Sandali | Moments of Reality

12.21.2018 - There has been an abundance of original content when it comes to comic books or graphic novels. Most of them are from independent published works not even from the two giant publishers in DC and Marvel. In the Philippines alone there have been A LOT of new material that was launched and revealed during the recently concluded Komikon last November. If you’re on the road on your car or just taking daily commutes there you’ll find a good story that can be turned into short stories that can be defined and sometimes can be entertaining that you’ll not notice that these are actually based from real life events. This is where “Sandali” brings you these short stories that are poignantly direct to the point often times presented in fictional situations that seem so unreal. “Sandali,” a Filipino ‘Tagalog’ word that has several meanings in different uses depends if it’s in a conversation or just the literal translated word for “Moments.” It’s also translated in English that means “wait” when it is used in a conversation. The short stories are written by Mikey Jimenez, the same author who penned the short story for “Takeout,” but with this collaboration the art is provided by Mikey Marchan.

MELÄG | A Whimsical Realm

12.06.2018 – There are so many independently published books in the Philippines that is rich in culture as well as told by the author inspired from their childhood. Rarely, you see physical books highly appreciated and sometimes unseen due to popular opinion that going digital is the final frontier when it’s about reading. But the truth is buried by constant wave of raves through social media that often dictates how things should be. But for some who have a wide view of the little things that matter the smell of a newly printed book when you flip the pages and seeing the art is entirely different from the LED powered touchscreens. In the case of MELÄG a compilation of short stories published by Bong Redila from his previously released works is quite an eye opener that leaps through you and shares his tales from his childhood that inspired them that are the simple things in life growing up in a province. This is a thick book that tells a lot of stories based from his childhood to his daily experiences growing up. It’s entirely a silent comic that lets you think and admire his artistry. Each chapter is a treasure trove of details down to the inks that captures the bountiful and innocent narratives that defines this book.

After Eden | Reality About Life

11.29.2018 – It’s been seven months since the new edition of After Eden was released. When it was launched at Summer Komikon 2018 I was still in South Australia and wasn’t aware that it would be re-released again. I’ve seen a browser’s book copy of the first edition at former Power Books along Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road) that was tattered in beat up from being read by so many people. I couldn’t find the original book at that store as this one has already been sold out. The first edition was published by a different publisher and it sported a colorful cover. Chamber Shell Publication which is Arnold Arre’s current publisher for this book and other works like The Mythology Class, Trip to Tagaytay, Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat, Martial Law Babies, and his current work Halina Filipina has been gracious enough to contact me while I was living overseas. But I haven’t had the chance to read the book until a got back a few months ago. Thanks to Kartoonista for keeping the book for me while I was away, who actually have the original edition as well as merchandise like mugs and shirts that were sold at Comic Quest back in the day. The new edition now comes in pink matte color with one of the angels from the original edition that used to be seated with her guitar in the bench at the park that is now seated on the floor strumming that guitar.