Local guitarist Alif Putra endorses DC Comics Super Heroes
When local musician Alif Putra first saw Batman in the 1989 Tim Burton film, the then five-year-old was instantly taken with the Caped Crusader.
The 31-year-old told The New Paper: "I wanted to be Batman, to drive the Batmobile. My fantasy is to own a Batmobile."
Today, the full-time solo guitarist is not exactly Bruce Wayne's alter ego.
But having been named the official product endorser of fashion and lifestyle brand DC Comics Super Heroes in Singapore and Malaysia last month, he will now get to wear Batman merchandise at performances.
The Malaysia-born Singapore permanent resident, who has been living here since age seven, is the first local musician and the second artist in Singapore to receive this appointment after local actress Patricia Mok.
Alif learnt about the news from Mr Irwan Sukarman, the creative director of investment management firm JT Network, which owns the rights to DC Comics Super Heroes.
"I said, 'Are you sure?' I was expecting (the first musician) to be a Chinese (singer)," said Alif.
The only other current DC Comics Super Heroes product endorser in Asia is Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou.
Alif grew up collecting clothes with Batman logos and pictures, which made up half his wardrobe by the time he was in secondary school.
In showbiz since he was 19, he has been wearing these clothes for most of his performances.
Mr Irwantold TNP: "We're trying to get artists who are already fans of (DC)."
A mutual friend had told him that Alif often performed while wearing clothes with Batman logos, so he invited the guitarist to submit his press kit.
Mr Irwan said he and his colleagues were not concerned that Alif was not a household name.
"We're not a mainstream brand from a lifestyle or fashion point of view," said Mr Irwan, 40.
Alif has performed as a backup guitarist at recording sessions and at live Suria shows.
'NO' TO SUPERMAN
In March, he performed at the Rentak Singapura - Anda Mau Rock? concert here, along with other Malay artists such as singers Hanafie Warren and Sufie Rashid.
As product endorser, Alif has his pick of DC Comics Super Heroes' entire range of merchandise and superheroes. But the diehard Batman fan insists he will not wear clothes with a Superman logo.
"I'm not the good guy that wears flashy (colours)," he said, adding that his darker rock-star persona is a more appropriate match for Batman.
As part of his new appointment, Alif also got to see footage from upcoming DC supervillain movie Suicide Squad - which opens here on Thursday - three weeks ago.
He described fan favourite Harley Quinn (played by Australian actress Margot Robbie) as its "highlight".
"(Harley Quinn) is very interesting, to be a cool (psychiatrist) and go mad," he said, adding jokingly: "I want to kiss her. Both (the actress and character)."
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