| 02.21.2019 – There have been several folklores told about blood sucking vampires, but rarely a werewolf or occasionally lycanthrope have been in discussion or have become part of the Filipino folklore. Most of the stories about the creatures known as “Aswang” derived from the concept of vampires than shape shifting wolves which came from the European folklore. But the Aswang” are another form of werebeast that can be related to a werewolf type of creature although entirely different.
When you think about werewolves in the modern times there’s that pop culture connection from the Lycans in “Underworld” film series, Michael J Fox’s original Teen Wolf movie, and Taylor Lautner’s portrayal of a buff werewolf in the “Twilight Trilogy.” There are other adaptations about these shape shifting hairy creatures in various medium, but these films that adapted this creatures stands out to having adapted them that are largely known for. In Philippine Komiks rarely the werewolves tend to be the spotlight, but due to the popularity of the Filipino folklore other mythologies take a back seat. But recently the creators of Crime-Fighting Call Center Agents and Patay Kung Patay have produced another one-shot short story with elements of horror and comedy that turn out to be “Werewolf Hunter Prokopyo!” |
Published: 2018
Content: Horror | Comedy
Language: Filipino (Tagalog)
If you’ve been a bit bothered about the silly-ness of “A Modern Times: Super Futuristic Philippines” that have more political content that’s not your usual Cup of Joe, then “Werewolf Hunter Prokopyo” must be the icebreaker short story to past the time to have a good laugh. Noel Pascual and AJ Bernardo team-up has produced some of the interesting and obscure independently published komiks. With the exception of “Patay Kung Patay” which was co-recreated with Mike Alcazaren that has more gold standard reception that that has more mass appeal.
With “Werewolf Hunter Prokopyo” it’s like an in-house independent film that’s under the radar and more like a fun creative idea for both Bernardo and Pascual. The off the wall humor for a one- shot short komiks is not grounded but probably when this was being written by the creators as an idea it’s like throwing anything that sticks in the ceiling. It’s one of those things that these two artists would come up in a middle of a discussion and it’s absurdly impressive. The Filipino name term of “Prokopyo” is like the John Doe to a slang or street name for Juan. It’s more likely a humorous name that is synonymous with the likes of “Kenkoy.” The concept though about modern werewolves in this komiks is comically beautiful in terms of the idea how they evolve in this creature.
The origin of these characters can be expanded and given more serious credence can be a mini-series or a polished story. It gives the humorous side that reminds you about how Castlevania’s Simon Belmont was adapted into a goofy looking Vampire Hunter from the Captain N: The Game Master cartoon series. The protagonist in the komiks gives some vibes also gives as an inspiration to Dirk the Daring from the Dragon’s Lair videogame and that short lived animation series.
Although for a short story this one shot idea of a Werewolf Hunter named Prokopyo can be more than just a wild idea. The creators’ just needs to tweak the concept make it a little more credible, but still keep the humorous vibe of the character for consistency.
Overall “Werewolf Hunter Prokopyo” may be a wicked idea that doesn’t take enough seriousness in how many komiks related to a horror theme were created. This one maybe a one-shot wonder to pass the time, but it is one thing to give you an idea to expand the narrative or end just another “what if?”
“Werewolf Hunter Prokopyo” are from the same creators of Crime-Fighting Call Center Agents and “A Modern Times: Super Futuristic Philippines” was published in 2018, which was sold again this time at the recently concluded Komiket 2019 for PHP 100.00 pesos ($ 1.95 US | $2.70 AUD).
For more about the creators follow their published works st Crime-Fighting Call Center Agents on social media via Facebook!
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