| 05.17.2019 – The New DI-13 Series is heading to its sophomore issue in slowly taking shape what could be an underrated revival of one of the best locally produced series in Philippine Komiks. Currently, the local scene is more popular nowadays with the supernatural Filipino folklore.
But when it comes to crime, espionage, and political thriller this genre is solely more popular with internationally published works such as Velvet by Ed Brubaker or his run with Captain America that featured Bucky’s return as Winter Soldier for Marvel. Although these popular themes have continue to make an interesting read this part of the Philippines has not forgotten that before Aswangs and Manananggals there was DI-13 or Department of Investigation that made concept an interesting even before James Bond was a household name more than seventy years ago. The second issue is divided between flashbacks and modern times where the second Agent 13, the grandson of the original is in search of his long lost grandfather. |
The protagonist is hot on the trail that takes him deep to the syndicate known as the Black Dragon a deadly group that probably is also the baddie that appeared in the original DI-13 serialized in Filipino Komiks.
For every issue published by Damy “Ian” Velasquez III, there’s something special and a story behind the first few issues that you might want to try and pick up the story. The art of Rico Rival continues to be the engine behind the core and concept ideas by Velasquez that keeps the heritage of what the original Komiks used to be.
What makes the second issue special as the first one will give you an idea of why The New DI-13 is something to look forward to…
Stephen Segovia Sketch Variant Cover Exclusive from Comic Odyssey
To those who have heard about Stephen Segovia, he’s one of the few Filipinos to break into the North American International Comicbook scene who has been working for DC Comics and Marvel. Stephen’s recent work was for Justice League and has a secret project currently working on.
This might be also the first time an international artist like Stephen to ever produce a variant sketch cover for a local Komiks series. This might be a first for The New DI-13 series to feature such an artist like Stephen Segovia, which is a Comic Odyssey exclusive variant cover.
Kenkoy 90th Anniversary Backstory Reprint
Besides the action-packed and intense narrative for the second issue of The New DI-13, there’s also a backstory feature for the character named Francisco "Kenkoy" Harabas to celebrate its 90th Anniversary being reprinted in this issue that is from the original appearance of the character.
Ian’s great uncle the great Tony Velasquez illustrated the said character would consider one of the early komiks ever produced in the Philippines with co-creator Romualdo Ramos. This 2019 is the ninety-year celebration first appearance of the character which you’ll find the reprint of the original comic strip. There will be upcoming special exhibits too just watch out for that.
The New DI-13 Adventures Continues
If you’re into classic pulpy Filipino Komiks then you may have the chance to catch the adventure as issue zero has been sold out don’t wait for the first issue to disappear as well that is now available at Comic Odyssey.
Overall you may find the narrative to take its time due to the reintroduction of the original characters intersecting with the news as well as The New Agent 13. You may not be lost in the mix as the story is simple to catch up wait until Ian and Rico take you deep into the Black Dragon’s teeth for issue three!
“The New DI-13” (Department of Investigation Agent Thirteen) #2 is an independent-published work written by Damy "Ian" Velasquez III with artwork by Rico Rival with cover price of ₱150.00 pesos ($3.95 AUD) with limited numbered sketch variant cover by Stephen Segovia exclusively available at Comic Odyssey.
RATING: 7.0
No comments:
Post a Comment