make a good living. Thus they are discouraged. As they grew up to get more of this common sense, they become more confined.
In my opinion, this can be quite true. Getting discouraged by parents can be very defeating, especially when one is you and looked up to parents for them as role model, sometimes even seeking their approval. In a way common sense does kills off creativity, when people are discouraged by these invisible rules. Hmm common sense…
Then another asked a question about the chances of Singapore creating a international wild hit.
Singapore have the talents to create an international hit, but lack the guts which is also the reason why we have no comics related to superheroes. Pulling an example, like after someone got stab, we will not help chase the culprit but call the police instead.
However we do still have international titles like the comics series by Asiapac, with dragon that teaches Chinese and etc.
Another is for the publisher, asked by another Lady, about the how they choose what to publish?
The answer for that is easy, it must be that the publisher need to love it first. Another additional input is that publisher basically a filter to filter away the bad. They have also earlier mentioned that some have chose to self-publish their works, which is easy according to them. While the distribution is harder part, since most local smaller comics shop and groups usually are not receptive of local creations. However credit should be given to Kinokuniya(Main Store), for being rather friendly to local artist and allowing them to put their books on the shelf.
One did asked about which artist is good in drawing, action stuff. Shawn Yup, the artist for Joe Doe, is recommended. Adrain, recommended that one should talk to someone when they have a good story, if not, one might to make do with drawing stick figures. A sad but true fact.
About the Date King, and it’s story writer Adrain Teo. Ken Foo, the artist, spoke out saying that he has a unique brand of humor and should stand out more with his story. Additionally, Adrain Teo also confessed that he plagiarise Ken Foo’s Childhood year format, when writing Date King. Which why, Date King looks and feels like something created by Ken Foo. He also say that once should be persistent and, “Try and Try again” since it’s how he got his wife.
Here is a picture of the Artist that attended the event.
I have another confession… I don’t who some of them are… make it most of them… … But I do know that within the group there is Ken Foo, Adrain Teo, Ye Zhen, Cheah Sinn Ann, JF Koh and I don’t know… Can you point it out to me please, who is who?
I’m embarrassed… X_X|||
Overall, this even is more of a small gathering to further promote the local Singapore comics scene. With perhaps more chance for these events to be held more frequently. If you are a comics artist or aspiring to be one, perhaps you should attend the next one. It will be fruitful!
For me atleast I learned that Singapore can contain rather interesting people!
You should also visit the Power of POP if you like music, I met the creator there and he is a rather cool/interesting person to talk to.
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