Bagong Buwan | Stories from the New Moon

11.15.2019 – “Bagong Buwan” (New Moon) is a collection of three stories compiled into a single graphic novel anthology featuring Hulyen (Creator of UGH.), Julius Villanueva (Ella Arcanghel), and Mervin Malonzo (Tabi Po). It was considered an experimental project for all three authors of the book as stated by Mervin. It would be considered a ‘sleeper’ graphic novel that basically flew under the radar for majority of local readers that followed indie komiks in Manila. Bagong Buwan was released in Summer Komikon 2019 and it is quite an interesting title. Entirely all three stories are in Filipino (Tagalog) language and it actually works in this dialect due to how deep the stories are connected to Philippine culture. The cover is a simple image of a moon with two ‘Xs’ making them a pair of eyes for the lunar planet that’s crying as the second ‘X’ is dripping with paint. But then when you flip through the very page that moon was actually smiling back. The moons is actually sort of symbol for the Haliya Publishing that Hulyen, Julius, and Mervin has formed to further cement their collaboration under this banner.

Slice of Suspense | Please Take Care of My Heart

08.29.2019 – There good storytellers out there inspired by superhero tropes and thematic adventures from Science Fiction of Fantasy, and then there’s the slice of life that you may or may think it’s just another graphic novel about the usual dramas of the human condition that most deal every day. But there is also this graphic novel “Please Take Care of My Heart” that looks innocent featuring two lovers on the cover (or so you think). Gioseppe Custodio suggests that it’s an introduction to how he started in the local independent scene of Filipino Komiks at the same time to familiarize his art style and his sense of storytelling, which generally his portfolio that rarely noticed by most indulging on the more established authors and illustrators. “Please Take Care of My Heart” seemed like taken from pre-existing romantic themes from the Philippines as Filipinos get most of the TV novels of ‘telenovelas’ inspired from the boom of the Spanish TV Dramas.

Mythology Stories | Bakit Kakaiba si Nanay

08.16.2019 – Filipino Komiks has been popularly known presently with Supernatural Folklores that delve with how tall tales of the unknown that has put the country in the map. Neil Gaiman himself is a certified fan of this genre that fans clamor for him to write his own take that he can define his thoughts about this genre, but immediately declined and try to promote it by inviting Filipino writers to tell their own stories. There are subgenres in it too besides the Aswangs and Mananaggals you find the Philippine Mythology very much rich and unexplored. But there are writers who have become household names like the Arnold Arre or Mervin Ignacio, Budjette Tan, and the list goes on that defined how Filipino folklore became what is it today. But there are also new writers who are putting their work forward like Mitzee Bajet, Mervin Malonzo, and here’s Ardie Aquino with his latest short story anthology “Bakit Kakaiba si Nanay at Ibang Kwento ng Talulikas” (Why is Mom Different and Other Tolerable Stories), which is pretty much a mouthful concoction of fresh takes of the folklore in his own vision. This short story anthology was recently released over the weekend last Saturday at Komikon’s 8th Indie Komiks Market or synonymously known as “Indieket”, where this event focuses on the self-published works of Authors, Illustrators, and storytellers that they produced by their own without the support of an actual publisher.

Komikon Week 2018 | Tips to Survive Post-Earthquake

11.12.2018 – Earthquakes is one of the dangerous things that most people should avoid when it happens. Sudden shakes are not as common as you think the way the weather is predicated. It’s the nature’s course why the ground shakes due to the seismic waves passing through the Earth’s rocks. These waves are produced when some form of energy stored in Earth’s crust is suddenly released, usually when masses of rock straining against one another suddenly fracture and “slip.” But what happens if you were unprepared and this has already brought damage to where you’re located?

Sights & Highlights | Indieket 2016

08.07.2016 – On its fifth year promoting self-published works Komikon Indieket continue to cultivate the grassroots for its original creativity at the same time give the featured artists as main guest as the spotlight for this show. This is Komikon Inc’s second event of the year that would culminate on the main event that closes the calendar year in contributing to the growth of the local komiks scene in the Philippines. For Indieket this the guest spotlight features Edgar Tadeo, Melvin Calingo, Aaron Felizmenio and Freely Abrigo as part of Komiks Kalye.

The Odd Reality Player 1 Player 2 Komiks Fun Time!

04.18.2016 – There have been independent published works out there that are a hit or a miss, which you can find at the recently concluded Summer Komikon. But there just some works humbled with passion just by creating their own stories to share. “Player 1 Player 2 Komik Fun Time” is one of those titles that are under the radar, but has its own cult following among close friends and families. Its from the mind of Jolo Livelo, who you may not heard of him as he just wants his passion for komiks sticks out than getting the glory full time. Of course the creation for the komiks series was based or inspired from actual events with the help from his older brother Miko Livelo, who you may not also heard about but knew or have seen “Blue Bustamanter” or “Tanods” that he directed. Both Livelo brothers grew up getting into videgames and that’s one familiar element that makes Komik Fun Time deeply rooted for these two like the most.

Mervin Malonzo's Tabi-Po Teaser Trailer!

05.07.2014 – Mervin Malonzo’s ‘Tabi-Po’ first got noticed online as a web series, which was recently collected that was released during Summer Komikon 2014 last month. ‘Tabi-Po’ has come a long way for an online web series that grew its own popularity. This is not your cup of horror stories and Mervin has definitely given some shock value into his creation that defined his art.

Rodski Patotski: Ang Dalagang Baby Teaser Clip!

04.02.2014 – Rodski Patotski: Ang Dalagang Baby is a new collaboration between Gerry Alangulan (Eisner Award Nominee for Elmer) and Arnold Arre who returns back to his roots as a comic book artist together with his wife Cynthia Arre. The upcoming graphic novel is loosely inspired from Gerry Alanguilan’s wife Ilyn. Though there are no other further details of the entire plot. But it seems everyone is going to be curious about what’s the story about and Arnold has something to share…

Abangan: The Best Komiks Collaboration of Friends!

03.25.2014 – Abangan: The Best in Philippine Komiks 2014 will be released next month at the Summer Komikon. It’s a compilation of works from the best local artist in the country. This is also a collaboration of four friends that brought this book together. Rob Cham who collaborated with Adam David, Carljoe Javier and Elbert Or was at the Art in the Park last Sunday talking about what went behind the scenes in producing this book that everyone is talking about it…

Sights & Highlights: Tony Velasquez Gallery!

02.16.2014 – Tony Velasquez is Filipino illustrator and pioneered as a found father of the Philippine comics industry. He created Pongyang Halobaybay and Kenkoy which is in Tagalog language in the late 1930s. But his most popular “iconic comic strip” is Kenkoy. His creations are told in the “slice of life” themes, where scenes the stories are in their humorous situations. There are only a few who knows the Philippine comics rich history and Tony Velasquez would be considered as one national treasure to be remembered…

Where Bold Stars Go To Die!

11.28.2013 – When you talk about “Where Bold Stars Go to Die” it sounded less of a porn related to title and more of a world that you want to know where they went. This was Gerry Alanguilan’s next independent comic book project after Elmer. From talking chickens to bold stars and when you hear those words nudity comes to mind. Because back then old Filipino komiks have adult related titles, but this one is not cheap and definitely for adults only that address the subject matter seriously with respect.

Elbert Or's Manosaur!

11.21.2013 – Manosaur is an experimental comic book from Elbert Or the creator of the series Bakemono High which appears on the monthly K-Zone Magazine. Now on its second issue Manosaur has more dinosaur friends appearing in the series. The first issue was released during Summer Komikon and it was originally targeted for very young audience for its kid-friendly humor. Manosaur is a combination of two words in Man and Dinosaur which getting a cult following after Komikon 2013.

Komikon 2013: Give a heart to Puso Negro II!

11.13.2013 – Puso Negro is a slice of life comic book story created by JP Palabon for his Section Six Comics publication. An interesting character named Puso is a misunderstood individual that gives you the wrong kind of signals. The comic book has a tag line “Teaching Good Values through Bad Conduct.” It seems a good example some people would not read. But there’s something more to JP’s inconceivable character than meets the eye and he urges you pick it up at Komikon 2013.

Hand Drawn, Quartered, & Other Tell-Tales Volume 2!

11.06.2013 – When you go to Komikon the first thing you do is find the comic books that where advertised in the social media. Most of title sold out through “word of mouth” which becomes hot sellers for being relatively unknown. If you heard of Ariel Atienza chances are you’ve been to Komikon. He mostly can be found going to art gallery launches but have you seen his work lately? A few would remember his creations but for the casual ones you should know his diverse works…

Trese: Stories from the Diabolical!

11.03.2013 – Halloween may be over but the adventures of Alexandra Trese never stop as long as the city is safe for everyone. But usually the story doesn’t focus on Ms. Trese as most of the readers may come to think. There are other interesting characters and one peculiar individual by the name of Hank Sparrow come to mind. In reality he is based on a real person named Hank Palenzuela. Most people would identify him as Captain Jack Sparrow… Yes that drunken pirate.

Throwback: Kiko Machine!

10.24.2013 – If you have been following Kiko Machine Komix by Manix Abrera then consider yourself a fan but for those who just started picking up the series you’ll be surprised where it all started. Originally Kiko Machine started as a band and has produced one full album with the same name. At the same time Manix Abrera came up with a comic book series that would evolve on to his own that’s heading to become the most sought after titles from Visprint.

Crossing Mediums from "Komiks" to Pop Art.

10.06.2013 – The resurgence of Philippine “komiks” is undeniable and continues to capture inspiration that breeds new talents. In this growing community comic books is still considered a child’s reading material. But for the middle class it’s a potential marketing vehicle for something big. In reality it’s tough to break into the comics industry unless you have the right connections which have the right people to guide you to land in a career like well-known artists have thread.

Converse + Komiks: Punk Your Chucks!

09.22.2013 – Converse is an iconic brand which was founded for more than a hundred years and its resurgence in the new century signifies its identity as an Urban Lifestyle shoe tapping professionals in the skateboard community as its brand ambassadors. Chuck Taylor All-Star became their iconic product and basketball shoes which were named after a well-known athlete who would possibly be the first to have his name on those sneakers. It was popularized by Converse and its the face of the brand.

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.

Sights & Highlights at Indieket 2013!

08.12.2013 – Indieket this year was laid back despite the volume of people went to check out their local artists and their works. It was bigger than the previous year and there were several new comics and launches that made this event truly special. The doors opened at 10 AM there was already long lines that formed outside the Bayanihan Center. Upon entering you’ll see there were already comic shops that have set up their booth ready for you to dig into their back issue bins. Among the vendors who participated, Filbar’s have something more to reveal with their mini exhibit.