Tribute to Comics Mart Part Deux

A colleague wanted to head to McDonald's just so he could complete his collection of Coca-Cola World Cup glasses. I suggested we head down to the outlet at Serene Centre - just so that I could drop by Toy Station to check out the new Lego Star Wars releases but also with the faint glimmer of hope that Comics Mart had received a government bailout and had reopened somehow.

Alas, the scene that greeted me upon arrival was not so rosy to say the least. The shop was opened but only because they were packing and clearing out all the shelves and comics to make way for the next tenant - a 7-11 outlet! :(

A somewhat teary-eyed Squirrel was there and we spent a few minutes catching up with each other. I assured him that I still collected comics and have found a replacement source. He has found some part-time employment in the aftermath of closure. We both wondered where Ming and Carol were.

All this while, some anonymous hired hands were packing up the stuff that I loved so much and carting them away to comic book limbo. I took the opportunity to sift through the reservations filing cabinet to see if I had any pre-ordered books that arrived. I picked out the divider with my name on it just for memory's sake.

I realised I didn't have any photos of this beloved joint in its heyday. I am left with only regrets and memories of Comics Mart in its end state.




Empty Shelves


Shipment list dated 1 Apr 2010 and expected arrivals dated 8 Apr 2010 - perhaps the last shipment ever received


Back storeroom


The dreaded "closed until further notice" note


Shop sign


This divider has my name on it


My last loyalty points card which expired 2 days ago

Lego 8683 - Minifigures Series 1

Lego released a set of 16 collectable minifigures in sealed packs in the style of collectable trading cards. Each case contains 60 packs. Each pack retails for S$3.90 and contains 1 of 16 minifigures, its accompanying accessories, a 4x3 plate (with 1 row of studs) as a stand as well as an instruction sheet/checklist.

Each minifigure comes with a unique face, torso, legs and interesting accessories. They would make a great addition to your town set or other playsets just to populate your Lego world. It's mind-boggling alone to think of the different permutations and combinations just by mixing the hair, head, torso and legs within this set alone.

How do you know what the sealed packs contain even before opening them? Simple... there's the tried-and-tested feel the pack way which is tedious and not fool-proof. The second method is to look at the barcodes on the packs. Each of the 16 minifigures has its own barcode. While this ruins the fun of trading and collecting to gather a complete set, it's perfect for people like me when I just wanted one piece of each. Series 2 will be released later this year and I hear that Series 3 would do away with the barcodes.


Complete set of 16 (MISB)


2 different versions of packaging - some of the minifigures in the set are pictured


Back of pack - The narrow barcode strip reveals the minifigure contained within


Zombie


Skater


Cheerleader


Crash test dummy


Indian


Forestman


Clown


Cowboy


Wrestler


Robot


Ninja


Caveman


Nurse


Spaceman


Diver



Magician (with and without tophat)



Checklist / Instruction sheet


All 16 minifigures

Oishinbo

One of the greatest misconceptions others have of me as a comic book fan is they automatically think I read manga, or Japanese comics, as well. For the record, while I do enjoy some Japanese anime, I am neither a fan or collector of the Japanese comics nor animation on the whole.

Notwithstanding this, I'm a huge fan of Japanese cuisine and was compelled somehow to pick up a couple of volumes of "Oishinbo: A La Carte" by Tetsu Kariya (w) and Akira Hanasaki (a), published by Viz Media during the recent Kinokuniya sale. These are "best of" compilations of the long-running manga and anime series, translated for the American market since 2009. I counted seven volumes published so far on the shelves and selected the two themes which appealed to me (and my stomach) most - "Japanese Cuisine" and "Fish, Sushi and Sashimi".

The stories feature a journalist, Shiro Yamaoka, and his colleagues in the search for the Ultimate Menu - a project commissioned by the publishers of the Tozai News as part of the celebrations for its 100th anniversary. Yamaoka's enclopedic knowledge of food and refined palate were the result of his training under his father, Kaibara Yuzan, a gourmet, artist and ceramicist who is the President of the Gourmet Club. The strained father-son relationship sparks a rivalry and conflict that drives the narrative of most of the the stories.

The reader is taken on a fantastical journey into the world of Japanese cuisine - ingredients, preparation, cooking, presentation and the "love" and "gratitude" that goes into each meal. Written and drawn with an eye for detail, the stories are funny, poignant and informative in one bite-sized package. These Viz Media volumes are well annotated with explanations and translations of the key text and concepts presented. They also feature recipes of some of the dishes featured in the stories of the same volume, if you're game enough to try them. I'm certainly looking forward to picking up the other five volumes during the next Kinokuniya sale.


Oishinbo: A La Carte - Japanese Cuisine and Fish, Sushi and Sashimi volumes


Interior art of Japanese Cuisine


Recipes for Seabream Kamishio style and Seabream Pine-skin style


Interior art of Fish, Sushi and Sashimi


Recipe for Grilled Salmon Skin