8 episodes, each only 35 minutes long. All dropped at once on Disney+ on Tuesday, January 27th (28th for those of us in Singapore). The second miniseries under the Marvel Spotlight branding, this release format echoed its predecessor, the largely forgettable Echo. It all seemed like a recipe for disaster. Yet Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Wonder Man not only defied all definitions but also defied all expectations. And it’s easily the best thing to have come from Marvel in a long, long time.

Wonder Man, co-created by director Destin Daniel Cretton and showrunner Andrew Guest, is a show that is so absurdly confident in what it is. The scripting is tight, pacing is immaculate, the acting is wonderful (pun intended), and, perhaps most of all, it has a truly loving relationship with the source material.

While it’s criminal that the show has had ZERO hype prior to its release, perhaps this is for the best. After all, this is a show where even watching the trailers ruins the perfectly crafted storytelling. Wonder Man wants you to go in with a blank slate, with no expectations, so that it can build steadily towards its stunning climax with an incredible self-assurance that is well-earned.

To Be or Not to Be, that is the Question

Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is a struggling actor in Hollywood who is his own worst enemy. A series of maddeningly self-sabotaging choices leads to a chance encounter with fellow actor Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley), who is trying to make it in Hollywood for his own reasons. When the two men cross paths again, during auditions for the biggest roles of both their careers, they discover how close the path of redemption is to the path of disaster.

Co-creators Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest proved to be an unbeatable duo. Cretton, who also directed 2021’s Shang-Chi and the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, brought the same keen reverence for the fragility of human nature that he brings to all his movies, including Just Mercy and The Glass Castle. Guest, as showrunner, elevated Wonder Man with the same kind of dry humour that served him so well on Community, Suburgatory, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Their exploration of the film and television industry, while not strictly satirical, nonetheless encapsulates its flaws through the equally flawed lens of Williams and Slattery. Williams’ approach to the craft of acting is equal parts noble and narcissistic, and in Slattery, he finds a mentor and a mirror. So effable and effortless is their chemistry that it forms the core of the entire miniseries.

All the World’s a Stage, and all the Men and Women merely Players

There is no doubt that the highest praise must go to Abdul-Mateen, who embodies Simon Williams with a truly sympathetic humanity. The character remains unlikable, arguably, till the very end, and would fail miserably in the hands of a lesser actor. Yet Abdul-Mateen’s ability to consistently find Williams’ emotional core elevates the portrayal. This, of course, is something he has done many times before, in Aquaman, Black Mirror and Candyman.

The supporting cast also helped to ground the crazy Hollywood setting, which can often be stranger than fiction. Kudos go to X Mayo as Janelle, Simon’s no-nonsense agent, and Shola Adewusi, as Simon’s mother Martha, who is loving to a fault. Special kudos also go to Demetrius Grosse, who plays Simon’s brother Eric, an insurance agent (with a truly missed opportunity to make a Grim Reaper reference there) and Byron Bowers, who plays Doorman. Both only get the spotlight in one episode each, but they make the most of it. Speaking of the spotlight, don’t miss out on the cameos by actors playing themselves in the ultimate send-up of Hollywood culture.

But the true gem of Wonder Man comes from the way Sir Ben Kingsley reprises his role of Trevor Slattery. The character first appeared in Iron Man 3 back in 2013, followed by the Marvel One-Shot All Hail The King in 2014, and Shang-Chi in 2021. Over the years, Slattery has proven to be one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most enduring original characters. It is to Sir Ben’s absolute credit for always finding that throughline, to the point that few will remember how deeply divisive his character was over a decade ago.

Cretton’s choice to make Slattery the tether of both Shang-Chi and Wonder Man to the MCU is inspired. It’s only obvious in hindsight how deeply rooted Slattery is to the franchise, allowing the miniseries to feel like a part of the MCU without the distraction of the rest of Marvel’s superheroes and supervillains.

Now is the Winter of our Discontent

It is not a stretch to say that Wonder Man may be the first and last of its kind. It was developed amid Marvel’s creative upheavals in 2023, when movies like Quantumania and The Marvels marked the nadir of the studio’s waning output. Showrunner Guest revealed at a recent Q&A session that Wonder Man “could have been a tax write-off for Disney”. That it was made and released was a huge gamble for Marvel Studios.

However, should Marvel recognise the success of the show and correctly identify what made it work, building on the warm reception of both Thunderbolts* and Fantastic Four: First Steps, we could finally see a new era for the beleaguered production company, which will hopefully be set back on track by the upcoming Avengers movies.

All Images Credit: Wonder Man (2026) | Marvel

The post Wonder Man: The Review appeared first on Here Be Geeks.

AniManGaki is back in its seventeenth year with special guests, competitions, and performances galore! The energy, crowd, and passion fully encapsulated this year’s theme “Streets” — wild, fun, and unrestrained. “Streets” is meant to spotlight grassroots creativity, street culture, and the diverse world of ACG through cosplay showcases, art markets, panels, indie games, live music, and more.

So much happened over the three days from 22nd August 2025 to 24th August 2025 — Love and Deepspace landed in Malaysia for their inaugural offline debut in this country. Fans lined up to take photographs with their favourite love interests and could redeem exclusive merchandise on-site. 

Not only that, Cheetah — a proudly homegrown brand with over 40 years of history in everyday fashion soft launched their highly anticipated Cheetah | One Piece Collection right here at AniManGaki 2025, with bold, stylish designs featuring the Straw Hat crew for both fans young and old. 

Let’s ride through the streets and find out what made AMG 2025 a celebration of the ACG community! 

Special Guests

Several special guests graced the event — amongst them singers, artists, and creatives:

• BRADIO

Best known for their hit track Flyers from Death Parade, Japanese funk rock band BRADIO rocked the stage on Saturday night — covering a range of songs which culminated in a live performance of Flyers that got the crowd going wild.

• Lucius Merryweather

This popular VTuber and manga creator, known for insightful and entertaining ACG content, toured the AniManGaki con floor and had a meet and greet session with fans. They could also play against him in Buckshot Roulette over at the VTuber Alley!

• Studio Orange

As an acclaimed Japanese 3DCG animation studio behind titles like Beastars, Trigun Stampede, and Land of the Lustrous — they shared their vast knowledge through panels and signed autographs for adoring fans. 

• Aya Hirano

Being the renowned voice actress of Haruhi Suzumiya from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, as well as having roles in Death Note, Fairy Tail, and more — this singer-songwriter was a force to be reckoned with.

• ChouCho

A Japanese singer best-known for anime hits including Heaven’s Memo Pad, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya, and The Strongest Sage with the Weakest Crest — ChouCho was a shining star that brightened the stage with her presence.

• mit photography

As a celebrated portrait and cosplay photographer, MIT Photography is well known for her powerful visual storytelling. With a career spanning over a decade, MIT has held exhibitions in Tokyo, Taipei, Hanoi, and participated in the Pingyao International Photography Festival in China.

Performances & Competitions 

The audience was captivated by the contestants of AniManGaki Idol and Battle of the Bands competitions, and off to the Sidequest Stage were several competitions — including the Pet Cosplay Contest and the Super Smash Bros Ultimate Grand Finale! 

The energy was palpable as the roar of the crowd echoed all about, and right beside the Sidequest Stage were the food vendors at Makan Corner. I grabbed a tasty drink and simply soaked up the atmosphere.

Artist & Cosplay Alley

With the Artist Alley featuring over 300 creators, congoers were spoilt for choice — an array of items were being sold: stickers, badges, prints, and more! I wasn’t even sure where to start, but all I knew was that I needed to get as many fanmade items of my internet husbando as I could (RIP to my wallet). 

The Cosplay Alley (featuring a total of 120 booths) also featured a Photography Alley where several photographers/studios set up a space for cosplayers to come and have their photos taken. Yours truly did a shoot as well, and the experience was amazing — I’m eager to see the photos. The crowd there was full of creative spirit — cosplayers holding their best poses, assistants making sure the shot was just perfect, and photographers capturing unforgettable moments.

VTuber Alley

A VTuber Alley was beside the Artist Alley and featured many Malaysian VTubers — I could see the boundless creativity that went into the designs of their models. There were also activities with VTubers on the VTuber Stage — including a PvP session against Lucius Merryweather in Buckshot Roulette! 

Final Thoughts 

I had an absolute blast at AniManGaki 2025 meeting friends new and old alike! Having been a veteran of the convention, it was heartwarming to see the convention grow into what it is now. I hope to be a part of the celebrations for years to come! 

Connect with AniManGaki over at:

• Instagram: @animangaki
• X (Twitter): @AniManGaki
• Facebook: AniManGaki
• TikTok: @animangaki_official
• YouTube: @animangaki

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The popular immersive 3D interactive romance game Love and Deepspace is celebrating their official offline debut in Malaysia at AniManGaki 2025!

Published by Infold Games, it blends narrative storytelling, relationship simulation, and futuristic action. Players take on the role of a Deepspace Hunter—a protagonist navigating both emotional intimacy and interstellar conflict. Deepspace Hunters are able to customise their appearance and outfits, lending a sense of personal touch to their experience of the game.

Throughout the game, players develop deepening relationships with five potential love interests—Xavier, Zayne, Rafayel, Sylus, and Caleb—each brought to life through distinct personalities, voice performances, and branching story arcs.

Love and Deepspace boasts over 50 million players to date, with key features like:

• 3D Cinematic Storytelling: Romantic moments are rendered in high-quality, real-time 3D with dynamic animations.
• Real-Time Interactions: Players receive in-game voice calls and messages that simulate real-time relationships.
• Augmented Reality Integration: Characters can appear in real-world environments using AR functions.
• Choice-Based Gameplay: Narrative branches respond to player choices, emphasizing emotional agency and replayability.

To mark the occasion, there will be a special photo op booth at AniManGaki featuring life-sized standees of the game’s popular characters. Hunters can snap photos with their in-game favourites and show their love for the game.

As part of the activation, attendees who secure an online redemption slot will also be entitled to an exclusive Love and Deepspace merchandise giveaway, available only during the offline event.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Redemption will be open online for a limited time prior to the event.
• Only those with confirmed slots will be eligible for the giveaway.
• Walk-ins will not be accepted, so don’t miss your chance to register!

Celebrate the Love and Deepspace offline debut in Malaysia with AniManGaki 2025 and take home a little piece of the galaxy with you!

For updates and redemption announcements, follow AniManGaki and Love and Deepspace on social media at the links below:

Instagram: @animangaki | @loveanddeepspace
X (Twitter): @AniManGaki | @Love_Deepspace
Facebook: AniManGaki | Love and Deepspace
TikTok: @animangaki_official | @loveanddeepspace
YouTube: @animangaki | @LoveandDeepspace

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A brand new exhibition is now open at INCUBASE Arena Malaysia on level 2 of Fahrenheit88 — this time featuring the beloved series Cardcaptor Sakura. Travel through a space lovingly transformed by magic of Sakura Kinomoto. Travel through the various rooms as each reveal a facet of the iconic series:

• Flower Room (花の部屋): Visitors can step into an immersive space filled with the iconic flowers from the manga, designed to transport them into Sakura’s serene world.
• Giant Kero (大なケロちゃん): A chance to meet and take photos with a larger figure of Sakura’s guardian beast, Kero-chan.
• Maze of Original Drawings (迷な原画ゾーン): An extensive display of around 200 reproduction drawings from the manga, showcasing its detailed artistry and thematic depth.

Created by CLAMP, “Cardcaptor Sakura” has enthralled manga readers worldwide with its compelling story and rich character development since its debut in June 1996. The story follows Sakura Kinomoto as she struggles as a ‘card captor’ to retrieve the cards that have been unleashed on the world. Follow her alongside her guardian beast Kero-chan, friend Tomoyo, and rival-turned-love interest Syaoran Li.

Each guest will also receive a special original clear card as an admission gift, crafted by CLAMP, to commemorate their visit to the exhibition. Not only that, fans can also get the chance to purchase exclusive merchandise available for this event, alongside a selection of goods imported directly from Japan!

Release your inner card captor as you take in the sights on the exhibtion, which is ongoing till 11th June 2025. Watch the exhibition transform in the latter half between 12th May to 11th June!

Grab tickets over at INCUTIX, Ticket2u, and Klook. Keep up to date with event news via Facebook and Instagram. Read our coverage of INCUBASE Arena Malaysia’s first ever exhibition here.

The post Release! CardCaptor Sakura Exhibition – The Enchanted Museum Brings this Series to Life appeared first on Here Be Geeks.

Hong Kong based entertainment event producer and organiser INCUBASE alongside collaborators Toei Co., Ltd. and Medialink Group (2230.HK), have brought the Kamen Rider 50th Anniversary Exhibition to Malaysia! Situated at the INCUBASE Arena Malaysia on level 2 of Fahrenheit88, Kamen Rider fans are in for a treat.

With 50 years of Kamen Rider history, travel through the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras that include Masked Rider 1, V3, BLACK RX, Agito, Ryuki, Den-O, Kamen Rider W, and the latest ZERO-ONE, SABER, GEATS, and GOTCHARD.

Kamen Rider first began as a live action series in 1971 and has captivated audiences with its compelling stories and relatable heroes. Masked Rider Black, known in Malaysia and Indonesia as Kesatria Baju Hitam, is often regarded as a classic series, being among one of the most popular Kamen Rider series in the late 80s, particularly within the Showa era. Masked Rider Black RX serves as the direct sequel to this timeless classic.

Be in awe of the plethora of Kamen Rider costumes, manga panels, figures, and so much more! Each space within the exhibition is lovingly crafted with informative boards as well as the opportunity to participate in both a stamp rally and plenty of photo spots abound. Fans can also pick up exclusive merchandise and look forward to meet-and-greet sessions with Kamen Riders in full costume.

“Who is the Kamen Rider you grew up with?”

@yige.atelier

“Who is the Kamen Rider you grew up with?” Visit the Kamen Rider 50th Anniversary Exhibiton at INCUBASE Arena Malaysia, Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur! This exhibition will be open until 16 March 2025 so don’t miss out! #TOEI #Medialink #INCUBASEStudio #INCUBASEArenaMY #KamenRider #仮面ライダー

♬ NEXT LEVEL（『仮面ライダーカブト』主題歌 TV size） – YU-KI(TRF)

Discover who that is for you at this exhibition, which is ongoing till 16th March 2025.

Grab tickets over at INCUTIX, Ticket2u, and Klook. Keep up to date with event news via Facebook and Instagram.

The post A Blast from the Past — Visit the Kamen Rider 50th Anniversary Exhibition at the Newly Launched INCUBASE Arena Malaysia appeared first on Here Be Geeks.

How does Singaporean mutant Jitter assert her heritage? By throwing out the most Singaporean of phrases of course! In this week’s issue of Uncanny X-Men #5, as her “battle phrase”, Jitter yells, “You stare what stare? And then, a few pages later, in the middle of the fight, she complains, “This is so damn rabak!”

For non-Singaporeans, “You stare what stare” is an infamous Singlish line that often precedes a conflict due to a “staring incident”. “Rabak” is a Malay word which originally meant “ragged” or “in tatters” but has now come to mean something that’s a mess or out of control.

And with those two lines, creator Gail Simone establishes Jitter aka Sofia Yong as the most authentic Singaporean character ever to appear in a mainstream Marvel comic.

Admittedly, that’s a really low bar. The Marvel universe often doesn’t seem to know what to do with Singapore, barely referencing this island-nation, instead creating a fictional pastiche called Madripoor. And when Marvel comics do visit Singapore, it’s honestly little more than a cameo.

Actually, that might be for the best. When Singapore is the setting for a Marvel comic, it tends to be a very strange take. The 1987 limited series X-Men vs. Avengers introduced (and then massacred) the Mutant Underground of Singapore, while the entirety of Darko Macan and Igor Kordey’s trippy, absurdist run on Cable/Soldier X in 2002 introduced, but never got to fully develop, the megarich mutant villain Jackie Singapore. Jackie Singapore was so rich he somehow convinced people the island was named after him, and his adult minions had their growth suspended to appear like preschool children, because “nobody suspects children and few dare harm them”.

Talk about rabak.

However you feel about Jitter spouting off Singlish in battle, at least it looks like she’s here to stay. Jitter and her team of young mutants known as the Outliers are going to be a significant part of Uncanny X-Men, according to solicitations for the next 5 issues.

The post “Rabak” and “Stare what stare” in Uncanny X-Men #5, thanks to Jitter appeared first on Here Be Geeks.

If the names Edward and Alphonse Elric ring a bell — then you must have heard of Fullmetal Alchemist! The story follows the journey of the Elric brothers as they seek to regain their human form after a botched attempt at human body alchemy — a forbidden form of alchemy.

The exhibition is running at Level 2, Pavilion Bukit Jalil (near Tsutaya Bookstore) for two months — from the 24th of January to the 24th of March. Visitors are greeted by several wall scrolls of characters as they enter its halls. To the left, a figurine of Edward and Alphonse sit behind a glass case. This is based off the promotional art mangaka Hiromu Arakawa had done specially for the exhibition.

Further in, we were treated to the sight of the costumes worn during the shooting of the Fullmetal Alchemist film Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar (2022). Up close, the detail was stunning — each scuff mark and seam was perfect on the heavy fabric.

Fullmetal Alchemist Manga Universe Showcase

Then we entered the Fullmetal Alchemist Manga Universe Showcase that featured approximately 300 items of both manga manuscripts and colored illustrations. (Both were duplicates.) I couldn’t help but stare in awe at the story arc brought to life by the careful arrangement of the seven showcase zones. Not only that, several props from the 2022 live action film were on display. The dedication to the craft was impeccable and I couldn’t stop admiring the hard work that had gone into them.

There was also a stamp rally — at six different checkpoints crew members would stamp our booklets — each with a different character. At the end of the stamp rally, what awaited me was an exclusive Fullmetal Alchemist sticker. I simply thought that was it, but I also received an honorary Amestris Army certificate (#67, woo)!

The Fullmetal Alchemist exhibition wouldn’t be complete without me talking about the original merchandise area. You can grab plushies, art prints, and more! All in all, I had a blast and I can’t wait for you to experience Fullmetal Alchemist Exhibition with your own eyes!

Tickets for the exhibition are now available for sale through Ticket 2U. Keep up to date with event news via Facebook and Instagram!

The post Get Ready for the Fullmetal Alchemist Exhibition’s International Debut in Malaysia! appeared first on Here Be Geeks.

2023 is the 15th anniversary for Animangaki — and for the first time in its history, the event began on a Friday, as opposed to the usual two day weekend structure. Despite that, the crowd on the 25th of August 2023 was nothing to sneeze at. Here’s a tour through time and space — from the 25th to the 27th of August!

Day 1 — (Almost) Calm Before the Storm

Arriving at Animangaki in the early morning of Friday the 25th, I wandered the main event space before it was to open to congoers. Already, there was a crowd forming outside the event hall — ticket holders snaking past the entrance and outside into the convention hall exterior. Many booths were in the process of being set up, and the Sky booth stood right after the main hall doors to welcome all.

Sky is a multiplayer exploration game whose soft, glowy aesthetic you may remember from games like Journey and flOw. This was their first convention in South East Asia, and the beginnings of a Guinness World Record attempt!

The convention hall was punctuated by the call of the overhead speaker as the doors opened and congoers filed in. Members of the media were called to the front stage, and the ceremony was officially launched by AMG founder, Yvonne Sing.

As she pressed the countdown button, Kei-chan took off and landed on Planet Orange. Right after that, both Keisuke Ito and Yusuke Kozaki were called to the stage.

Fielding questions from the media, the esteemed composer and illustrator gave insightful answers. If you’d like to dive deeper into these interviews, keep an eye out for the interview piece on HereBeGeeks!

We dispersed, and the Artist Alley was quiet. Too quiet. But then came the surprising surge of congoers as they bought fanmade merchandise of their favorite characters and fandoms from artists. At the back, food vendors sold tasty snacks — chief among them the Pizza Hut station that sold limited edition Genshin Impact combos.

The new Makan Corner also was a respite for hungry and tired congoers to rest and refuel. Gone were the days of eating outside the convention hall or sitting on the floor around the food vendors (mostly).

Yusuke Kozaki also had a popular signing session that was closed 15 minutes after it had opened. At the other end was the ICU Con Cafe, and the Anone, Anone maid cafe! Both medically themed, you could go for the adorable Platelets from Cells at Work! or the helpful nurses and doctors.

I happily wandered the floor and bought some merchandise — Genshin Impact was still going strong, but the Honkai Star Rail community was growing. Many cosplayers cosplayed the upcoming Imbibitor Lunae, a dragon-human hybrid and reincarnation of fan-favorite stoic Dan Heng.

As the day drew to a close, we enjoyed Keisuke Ito’s shamisen performance and several interesting panels in both the community rooms and the main stage.

Day 2 — The Inevitable Vortex of People

The beginning of the day already sees a surge of people coming into the convention hall. Vendors and booths alike are chatting with eager customers. I stop by the music game booth for awhile as I observe several congoers put on their best dance moves — you won’t believe how fast they go!

The already crowded Artist Alley and food vendors from Friday now see sardine-esque crowds — several lines stretch out from the bubble tea booth. Even more cosplayers roam the halls, and excited fans stop to take photos of them.

Undoubtedly, the Pizza Hut x Genshin booth never saw a moment of rest as lines filled up as quickly as they dispersed. Professional photographers shot cosplayers in the corridor outside the main hall. Congoers rested by the two food trucks outside, and within the confines of the 2nd floor.

The adorably cosplayers at the Sky booth drew much attention as people snapped photos and tried out the game for themselves.

At the Cosplay Alley, lines were formed as eager fans waited for a chance to meet their favorite cosplayer. Within that was the VTuber Showcase full of standees of various Malaysian VTubers. Hobbyists from different fandoms gathered to showcase their merchandise. Both the Go! and local Dungeons and Dragons groups took part — allowing congoers to experience the games first hand.

One could hear Moe Moe Kyun~! from within the maid cafes — after tickets were purchased, congoers were ushered in by a designated maid. I happily watched the crowd for several more minutes, before bidding Day 2 goodbye.

Day 3 — Touchdown!

The final day is upon us, and the crowds are as lively as ever. With the final few performances and panels, congoers snap photos and rekindle connections with friends both new and old. And as the sun sets and the night comes, we head to sleep with the stars and moon watching over us. Who knows what lies beyond them?

The post Exploring the Animangaki 2023 Space! appeared first on Here Be Geeks.

Animangaki is back this year, but this time with a 3-day event from the 25-27th of August 2023! As one of the longest-running ACG conventions, fellow Gakis will be able to enjoy an extra day of fun on Friday as this convention enters its 15th year! The event will be held as usual at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC), and sports a new Makan Corner, additional Artist & Cosplay Alley booths, and a larger Panel space!

Amongst this year’s star-studded guest lineup are: cosplayer Hakken, illustrator Yusuke Kozaki, animation studio CoMix Wave, composer Keisuke Ito, and Indonesian-Japanese idol girl group JKT 48! Many more renowned local artists and cosplayers will also be making an appearance.

This year’s theme is in space, or should I say — it is SPACE! Get ready to enjoy many live performances, panels, the Cells At Work! Platelets maid cafe, and so much more! I will be covering all three days for HereBeGeeks, in cosplay of course!

Tickets are now on sale at the official AniManGaki website! Pick up your tickets at the Final Roadshow (The Mines Shopping Mall) until 24 Aug from 10am – 9pm, at Level 3 near TGV Cinemas. If you choose to pick them up during the event, that can only be done at the event space MIECC.

Are you excited to join this amazing 3-day event? Get your wallets, camera, and kokoro ready for everything AMG 2023 has to offer!

In the meantime, See You Space Cowboy~

The post Blast Off With Animangaki 2023! appeared first on Here Be Geeks.

Is a graphic novel the best format to put Singapore’s dating scene (or lack of it) on blast? Probably not in lesser hands, but in How to Date a Dozen Men, by Samara Gan, this debut author succeeds. In 200 pages, she invites the reader to ride shotgun on the wild ride of romance in the midst of a pandemic.

At the start of this semi-autobiographical graphic novel published by Epigram Books, Samara must find balance. She has a grueling day job, while spending all her free time focused on being a comic book artist. As if that wasn’t enough, she also finds herself suddenly confronted with societal expectations to find a suitable life partner. The pressure finally gets to her, and she sets out to date men in Singapore, despite her lack of relationship experience.

Meet Your Match, Samara

While Samara begins (as many do) with dating apps, she quickly discovers the sheer gender imbalance on these platforms. An inundation of attention-seeking profiles overwhelm her days. Abandoning them, she turns instead to a matchmaking agency. At first, she balks at the exorbitant cost, but finally relents and, with a “match agent”, creates her profile. The agency promises her at least one date a month, for a year. And that is how she encounters just about every kind of man in Singapore.

We follow her excitement prior to her first match. Then, just as she’s preparing to meet her second match, the COVID-19 pandemic causes a lockdown in Singapore. You can’t help but feel for her as she figures out How to Date a Dozen Men throughout this unprecedented year. Her own inexperience in the dating scene, coupled with a matchmaking agency that just pigeonholes her, leads to excruciating encounters with one man after another.

As she retells her experiences, you cringe with her. One after another, each man falls (often significantly) short of the mark. They’re just not worth a second date with her. More than once, you hope that she is exaggerating some of their flaws. Creative licence, you know. But just ask anyone who’s had to go through the Singapore dating scene! They’ll tell you these are very, very real people.

Does the matchmaking agency that claims a 99% success rate finally get at least one Mr Right for Samara? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Impressive debut

Despite this being her first graphic novel, Samara demonstrates the ability of an experienced creator. She writes with a tone of voice that is so easy-going and familiar. As the protagonist, she comes alive through the pages, keeping you captivated. This is a good thing, since the subject matter can sometimes feel repetitive as Samara goes on date after date.

As a slice-of-life narrative, what passes for plot development is often little more a revolving door of male characters. Fortunately, Samara’s writing and art are so complementary. Each panel is charged with so much vitality that you never feel the story dragging.

An all-rounded creator

My favourite story bits are when Samara hangs out with her best friend. These scenes serve as an overarching narrative device throughout the book. The sheer chemistry between the two friends is a joy to behold. They also provide a much-needed contrast (and relief!) to the horrifying dates Samara is recounting.

Samara also includes a very poignant scene with her mother, which sets up the book’s climax. It is in these pivotal moments that we get to see Samara simply as herself. As someone without the expectations and stress of being on a date.

As an artist, Samara has established a style that is deceptively simple and accessible, honed over years of rigorous practice. Each page is laid out with clear and determined vision that you easily forget this is her first graphic novel. There are multiple creative decisions Samara makes throughout the book that are just so clever. For example, giving eyes to only a few key people! This both reduces her workload as an artist, and really drives home how inconsequential many of the characters actually are.

Throughout the book, Samara elevates the story by peppering it with meme-inspired images that are unique and original yet essentially recognisable. While some of these are in-your-face, others are more subtle and they are all a ton of fun to spot.

A rare perspective of history

At first, I approached the book as the rarely documented experience of modern-day dating. But How to Date a Dozen Men is much, much more than that. Not only is it a semi-biographical tale, but it also provides a snapshot of a specific time in history, namely the initial year of COVID-19 in Singapore.

This is a valuable first-hand account of what it was like to pursue romance in 2020. In both word and art, Samara recounts vividly her experiences of this time. From dates via video call during the pandemic lockdowns, to wearing face masks and dining in pairs when such restrictions were slowly eased.

For that alone, How to Date a Dozen Men is a worthwhile addition to your graphic novel library. But for an impressive creator like Samara Gan, maybe you should start clearing a whole bookshelf for what she’ll come up with next. No pressure, Samara!

How to Date a Dozen Men is $20.90 from Epigram Books, or $22.57 from Books Kinokuniya.

The post How to Date a Dozen Men by Samara Gan: Review appeared first on Here Be Geeks.