A Newbie's Ultimate Guide to AsiaPop Comicon Manila 2017

Is it your first time to go to a comic convention? Make yours a memorable one and attend the AsiaPop ComiCon Manila 2017 (APCC).

The 3-day event will happen from 25-27 August at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

As a newbie /ˈn(y)o͞obē/, here’s what you can do at the upcoming APCC:

GETTING READY

Identify how many days you are going to spend at APCC. That will determine future considerations in your first APCC experience.

One day will cost you P600, two days for P900 and P1,100 for the whole 3-day experience.

There are special bundles that you can avail of if you can stretch your pockets further.

A limited edition Collector’s Pack is available at a discounted price of PhP 3,500. This special offer is available for purchase at SM Tickets online and SM Tickets outlets while supplies last. Collector's Pack includes 1/12 Scale Iron Man “Shotgun” Collectible Figure, 1x APCC 3-Day Pass, 1x Special Edition Captain America Comic Book, and 1x APCC 2016 Tote Bag.

But we do recommend you to buy the Ultimate Merch Bundle to bring more fun in your APCC experience. For PhP 1,600. The bundle includes 1x APCC 3Day Pass, 1x Special Edition Captain America Comic Book, 1x APCC 2016 Tote Bag, 1x Sticker Set, 1x APCC 2017 Cotton T-Shirt (S-XL), 2x APCC Lanyards, and 1x Star Wars Lanyard. This bundle is limited to 100 sets only, and is available at SM Tickets online, and at all SM Ticket outlets near you.

KNOW THE SCHEDULE

First day (August 25) will open at 12NN, the succeeding days will be at 10AM.

Know the schedule of the program flow, autograph, photograph and meet and greet sessions. 

DURING THE CON

Time management is the key to success. It's either you possess the power of the Speed Force or self-duplication of Multiple Man, you can do all of these, fast and/or at the same time. But since you are only a  mere mudblood,  you cannot.

Once you have identified the program flow, familiarize yourself with the map for the artist alley, exhibitors and sponsors’ booths. In this way, you can allot the time of the specific booths you desire, allowing you to move around in a breeze. 

THE GUESTS

This year’s main guests include:

Serena Kozuki, one of Japan’s “power pop” solo idols, she is best known for the song "Shake the DiCE" from the cult anime 'Tenchi Muyo! Ryo Ohki'. She has captivated the world with her singles like 'Saikyo Melody', 'High Tension Girl', 'Kokuhaku Three Count', 'Night Jungle War', and may more.

Ray Fisher, who is playing Victor Stone a.k.a. Cyborg in the DC Extended Universe and will have a bigger role in the Justice League movie coming this November.

Tyler Hoechlin, played Derek Hale in MTV’s Teen Wolf and most recently he was cast to portray the man of steel, Superman in CW’s Supergirl.

Gaku Space, a Japanese-born actor and producer, he does voice acting for the hero Genji in both games and shorts for Overwatch. He did voice acting roles also in other games such as: X-Men: Destiny ad Sunfire, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.

Stars from the Netfix’s original series Stranger Things are also coming with Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, along with season 2 newcomers Dacre Montgomery (Jason/Red Ranger in 2017’s Power Rangers) as Billy, and Sadie Sink as Max.

Experience the exclusive world of Netflix only at AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2017 as they will bring some of its shows to life with immersive zones and activities for fans, allowing them to discover more about their beloved series (and stars)!

Featured comic artists include: Alan Quah, Artgerm, Carl Potts, Rodney Ramos and While Portacio.

They also have vinyl artists Jason Freeny, Quiccs and Simone Legno.

Macross creator himself, Shōji Kawamori, will be at APCC Manila 2017 to meet all of his mecha fans! Be sure to catch his workshop happening on August 27 (Sunday), 2:00pm

And of course who will not miss the CAGE guests: Alodia Gosiengfiao, Canvas Cosplay, Haiden Hazard, Jin (Behind Infinity) and Pion Kim.

BE DISCOVERED

Getting your artistry discovered by comic companies starts with a few things--submitting an impressive portfolio is one (if not the most important step).

Get a chance to be discovered by Marvel Comics. C.B. Cebulski, the Vice President of International Development & Brand Management of Marvel, is on the lookout for the country's best talents (Pencillers & Cover Artists).

Veteran comic book artist Rodney Ramos is here to help you! Limited to 15 aspiring artists, this one-on-one review will focus on looking at your portfolio and teaching the ways to improve it--from your works to entries that should be included and highlighted--allowing you to present your masterpiece professionally to big comic companies.

HALL M

This is one of the best thing that you shouldn't miss if you're going to APCC.

In 2015, Hall M featured a never-before seen trailer/scene from Captain America: Civil War. The following year, new footages from Doctor Strange and updates from several Marvel franchises were featured such as Cloak and Dagger, Runaways and The Defenders.

Usually, they allot 1,000 passes for Hall M. If you haven't made up your mind to which booth you are going to visit, you may pass by the claiming area for Hall M first so you can secure your spot. This year, tags will be handed out on these times: Friday, August 25 (4PM - 8PM), Saturday, August 26 (4PM - 8PM) , and Sunday, August 27 (10AM - 11AM).

Once you secured your pass, we advice you could be at least an hour or two before the opening of Hall M. Either you eat a bunch before you head to Hall M or bring small snacks while waiting. We also suggest to limit your things with you. Although there are bagagge counters, imagine the huge amount of people lining up to deposit and claim their things afterwards. We would suggest that, and if it is not avoidable, ask a friend with a car who's going with you also (that's selfish if it's just you!) and have them secure your belongings. You lessen the hassle of falling in line. High five!

Now the waiting game. Falling in line is the hardest thing to do other than passing the exams or running errands by mom. You could bring something that could make time flyby. Try bringing tabletop games. Make friends while waiting in line.

TIPID TIPS

If you're on a tight budget but you're still going to APCC 2017 there are still ways to enjoy the event. Let's say you have a budget of P500 or P1000, as we have suggested above, you could tag along a friend who's going also with a car for a ride. You save up our fare and you have a nice chit chat with your bud while you're on our way to the con.

Food stalls are also available at the area and the food's price ranges around P100 above. You could also go to SM MoA if you want to save more and eat at the fast food or food court. Last year, some food brands are also present giving free food product, so if you just want something for merienda / in between meals you should check it out.

If you don't want to go home without buying anything you should probably check the Artist Gallery and discover the best artists in the country. They have high quality prints and stickers showcasing their art, perfect for display or gift to someone. If you're an avid reader or a newbie that want to delve in the world of comics, it's a must to check out comic book bins you might find a treasure worth something.

P.S.

And most of all, say hi to everybody. Don’t be shy to approach the artists. They won’t bite.

Enjoy the rest of the day earning experiences and gaining friends. Have fun!