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.

Lindol #1 | The Good, The Bad, & Unshakable

09.06.2018 – When putting together an original concept into a comicbook series it takes A LOT of time to develop its stories, narrative, and the world building that would define a legacy. It is not just the synopsis but the idea that people would relate to or root for an unsung hero without the need to drag everyone to too much drama the way a zombie drags its undead half self to its next victim. There’s something exciting why such local independent published works from Budjette Tan, Arnold Arre, or even Gerry Alanguilan became a household name. It is not because their works speak volumes that resonate more of Filipinos reading their creations it is about the simple basic reason without comparing this new series to their works. However, the reason it was brought up to give you an idea why you should know about “Lindol,” a new series from first-time writer Tedi G. Villasor and an underrated multi-talented artist named Randy Valiente that has the same profound effect on the curiosity behind the concept of this locally published title.

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.

Spider-Man #2: New York's Hero!

03.05.2016 – Previously in Spider-Man if you have missed the debut issue of Miles Morales in the All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe then this issue will give you an idea about the dynamic between these two Spider-Men. Peter Parker appears in the last page giving his younger counterpart what has he done with the Avengers. Not knowing what entirely happened in the first issue where the Avengers battled Black Heart and failed, where Miles Morales arrived and almost taken down single handed the son of Mephisto with his electrical “Venom Strike.” But at the end of the first issue nobody have witnessed that fight until Peter Parker arrived not believing that Miles what has happened and getting a mouthful lecture from his mentor. Now he gets a lecture from the original Spider-Man and then suddenly Black Heart appears behind him and knocks him out. Miles did defeat Black Heart and the Avengers like him better than the original. The first few pages where simply impressive as Sara Pichelli works define this series as one of the hot picks each month now that there’s a new Spider-Man in town.

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.

Spider-Man #1: What Did You Do?!

02.25.2016 – “Spider-Man” for all everyone knew it was always Peter Parker, a teenager gaining all the abilities from a radioactive spider that bitten home. Beneath the costume is a struggling young man dealing with school and life besides taking down the bad guys left and right. Throughout the decades most who have known Spidey in all forms of medium has seen him grow and the character indeed have changed. But that Spider-Man was from a different generation most fans has gotten accustomed to while they are growing up. Peter Parker can’t stay young forever and as loon as his story is told things change and this generation might not get the same feel as those who first saw him. Here comes Miles Morales from the Ultimate Universe that replaced the previous Spidey in that world who also survived the recent Secret Wars. Now that Marvel has integrated him in the main universe Miles become more of this generation’s Spider-Man and things will continue to change. But with Miles Morales appeal can agree with this generation not with Peter Parker, but this kid who may be the better version of the original that everyone has ever known.

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.