Jackson Wang launches comic book, has plans for animation series

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Hong Kong-born singer Jackson Wang (right) with host Annette Lee (left) during a comic book signing event at S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa on Oct 13.

PHOTO: TEAM WANG DESIGN

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SINGAPORE – Some 150 lucky fans got to meet Hong Kong rapper-singer Jackson Wang in the flesh at a book-signing session on Oct 13 for a comic book, which he had a hand in creating and has big plans for.

The fans got to shake hands, take selfies and interact with the star, who is also a member of K-pop group Got7, during the session at S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).

They were selected through the Instagram, X and Weibo pages of Team Wang Design (TWD), the luxury streetwear label Wang founded in 2020, and those of RWS and Singapore Tourism Board.

The comic book, Under The Castle: The Birth Of Pumpkie, is credited to TWD.

It is meant to be the first in a series, titled Under The Castle, of eerie tales within a castle. The first title focuses on Pumpkie, a little pumpkin character. The 31-page work also introduces a playful ghost called Spookie and the friendship between the two could be explored in future titles.

For the next two years, TWD will focus on creating the official launch for a full comic series and animation series related to Under The Castle. It is also looking at creating kids’ clubs related to the brand.

Hong Kong-born singer Jackson Wang (foreground, right) posed for a wefie with host Annette Lee (foreground, left) and his fans at S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa on Oct 13.

PHOTO: TEAM WANG DESIGN

Wang said: “Why do we know Mickey Mouse? The Simpsons? It is because that was what was introduced to us when we were kids. For the next generation, I hope they can watch this.”

A huge fan of anime and cartoons, he told The Straits Times that he has always wanted to create a comic book. He said: “I hope it will entertain you and your kids.”

The first title of the comic book series, titled Under The Castle, whose creation Jackson Wang was involved in.

PHOTO: TEAM WANG DESIGN

The Under The Castle concept is being used in a haunted house at the ongoing Halloween Horror Nights 12 event at Universal Studios Singapore, where visitors can experience the spooky world of the comic.

Wang visited the house, a partnership between RWS and TWD, on Oct 12 and said: “I am proud of it.”

Hong Kong-born singer Jackson Wang (right) signing a comic book for a fan on Oct 13.

PHOTO: TEAM WANG DESIGN

However, he added: “When I create stuff and review it, I always feel several aspects could have been better. If we get another opportunity to do it next year, we will probably do it a little differently.”

The 30-year-old said he likes haunted houses, and would visit the ones at the Ocean Park Hong Kong theme park with childhood friend Henry Cheung and their dates every Halloween. Cheung is TWD’s chief executive and co-founder.

Wang said: “I have always wanted to create my own (haunted house) experience based on that.”

Hong Kong-born singer Jackson Wang said that for the next two years, Team Wang Design will focus on creating the official launch for a full comic series and animation related to Under The Castle.

PHOTO: TEAM WANG DESIGN

Data engineer Denyse Wong travelled from Kuala Lumpur to attend the event. The 25-year-old Malaysian said: “I think Jackson is very inspiring because he has worked very hard to build himself up since his Got7 days. His growth is a great motivation to me in my work.”

Apart from visiting Universal Studios Singapore on Oct 12, and hopping on board the theme park’s Battlestar Galactica ride, Wang also swam with manta rays, groupers and schools of fish during an open ocean dive at the S.E.A. Aquarium.

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