MIBF 2026 | Discovering Nordlys

This past Friday, the only reason I went to this year’s Manila International Book Fair was to meet a good friend who recently launched his latest book, and it's been four years since he came back from living in Denmark. It was good to see him, but before I got to see him, a bit of confusion cleared up. Amidst the miscommunication making me think I missed his signing session, I decided to spend time exploring the second-level halls of this year’s MIBF. I actually stumbled upon the Norwegian Embassy, which is kind of out of place for a booth that promotes interesting books. But I was sorely mistaken to think that caught my attention...

The New DI-13 | Mysteries Unsolved

05.23.2019 – It has been a while since the follow-up to the debut issue of “The New DI-13” was released with the challenges of delay almost caught up with the writer and artist team of Ian Velasquez and Rico Rival. This is due to something more good news when the New Year had started to come together to celebrate Tony Velasquez’s Kenkoy Komiks the 90th Anniversary that sees a series of events happening. But more with “The New DI-13” taking a slow process on the narrative as it takes form on its own. Ian has his hands full not only to continue his Grandfather’s Legacy but also help promote his Grand Uncle’s creation that is also hitting a milestone. There’s so much moving parts that keep things a mystery for “The New DI-13” and Ian is keeping things to the chest as the character’s journey kicks off the second issue trying to find his missing grandfather and what is the connection of its major big bad, The Black Dragon to all of this as one of the major players that might be connected to a string of narratives that gives you the “who dun it” kind of vibe. Plus! A Kenkoy backstory which is a reprint of the original comic strip from ninety years ago that defines Tony Velasquez as the Grandfather of Filipino Komiks...

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.

P*CHA, E `Di Komiks | Pinoy Culture in a Nutshell

01.31.2019 – Filipino Komiks have so many stories to tell from Supernatural Folklore to localized inspirations from Japanese Manga to Western Comics namely the Superhero genre that has been the most interesting part of why most people connect and get into this medium. But one sign that most of these things connect to is the slice of life and what mirrors reality from everyday life. You’ve probably read more material from this because it relates to the greater populace in the Philippines how the culture from social media that satirizes that’s been happening before and now. Toto Madayag’s “P*CHA, E `Di Komiks” is more than just a graphic novel that would encompass all that’s happening in this country through social media. In general, it’s something worth noting how everything mirrors reality and most people who got to read this book won’t even realize it until it hits them. From subtle political commentaries that most people try to avoid from to simple dad jokes that are sublime, that gravitates how Madayag was ahead of the curve to think this small idea that he started posting on social media would become a word of mouth that some creators would find inspiration from.

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.

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.

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.

The New DI-13 | Retrospective Adventures

11.22.2018 – There have been A LOT of new material that came out at Komikon, and during those two days there was so little to choose or to ‘sink your teeth’ in. It has been common to the event that there are new faces and graphic novels that really stood out. There is also merchandise sold there like shirts, stickers, and figurines. But what makes this event unique is the local comics that continues to grow. After the fun-filled storm of local comic book fandom, everyone has been taking a breather while others are still high on the excitement. Now that the storm has passed, take a look at some of the best titles that have been released. Rarely, tradition has been passed down to one generation to another. It’s a unique situation to be part of it at the same time challenges when keeping up with tradition. One thing comes to mind is an old comic book series dusted off and continued for the next generation which is “DI-13” or Department of Investigation – Agent Thirteen. It’s pronounced as ‘Dee Ay – Trese' in Filipino as the original comic book series was written in the Filipino language that has been the longest running series that ended in 1962.

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.

Don't Panic! | The Struggles of Jared Paige

08.23.2018 – Australia is not just influenced by the American culture when it comes to graphic novels or comic books. Most of the independent scene is starting to build up in South Australia thanks in part for Greenlight Comics in supporting the grassroots in getting their voice heard when it you talk about self-published material that is rarely seen in other countries that is dominated by established publishing houses. Original graphic novels created by writers and artists are a rare thing nowadays that is dominated by the superhero genre that is being mined in other multimedia. But there are others you want to stretch their creative juices and rarely does it get the spotlight. Sometimes it stands out due to the art style or how compelling the narrative is well written. Then there are both combinations that you might catch it like lightning in a bottle. Then there’s Ben Mitchell a graphic artist who have found his creativity in telling his story. His first graphic novel “The Storm Clouds” had a cult following in some parts of the Australia region. The New South Wales-based artist has found a hit in his original creation that spawned two more books. It’s impressive that his self-published work is getting quite the word of mouth with “Storm Clouds” going on several more print runs. But “Don‘t Panic!” the sequel to the beloved series may be something more than Jared’s story.

Random Talks | Inside Dr. Mike 2000's Mind

08.08.2018 – In today’s self-published graphic novels there are diverse creative individuals who made their own mark in the culture. South Australia is ripe for what could be the golden age of independent work thanks in part to Greenlight Comics support of the grassroots and cultivating creativity among the writers and illustrators. There’s an abundance of original ideas out there that needs to be told. One of them is Mike Cooper better known to his pen name Dr. Mike 2000 who hangout for a chat at City Cross one fine rainy Monday afternoon. He shares his beginnings and why he likes to tell psychedelic weird alien cultures.

Superman: Birthright | A Man of Steel Story

07.16.2018 – Action Comics has made monumental number reaching issue #1000 a couple of months back and bringing back the red tights that he’s been known for. The comic book that introduced this character revolutionized the industry still continue to fight for truth, justice, and not only the American way but representing the world. Whenever in other mediums like animation, television, movies or video games “The Man of Steel” has been an icon and what shape him are these stories. There have been many origins, but “Superman: Birthright” was those you might forget.

Get Into Libraries | A Graphic Novel World

07.11.2018 – Graphic novels has come a long way being acknowledged not just a four colour page comic book. But a rich source of stories with images that is now the basis of what movies, television series, and other medium that defined its literacy among the shelves of books that you’ll find in a library. In other countries, libraries are a dying breed that most gravitate to popular opinion than what is important to the future generation. Kids these days have been spoiled with the technology that they have as to compared to the older generation that prefer the tactile feel of the inks, smell, and pages of a graphic novel.

Flippin' Pages | Ramblings of a Barang

03.16.2018 – It’s been a while to have probably browsed a graphic novel in a while, but the spin-off to Dark Colony’s successful debut in 2012 has been a long wait. Five years later you wouldn’t recall about this book from Budjette Tan, JB Tapia and Bow Guerrero until it was released sometime in November 2017. We’re talking about Dark Colony Clasificado: The Grinning of the Nino Barang. Originally the review has been in the draft for quite some time and I haven’t put it up until had enough time to share what I think of it these past few days.

Flippin' Pages | It Wasn't Duran Duran

12.12.2017 – Rarely I’ve been reading comics lately as I’m always out of the house of the time and when I’m home I’m doing something else. For a time I could have enough hours to read comic books with the exception of the stuff I got from friends back in the Philippines that I currently loaned to Ross of Greenlight Comics to try out the Filipino flavour of what some of the people I knew had to offer. So basically I just browse pages these days whenever I have a chance to visit Greenlight, which that happened a few days ago after attending the last Comic Lovers and Creator’s Meet at Grace Emily Hotel and the Adelaide Ladies Comic Club to sort of ‘market” the aforementioned books and see what they think about some of the ones I have read like Gerry Alanguilan and Kevin Ray Valentino’s “Bakokak” or Budjette Tan, JB Tapia and Bow Guerrero’s sequel to the 2012 graphic hit Demon Dungeon aptly titled now as “Classificado.” But I’ll save the personal review for Classificado and Doorkeeper in the next few weeks. For now, while I was at Greenlight Comics, I just happen to come across a book about “Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and ME” by Lorina Mapa, a Fil-Canadian who happens to publish this book early this year.