Events: Experiencing Komikon 2015

This year's series of comic events are wrapping up as the biggest Philippine Komiks Convention made a new history by having a 2-day Komikon.

Komikon 2015 was held last November 14-15 at the Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound, Pasig City. Two types of tickets were available. There's the two day pass which costs around Php. 150 each that was available to be purchased during the October Komiket and at the different Comic Odyssey branches. Pre-orders were also available. Then there's the usual Php. 100/ticket/day which is cheaper if your only going to attend 1 day.

The events were fully packed as different activities transpired. Special guests such as Mico Suayan, Omeng Estanislao and Raykosen were present. The comic panels were also star studded as there were talks on different topics such as Veteran Speak by Rico Rival and Danny Acuña; Comics Writing by Budjette Tan and Jamie Bautista; Self Publishing by Ace Vitangcol and Lyndon Gregorio; School of Comics by Emil Flores and Carl Javier; and Crossing Platforms by Carlo Vergara and Paolo Herras.

14 local international illustrators were also present in Komik Kalye wherein you could bring home some of the masterpieces from our local international artists.

A film showing of Puti was also in place. It was directed by Mike Alcazaren, co-creator of the new comic book series "Patay Kung Patay". Alongside with the film showing is the meet and greet of the cast and crew of Tanods. It is a TV5 Originals that was directed by Miko Livelo.

There were tons of new comics available from our local publishers and from the independent ones. Winners of the 34th National Book Awards (Rodski Patotski: Ang Dalagang Baby, Tabi Po Volume 1 and 14 Silent Comics) and the Finalist of the 2015 Filipino Readers' Choice Awards (Zombinoy Issue No. 6 and Ang Sumpa Kabanata 2) can be bought in the event area as they lay scattered in the main hall. A lot of award winning comics were available at the different tables. They are just waiting to be found, be bought and be read by a Komikon goer.

Visprint, Inc. had two new books up on their tables that was located at a nice corner of the main hall. Trese: Sa Kanto ng Balete Drive at 13th Street and News Hardcore! Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan were the new titles available. The positioning of Visprint's table was logistically great this time in place for the book signings of the new books. Proper placement is highly needed, most especially since Manix Abrera had released a new book that is expected to generate long lines. The number system was once again implemented for those wanting to get Manix's autograph which was a great relief for Komikon goers who would still want to check out the tables of other comic book creators.

Anino Comics was also present to launch two new books. The first one is the manga adaptation of Si Janus Silang at Ang Tiyanak ng Tabon. The second comic book is Ang Subersibo which is an adaptation of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

 

If you had dropped by Anino Comics' table last October Komiket and had been lucky to get the preview of these two new books you would see a surprise at the centerfold of the preview with the instructions to bring the said preview to Komikon 2015. Upon doing so, a 10% discount would be given for the purchase of one copy of each of the two new titles.

The most interesting table this year was that of Studio Salimbal. Seven (7) new comics could be seen in their table.

Their new comics present to us a new generation of super heroes. However, there is one comic that they specifically had been giving a lot of praises. That is Muros #1 by Paolo Chikiamco and Borg Sinaban. Studio Salimbal's table sure is packed with a lot of goodies as they even gave out copies of Bookwatch 2015 Vol. 19 No. 3.

Speaking of Studio Salimbal, if you had been following their social media accounts, you would have heard that they had conducted a 24 hour Studio Salimbal Comics Challenge. The comics that was made from that 24-hour challenge could be bought at the different tables of Komikon. Studio Salimbal held two which are The Life and Death of Amorsolo Esperanza, Faith Healer of Talinhaga by Elbert Or and The Garbage Artist by Andrew Drilon. The third comic that I had gotten that is part of the #24hrcomicph was Dive by Ardie Aquino, who was the first guy that was able to finish the challenge.

Upon browsing the rest of the tables, there are three new comic book creators in my eyes that really wowed me. Away from the main hall, I found these three guys at the Indie Komiks Tiangge.

The first was The CoSmic books made by Vee Jocson. Its small size would remind you of the ones made by Ardie Aquino. Even the quality of printing was the same. This small and short comic book will surely entertain anyone.

But I guess the best gem would be the Love In the Dog Pound by Lara Antonio and Che Bantayan. I was about to leave the Indie Komiks Tiangge area when my eyes caught the cover of the comic. Only the words and images associated with love and dog pound made me stop and ponder for some time regarding this comic. After deciding to finally buy this, man it was worth every peso. This is one of those comic books that I shamefully should have not stopped so much to think over on whether I'll include it in my haul. The story is overflowing with love. The kind of love that you know that stays forever between you and your dog. I would really recommend this comic book that was born out from the 1st Comic Book Creator's Workshop conducted by Komiket University.

There was a nice non comic book merchandise that I had seen in this event. Hand-crafted and hand-painted clay-based sculptures were displayed as samples of the works that Planetary Studio could create. It serves as a neat collectible for those into the pop culture scene. It could also serve as a personalized gift, most especially this Christmas. It would be an awesome one since you could replace the face of any character with the face of the person that would be receiving this gift from you. It looks great as a mini me gift. For more details just check out Planetary Studio's Facebook Page.

Komikon 2015 really outdone themselves this year. Every year both the organizers and comic book creators seem to have upgraded themselves which can be seen among the komiks being sold during those two days. We can't just imagine what new exciting changes the Komikon organizers will give us next year. Kudos to the successful very first 2-day Komikon.

Here are more pictures from the event.

Here are the things that I got from Komikon 2015.

Freebies: NBDB's Bookwatch, Poster and sticker from
Frances Luna III, Adobo Magazine, Poster from Anino Comics

• News Hardcore! Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan!
• Manix Abrera
• Visprint, Inc.
• Mars Ravelo's Darna Golden Anniversary Book
• Yonzon, Medina and Monsanto
• Mango Comics
• Mars Ravelo's Lastikman
• Gerry Alanguilan, Arnold Arre and Edgar Tadeo
• Mango Comics
• Si Janus Silang at Ang Tiyanak ng Tabon
• Edgar Calabia Samar, Carljoe Javier and Natasha Ringor
• Anino Comics
• The Garbage Artist
• Andrew Drilon
• Studio Salimbal
• Zombinoy ~ No. 7
• Geonard Yleana, Carlo Cruz, Sid Santos, John Suguitan
• Pelikomiks Studios
• Chopsoy ~ 2015-2016 Arts & Comics Previews
• ChopSoy, Inc.
• Komiks Galing Sa Aking Kaluluwa
• Andoyman
• Andoyman Komiks
• The Life and Death of Amorsolo Esperanza, Faith Healer of Talinhaga
• Elbert Or
• Studio Salimbal
• Kare-Kare Komiks Platter
• Andrew Drilon
• Studio Salimbal
• Muros ~ The Cementery Girl Part 1 of 3
• Paolo Chikiamco and Borg Sinaban
• Studio Salimbal
• Love In The Dog Pound ~ Part 1
• Lara Antonio and Che Bantayan
• Dive
• Ardie Aquino
• Ardie Aquino Comics
• Bravos: Manila
• Paolo Chikiamco, Butch Mapa and Wilson Dela Fuente
• Studio Salimbal
• Josef Miggy & Yaya Karol ~ Super Secret Adventures: The Guardians of Planet Gorf
• Budjette Tan, Kajo Baldisimo and Rysa Antonio
• Alamat Comics
• Bravos: Cebu
• Elbert Or, Cy Vendivil and Jem Bernaldez
• Studio Salimbal
• Crime-Fighting Call Center Agents #3
• Noel Pascual and AJ Bernardo
• Kowtow Komiks
• Crime-Fighting Call Center Agents #6
• Noel Pascual and AJ Bernardo
• Kowtow Komiks
• Crest Hut Butt Shop #4
• Komikero
• Player 1 Player 2 Komik Fun Time Special Edition
• Jolo Livelo
• Punch Kick
• Ang Subersibo
• Jose Rizal, Adam David and Mervin Malonzo
• Anino Comics
• Ang Sumpa ~ Kabanata 3
• Andoyman and SuperGi
• Andoyman Komiks
• Trese: Sa Kanto ng Balete Drive at 13th Street
• Budjette Tan, Kajo Baldisimo and Bob Ong
• Alamat Comics
• Visprint, Inc.
• People in Panic
• Marguerite Alcazaren De Leon
• Pangil
• Aaron Felizmenio
• Frances Luna III
• Patay Kung Patay #2
• Mike Alcazaren, Noel Pascual and AJ Bernardo
• Kwanimation Productions, Inc.
• Antingeros ~ Number 1
• James Bernardo and Geonard Yleana
• Pelikomiks Studios
• Bangon Luna
• Vee Jocson
• The Cosmic Book
• Roadtrip: Para Po!
• Vee Jocson
• The Cosmic Book
• Buti pa ang Cupcake may fillings
• Vee Jocson
• The Cosmic Book
• X1 X2 X3 X4 X5
• Ardie Aquino
• Ardie Aquino Comics