I am not a comics fanatic. I don’t read much of the comics so there isn’t a point telling me what I missed out, what is wrong, what should have happened and so on, because, I wouldn’t know.

But that did not take away the fact that I have re-watched so many times…in the past couple of months. I saw it at the cinema, I saw it on DVD, I saw it in my camp and I have it on my mobile phone. What? Problem?

I like this movie. It was pure fun and entertainment from start to end, with witty and funny dialogues along the way. Lets not get too serious shall we? A movie like that is seriously meant for the eyes, and only for the eyes. Not for the brain. Its comic.

We aren’t supposed to think of why did things turn out that way, this way, why certain things did not happen and why did the movie not explain how Banner was able to control himself.

The movie opened with everyone in SHIELD preparing to evacuate their facility thanks to the Tesseract acting up. For this part, if you had not watched Captain America and Thor, you would probably be wondering how and what this powerful cube was about.

The Tesseract first appeared in the Captain America movie, with Hydra wanting to take over the world after managing to harness the cube’s powers. Capt spoilt their party and dumped it right into the ice ocean. Howard Stark fished it out as they tried to search for Steve Rogers, and then it finally landed in the hands of SHIELD as shown in the after-credits scene in Thor.

And then Loki comes along, snatched the Tesseract along with Hawkeye, Selvig and an agent and made his way out, leaving the SHIELD facility sinking into the earth.

This made Fury ‘very desperate’ and he sent out his best agents to try recall the first candidates for The Avengers.

Here, we were introduced to the first appearance of Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner.

I thought Ruffalo pulled off his character well. Comparisons between him and Edward Norton are really unavoidable. To be fair, I thought both of them portrayed Bruce Banner well. Norton might have ‘brought’ Bruce Banner to ‘life’, but Ruffalo, I thought, excelled in portraying the scientist character of Bruce Banner, which I thought kind of lacked in Norton’s version.

Special features include:
- Official Movie Teaser
- Official Trailer
- Movie Press Conference Footage
- Movie Promotional events Footage
- Design gallery and more!

Do check back for updates on this release!

This upcoming film, a result of the success of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger vs Gavan, sees a new Gavan taking over the original to battle against a revival of the Makuu Empire, along with a new Sharivan and Shaider!

It is slated for an October 20 release.

You might think it’s the same old event every year but don’t forget the guests that were invited. It was certainly an eye-opener as the guests talk about what they’ve been doing, what they are going to do for the future and of course they do give alot of tips and advices for any aspiring artists out there. I, for one, am inspired. One thing they did remind me was to never give up. As cheesy as that may seem, it is a sure formula for success. And I do love sitting in their Spotlight sessions. Heck, I even won something from Mark Nagata.

To be honest, I am not familiar with the comics or the toys scene. There are quite a number of times where I did a double take only to see the guests are actually in their booths and even when they aren’t in their walk of fame, they would talk with their fans and even autograph for their fans.

There is no doubt the event is a success and we certainly did have a lot of fun. All the toys we drooled on wishing we had the money to just grab every single thing they have for sale, to the eye-popping cosplays, to the sessions that they have organised for us to get-to-know our guests better, to even the free Nescafe and Fanta, and to everything else. It truly was a Toys, Games and Comics Convention with every sense of the name being paid attention to. Thank you for the wonderful time and experience, hope to see you guys again next year!

the tokuAsia crew (from left to right) Lester Lee, Hidayat, STGCC Guest Andy Diggle and Lester Wong

Do check out more of our photos posted over at our tokuAsia facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/tokuAsia !

At this afternoon’s Media Preview tokuAsia got a glimpse of the many interesting highlights that will be featured in the upcoming event.

Guest of honor Andy Diggle is one of the UK’s leading comic book writers, best known for his work in Vertigo’s action thriller The Losers, giving us the insights of what to he is currently working on and how he started out in the industry.

Leinil Francis Yu lets us in on his opinions on the comics he loves and the characters he brings to life in his work.

Tristan Eaton, began pursuing street art as a teenager, painting everything from billboard to dumpsters in London, Detroit and New York. The graffiti artist has done work for Nike, Hasbro and U.S. President Barack Obama’s voteforchange.com campaign. Tristan also has a permanent collection in New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MOMA).

Don’t forget to visit their booths as well as they will do live demonstration, who knows maybe even a give-away?

For more event details, logon to http://www.singaporetgcc.com

For more extensive photo and video coverage, logon to our Facebook account at http://www.facebook.com/tokuAsia or follow our twitter account at @tokuAsia !

Our crew was responsible for the production of “We Will Get There”, a seven-episode reality series on the journey of the NDP participants, the introduction videos for the Parade Commander and the Parade Regimental Sergeant Major, as well as the music video for “A Nation’s March”, the NDP 2012 marching-in song, which the participants had to sing along to as they marched onto parade.

The Gold Award was presented at a private function hosted by Dr. Ng at the Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore, where he and Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Kian Hong presented tokens of appreciation to 99 participating organisations and 223 sponsors.

tokuAsia Pictures would like to dedicate this award to all who had been involved in our maiden NDP journey, from the organising committees to the participants and even viewers of “We Will Get There”. Thank you everyone!

In order to avoid this article from turning into Wikipedia, let’s just move on to the Top 5 list. We shall start off with one of the Yellows at No. 5…

#5 Shibata Kenji as GoYellow/Tatsumi Daimon

Born the youngest of four brothers and the only sibling not involved in the fire department, Daimon is a policeman trained in judo. After GingaYellow/Hikaru, Daimon is the second Yellow to introduce the “Reckless Yellow” personality, while inheriting his precessedors’ strongman image. Despite being impulsive and ill-tempered, he has proved himself worthy when he defeated a Saima Beast, untransformed, with the Banba Style Cow’s Killer Milk Tornado Drop, which he also taught to GaoBlue/Samezu Kai in the 25th Anniversary movie.

When I got back into watching Super Sentai  in 2005, GoGoFive was my second series (after Jetman) which had a male Yellow in it, so I just had to mention Daimon. I wasn’t too sure if I would like a male Yellow, since I grew up watching Power Rangers where all the Yellows were female, but after watching GoGoFive, I had a rough idea of the concept of a male Yellow. Granted, Daimon isn’t the best Yellow, but how can you not love him for his humor and that awesome Banba Style Cow’s Killer Milk Tornado Drop of his?

#4 Naruse Tomihisa as Yellow Owl/Ooishi Raita

Raita, a farmer, was just another randomly chosen Jetman. Denying the fact that he was hit by the Birdonic Wave, he refused to fight Vyram out of fear and adamant, but when they start destroying nature to which he holds dear, he was determined to protect it. Unlike the other two guys on the team, Raita wasn’t really a skilled fighter, but his brute strength and large sized body help made up for it. He is also historically known to be the last “Fat Yellow” in the franchise.

I’m not too sure of what to say about Raita, but he was the first ”Fat Yellow” I’ve watched onscreen. I didn’t like him at first since as stated above, he was a coward and refused to fight, which is not how a typical Yellow would react. However, he did prove his determination in the end. Like most of his senior Yellows from the 70′s and 80′s, he’s the comical big guy of the group and I guess that was the reason why I find him likable.

#3 Hayase Keiko as Hoshikawa Remi/FiveYellow

Born as the fourth child and also the older twin sister of Fumiya, Remi is a music teacher trained in kungfu. She was separated from her parents during Zone’s attack on another planet at infancy, thus she constantly suffers from not remembering their faces. She once got drunk when she fell into a water-turned-alcohol and confronted a monster using the infamous Drunken Fist style. Above it all, she’s disastrous at house chores and often leaves it to Kazumi or Arthur.

Having just completed Fiveman, Remi quickly became one of my favourite Yellows. She’s strong, independant and very skilled at kungfu! Who wouldn’t say she’s great when she defeated the fake Fiveman untransformed?! There are also times where she fought untransformed, so she definitely deserves a mention!

#2 Nakamura Youko as Yellow Flash/Sara

On of the five infants who were kidnapped by Mess for their experimental purposes, but thanks to the Flash Aliens, Sara was rescued and raised on the cold planet of Yellow Star. She’s always seen with a cold exterior, but is geniunely nice to anybody she meets. It is eventually revealed that she’s the daughter of Dr. Tokimura. Unlike her senior Yellows, Sara is the first Yellow to introduce the “Brainy Yellow” image and instead, Green Flash ends up as the strongest member.

Sara was the first Sentai Yellow I’ve seen onscreen in the 90′s and she has always been my favourite since childhood. Dubbed as the first beautiful Yellow in Super Sentai, she’s both beautiful and competent when it comes to fighting, so that’s why I came to respecting her as a heroine. It’s a shame that the current beautiful Yellows can’t be both at the same time.

#1 Yajima Yuki as Yellow Four 1/Koizumi Mika and Tanaka Sumiko as Yellow Four 2/Yabuki Jun

The first two female Yellows in Super Sentai history, Mika and Jun were chosen by Peebo to become Yellow Four when it was discovered they had Bio Particles. Mika was a photographer before shouldering the burdens of a heroine, but was replaced by Jun shortly after dying in Episode 10. Jun was an archer training to compete in the Olympics before she was chosen to become the new Yellow Four and she stayed with the team since then. Both females have introduced the “Tough Tomboy Yellow” image in oppose to their feminine female comrade and have also started the dynamic female duo concept.

How can I not mention these two? If it weren’t for them, there wouldn’t be any female Yellows up to this day! Since I started out with Bioman’s theatrical release, I’m more of a fan of Jun’s than Mika’s, but it would be wrong of me if I didn’t mention the latter. Both have proven themselves as tough as their male comrades, as well as pulling their female comrade out of sticky situations most of the time, and since they’re tomboys, I find it very easy to relate to them as I’m a tomboy myself.

So, to those who are reading this, who are YOUR Top 5 Sentai Yellows?

Singapore, 8 August 2012

STGCC announces new heavyweight comic and toy personalities

Leading comic book writer, Andy Diggle, and celebrated Hot Toys sculptors in Singapore for the first time to meet fans.

With the Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC) 2012 around the corner, Reed Exhibitions has announced more top-notch personalities joining this year’s line-up that will delight pop culture fans in Singapore and the region.

Coming to Singapore for the first time are leading British comic book writer, Andy Diggle, rising Japanese singer Piko and HuskyKevin, creator of the popular Hong Kong-based merchandise brand, Husky x3.

Influential British comic book writer, Andy Diggle who is currently writing Doctor Who for IDW Comics, has penned the storylines of Marvel Comics’ Shadowland and Six Guns and DC Comics’ Batman and Swamp Thing.

Andy is best known for his Vertigo action thriller The Losers, which was adapted into a major Hollywood movie in 2010.

Joining the Eastern line-up at this year’s STGCC is popular Japanese singer Piko, who captured fans with his stunning performances of the theme songs from popular anime like One Piece and Fullmetal Alchemist.

Known for his exceptionally broad vocal range, Piko has staged performances in Europe, Taiwan and Hong Kong. He will be performing live for the first time in Singapore at STGCC.

HuskyKevin, the creator of popular Hong Kong-based brands Husky x3 and Husky Rescue is also attending this year’s STGCC, bringing with him the brand’s latest merchandise, including STGCC exclusives – Aome Husky Clown and Hangout with You Plushier. He has also worked with international brands like Coca-Cola and Nokia to co-organise exhibitions and promotional projects.

World-renowned collectible production company, Hot Toys, will also be
returning to STGCC with 2012 Toy Fairs Exclusive limited edition figurines
of iconic characters from The Dark Knight, Captain America: The First
Avenger and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

For the first time, Hot Toys will also be bringing in a team of celebrated sculptors to meet fans in Singapore. Hot Toy fans will also have the rare opportunity to meet the team of sculptors behind these masterful creations. Based in Hot Toys’ secret base in South Korea, fans will get to meet;

JC Hong, Production Director & Chief Painter, responsible for the jaw-dropping intricate paintwork of figures such as the Bank Robber Joker from The Dark Knight;

Chief Sculptor, Yulli Choi (in left picture), who has created impressive head sculpts of Terminator 2: Judgement Day’s DX T-800 robot, Black Widow from The Avengers and Harvey Dent Two-Face from The Dark Knight;

Sculptor Kojun, whose highly raved works include the greatly sought-after DX Batman/ Bruce Wayne from The Dark Knight Rises and Nick Fury and Thor from The Avengers;

And sculptor K.A. Kim, whose recent works include the three Hot Toys exclusive figurines available at this year’s STGCC, as well as Black Widow and Hawkeye from The Avengers.

They will be meeting fans and signing autographs at the STGCC Walk of Fame on 2 September 2012, 3pm to 4pm.

tokuAsia Pictures is proud to announce today that it will be collaborating with the National Day Parade 2012 Parade & Ceremonies Committee to produce a 7 episode reality series documenting the journey of twelve participants from the various marching contingents.

The series, which is set for a July release, will be a landmark project for tokuAsia Pictures, as well as its first time participating as a sponsor of the national event, which involves some 12,000 participants each year. This year’s edition, celebrating the nation’s 47th birthday, will be held at The Float@Marina Bay.

“tokuAsia is very honoured to be given the chance to come onboard as a Major Partner of the NDP,” said Mr. Gan Meng Yeow, Chairman of tokuAsia. “The NDP is a huge event and being able to contribute to it in such a manner is a dream come true for us. We are all very proud to be able to do our bit for the nation.”

A teaser trailer for the series has been released on 20 March 2012.

tokuAsia Pictures will formally replace tokuAsia Productions which had been a channel for various hobby projects under the group name since 2008. Pictures will be a primarily for-profit entity which will be able to take up a wide spectrum of projects ranging from short films to corporate videos to TV commercials, and more.

Despite the replacement, the tokuAsiaTV channel will remain functional for future hobby projects and event coverage videos, whilst in the future, a dedicated website will be set up to house tokuAsia Pictures’ professional portfolio.

To grow and manage the new entity, tokuAsia’s Vice Chairman Basil Yeo has been appointed Managing Director of the subsidiary, Head Logistics Kim Hong as the Chief Operating Officer, and Business Development Advisor Lin Yimian will continue to perform the same role in Pictures.

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