Digital Library Reads | The Goddess of Thunder

When it was originally published as single issues the anticipation for the new Thor was shrouded in mystery that was behind the mask. At the age of modern heroes hiding identities are not the thing nowadays, but Jason Aaron made sure the readers would stick around to find out who was the ‘New’ Thor. It only took a few issues but most of the longtime readers were sticking to their guns and trying to wrap around their head in this endeavor that the new Thor was a woman and fans were on board guessing who she really was until the revelation that it was none other than Jane Foster. It was also a series that put Thor Odinson in his difficult time as the unworthy Thunder God, but it puts him further down to the path that changes are coming for the character not that he has experienced the most challenging moment of his life. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby have the most powerful Marvel character for its time originally appearing first in Journey into Mystery. But Jason Aaron puts a spin on the Thor series that new readers would catch their curiosity with the changes on the character and its mythology. Though not everyone was onboard with the concept there are those are not impressed, but it had one of the longest runs in modern comics history that not only tells the narrative of the ever evolving characters and developments of all that made the series refreshing. But this time around it focuses on the life journey of Jane Foster whose battling cancer despite being worthy of the power of Mjolnir that made her the Goddess of Thunder.

Digital Library Reads | The Immortal Hulk

A monster creature that comes out and terrorizes the night is a recipe for a horror genre. When you talk about The Hulk it takes you back how popular character based from the creation of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, which first appeared in its landmark issue back in 1962. For so many years the jade giant is both hero and menace at the same time a founding member of the Avengers. There have been many depictions and stories about Dr Bruce Banner and the ginormous creature that was created from a Gamma Bomb accident. There’s too many iterations and representation about the character, but one thing that takes me back to my childhood was the TV series that featured Bill Bixby as Banner and when ‘he gets angry’ turns into Lou Ferrigno as The Hulk. Similar stories in the classic television series inspired the movies and even the comicbooks. But Al Ewing who wrote the Immortal Hulk series certainly grew up watching the show adapts the concept of Bruce Banner being on the run to new heights while adding horror story elements that propelled this series to new heights of refreshing take why Banner is The Immortal Hulk and defines the character’s refreshing status quo not a superhero element, but also brings back the nostalgic creatures from the old comicbook anthologies of the past.

Malate | A Slice of Life & Relationships

Malate is a place in the City of Manila, where the stories of two people meet-up and through 54 pages of black and white images the narrative features the district part that mirrors the real world written and drawn by Andrew Villar, which was originally published in 2017. This was an original concept that put his artistry to new heights and put a spin on how “slice of Life” stories are told. Andrew was known before for being a cartoonist who created the “Ambush” series published as a comic strip on Manila Bulletin newspaper. The character named Ambush was inspired from Lara Croft of Tomb Raider and features some characters from Star Wars notably the Stormtroopers. For a while that was Andrew’s work in the local self-publishing industry in the Philippines until he put out Malate, which is entirely different from what he used to publish in the local scene.

Digital Library Reads | Black Widow (2016)

If you’re now branded as S.H.I.E.LD.’s Most Wanted what are you gonna do? Black Widow gets a series of her own published in 2016 with the Eisner Award-winning team of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee that wowed readers during their run on Daredevil followed up with their collaboration with this series. Natasha Romanova takes front and center going up against SHIELD and Iron Man while trying to track down the Weeping Lion and her past connections to the Red Room is no easy feat as going up against anything that throws at her in this action packed six-issue story arc that you’re watching a live-action film full of no dialogues and features how Chris Samnee elevate his artistry with an impressive visual narrative of what he continues to do since Daredevil and now with Black Widow. There are some serious repercussions for Natasha to face and as they say “you reap what you sow” that delves into her past as well as dealing with being chased, blown, and knife through the got in the awesome spread pages of action that define super spy genres for the modern times. Truly, it can be adapted into film, but as a graphic novel there’s nothing like great art, impressive silent issues, and a good narrative to boot!

Digital Library Reads | Captain Marvel

Before Captain Marvel presented herself in the big screen as portrayed by Brie Larson in the 2019 film she was first introduced six year before through a new series by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy’s debut as its newest artist that was discovered by CB Cebulski on social media. At that time everything was new and refreshing that Carol Danvers is taking the mantle of what would be a plethora of stories to come that would also launch a new artist’s career. 2012 was like yesterday but that was almost eight years ago and Captain Marvel is still soaring from what could be a genesis that began with DeConnick and Soy’s collaboration with its first six issues collected into a trade paperback titled “Pursuit of Flight.” These days Dexter Soy is the regular writer for DC Comics’ Batman and the Outsiders while Kelly Sue DeConnick recent work was the regular writer for Aquaman where she started in issue #43 back in 2018. But both creative artists re-branded Captain Marvel to what everyone has known today. If that wasn’t enough to take the pursuit of flight a reality some elements of the book made it to the films. “Pursuit of Flight” may be a little dated but this is where it all began. Carol Danvers takes centered stage and owning the mantle was a game changer eight years ago rebranding the character and bringing forward what she meant to be.

Trese 7: Shadow Witness | Masterful Adventures

09.27.2019 – There locally self-published original comicbooks out there and then there’s Trese that started out being produced in photocopied pages made into ashcans that were stapled together and that was more than a decade ago. Fast forward from today it is considered as one of the very few and rare success stories that broke the mold and has accumulated a huge cult following that continues to multiply with each success of the book's releases. The steady hands of co-creator Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo has produced one of the best partnerships in comicbook fandom in the Philippines not only presented their original series for the local scene, but also gained a following in the international community that has a diverse culture for its original creations. You can argue that their ideas are not original as anyone thought, but they put together what inspired these two masterful gentlemen into crafting one of the most interesting characters from a country that thrives in Filipino Supernatural Mythology. Alexandra Trese is her name and she’s the star of “Trese,” one of the most consistent series that has finally released its seventh volume since its last in 2014.

Tid Bits | A Collection of Good Vibes

02.28.2019 – Independent self-published comicbooks fly below the radar that only few readers will come appreciate an original idea or mostly thematically a slice of life theme related to either the author or inspired from other people’s stories that they shared. Some may be thought provoking while others gravitate to how deep it is produced to capture a cult following. There are more of these interesting stories that are out there that you may not know of, but are quite fascinating to merit a feature such as George Rex’s Tid Bits. It’s originally an auto bio about the author and some loosely based from her ideas that she self-published through the help of her Patreon followers funding the product of the said book. George Rex is just a pen name for Georgina Chadderton who is an artist based in Adelaide South Australia along with her partner Owen Heitmann. Both talented artists are into comicbooks and had promote their artistry through their workshop that they organize every third Monday of the month called “Comics with Friends and Strangers” which I had the opportunity to attend these art gatherings held at the Box Factory.

Werewolf Hunter Prokopyo | Full Moon Junction

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!”

The Merchant of Oltrarno | Mysterious Wine

02.14.2019 – Fairytales do tell wonderful stories without the need to use what most people are familiar with namely comic book style layouts. It’s rare nowadays that attract a lot of people to this concept because more have gravitated to the idea as a current trend. Most would be turned off to this old-style concept reading words while the illustration is just the other side of the page. Recent graphic novels that have found success in their first stories find the challenge to find the same organic narrative in their works that it takes years even decades to find the same groove. They say ‘you can’t rush art’ is truly an understatement and it still holds true to most talented creators out there. But for first-time authors it is a challenge to present them with new material for people to ‘get the hook’ and find inspiration, not in the usual graphic novel format is something more than just taking it to the next level. It’s about telling their own stories the way they envisioned their work for the very first time. With Jay Ignacio’s latest book “The Merchant of Oltrarno” his very first work that he authored wasn’t that kind of grand announcement to the local comic book community. However, it was the power of ‘word of mouth’ and social media that had everyone found the curiosity of this book. For those who haven’t heard of Jay Ignacio, there’s an air of mystery for this gentleman with the passion for artistry in the Philippine scene. If you heard the name that sound familiar he’s been an artist in a different type of medium namely in the music scene.

Tamodern Times | Unapologetic Madness

02.07.2019 – In the Philippines independent publishing when it comes to comics has no limitation. Unlike in western countries like the US, they follow a strict rule about restriction when it comes to content. Even before the abolishment the Comics Code Authority that police and governs that regulates all manner of published content there’s going to be a warning as not all readers have the same age group. Well, there are still self-published materials that get away with the content they produce without literal saying this is only for “mature readers” case in point with the works by Noel Pascual and AJ Bernardo. This same duo who created a cult following about Crime-Fightings Call Center Agents has just discretely released their most recent comics at the Komikon Grande last November 2018. You can’t find this book at any local comic shop but through events happening in Manila where the creators participate. Unless you’re friends with them on social media particularly on Facebook you’ll be able to acquire this book. “A modern Times: Super Futuristic Philippines” sounds like a promising work written by Noel Pascual but when you browse through the pages you’ll probably have an opposite reaction to the ‘what the effect’ even with AJ Bernardo’s ever-improving art style this short story does not apologize for its crass, befuddled, and unrelated content that simply screams to be a nonsense at the same time quite impressive that for some unfunny.

12 | Random Surreal Tales

01.03.2019 – Filipino komiks is still an underrated medium in the country being supplanted by popular opinion of going digital. But for those who keep holding on to the analog culture and keeping up with that heritage good on yeah. It’s something that is irreplaceable with that tactile feel to go through the freshly printed inks. It’s the year 2019 and there are more creative and imaginative individuals out there who are still daring to share their stories. There’s so much good stories out there that some might try to pick up interesting works that continue to churn out through these Komikons that hardly seen by the general populace or getting lost inside bookstores that carry local and original published graphic novels that have been around waiting to be read and discovered by a new set of eyes. One book that I’ve been hoping to get to read is Manix Abrera’s “Twelve” or simply by the number “12”, which was one of his first books that is not part of the Kikomachine Komiks that is a comic strip published daily in the Philippine Daily Inquirer that still continues today with the latest compilation of strips with the 14th volume. But with ‘12’ it’s something different from the maestro that everyone lines up to have their book signed.

Go-Bots | Robo Killing Machines

12.28.2018 – The Go-Bots property has been ridiculed, lambasted, and embarrassed for the last three decades or so being called a “poor man’s Transformers” because the toys back in the day that was manufactured by Bandai was affordable in some countries all over the world. The toyline has been introduced under Tonka prior to merging with Hasbro that owned the Transformers property. Originally, the Go-Bots property is known in Japan as Machine Robo a faction-less toyline that produced robots that turn vehicles. Though they are not as popular as their famous counterpart they have built its niche fanbase. It has been thirty years since there’s no material from the brand until IDW Publishing has announced a comic book mini-series based on the original characters like Leader-1 and Cy-Kill. The new series will be a separate universe from Transformers and as mentioned this will be a mini-series that will be written and drawn by Tom Scoili, who worked with John Barber on G.I. Joe VS Transformers mini-series. This time Scoili not only did write and provided the art for the mini-series he also handled the colors and lettering. The pages are impressive and design appears like an old comic book as you go through each scene seeing how the artist took time in making the first issue stand out from the comic shelves having Leader-1 on the cover.

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.

Takeout | Harsh Death & Killings

12.13.2018 – Independent comics or ‘indie comics’ has grown to be a popular medium to express their thoughts, personal life, and, their artistic desires to share a good story. Comics, in general, is something that can’t be translated in movie or television it has restrictions and also something that can’t be made in another form although limited it has something that is unique when it's about storytelling. With “Takeout” the meaning at first glance the thoughts would be about food that you order in a restaurant to go or in British term that is ‘Take Away.’ But the cover which was designed by interior artist Borg Sinaban gives you a different kind of vibe. Indie Comics has grown to just about a simple slice of life but based on the culture that is happening in the Philippines. Some would express their thoughts that they can’t verbally say instead they show it through the comics they produce away from the mainstream populace that generally see the usual themes. But not like these types of works independently produced by the writer and artists.

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.

Cold Spots | A Chilling Mystery

09.06.2018 – The horror genre is rarely an interesting afterthought in the graphic novel realm. It’s a challenge to scare people when it comes to printed material. It’s way better to scare people when it comes to movies and television it gives the suspense a little more kick in the nerves. Sitting there and trying to get through the next scenes is something a challenge when you watch it. In graphic novel form it’s really that difficult to put scare in the visual when it comes to printed pages. It’s how you make an introduction that keeps the interest building up already. With Cold Spots you get that shivers before the punch line hits you in the gut with that immediate scare. Cullen Bunn has put the scare in graphic novels with a mystery already churning up your mind to wonder what happens next. The visual of course is something to get your head wrapped around. Mark Torres has established himself with the type of work he’s tied up to scaring people. “Zombies VS Robots: Undercity” and “The Shrinking Man” is something to look back to his previous work as something to find out what type of projects has built his resume to be this interesting from cover to the last page.

Lindol Comics | Earth Shattering Survival

08.28.2018 – Writing and conceptualizing a story takes a lot of risks which faces new challenges how this will be relatable to a bigger audience. In this generation where independent comic books that may or may not find its audience its how who present them in a manner that people will find the curiosity. “Lindol” (Earthquake) is one such series that it took a lot of effort to produce. It’s a series set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by nature itself. It's not that there was a technology that has gone out of control and shaken the very fabric of humanity. It’s a story of a number of people that have been affected by a tragedy that some can’t explain that may happen in real life if we’re not prepared for the worse. But the question here is how prepared are you? Clearly, the answer is no because Earthquakes are a phenomenon that it’s still being figured out by science. Its one of the most challenging stories to tell and it’s commendable that Tedi Villasor took great risk in trying to tell his story about these ragtag group of people.