| 09.06.2018 – When putting together an original concept into a comicbook series it takes A LOT of time to develop its stories, narrative, and the world building that would define a legacy. It is not just the synopsis but the idea that people would relate to or root for an unsung hero without the need to drag everyone to too much drama the way a zombie drags its undead half self to its next victim.
There’s something exciting why such local independent published works from Budjette Tan, Arnold Arre, or even Gerry Alanguilan became a household name. It is not because their works speak volumes that resonate more of Filipinos reading their creations it is about the simple basic reason without comparing this new series to their works. However, the reason it was brought up to give you an idea why you should know about “Lindol,” a new series from first-time writer Tedi G. Villasor and an underrated multi-talented artist named Randy Valiente that has the same profound effect on the curiosity behind the concept of this locally published title. |
“Lindol” was conceived after Villasor’s original series “OBIsessions” was put on hold due to the delay of the creative side from the artist he teamed up with. It gave way for “Lindol” to be fast-tracked and produced immediately which saw its release in August 2017 with Randy Valiente taking over art duties and becoming co-creator of the said series.
The synopsis takes you to the fictional world of the Philippines being hit by the ’Big One’ that shaken the heart and foundation of Central Luzon resulting in major damages and large populated deaths that takes you to “The Walking Dead” vibes of the debut issue, which achingly inspired by the later as the author was a big fan of the earlier issues of the series. It has a promising concept and centers on two men that focuses on their adventures the way it plays out toward the last few pages of their introduction.
Earth Shattering in a Literal Word
“Lindol” in Filipino (Tagalog) means “Earthquake” which is the central part of the narrative. The aftermath plays out a man recording what would be his journal that all hope is already lost as his ration is running low the way the battery life of his mobile phone is nearing its end.
At the opening of that scene is somber and without even giving out a sad perspective that life after the ‘Big One’ made it tougher to find hope that rocked not only the city but the Philippines as a whole. It is an idea also takes inspiration to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s “San Andreas” disaster film, but more emphasis on the collateral depicting the sprawling splash page by Randy Valiente.
Rooting for the Unsung True Hero
Of course, immediately in the perfect world with all the downside depicted in the first few pages of this debut issue, you think there will be someone to root for. But instead, you get introduced to two surviving scavengers that are digging up in all the wreckage finding hope in small things.
Although the introduction of these two characters would be something of interest in the opening scenes it turns out you’ll probably have pity and hate as what mirrors reality if there is an actual individual with that kind of personality when it comes to survival.
Instead, you get a guy who finds a few long boxes of comicbooks that are graded that the later thinks worth investing in the middle of the disaster is already a turn off to local readers while trying to gauge and find interest on the first read for this new series. But you get to see how this becomes a major turn off in bringing a character that supposed to be a beacon of hope instead of a reason why you should hate.
Finding the Right Audience
What locally published comicbooks more appealing is because they resonate and relate to the current status that mirrors the reality that everyone can get on-board with. This is what is missing in the elements for the very first issue of “Lindol.” If you want to build interest in what you’re selling it starts with a local appreciation not jump directly to the fray to think foreigners would immediately appeal to your work.
It starts with your target audience who are your readers and that would convince them to buy into the world building of “Lindol.” Of course, there will be silent critics that they won’t definitely say what they think always take the bad with the good and continue to improve it. You're first always will be the local scene it’s not the US readers and for the reason, there’s a disconnection.
It is a missed opportunity for this series if you don’t know your readers and think you can expect to be the next Robert Kirkman when you think too much out there that you count too much of those eggs would be the same outcome if you don’t immediately connect with the first-time readers.
The Basic for a New Series
Of course, authors and artists dream to be successful in building a career out of the interest in comicbooks being the content of publishing their work. But there are others who think they can shop it immediately in the international scene that it would be successful. That would be an obvious delusion of grandeur that most would fail no matter what they do. With “Lindol” it will be a missed opportunity with regards to its original concept without telling the most basic thing why this book came to be…
And that is telling a simple story that you build and find its voice first before it can sing the right tunes for a hit record. Unfortunately, that didn’t immediately go to happen when you’re counting your eggs before they can hatch.
As early as possible you can still right the ship, but as above mentioned it really takes time to find that niche audience that would build interest with other competition with good stories out there it really is going to be a challenging task moving forward.
Verdict of Valuation
Overall “Lindol” is one of the best story ideas and concept that is an original with potential. It is not about the art that makes it so Filipino, but it should be the story itself to immediately connect with the local audience.
The book’s pricing itself is also in question; you’re not publishing this for the US market but to a country that has a niche audience who appreciate the medium. The cost of printing may be cheap for an international standard, but you are introducing this to Filipino readers that are more into the Philippine culture and those who literally live every day seeing things living in the streets. That is what’s missing in this debut issue failing to have those elements in the debut title.
This is the reason why it doesn’t immediately relate and everyone can appreciate that can be said of a missed opportunity.
RATING: 6.5
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