Galerie Stephanie | Dreams

Most people are still dreaming, but Manix Abrera, the man has been working hard to make that Dream happen and more. He’s been at his peak in creating stories from panel to panel while appearing in local comic shops and events signing autographs and meeting with his longtime fans. This time, Manix is having the time of his life traveling and seeing the world. It is also that he is reliving a Dream of having his next Solo Art Show with Galerie Stephanie, and this is not the first time he’s done it. But this is one exhibit, where you don’t see the comic strips and artwork anywhere as a one-off that’s great to see.

Komiket Ortigas | Event Highlights

The event landscape has changed over the past two years, and with the Philippines this is the only time things are going back to ‘normal.’ However you interpret it the changes will be significant and subtle, but with things that continue to happen globally there are few are soldiering on to continue what everyone has miss out. Over the weekend Komiket Ortigas was one of the few events that happened over the course of its three days, and the success was greater than the sum of its parts. It’s like seeing a longtime friend you have not made face-to-face contact in a very long time.

Komikon Grande | Legendary Event Activities

11.20.2019 – Komikon Grande is just a few days away which happen this weekend, which is the most anticipated comics-centric event in the country. This is the event that closes out the year with graphic novel launches, panel talks, screening of independently produced animation, films, and documentaries. For this year Komikon Grande reaches out to the Filipino Komiks heritage honouring the past and presenting it for today’s generation. There are so many things to celebrate and be part of the experience for this event with tributes to the local greats at the same time a spotlight for the up and coming authors and illustrators. Now on its fifteenth year Komikon continues to bring the gold standard in paying tribute to what makes Filipino Komiks relevant into today’s modern digital age. The annual event continues to bring out the best of the local creatives and what a great way to preach about Filipino Komiks is to put a big spotlight with this year’s theme dubbed “Komikon Grande: Legendary” featuring four luminaries who made their mark in the komiks community in the past that continues to create great stories & art.

Into the Karnaval | From the Mind of Mitzee

09.28.2019 – There are self-published independent comics out there. It holds so many diverse stories and interest. It might be something about the author’s personal experience or found inspiration from the giants of storytellers out there. Sometimes, it about a story worth sharing that came from so many things that got the author interested to produce a graphic novel that flew under the radar.

SM Manila + Kenkoy | Meet & Greet Filipino Artists

06.03.2019 – The 90th Anniversary celebration for Kenkoy has begun. If you missed the weeklong celebration that began in FEU last month there’s still a chance you can catch the pocket tours that not only to celebrate the character’s first comic strip. But also meet a few local artists and illustrators. SM Manila and Kenkoy collaborate not only to celebrate the first Filipino komiks, but ahead of the Philippine Independence Day. Get to know the grassroots of the local komiks scene and check out their past and current works. It’s going to be an experience that Filipino Komiks is still here!

The New DI-13 #2 | Deep Into Black Dragon

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.

REELive the Classics | Captain Barbell

03.07.2019 – Captain Barbell is a fictional superhero in Philippine comicbooks first appeared in Pinoy Komiks #5 (May 23, 1963) originally a shirtless strongman that was created by Mars Ravelo and artist Jim Fernandez similar to the American Superman, Captain Marvel or Shazam, and Thor. The character evolved over the years. Like Darna, he also had an alter-ego named Tenteng, a thin, weakling and asthmatic person whose only dream was to become strong and muscular. The character was popular being portrayed by several Filipino actors in movies and television. There has been a memorable incarnation of the character in various shapes or form, but what stands out are the ones being portrayed by famous actors. Dolphy, the Philippine King of Comedy has portrayed the character as the third actor to assume the role after Bob Soler (Captain Barbell, 1964) and Willie Sotelo (Captain Barbell Kontra Captain Bakal, 1965). This was another take on the character as Ting-ting and Captain Barbell wearing the signature mask originally titled “Captain Barbell Boom!"

Summer Komikon 2016 | Event Recap & Highlights!

04.17.2016 – “Summer Komikon” opens up the year to continue celebrating Filipino Komiks and you thought the one-year absence of this event would be permanent guess again. Its back to also show you that Filipino Komiks is striving and growing. This is the seventh edition of Summer Komikon that began in 2009. It has become the event that opens up the only Philippine Komiks convention with the exception of 2015, and this year comes with a fresh perspective of new talent and works.

A New Darna Teased Online!

04.08.2016 – Darna has been Filipino icon in comicbook culture for more than six decades having adopted into movies and television, but it has been more than 11 years since the last comicbook was published in mainstream. This is not including the unofficial web comic in 2011 by Gerry Alanguilan and Arnold Arre depicting the heroine inspired by Frank Miller’s ‘Dark Knight Returns’ style narrative and that was it until Carljoe Javier teased this image on social media…

November KOMIKON Releases!

DAKILA: Buwan Issue 2 (of 3)
by David Hontiveros and Jason Confesor 

Lately I've noticed that the blog has been featuring a lot of local talent, we started with featuring local musicians, original Filipino music and up and coming bands which would give foreign bands a run for their money and kick them right off their spots on our radio and Music Television Countdown shows. 

Sights & Highlights: MIBF 2014 + Komikon Sunday!

09.22.2014 – The 35th Manila International Book Fair is not as heavily busy as Saturday, but it has its moments that each exhibitor who highlighted the authors, writers, artists converge in the biggest event that truly shows that Filipinos adored reading. Komikon Inc. the organizers together with independent self publishing artists was on-hand from the doors opened the morning to the dismantling the last tarpaulin promoted the Filipino Komiks community with such vigor that it went successfully.

Sights & Highlights: MIBF 2014 + Komikon Saturday!

09.21.2014 – As the tropical storm in the Philippines rages out of the country, the 35th Manila International Book Fair pushes on its third day at the SMX in SM Small of Asia. The largest crowd converged Saturday as long lines at the ticketing moved slowly. Friday was not a good sight as the storm known as “Mario” in the Philippines was flooding some parts of Metro Manila, which forced the exhibitors to close up shop early by 5PM in the afternoon for everyone’s safety, but Saturday is a different story to share.

Bakemono High's Chuck Art Toy Reveal!

08.03.2014 – A few days earlier Elbert Or the creator of the popular Philippine children’s comic book Bakemono High has finally unveiled the first character among the upcoming line of art toys, which he collaborated with Imagine Nation Studios. The first character prototype reveals is none other than Chuck the werewolf from the series, which first seen published in the Philippine edition of K-Zone magazine. Chuck takes inspiration to many of Elbert Or’s influence growing as the talented artist

Sights & Highlights at Indieket 2014!

08.02.2014 – Komikon’s Indieket is mostly focused on alternative press and this is where you look at fresh new talent who are just starting as self-publisher or first time artist. Since 2012 the event has focused on those who are inspired to make it big in the ever growing industry for comics. There are A LOT of Filipino talents they just need a place to be given that spotlight and Komikon has expanded that idea for those established publishers to give them that chance to be known. This also cultivates the unseen local comic book community.

Studio Kaiba's Kambal Now at Filbar's!

06.04.2014 – If you’ve heard of the ‘Kambal’ (Twins) then you must have read Trese, the supernatural series by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo who are currently at work to release the sixth series of the book by the Tenth Komikon in November. For now there’s new merchandise featuring the main characters of Trese. Previously Studio Kaiba who also released the Trese plush toy unveiled two more characters during Summer Komikon 2014 and the long awaited Kambal was released…

"Ang Maskot" to be shown in Cinemanila!

12.17.2013 – Rarely you’ll see a Filipino comic book adapted into a movie, and the last time there was based on pop culture nostalgia was Blue Bustamante. Mostly these films won’t be made if not through independent production. “Ang Maskot” is an original indie komiks by Macoy Tan, which is now adapted into a live action feature film that has a cast of well-known Filipino actors…

The Secrets of "Clasificado" Revealed!

11.27.2013 – Clasificado is a sampler/preview for the second book for The Dark Colony by Bow Guerrero, JB Tapia and Budjette Tan. The brilliant marketing for the much awaited continuation from that graphic novel released last Summer Komikon 2013. It was announced the mysterious folder surrounding the secrets revealing The Order of St. Michael would be limited to 60 pieces. Originally Bow mentioned it was only good for 50 but everyone went on to message him to produce 10 more…

Why You Should Get Trese Book of Murders!

11.17.2013 – Trese: Book of Murders collects all thirteen chapters from the first three volumes of the series. It’s the collected hardcover edition that was launch in the recent Trese Night Gallery that featured Kajo Baldisimo’s works. The collected edition was produced by Visprint Inc., and it was limited to 2000 copies which is also available at Filbar’s. The same book was also released at the recently concluded Komikon 2013 since the sixth book didn’t make it.

The 3rd Filipino ReaderCon Event Details!

11.01.2013 – The Filipino ReaderCon is an annual event organized by Filipino writers and book bloggers that would celebrate and provide support for the growing communities of Filipino readers. The first Filipino ReaderCon in 2011 entitled “Filipino Readers Make it Social,” was held during the Manila International Book Fair. Now on its third year the Filipino ReaderCon is set to happen on November 9, 2013 at the Ateneo Rizal Library. The event still have a pre-registration for those interested to attend…

The Mystery Man in SIXTY SIX!

08.17.2013 – SIXTY SIX was an unknown comic book conceived in 2012 by Russell Molina (Madyik Silya ni Titoy “Titoy’s Magic Chair) and Ian Sta. Maria (Skyworld) and first released at the recently concluded Indieket 2013. The story about an old man named Celestino Cabal who celebrated his 66th birthday where he received a special gift that he slowly opened to an unknown surprise as the series’ premise. The creators released two chapters but in those stories there were still unanswered questions that you might anticipate for the third chapter.