EVACOMICS BLOG

There is only one word to describe my 2017: TIRED! There were some unexpected overseas trips (both personal and business) and several invitations to give talks at various festivals because of my new book. I also setup booths at two major conventions (STGCC and AFA) and two small fairs in schools. Because of that, Monday comic strips had been affected and progress of my 4th book slowed down. Sadly, after 3 years since my first book, revenue from the books remained modest and I now don't find it worth while to continue after my 4th book unless all sales are taken care of by the publisher. Or I just do an ebook version. This means I won't be buying back my own books to sell at conventions and gift shops anymore. Currently I still have a lot leftover at home and won't be restocking after I clear them all. Besides spending several months making the book itself, I found myself trapped in the selling of my books after it's published. Because my royalties are in deprecia...

I'm not sure about other countries, but in Singapore the malls and some radio stations will keep on playing christmas music and carols...

Though my yoga teacher says the weight gain could be muscles...

Based on true story, shouldn't have eaten so much before the classes that happen after lunch/dinner.

Happened to me on a Saturday class, which half of the students were pretty advance. I was nearly kicked left and right on the face but I won't really wear a helmet to class... I will continue to practice my dodging skill...

One of my acquaintance was an organiser for an animation festival in China, so I was invited to represent Singapore for their IP business matching and exhibition.

This year's Anime Festival Asia is quite different because the Creators Hub is tucked away at a corner. In the past, it's located at the back of the hall along with the commercial booths.

Having a booth at convention is always a time of test... a time to test memory...

Many times we buy things not because we need them but because we imagined what we may become by using it ... (but end up not using it, haha)

Recently, Facebook updated the algorithm again to further limit our reach to readers. Over the years, many people had complained that they don't see my comics anymore and thought I've stopped! But in fact, I still upload a new comic strip every Monday! But of course, if you subscribed to my blog, you are safe and still updated with the latest comic! Here I compiled the list of social media channels that I run that you can follow besides the evil Facebook: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/evacomics This is where I post my comics first and respond to all messages. Line Web Toons: http://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/evacomics/list?title_no=125143 Opened this new channel recently and run by my young fan :) Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/evacomics/ I've been using the Instagram stories a lot but I think it may become evil and greedy like its big brother in the future. Twitter:  https://twitter.com/evacomics Sometimes the tweet limit can be limiting... maybe tha...

Because my previous guide "Where to buy COPIC markers in Tokyo", was an all-time hit with 30,000 page views, I decided to do an updated version for all illustrators who are planning to buy COPIC markers in Tokyo.

I always wondered how a "real" mangaka teaches so I signed up for a 2-hour workshop with Yazawa Nao sensei, the artist of Wedding Peach at Manga School Nakano .

Unlike your typical kimono shoots, Studio Nanairo at Asakusa provides glamorous transformation into maiko or oiran (courtesan) in a studio environment or you can pay extra for street shots! *Disclaimer: This was a self-funded trip to provide non-bias review of experiences for my blog and/or new comic book. I do not get any money in return for recommendations.

I'm working on my 4th book now and one of the chapters is about Cosplay in Japan. So I decided to pay for my own trip and packages (special thanks to my fans at Patreon too) to write and draw an unbiased review about each experience. I never cosplayed before so I was enthusiastic about the "Perfect Anime Costume" package, which cost 15,000yen or around US$140.

For my foreign fans: ERP means Electronic Road Price, which is a gantry that our government installs to deduct fees for entering certain roads to reduce congestion at certain town areas. MRT is our subway system, and it breaks down often. Honestly do you buy those fancy Halloween candies or chocolates for yourself or give away? :P

Although sometimes the waiter/waitress will recommend their signature dish... Is there anybody out there who had never asked this question before?

I do feel like a hamster storing extra food that I don't need, because just in case... I booked ANA instead of Singapore Airline this time for my trip to Japan because of the extra checked in luggage allowance, hope I don't blow it this time!

In Southeast Asia, you will get tanned due to the strong sun. In Japan, you will be tempted to buy a lot of things back. In Korea, you do not need to put on make-up when you leave the hotel because you can just go into any cosmetic shop to try the products and they will put it on for you for free~

Not sure if the body works like a cloth filled with fats, I could twist these out of the body for a slimmer waist!

Very happy to return after a year to Kinokuniya to do my book signing again! 😊

I usually can get well within a week if I catch a cold or flu. But maybe because I was exhausted during STGCC and then everything came so it is taking me around 2 weeks to recover...

Sometimes it's given to kids or nieces/nephews...

My latest book "Eva, Kopi and Matcha 2.0" (aka. EKM2.0) made it on time for STGCC (Singapore Toy Game and Comic Convention) this year so I rented a expensive booth  table there. Because of that, I was also invited to be in a panel to talk about the local comics scene along with Dan Wong (A Good Citizen), Derrick Chew (DCWJ) and WaHa (CDS).

One goes down and another one comes up... Are those aloe vera cream good for removing scars?

Chaturanga is a yoga pose by going into plank first, then bend your elbows while keeping it close to the body... nothing else touches the ground except for hands and toes... hold there for a few breaths, ouch... I have a pear shape body so I have difficulty doing arm balances because of my heavy bottom and narrow shoulders. Chaturanga is therefore difficult for me as well since it relies on the shoulder strength while keeping the belly in... well... supposedly in. On the other hand, inversions feel like I'm trying to lift a bunch of fats while I'm upside down...

Misunderstandings occur frequently on social media and texting on apps because we cannot see the other person's reaction. However many people chose to just "unfriend" instead of clearing things up personally with a phone call or meeting in person. Social media has helped bring people closer but also further...

I used to do Hari Raya greeting illustrations many years ago. Initially I didn't know that dogs were sort of "forbidden" in Muslim religion because it is regarded as dirty. I was later advised by many non-Muslim friends not to put it. But on the other hand, my Muslim readers said it was alright because Kopi the dog is part of my comic series and not something I came up only for Hari Raya. In fact, after removing him from the picture, they felt quite sad because it feels as if a family member was missing. In the following year, I posted another one with me, Kopi and Matcha, wishing all Muslim fans Happy Hari Raya. But again, I was accused by non-Muslim readers as being insensitive and they told me to remove Kopi. I had to reply and explain that I checked with my Muslim friends and fans that it was ok... :( So although I greatly appreciate advises, but sometimes we may assume too much. Because I was always accused of being insensitive and need to explain every single time...

The modern day witch-hunt takes on a one-sided story based on a video uploaded on social media. It sets everybody (or whomever has too much spare time in their hands) to hunt down the "witch" and persecute her. Sometimes the wrong person is caught, and sometimes the correct one. But do we go too far and become a witch ourselves too?

Not sure if it happens to other people too when you don't feel like talking to that particular neighbour...

I'm not sure about you, but I really cannot remember some of my FB "friends", like how and when we met (if ever)... So I would just click like on their engagement photo, wedding photo or newborn baby photo without remembering who they are... ... ...

I'm not afraid if it doesn't fly, but once it does, I'm doomed...

I used to be really happy when I get sick and can take medical leave from work. Now I just hope never to get sick...

Generation snowflake is the term for people born after the Strawberry generation. In Singapore, they are also called Durian generation to represent that the kids are soft (inside) and their parents are hard and spiky (outside). It will be tough if bosses need to hire young energetic people for the businesses...

I remember the days when my mum would cane me for bad results and I could only watch cartoons on TV when they were not watching. Nowadays, parents just throw a tablet or smartphone to their kids to coax them to eat and the kids can watch TV anytime they want... Are we breeding a generation of self-entitled kids who lack in empathy and communication skills in the real world? They do not know how to share and wants everybody to give in to them, just like their parents. Who will hire them in the future, or will they be living off their parents income even after 30s? On the bright side, more people will want to hire older people from 80s and earlier because we're more hardworking and better at team work XD

It's a lot of work doing a book, hope my third book will do well! It will be released during STGCC (9-10 Sep) this year!

I gained weight after quitting gym last year and that extra load of fats refused to shake off no matter what I did 😑. So after Chinese New Year, I made a resolution to shed that 4kg (so I can eat more later) by doing yoga almost everyday and hiking once a week. I also stopped eating cakes (my favorite, sob...) for 2 months and ate salad almost every day.

I love nature... without the insects...

I find that whenever you post an update on Facebook, maybe a simple rant, there will be people who want to suggest you want to do... don't you think? Sometimes we just want a listening ear.

It's so hot I could feel my skin burning...

If you fall deep asleep in the bus in US, it may be your last stop... This is the last of my comparison comics and it will be inside my 3rd book! You can pledge support at my Patreon page now to have your name included in the book :) https://www.patreon.com/evacomics

Not sure why Asian men don't cat call, maybe too shy or don't want to offend anybody?

Though it's good to recycle, but kind of troublesome...

I recently went hiking with a Japanese couple and the wife was surprised how hot and humid it was to hike in Singapore. She was stylishly dressed with makeup, but still maintained her chill look despite the sweat and still looked pretty (I was amazed how she could do that)! In Japan, women will also wear UV-cut sleeves or leggings to protect their limbs from the sun's rays. Meanwhile.. I was probably leaving a trail of sweat along the way, hair sticking to my scalp, feeling sticky and all... (Featuring the Gaston Luga backpack  on the left) P.S. Yes, I was compiling for book 3 and realised there were not enough comic strips so I am adding a few more. If you would like your name to be inside the book, please consider to become my patreon :P

And not to forget that I have carry the books around to sell too! 💪

I have always wanted to get a medium size backpack that looks classy for travel and when I meet clients, so when Gaston Luga contacted me about their backpacks, I was like YESSSS~~~~ 😁

I don't really like to work (who does?), but having a commission project = income is always a happy news to me :)

When I wear a pair of jeans and blouse, I would see ladies wearing formal dresses and guys wearing long sleeves shirt and pants. When I wear a dress, I would see people wear jeans... This smart casual dress code is too complicated for me...

I tried doing yoga at home, but I admit I don't have the perseverance to do core work and warrior poses so I usually end up just stretching here and there... which is good to relax and sleep zzz~