A Rough Start to ComicCon Asia 2018
Remember the game “don’t think of X” and you only start thinking of X simply because it was mentioned? The same can be said for ComicCon Asia 2018, held last March 24-25 at the SMX Convention Center. The event ran a gauntlet of rough starts, from small rumors to questionable actions and statements. Despite all the heat against them happening online, the event pushed through and delivered what they could.
The hits and misses of their promotions
As early as September 2017, the organizers, PSL Entertainment and Nam Entertainment Group, announced their take on comics and pop culture with the event, ComicCon Asia (CCA). Carrying a logo that many noticed to look very similar to another comic book-related international event, the newest convention promises anime, comics, gaming, cosplay, TV shows and movies. Filipino boxing icon Sen. Manny Pacquiao was made its ambassador, a decision criticized by many, especially comic book artist Gerry Alanguilan because of Pacquiao’s stance on same-sex relationships.
Nearing the day of the event, their Facebook page announced guests but also their cancellations. Netizens pointed out the passiveness of the event regarding comic book icon Stan Lee’s scheduled guesting despite the 95-year old’s latest state of health. There was also the issue of actress Haley Atwell’s reason for cancellation that did not match her statement on Twitter.
Furthermore, the event declared that they will be releasing refunds at the event venue, an announcement met with many heated statements by ticket holders who are no longer willing to drive down the convention.
Winners of the Project X Contest – Search for the New Pinoy Superheroes
The show must go on
Come March 24, ComicCon Asia opened its doors albeit a little too late based on the online mentions three to four hours queuing time. Many seasoned convention-goers were met with disorganized crowd-control the morning of the first day.
Inside the halls of SMX were big sponsor booths and small artist spaces. There was also a big, almost-blank space with a DJ playing music to people minding their own business. According to the map on the event guide, the area was meant for manga and anime (actually, most of the map was not followed, which makes going around the venue very confusing).
There was also limited seating in front of the stage that made many steer clear of that area, despite the programs and awarding done for contests held during the event.
From Left to Right: Holland Roden, Dacre Montgomery, Walter Jones, Pauline Laping, Anjali Bhimani, Jen Cohn, Carolina Ravassa and Feodor Chin
A meet-and-greet for the press happened at 4:30 pm on the first day. Moderated by Daiana Menezes, the press met with Walter Jones, Dacre Montgomery, Holland Roden, and Overwatch voice actors Feodor Chin, Anjali Bhimani, Carolina Ravassa, and Jen Cohn. PSL Entertainment’s Pauline Laping was also present to answer questions such as to clear the statement they released about Haley Atwell missing the event. She said what they released on their Facebook page is just what they “received from her management. We do respect her decision and we didn’t ask anything else.”
An almost-blank Manga and Anime Area
Finally,
While there was an obvious turn-out for the first ComicCon Asia, there was a lot of things the organizers could improve upon.
It was fun to look at because of the lego displays, towering character statues, numerous toy displays, and well-named guests, but there wasn’t enough “come on” factor to make the public want to pay Php 800 for entrance. Even if Lee and Atwell had not canceled, many would come just for the workshops, meet and greet, signings, and contests. This in lieu of the earlier statement that local creators would take center stage.
Still, if one tries to think of the better, CCA changes the play of the convention game by challenging other events to step up. Many will look forward to what the regular annual comic and cosplay events have to offer to face against the new contender. Will other events come to show CCA how it’s done?
Written by Heloise Diamante
