ComicCon Asia
{{Short description|Fan convention in the Philippines}}
ComicCon Asia was a comic book fan convention held in Metro Manila, Philippines, that featured in anime, comics, gaming, cosplay, TV shows, and movies. The convention held its inauguration on March 24–25, 2018, at SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=January 2, 2018 |title=ComicCon Asia: Newest Comic Convention to Launch in 2018 |url=http://primer.com.ph/event/2018/01/02/comiccon-asia-newest-comic-convention-to-launch-in-2018/ |access-date=2018-03-23 |work=Event |language=en-US}}
Organization
The event was planned by Pauline Laping of PSL Entertainment Production, who is also the CEO and director of Miss Global Philippines, together with Nam Entertainment Group.{{cite web |last= |first= |date=14 September 2017 |title=First-ever Comic-Con Asia confirmed for 2018 |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/09/14/17/first-ever-comic-con-asia-confirmed-for-2018 |accessdate=18 January 2018 |website=abs-cbn.com}}
Events
Like most comic-book conventions, ComicCon Asia featured a large floor-space for exhibitors.
History
=2018=
The convention was held on March 24–25, 2018, at SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay. Eight Division world champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao served as event ambassador. Legendary comic book writer and artist Stan Lee was scheduled to attend{{cite web |last= |first= |date=17 January 2018 |title=Marvel legend Stan Lee coming to Manila for Comic-Con Asia 2018 |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/life/01/17/18/marvel-legend-stan-lee-coming-to-manila-for-comic-con-asia-2018 |accessdate=18 January 2018 |website=abs-cbn.com}} but had to cancel citing health reasons.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2018/03/16/stan-lee-cancels-appearance-at-comiccon-asia-2018.html|title=Stan Lee cancels appearance at ComicCon Asia 2018|work=The Jakarta Post|access-date=2018-03-23|language=en}} Hollywood actress Hayley Atwell was also set to appear but canceled on the last minute due to conflict with her schedule.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/198772-hayley-atwell-statement-comiccon-asia-2018-appearance|title=Hayley Atwell: Canceled ComicCon Asia 2018 appearance due to schedule issues|work=Rappler|access-date=2018-03-23|language=en|archive-date=2018-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323054049/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/198772-hayley-atwell-statement-comiccon-asia-2018-appearance|url-status=live}} Walter Jones, who played the original Black Ranger, Zachary "Zack" Taylor and Dacre Montgomery were the international guests.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/technology/640134/apart-from-stan-lee-what-awaits-at-comiccon-asia-2018/story/|title=Apart from Stan Lee: What awaits at ComicCon Asia 2018|website=gmanetwork.com|date=18 January 2018 |accessdate=18 January 2018}}
The event also featured local talents such as musician Yael Yuzon, comic book artists Harvey Tolibao, Carlo Pagulayan, and Ian Sta. Maria, and Armand Serrano of Walt Disney Animation Studios.{{cite web|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2018/01/17/marvel-comics-stan-lee-comic-con-2018.html|title=Marvel Comics' Stan Lee to headline Comic-Con Asia 2018 in Manila|website=cnnphilippines.com|date=17 January 2018|accessdate=18 January 2018|archive-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120055400/http://cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2018/01/17/marvel-comics-stan-lee-comic-con-2018.html|url-status=dead}} World renowned cosplayers Chad Hoku (Hoku props), Linda Le (Vampy Bit Me), Nana Kuronoma and Anna Redie (Enji Night) were in attendance.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-and-culture/194347-comiccon-asia-2018-manila-what-to-expect|title=What to Expect at ComicCon Asia 2018!|work=Rappler|access-date=2018-03-23|language=en|archive-date=2018-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129195136/https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-and-culture/194347-comiccon-asia-2018-manila-what-to-expect|url-status=live}}
Controversy
The inaugural convention received negative reviews from fans as they complained about long lines, less comic book oriented booths, problems with refunds and controversial guests.{{cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-and-culture/198912-comiccon-asia-2018-round-up|title=Three things ComicCon Asia did right and 5 things it did wrong|date=25 March 2018|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://movietvtechgeeks.com/comiccon-asia-convention-or-master-of-confusion/|title=ComicCon Asia convention or master of confusion? - Movie TV Tech Geeks News|date=31 March 2018|publisher=|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412145830/https://movietvtechgeeks.com/comiccon-asia-convention-or-master-of-confusion/|url-status=live}}
=Involvement of Manny Pacquiao=
It was initially thought that Manny Pacquiao was funding the event which caused mixed reception especially fans from the Philippines in which they viewed it as another attempt by the boxer to enter a different profession.{{cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/1019-lifestyle/198653-manny-pacquiao-comic-con-asia|title=[OPINION] Unpacking Pacquiao's involvement with ComicCon Asia|date=21 March 2018|publisher=|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=10 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010015006/https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/198653-manny-pacquiao-comic-con-asia/|url-status=live}} It also drew criticism from the LGBT community due to Pacquiao's stance on same-sex marriage with DC Comics' writer and inker Gerry Alanguilan to boycott the convention as it may be used as an outlet to promote his views.{{cite web|url=https://www.spot.ph/arts-culture/arts-culture-peopleparties/71467/comic-con-asia-2018-manny-pacquiao-a00171-20170915-lfrm|title=Pacquiao Is Comic-Con Asia's Ambassador and This Comic-Book Artist Is Not Having It|website=spot.ph|accessdate=18 January 2018|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118124204/https://www.spot.ph/arts-culture/arts-culture-peopleparties/71467/comic-con-asia-2018-manny-pacquiao-a00171-20170915-lfrm|url-status=live}} The organizer later released a statement that Pacquiao is not funding the event and they tapped the boxer because of his designation as the Philippines’ tourism ambassador.{{Cite news|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/628938/organizers-address-rumors-surrounding-comiccon-asia-2018/story/|title='CON' OR CON? Organizers address rumors surrounding ComicCon Asia 2018|work=GMA News Online|access-date=2018-03-23|language=en-US|archive-date=2024-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010015007/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/628938/organizers-address-rumors-surrounding-comiccon-asia-2018/story/|url-status=live}}
=Hayley Atwell's cancellation=
Commicon Asia drew flak from fans after they stated that Actress Hayley Atwell cancelled her planned appearance due to political unrest in the country in which it drew criticism from the Philippine government.{{cite web | url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/647489/hayley-atwell-cancels-comiccon-asia-appearance-due-to-lsquo-political-unrest-rsquo-in-phl/story/ | title=Hayley Atwell cancels ComicCon Asia appearance due to 'political unrest' in PHL | date=22 March 2018 | access-date=23 June 2024 | archive-date=23 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623162437/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/647489/hayley-atwell-cancels-comiccon-asia-appearance-due-to-lsquo-political-unrest-rsquo-in-phl/story/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/647569/palace-on-hayley-atwell-skipping-phl-appearance-who-s-she/story/|title=Palace on Hayley Atwell skipping PHL appearance: 'Who's she?'|date=22 March 2018|publisher=|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=26 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326202331/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/647569/palace-on-hayley-atwell-skipping-phl-appearance-who-s-she/story/|url-status=live}} Atwell however posted on her Instagram account dismissing the statement and said the cancellation was due to conflicting schedule.{{cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/198772-hayley-atwell-statement-comiccon-asia-2018-appearance|title=Hayley Atwell: Canceled ComicCon Asia 2018 appearance due to schedule issues|date=23 March 2018|publisher=|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323063003/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/198772-hayley-atwell-statement-comiccon-asia-2018-appearance|url-status=live}}
=Problems with refunds=
Many fans were not pleased that it took ComicCon Asia a week to address the refunds after Stan Lee and Hayley Atwell's cancellation. Criticism were also drawn when the online processing fees were not refundable. Another issue were the long lines for those seeking refunds.{{cite web|url=http://preen.inquirer.net/70776/the-things-that-went-wrong-before-comiccon-asia-even-started|title=The Things that Went Wrong Before ComicCon Asia Even Started|date=23 March 2018|publisher=|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=26 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326202340/http://preen.inquirer.net/70776/the-things-that-went-wrong-before-comiccon-asia-even-started|url-status=live}}