POP culture geeks, nerds and artists once again converged at the AsiaPOP Comicon (APCC), an annual comic and pop culture convention in Metro Manila.
This year’s three-day event, held on July 27 to 29 at the SMX Convention Center, featured Finn Jones, star of Iron Fist and, to Game of Thrones fans, the actor behind Ser Loras Tyrell, as well as Mike Colter, star of Luke Cage.
Mike Colter (left), Luke Cage star, and Finn Jones of Iron Fist (Photo by Juan Miguel D. Bonjoc)
Tye Sheridan, or “Wade Owen Watts” from Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One blockbuster film, and Osric Chau, or Kevin Tran in the TV series Supernatural, also graced the event.
From the first day, a crowd had formed in front of the SMX Convention Center eager to enter the building.
Among those who were already waiting outside for the building to open were cosplayers, artists, and comic enthusiasts.
Going inside the event venue, you cannot miss the massive Netflix Experience Area, introducing everyone to a Chinatown entrance from Marvel’s Iron Fist TV show.
Netflix Experience (Photo by Juan Miguel D. Bonjoc)
The booth also features a bunch of Netflix’s other famous programs like a Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe from Riverdale and Palace Arcade from Stranger Things.
Beside this Netflix Experience is the Walk of Fame, where renowned artists and cosplayers from all over the world can be found, including Whilce Portacio, Mike McKone, Leon Chiro, and Canvas Cosplay.
There you can buy exclusive prints, have them signed and even have a picture with your favorite artist.
At the other side of the room are the displays of Marvel, DC Superheroes, and Star Wars.
Ironman and the Infinity Gauntlet (Photo by Juan Miguel D. Bonjoc)
Just beside it is the Pinoy Komic Showcase with statues and figurines of local superheroes like Captain Barbell and Darna.
Pinoy superheroes Lastikman, Captain Barbell and Darna with villain Valentina (Photo by Juan Miguel D. Bonjoc)
The booth that was crowded the whole time was the Jollibee Funko Pop at the Filbar’s booth. Only around 500 pieces of the Jollibee figurine are sold per convention. Some had to wait several hours to get one.
Jollibee Funko Pop (Photo by Juan Miguel D. Bonjoc)
It was not all figurines and art. Guests could also play games at the Cignal Play Action Arena, where they set up four televisions with games like Tekken 7, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, and Dota 2.
Not far from the Gaming Arena is the Creative Arena where local and aspiring artists and artisans alike display their work, which are not that pricey despite the amazing quality.
Marcus Castle Cortes, a comic enthusiast and Marvel fan, said his favorite part of the convention were the Luke Cage and Iron Fist panels.
“Really awesome seeing the guys have a fun time, especially that hug from Mike Colter and Finn Jones because it’s the Heroes For Hire in the Philippines! Another awesome and special thing was when Finn Jones and Raven Metzner showed us the whole first episode of Iron Fist Season 2,” he said.
Luke Cage, also known as Power Man (birth name Carl Lucas), is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Marvel's Iron Fist, or simply Iron Fist, is an American web television series created for Netflix by Scott Buck, based on the Marvel Comics.
Finn Jones with fans (Photo by APCC)
Cortes hoped to see Jon Bernthal as Punisher from Marvel's The Punisher, an American web television series created for Netflix by Steve Lightfoot based on the Marvel Comics.
Perry, who came all the way from California with his kids, noted, however, that compared to last year’s APCC, this year has fewer activities and fewer freebies. The convention was still a success, with fans laughing, enjoying and having fun at all the booths and cosplayers putting in a great effort into their eye-catching costumes. (Juan Miguel D. Bonjoc, UST Intern)