X-Men #1 | Summers Family Values

10.17.2019 – The “Dawn of X” is finally arrived in X-Men #1 with Jonathan Hickman, Leinil Francis Yu, Gerry Alanguilan, and Sunny Gho. If you’ve followed Jonathan Hickman’s well-detailed and reviving prominence of the X-Men brand through the “House of X” and “Powers of X” (pronounced as Powers of Ten) in the past months run surely you’ll be anticipating this issue too. There’s so much to take in if it hasn’t sunk in what has been re-established that Krakoa is now an island nation and things are going bananas on this first issue as there will be more revelation for the next series coming out in the next few weeks. But with X-Men #1 this is surely more focused on the characters than just a big event. It gives you the perspective of one Scot Summers and how he lives his life with his family and friends. If you missed out on all things X in the two six-issue miniseries expect a compiled graphic novel to catch up. For now, you got to pick-up X-Men #1 to give you a closer look and spotlight Scott Summer and his complicated that has been having too much drama in the last fifty years as we say “clean house.”

Marvel + Miniso | 5 Essential Merchandise

08.30.2019 – The collaboration between Marvel and Miniso produced a lot of household merchandise that was previously revealed in the other stores that are now “Marvel-ized” with the aesthetics featuring the prominent characters that appeared in Marvel Studios’ MCU, which are based from their comicbook appearances. Believe it True Believers when you’re a big Marvel fan chances are you won’t know which ones to buy and not everything is actually ‘useful’ at home or if you plan to accessorize yourself it is a challenging preposition. Earlier today the Miniso branch in SM Megamall became the House of Ideas that welcomed customers to the store.

Marvel 80 Years at SM | The Block Highlights

08.28.2019 – Marvel is celebrating its 80th year with a variety of celebration across all media platforms from animation, movies, videogames, and merchandising all over the world. The Philippines however is kicking it big an event that had a press launched yesterday in collaboration with SM Malls. The event features everything Marvel has to offer with the appearance of Danny Koo, Marvel Game’s Senior Producer for Asia. He graced the event’s media day that capped off the an autograph signing and reveals showcased displays from local toy groups as well as soon-to-be revealed action figures from Hot Toys.

Marvel + Miniso at SM Mall of Asia

08.27.2019 – The Marvel freight train keeps on chugging along with the plethora of reveals for the upcoming Disney+ streaming service over the past weekend there’s more where all that is coming from. With the Comic Book content heating up with their flagship X-titles literally sold and the MCU films are building up. The merchandise machine hasn’t stop producing all things Marvel that you can wear and sleep in. A few years ago there was a Marvel store that has anything that has something to do with the House of Ideas, which even though short lived it gave fans what they had and now it’s Miniso’s turn to bring some Marvel to the mainstream.

Agents of Atlas #1 | Riding the Wave of Artists

08.12.2019 – The weekend had full schedule of Filipino comics-related events with Komikon Indieket now at everyone’s rear view. This continues with the signing event at Comic Odyssey that has been announced a month early. This is after the reveal for the “Agents of Atlas” regular series spinning off from War of the Realms Saga. The first issue features four variant covers including the regular release that featured artists Leinil Yu doing Wave, Carlo Pagulayan with Jason Paz inspiring the classic Giant X-Men #1, and special painted cover by Mico Suayan. The event had long lines at Comic Odyssey handed down numbered stubs.

War of the Realms | New Agents of Atlas #1

05.11.2019 – The War of the Realms saga rages on as Marvel goes global in introducing already established characters in the main universe. With The New Agents of Atlas #1, the brand takes it further in cementing their interest that Marvel is invested in Asia with most of the characters from China, Korea, and the Philippines. This is not the first time a secret society founded by the Atlas Foundation known as “Agents of Atlas” was introduced, but a new roster representing a brand new team led by one of its founding members named Jimmy Woo formerly known as Yellow Klaw is now the new leader of the group that featured Amadeus Cho (Brawn), Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), Cindy Moon (Silk), and Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu. There’s a promise that Marvel plans to expand internationally and introduces new characters and the creative team between Greg Pak and Gang Hyuk Lim delivered what Asian fans hoped for with the appearance of Aero and Sword Master are two original Chinese characters appearing online at NetEase Comics. Then you got Korean characters like the first K-Pop crime fighter, Luna Snow, and the duo of Crescent and Lo. But local fans in the Philippines are pumped up for The Newest Filipino Superhero, Wave from the concept design of Leinil Yu.

APCC Manila 2017 | First Batch of Int Artists Revealed

Artgerm, Quiccs, Alan Quah, Simone Legno and Jason Freeny amongst major artists

Talent and creativity abound in the first reveal of international artists who will grace AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2017 (APCC Manila), which is happening on August 25 to 27 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

From international artists’ Stanley Lau aka artgerm, Quiccs, Alan Quah, Simone Legno, to Jason Freeny, these creative geniuses are set to share their talents and insights to thousands of pop culture fans from all over the region who will converge at the country’s biggest pop culture convention.

Spider-Man #5 | In the Claws of Black Cat

07.06.2016 – Miles Morales is a different kind of Spider-Man, and if you look at the similarities between Peter Parker this younger protégé has more powers that make him as interesting as the original. But as a young buck Morales is still trying to figure his way out in the Marvel Universe and how his life is turning out to be. We haven’t seen him beyond the norn that Brian Michael Bendis has done for this character. Indeed Sara Pichelli makes this issue continue to be relevant and certainly had an appeal to how she puts Miles in a good light artistically. Last issue was something Miles has to face in both fronts of his personal and superhero life. Unfortunately the bad guys had the bet of him led by Hammerhead, but this motley crew of criminals has been a pushover to Peter Parker is becoming a challenge for the young Miles Morales to deal with including the Black Cat’s obsession with the ‘Spider-Man’ identity. In Filipino culture it would be funny how Felicia Hardy is the ‘Tita’ (term for older woman or Aunt-like personalities) being different age group with Parker her approach for the young Morales is all business.

Spider-Man #4 | Ganke & Goldballs

06.25.2016 – Miles Morales can’t get enough breaks from his reality and superhero life. You’ve got the coolest abilities and a little bit better than the original Spider-Man, but what makes it even more challenging is having a friend named Ganke. Ganke and Morales’ father are the only two people who know his secret identity; because you need people that you can trust when the going gets tough. But what‘s makes even more difficult is you have a friend who tries to be more than just a friend who teaches you about life and becoming Spider-Man. Of course add pressure when a new student an ex-X-Man named Goldballs is added to the school, and makes Ganke make things harder for Miles to keep the secret. The stress must be far worse what Peter Parker was getting back in the day. But at those school years where Parker kept the identity all to himself. This is a contrast to Miles Morales who just wants to have a decent life and one of the two people who you trust starting to act like he wants to be ‘cool’ too by letting Goldballs know what Miles is going through with the ‘superhero thing,’ was definitely uncool.

The Punisher #1: Silent Punishment!

05.08.2016 – The Punisher’s one-man war against crime gets a new series in the “All-New All-Different” Marvel universe with Becky Cloonan (Gotham Academy) taking over the writing reigns teaming up with Punisher artist Steve Dillon. Like the previous Punisher series that involves mass killings of criminals in a very violent way it has become the character’s signature. This started with Garth Ennis turning up the violence that defined Frank Castle and who is “The Punisher” as the on-man army in taking all the bad guys in a gritty and creative violence. The first issue kicks off the narrative of setting up The Punisher’s usual motive along with the DEA operatives’ investigation that overlaps with the same drug-trafficking stronghold. This latest iteration and characterization that Frank Castle is dead and the Punisher lives being the relentless machine against crime is firmly established. This also introduces a new enemy known as “The Face.” This series starts up the usual drug cartel that’s being eyed by the DEA, and from the turn of a page you can see the build-up to the action.

Obi-Wan & Anakin #4: Between Crossfire!

05.01.2016 – “Obi-Wan & Anakin” heading to its fourth issue slowly revealing its hand with regards to the inhabitants of Carnelion IV and in-between the main story are some flashbacks revealing Anakin’s desire to leave the Jedi Temple. This of course is one of Palpatine’s influences in the young padawan. In the previous issue the ‘Open’ faction with Mother Pran and Kolara found Anakin’s abilities to fixing mechanical things a great benefit for their cause, where they decided to kidnap him at the same time destroy the airship which have Obi-Wan and ‘Close’ faction Grecker crashing down to the lower ground of the planet. Surviving the crash in the previous issue reveal the inhabitants of zombie-like creatures that where affected after the war that produced the two factions some years ago. Obi-Wan and Grecker face-off with these creatures, but the Jedi Master was quick enough to prevent them from ganging up on them. At the same time after the crash both survivors try to find the signal originally sent to the Jedi that called upon Obi-Wan and Anakin. Grecker discussing his opinions about the ‘Open’ faction’s true colors does not give validation if he’s actually telling the truth.

Spider-Man #3: Home Intervention!

04.20.2016 – Sometimes the best stories for any comicbook is the personal life of a superhero out of costume. You’ve probably read Matt Fraction and David Aja’s run telling the story of Hakweye when he’s not hanging out with the Avengers as Clint Barton, which was a refreshing perspective told in that point of view. Now you’ve got Mile Morales who have successfully beaten Blackheart in the two previous issues face up against the one individual that he can’t possibly beat or avoid and that is -- His Grandmother?! Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli takes the character they created appearing in the Ultimate universe to the main Marvel realm giving him the reality check that probably Peter Parker has never experienced. The third issue is about dealing with challenges closer to home and facing reality about his failing grades at the same time standing his ground against his very own grandmother. Something you don’t see in recent comicbooks nowadays is the domestic problems a superhero face.

Star Wars | C-3PO: The Phantom Limb!

04.16.2016 – “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is coming out for the home release and if you’ve seen the film several times you’ve been wondering about C-3PO’s red arm. It’s been almost five months since the film was shown and there’s nothing about this droid‘s limb replacement. There there’s a back story behind it as previously teased but it wasn’t specified if it’s going to be told in the next film or even in a novelized version. But give LucasFilms the effort that its all planned out that it would be told in the one-shot Star Wars comicbook special that features C-3PO, and his one-time exploits in the galaxy far away and not only that you see something you’ve never see in the character before. This comicbook is a tie-up to the film itself and reveals where C-3PO has been and where he got that red arm, which for some fans has been wondering for the whole time. Besides the back story behind it you get to view the character’s struggles and how he manage to survive in this one-shot story written by James Robinson and with art done by the talented Tony Harris, which makes this an issue you should not miss.

Black Widow #2: Trapped in a Web!

04.13.2016 – The new creative team for in the next chapter in Black Widow’s adventures may not be as grand as the other series launch by Marvel, but more like inviting new readers who are unfamiliar with the character in the comicbooks. Mark Waid and Chris Samnee are very much familiar in putting up great narrative for characters not entirely known in the mainstream. They’ve definitely made Daredevil an impressive series and now they are dipping their hands in telling stories about Natasha Romanov that have elements inspired from spy novels and more cerebral how deep the character is going forward after the first issue sold out. The Black Widow is one of the classic characters in the comicbooks not originally a founder of the Avengers. For the non-comicbook reading Marvelites this series focuses further where Mark Waid is taking the ex-SHIELD agent. While Chris Samnee brings a fresh look at the Black Widow this is more of a ‘fun’ takes in the art department how explosive his works into the scenes. It’s the opposite when they did with Daredevil since he doesn’t carry guns and have to deal with explosions.

Black Panther #1: A Nation Under Our Feet

04.07.2016 – “Black Panther” is one of the popular characters who will be appearing in “Captain America: Civil War” portrayed by Chadwick Boseman. Before the king of Wakanda gets his own film he will be squaring off with the rest of the heroes in the upcoming film. Marvel has announced a new comicbook series starring T’Challa in a new series which just released in stores now. To build interest in the character Marvel launches a new comicbook series, and it was announced last month with “Black Panther #1.” The new artist team boast of an award winning writer in Ta-Nehesi Coates and legendary artist Brian Stelfreeze. This is certainly a heavy worthy of reading giving new readers the story behind the fictional city of Wakanda and its inhabitants. This also tells the narrative what has happened after the nation of Wakanda has gone through with the last crisis that involves floods, a coup orchestrated by Doctor Doom, and invasion by Thanos fractured the people’s trust. The first issue now focus more of the recent events that befallen Wakanda. It’s an interesting story how T’Challa will keep his country together and what’s left of the ‘perfect nation’ that has been talked about in the Marvel Universe these past decades.

Obi-Wan & Anakin #3: Treachery in Carnelion IV!

03.27.2016 – Obi-Wan and Anakin mini-series expands the dynamics between both Jedi. This also reveals further how Chancellor Palpatine corrupted the young Skywalker to the darkside. There’s so much to tell about the master and his apprentice in an alien world that have its conflicts. Carnelion IV is still a world that have little back story as Obi-Wan and Anakin continue to explore this side of the galaxy that have two warring factions work together. But that peace will be short-lived as there are things behind the scenes is happening at the same time that not everyone is aware and in that includes flash back to the past when Anakin was invited by Palpatine for a short walk. Charles Soule shares the narrative about exploring further between Obi-Wan and Anakin’s relationship. Marco Checchetto provides the artwork that consistently brings the feel of the time both Jedis where in their prime. This is before Anakin’s lure to the darkside as history is told, but that story is already happening with the relationship with Chancellor Palpatine and his interest to the young Padawan.

International Iron Man #1: A Stark Innovation!

03.18.2016 – Iron Man has become one of Marvel’s flagship titles since the movie jumpstarted their cinematic universe. For some its hardly possible to accept that the character is now synonymous with Robert Downey Jr, the actor who brought Tony Stark to life that’s being relevant now that “Captain America: Civil War” is just around the corner that everyone is so excited about. The comicbook however continue to expand the character’s narrative from the mind of Brian Michael Bendis with the impressive art by Alex Maleev. It’s rarely everyone would appreciate seeing Iron Man having more titles than one. This time its “International Iron Man” delving into the characters roots and the truth on who raised him has been one of the questions that was revealed during his time as a member of Guardians of the Galaxy. For most of this issue is a major flashback to his college days in London and rarely you’ll ever see a comicbook full of dialogue these days as compared to more action. It gives everyone the chance to look at a younger Tony Stark and how that personality hasn’t change when he was still hitting the books.

Black Widow #1: S.H.I.E.L.D.’S MOST WANTED!

03.04.2016 – Black Widow, the comicbook character has been synonymous with actor Scarlett Johansson thanks in part for her live-action portrayal appearing on Iron Man 2 and followed her evolution as being the core member of the Avengers in films. The comicbook version has darker undertones and having been a double or triple agent Natasha Romanoff is certainly a puzzle that is hard to solve. She’s been around and there’s a lot of story to go through with this character now that Mark Waid and Chris Samnee has taking over the reigns in giving her that interesting narrative. This new number #1 is an eye catcher with Christ Samnee you’ll immediately know its going to be a good run with this character having seen his work his Daredevil run you can’t go wrong with a little more grounded spy action. This time Waid and Samnee takes Black Widow to news heights and on the run. It gives Black Widow a fresh perspective with enough action to give you enough fan service from the first page to the next issue. For Mark Waid to write a story of Natasha and translating it into pictures by Samnee is brilliantly done.

Old Man Logan #1: Berserker!

01.30.2016 – Wolverine has been dead since late 2014 and Marvel killed one of their flagship characters in comicbooks if you’re not keeping track. Now they have “Old Man Logan” an aging version of Wolverine that came from the future what the?! After the events of “Secret Wars” this wasn’t one of those series that you’ll expect. Yes, James Howlett has been dead encased in adamantium and was killed off in the “Death of Wolverine” saga how can you explain a long deceased mutant come back from the future? But the of course this is in the comicbooks and everything is possible in this medium that the idea of Logan coming back is from an alternate future. This time around he comes back with a fit of rage that only an “Old Man Logan” would do, but its unexplained how did he make it to the present time prior to the what dark future he came from. The narrative for this new series is that he came from the future where all the villains have figured it out and defeated the heroes from his time where he became a family man and a farmer.

Secret Wars #9: The Final Act!

01.15.2016 – Secret Wars #9 is already out now at your nearest comic shop. It’s a fitting end to the original eight-par t maxi-series that rebooted a ‘New Marvel Universe.’ But not everyone is pleased on how this narrative has unfolded and Marvel is aware that they can’t please everyone with how Jonathan Hickman has written. But if you look at it in a bigger picture it does make sense although you need more proof to be convinced about what happened. Of course criticism is not going to go away as the focus of the story is spotlighted on the characters from Fantastic Four. Fantastic Four, the film definitely was a debacle everyone wants to forget. But Hickman certainly has written them off these characters quite nicely. The Alex Ross cover is always glorious to see even the slew of variant covers, but Esad Ribic’s art certainly gave life to the action sequence and all that thought revelations of this title that most would not forget and some rather not think about. Before Marvel’s All-New, All-Different relaunch of titles this is the big one to end all universe-changing stories.