31 May 2011

Free Comic Book Day 2011 Pt. 3

The remaining books to complete my FCBD collection for 2011 (as well as all time) have arrived courtesy of Mile High Comics (as part of a freebie incentive) and ever trusty eBay.



I'm still in the midst of reading the FCBD stash, but am already looking forward to more of the same next year!

22 May 2011

Manchester United 2010/11 Home jersey

No matter the outcome of tonight's match against Blackpool, Manchester United would be crowned champions of the British Premier League for a record 19th time. That takes the Red Devils to the top of the perch, eclipsing Liverpool's long-standing record of 18 titles. When I became a fan back in 1985, I did not expect to see this day so soon as the Red Devils only had seven titles. Since then, they've gone on to win 12 of the last 19 titles. To commemorate this momentous occasion, I spent a little cash customizing this Nike home jersey from the 2010/11 season. Glory Glory Man United! :)


Front


Rear (no.19's in the bag!)


Oh, you little devil...


Even better than the real thing


Kiss the badge


Nice easter egg - "Believe" is embroidered on the rear of the badge

17 May 2011

7 May 2011 - Free Comic Book Day 2011 Pt. 2

As promised in my previous post, here's the loot from Free Comic Book Day 2011 in Singapore.



Dan Dare Omnibus graphic novel, signed by Gary Erskine



Kate and William: A very public love story TPB, signed by Gary Erskine







JSA: Strange Adventures, signed by Gary Erskine. This was a series I completed after getting issue 4 free at Gary Erskine's first visit to Singapore in 2008.


GnB Comics cleared out some warehouse stock for free as well. Here are the non-FCBD books I managed to grab.





FCBD 2011 books. I am currently missing 4 books despite ordering all of them. I'm hoping to score Atomic Robo and Friends; Darkwing Duck/Chip & Dale: Rescue Rangers; Geronimo Stilton/Smurfs as well as Locke & Key via alternative channels.


Comic Shop News: FCBD special


FCBD tote bag



Following Sergio Aragones' offering in 2010, the 2011 FCBD Commemorative T-shirt features a series of panels by Canadian writer-artist Darwyn Cooke.


Last year, we had the War Machine HeroClix to tie-in with the Iron Man 2 movie. For 2011, the FCBD HeroClix features Green Lantern, yet another movie tie-in.


Found two TPBs that I've been hunting for some time at Planerds - Ivan Brandon et al.'s NYC Mech... the prequels to the 24Seven anthologies that I loved.


Planerds membership card (temporary) that I obtained with the above purchases. Planerds' logo happens to be designed by Sonny Liew



Jack Doe graphic novel, signed and sketched by Shawn Yap. I had met Shawn at the David Lloyd line at STGCC 2010.



Will you be back? graphic novel, signed and sketched by JC Wong. I had won this in a lucky draw at STGCC 2010.

08 May 2011

7 May 2011 - Free Comic Book Day 2011 Pt. 1

While Singapore was caught up in election fever with polling day taking place on 7 May 2011, fanboys and fangirls alike were caught up in festivities of a different kind. As with the first Saturday of May for the past ten years or so, it was also Free Comic Book Day.

This year marks the biggest FCBD celebrations ever experienced in Singapore - with three participating outlets - Kinokuniya, G&B Comics as well as Harris' Planerds which also had its official opening this day.

The first thing I did after exercising my citizenry duties was to head down to Kinokuniya where they were giving away FCBD comics for the first time. Members were entitled to a grab bag containing two titles as well as a Green Lantern HeroClix figure. At the same time, they were having a 20% off sale for comics and graphic novels.


Free comics giveaway at the Crossroads


The local chapter of the 501st Legion would make their appearance at the store later in the evening. Unfortunately, I had to give this a miss.


Stash of Green Lantern HeroClix figures

Next stop was G&B Comics at Rochor Centre (in their second official participation at FCBD). A long line had already formed by the time I arrived at 5 minutes before the store opening. Not only were there free comics for grabs, helpers were dressed in superhero costumes and the guest appearance by Gary Erskine (The Filth, Dan Dare) tops off the festivities.










After picking up the freebie comics and getting some of my comics signed by Gary Erskine, it was time to head back to Orchard Road where Popular Bookstore opened its Planerds store officially. Unlike previous incarnations, this outlet caters to all tastes geeky and fanboyish. Certainly this makes a great addition to the local comic specialty market. Time will tell if it can compete with other retailers for the fanboy dollar. Nonetheless, it makes a great image change from selling assessment books and scaring kids away from ever picking up a book. Just to make it extra special, local comics creators were on hand for autographs and sketches.






Dave Chua and Koh Hong Teng of Gone Case Vol.1 fame


Shawn Yap signs my copy of Jack Doe. We first met in the David Lloyd line at STGCC 2010.


JC Wong signing my copy of Will You Be Back? which is my only Chinese graphic novel. I had won it last year at STGCC 2010 in a lucky draw.

My next post shall feature the goodies I managed to obtain this great day... already looking forward to next year's FCBD.

07 May 2011

Lego 8804 - Minifigures Series 4

Just a quick post on the latest Lego Minifigures set. This is the fourth set of 16 and is pretty much similar to previous releases (Series 1, Series 2, Series 3). 60 packs in a box, 16 figures in a set. Just like Series 3, each box should suffice for at least 2 complete sets with the mad scientist being the shortpacked figure in this set. Just like Series 3, there are no spare pieces within the packets.

The box and packets have an orange colourway to distinguish it from the previous series. There are also little bubbles on the lower edge which reveals the figure within. Otherwise, you could try your ability to feel the contents through the unopened packs. I took the easy way out and merely took a trip to Toy Station (my local Lego supplier) who compiled a complete set of 16 figures for me.





Box (contains 60 packets)


Front and back of packet


I've circled an example of the bumps that help to identify the contents



Checklist (front) and instruction sheet (back)


Lawn Gnome with fishing rod


Kimono Girl with fan


Musketeer with rapier and hat with white plume



Punk rocker with guitar



Surfer girl with surfboard



Viking with helmet, shield and axe


The Monster



Hockey player with stick, hockey gear and puck



Street skater with skateboard


Sailor with telescope


Soccer player with trophy


Werewolf with bone




Hazmat guy with gear and spray gun (my favourite figure in this series)



Ice skater with cloth skirt and skates


Artist with paint palette and paintbrush


Mad Scientist with conical flask





16 minifigures in my display box