| 11.15.2018 – Komikon continues to trail blaze in inspiring other organizers to support the local scene namely independent publishers and content creators in this medium.
The celebrated event on its fourteenth year has been consistent with the ever evolving interest about reading Filipino Komiks. Not everyone may have general knowledge that this part of culture has been flourishing. But back in 2008 the interest of getting into local comics hasn’t fully recognize as the way it was back in the day. |
Komikon has been instrumental in cultivating these interests mostly focus in the artists of the past and the present. Ten years ago was a long time but if you look at it things has stayed the same only this year is monumentally bigger. Taking a look back to those years through these stories and images.
Filipino Komiks was sort or a myth or a written story that was almost forgotten, but there have been others who keep this culture alive in their small way. For those who weren’t into it Komikon continue to stay relevant thanks to the unlikeliest group of people who hangs out at one of the local coffee shops in the city. This was in the early2000s a group of aspiring artists banded together and decided to put their own comic convention and the rest was history.
After three successful years of continues growth and having it at the UP Bahay ng Alumni by 2008 Komikon has slowly reached its popularity within the University of the Philippines’ campus this was the last one to use the venue. Every time Komikon wraps up the organizers post a survey wanting to know the visitor’s expectations, what do they want to see and improve, and any suggestions that they may use to improve the event.
Featured Guests and Luminaries
UP Bayah ng Alumni was a nesting ground and was the original birthplace of Komikon. In that last year at the old venue they have Samahang Kartunista ng Plipinas (SKP) celebrating their thirtieth years, the Culture Crash Reunion was also the highlight, and the event paid tribute to Gerry Alanguilan. At that time Gerry was promoting the release of Elmer in its original single issue format.
In this event there was a lot to see even though comparing it to the later events not held at the Bayanihan Centre it was monumental. The interesting in reading Filipino Komiks was slowly getting back to most of the young reader’s collective minds. During its fourth year Komikon was still trying to find its true identity and getting their bearings was challenging for the reason why they have been actively posting surveys about this event.
Event Happenings
Besides the highlighted guests there were a lot of stories and some little things some might have forgotten that they have seen in this event. Chief among these stories was Arnold Arre’s appearance with his wife Cynthia. He signed copies of Martial Law Babies, which was his last work at that time before exploring other interest in short films and animation.
There was also JP Cuison, who is Manix Abrera’s former band mate in Kiko Machine that became the title of the comic strip still published to this day. Jp Cuison used to wear many hats during Komikon besides being the lead vocalist for Kikomachine. He created a fictional character named Gorgoro Henson, which was The Animal’s son as what he claims to be performing in events like an actual musician. But its only JP Cuison underneath that made this character popular for some time and would turn out to be Gorgoro’s only appearance at Komikon.
Today you can find JP Cuison working behind the scenes far away from creating his Punx Komiks (an inspiration to the iconic Funny Komiks) or selling his Marvel Parody inspired from Filipino superheroes. For Arnold of course, he’s busy hard at work finishing the sequel to Mythology Class. But ten years ago was really a different time for these two talented gentlemen.
Talking about talent there were also interesting books that were launched and available that day namely JoMike Tejido’s Foldabots first compile book and Hazel Manzano’s Call Work. There is also independent animation studious like the Guhit Pinoy, were the have veteran artists present in their booth in support of their animation studio’s presence at Komikon. You also see a niche in cosplay with some and familiar faces dressing up. This was indeed an interesting place to be during its early days.
All Over the Place
A mini museum on the side and new comics stuff on the other can be found in this event. Comic Odyssey has been one of the local comic shops who were ever present at Komikon since their first time to participate. Today there are other comic shops most of them doesn’t have physical stores that have grown out of their passion in reading floppies.
In those early days you can see that there was no competition for Comic Odyssey, but other bookstores like Fully Booked was there since they carry a different content like graphic novels. There are other interesting finds back then that you won’t see being sold at the recent Komikon and they are the vinyl art toys. Surprisingly, back then the interest for vinyl toy wasn’t that big and only few knows their difference from the usual toys like action figures or diecast cars.
Today, the popularity of the Funko Pop cemented itself as that vinyl toy brand like your first thoughts to brushing your teeth the first thing on your mind is the Colgate brand. But back then kid robot and Devil Robots was the totally unknown art toy that was being sold in 2008 at this event.
No Long Trips that Way
The other thing that was different back then was the travel to the venue. Going to UP in Diliman is REALLY far, but once you make it there it’s like paradise for geeks. Today, Bayanihan Centre was accessible than the former venue. It was really an evolution for this event moving forward to find its current venue, and even though those who haven’t had the chance to be part of it in the past should appreciate this event now.
So the weekend is almost here and prepare for the next best thing about Komikon happening from November 17-18, 2018 at the Bayanihan Centre. For more about the event follow them on their social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for some major updates!
Visit the site at Komikon.org and don’t forget to hashtag: #KomikonGrande2018
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