GEEK and proud.
If there’s one event where you can say those three words out loud, it’s at the 2016 Asia Pop Comicon (APCC) Manila happening this weekend.
Whether or not you were part of the thousands of pop culture enthusiasts who had the time of their (fanboy and fangirl) lives in last year’s conference, new experiences await you this Aug. 26-28 at the Mall of Asia SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Expect to meet new people, discover new fandoms, learn new things, and of course, bring home new collectibles.
Once again, APCC brings together all fandoms and introduces us to the people behind the most celebrated comics, movies and TV shows today.
Are you ready to geek out? Here’s all you need to know about APCC 2016:
Celebrity headliners
Hiroshi Kitadani—Memorized the opening theme song of “One Piece” yet? It’s high time you meet the man behind it!
Kitadani is part of animé music supergroup the JAM Project. He also sang the iconic theme songs of “One Punch Man” and “Yu-Gi-Oh! GX.”
Claire Holt—Otherwise known as Rebekah in “The Vampire Diaries,” the Australian-born actress can give her Filipino fans the scoop on her new roles in the psychological thriller “In the Deep” and TV series “Aquarius.”
Joe Dempsie—We haven’t heard from “Game of Thrones” Gendry since Season 2 of the hit series. Does this mean a GoT comeback for Dempsie is in the offing?
Millie Bobbie Brown—Here’s your chance to ask Brown, who is part of the cast of the hot ’80s-inspired thriller “Stranger Things,” if there’s any truth to circulating fan theories that her character, Eleven, is also the demogorgon.
Maybe you can bring waffles or your copy of X-Men #134, too?
Winners of the free passes, courtesy of Netflix, to Brown’s meet-and-greet, photograph and autograph sessions will be announced in APCC’s Facebook page today.
Nicholas Hoult—R in “Warm Bodies” and Beast in the “X-Men: Apocalypse,” Hoult is a sci-fi cast favorite.
Get to know more about his latest roles as the young J.D. Salinger in “Rebel in the Rye” and an American soldier sent on an Iraqi mission in “Sand Castle.”
Artists
APCC 2016 is bringing in the biggest names—some already considered legends—in the comic and pop culture art scene.
Representing Filipino pride, Whilce Portacio encourages aspiring comic book artists to explore what Philippine mythology can offer global fiction. He is excited to see works that show not only Filipino talent, but material teeming with Filipino culture.
Fans of Mike Zeck don’t have to worry about missing their idol in the comicon. He promises to be at his designated table from the time doors open till they close the venue’s lights—now, that’s dedication.
You can also geek out about how much you love Captain America with this dude. We’re sure he’ll love to hear your thoughts about the patriotic superhero.
A word of caution to nonartistic fans of Ken Lashley: You might end up drawing for the go-to guy of DC and Marvel comic book covers.
He has this comicon tradition of making fans—who claim they can’t draw to save their lives—doodle for him. The idea is hilarious, and all it takes is saying the right words for you to be part of the fun—so be careful what you tell him!
Lashley also likes cookies. Maybe you can bake him some good ol’ chocolate crinkles?
Jason Palmer, who has taken fan art to a whole new level by creating famed pieces on “Star Wars,” “Once Upon a Time,” “The Walking Dead,” and just recently, “Stranger Things,” loves to engage with comicon attendees.
Don’t be surprised if he turns the conversation around and asks about how you are—he just loves to know more about his fans!
Hall M
Last year, APCC showed an advanced screening of the “Captain America: Civil War” trailer. This year, organizers want to make an even bigger splash.
Hall M will definitely be the ultimate bat cave of Marvel fans. Never-before-seen footage of “Doctor Strange”
(outside of San Diego Comic Con, at least) will be shown exclusively at the venue limited to 1,000 attendees.
We hear extended trailers and clips from our favorite Marvel series “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” will also be part of the mini event.
Marvel is also scouting for new comic book talents (attention pencillers, inkers and colorists!). Marvel’s vice president of international development and brand management CB Cebulski himself will let you know if you’ve got what it takes to bring the Marvel universe to life.
Cosplay
The Manila leg of the Cosplay Authority Global Challenge (CAGE) happens on Sunday and the grand winner takes home $10,000.
Iconic cosplayer and CAGE judge
Alodia Gosiengfiao expects participants to up their game this year with their hyperrealistic suits. But she also cautions them from using unconventional materials.
E-Sports
Game freaks have a space to geek out in the conference with the various tournaments for League of Legends, Overwatch, Street Fighter V, NBA 2K16 and Dota 2.
While most games’ pre-event registration have closed, Dota 2 players can still join the tournament through walk-in sign ups in SMX.