Wednesday, August 8, 2018

AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2018: I Have a Powerful Fist Also


This Finn the Human had an adventure at AsiaPOP Comicon, dining at Pop’s, facing the Upside Down, meeting iconic characters, and getting a chance to ask a question to another Finn, the Immortal Iron Fist, Finn Jones.

This is the fourth year of AsiaPOP Comicon here in Manila, and my fourth year in a row attending it. APCC was held last July 27 – 29 at SMX Convention Center. It came earlier this year.

AsiaPOP Comicon was highlighted by celebrity guests, Tye Sheridan (Cyclops / Scott Summers from X-Men franchise and Wade Watts / Parzival from Ready Player One), Finn Jones (Iron Fist / Danny Rand from Iron Fist and Loras Tyrell from Game of Thrones), Osric Chau (Kevin Tran from Supernatural), and a bit of a surprise, Mike Colter (Luke Cage from Luke Cage). Comic artists were also included in the guestlist, Alex Sinclair, Artgerm, Lan Medina, Mike McKone, Phil Noto, and Whilce Protacio, as well as vinyl artists, Simone Legno, Amanda Visell, and Michelle Valigura. APCC also brought us the man responsible for Darth Vader’s iconic looks, Mr. Brian Muir. Of course, a comicon event wouldn’t be complete without our guest cosplayers, Canvas Cosplay, Leon Chiro, Yugana Senshi Uon, and Vera Chimera.

APCC had three highly anticipated halls this year. Hall M for Marvel, Hall N for Netflix, and the newly introduced Hall D for Disney. A Hall 7 was said to make a debut to introduce a certain hammer-weilding superhero that is certainly an original character. Okay. The last part was just a joke. Hall 7 doesn’t exist. Haha!

This was my first time completing a 3-day APCC event, attending the convention from Friday to Sunday, all three days. And I would like to share my comicon experience with you.

Day 1

On the first day of APCC, I roamed around the venue to familiarize myself and see what the event had to offer. I checked out some merchandise, geek shirts and toys. There were cool lightsabers and katanas that I was into. Of course, there were a lot of comics for sale and stunningly made figures being displayed. There were plenty of amazing art prints, stickers, and other art crafts. I usually buy prints from artists during cons, but I wasn’t able to get one at APCC. I did already set my eyes on some art works. Will probably just get them next time.






I did get a new comic book that really caught my interest. It’s called AstroGenesis Revolution. I read it that night when I got home and its enigmatic storyline and cliffhanging ending got me intrigued enough that I bought its other issue the following day. I do recommend this series, especially if you’re into supernatural themed stories.


With Francis Cruz (Writer of AstroGenesis Revolution)

I visited the Netflix area. It’s still the largest in the event, taking up almost a quarter of the ground floor venue. The Netflix entrance itself was pretty grand, as it would take you to Chinatown, where they have booths that gave away free Luke Cage and Iron Fist posters, then there was also Hung’s Tattoo parlor, if you would like to get cool tats on your body. They would also let you have that Iron Fist feeling with their 180 camera shaking effect.




Pop’s Diner and Palace Arcade were part of the Netflix area as well, for the Riverdale and Stranger Things fans, respectively. In Pop’s, you could take your photo taken while wearing either a Riverdale varsity jacket or a Southside Serpent leather jacket. You could also watch the Josie and the Pussycats perform and take pictures with them.

I’m a fan of Stranger Things, so it wouldn’t be a surprise that I hang out and spent a lot of time at the Palace Arcade. There were classic arcade games, including Dig Dug, and Mrs. Pacman, but the one that got me playing was one of my favorite retro games, Galaga. I played this like a kid on his last few coins, trying my best to beat the high score, which was around 80,000. I only got around 40,000 to 50,000 points. Tss!


My favorite Retro Game

You could also help Will draw a map and post it on the wall, just like how they did on the show. You could make your own design, be as artistic as you can.



I also participated in answering the Netflix survey by wrapping a thread around a certain Neflix show. It was fun but my only negative feedback was some shows were too high to reach for some people.


Netflix Survey

I did try other activities including the one in the Chevrolet booth, where you must guide the ball to the finish line by rotating the whole maze using a car steering wheel.


And I also got the chance to play Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite in the Cignal booth. I was matched against a fellow con-goer, and fortunately, I ended up winning with a 3-1 standing, but every match was a close fight that could have gone either way.




And oh, it was just the first day but people had already been lining up to get their hands on the limited edition Jollibee Funko Pop.

Day 2

For day 2, I decided to do a cosplay, I went to APCC as one of my favorite characters, Finn the Human (Adventure Time). I already attended the con as Finn the Human back in 2016, but this time, I tried to make my own version. Instead of a blue tees and shorts, I wore a blue long sleeve shirt and jeans, plus I still carry Finn’s signature, sword, bag, and hat.

I spent my 2nd day of APCC with friends, I roamed around with friends, I ate with friends, I sat and took some rest by the wall with friends, etc. So if the 1st day was my own time at the convention, 2nd day was basically my time with friends.


Shut up, Meg!

With Josh, Qieff, Bernce, Let, and Marvin

But I did still have some fun as Finn. A few people asked to have a photo with me, and it’s always the most pleasing part of doing a cosplay. Also did take on the Mind Flayer (Stranger Things) because it’s evil and I destroy everything that is evil, as part of my hero’s code, and I was fortunate enough to have found the ruler of the Candy Kingdom, Princess Bubblegum.


The Greatest Crossover event: Finn the Human vs The Mind Flayer

I found Bonnibel!

I decided to try that Iron Fist shaking effect, and it was one of the coolest things I’ve done at APCC.

Want some fist!?

After that, while resting, we saw these cute dogs protecting the people at the venue. Would like to pet them but it wasn’t allowed, but still giving these hardworking doggos some love.





Day 3

3rd and last day of APCC, and I went there pretty late at 5pm.

I figured that I might as well enjoy the last day, take pictures of awesome cosplayers, and whatever else I could do and get.

Luckily, I saw Finn Jones at the center stage. He was picking people from the crowd to ask him a question. It’s the Iron Fist, of course I wanted to be picked. When he was choosing the last person to throw in a question before he moved on to the signing session, I gave my best and took out this yellow bandana from my pocket and waved and span it in the air. Realizing it’s the same color as Iron Fist, Finn Jones, said he just had to choose me. And I was like “Oh yeah!”. I walked forward to reach the microphone and asked him that since Iron Fist is still part of the MCU, how would he imagine him entering the movie and teaming up with the Avengers. At this point, I was in a starstruck mode, I was in a bit of a panic that didn’t know if I should do a video or audio recording of his answer, take photos, or a selfie. I wasn’t sure. I was freaking out. I was talking to Iron Freakin’ Fist! Haha! And because of this, I didn’t remember the exact words of his answer, but I'm pretty sure that it was that Iron Fist has a powerful fist and will come in as a very destructive force. Didn’t even get to ask for a proper selfie with him, but it was still a memorable experience.


FINN FREAKIN' JONES!!!

My Lucky Bandana

After that, I went back to roaming around and looking for cool cospalyers. And there were a lot.

The Komiks Trinity






But then I found my personal favorite cosplays this APCC, Yuna and Rikku from Final Fantasy X-2. I’m a huge fan of the Final Fantasy series… an FF geek, I’ve been looking for any FFIX cosplays, chocobos, Cindy from FFXV, and a lot more other FF characters, so I didn’t let this one slip as I shout “Yuna! Yuna! Rikku!” to get their attention. It’s just unfortunate that YRP wasn’t complete, Paine wasn’t with them. But they really look darn great!



Here are more amazing cosplays that I encountered at the convention.

Bring me Victor!!!


No! I don't want a balloon!


Something about her made me feel sad


Hey Trainee!

I sang with the Pussycats

So that was it. The ticket price was expensive since it did increased again this year and they didn’t seem to allocate some budget on print out maps and other event guides. And for what I heard, Hall M wasn’t that satisfying. But still, I truly enjoyed this year’s AsiaPOP Comicon. And this might actually be better than the previous years. Just hoping that it will continue on getting better each year, invite more guests, and they ease up on the ticket price.

"I've got you in my sights!"

Here’s a Jollibee Funko Pop… probably worth P5,000 to P10,000 by now. Haha!

Love ko to! Haha!

I was able to deliver an interview question to the IMMORTAL IRON FIST!!!

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Thanks Nilay-Nilay Media for the 3-day pass and the free AstroGenesis Revolution comic book.

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