One Mantra Is All That It Takes: Events: Experiencing October Komiket 2015

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Events: Experiencing October Komiket 2015

After Asia Pop Comicon in Pasay City and before Komikon 2015 starts on Pasig City, the 1st Filipino Komiks and Art Market sets off for the 2nd time this year in Quezon City. Having missed the Easter Komiket, I traveled going up to the northern end of Metro Manila (I'm a southern Metro Manila resident) in order to pick up some comic pre-orders, buy comics from a random artist (hoping it will surprise me like what Macoy and Andoyman, whose works I fell in love with, thus, they have become part of those tables that are on my to-drop-by list to see if they have any new goodies) and to experience the crowd from this new komiks convention.

I only attended day 1 of the October Komiket (October 3, 2015). This is the 2nd farthest komiks convention that I had gone to, the 1st was Linggo Ng Wika - Komiks Ang Bida.

The first thing that will greet you before going inside Elements Centris was Komet. I must admit, having a character to represent the event, in this case for Komiket which is represented by a blue cat, is not a bad idea. It is just a wild (but not impossible) imagination to have an actual mascot of Komet prowl the area of Komiket in the future. That would really be awesome if that happens.

First on my to do list was to get my pre-ordered Halina Filipina by Arnold Arre. It really feels great that a new work is released once more by Arre. After reading Trip to Tagaytay, The Mythology Class and Martial Law Babies, one would really feel honored to be in front of him. Especially after the news that one of his works will soon be turned into a full length movie.

Speaking of new comics, next on my list was Ardie Aquino's Extra Rice with Extra Tries. Ardie Aquino is a comic book creator who I randomly bought a comic book during comic conventions. However, his works: Ang Roommate Kong Aswang!, SiNiGaNg: Kwento ng Lumbay, and Minsan Gusto Ko Magwala really impressed me. This is the same feeling that I had experienced upon randomly checking out Macoy's Ang Maskot and Andoyman's Palimos Ng Kulangot. I had gotten these 3 comics from Ardie last Indieket 2015. Upon reading his works, I added him on my list of comic creators that I should watch out for any new releases. The simplicity in his drawings and story are the key elements why his works should be read.

Leaving the geek scene for a little bit, an interesting booth that caters for personalized gifts such as bookmarks and bag tags were seen in the Creative Chaos' booth. They have a cool idea of twisting wires and forming it into beautiful small items. Upon interviewing them, I had learned that it was their first time participating in a comics convention. In the future I hope to see them at the other conventions too, most especially events that are related to books such as book fairs. The personalized wire-written bookmarks looks awesome in accompanying a bookworm.

October Komiket sure had a lot of surprises for everyone. That included freebies! Upon entering you'll already get 2 free comics from Your Comic Shop. Then, you could also get a copy of Bookwatch Vol. 19 No. 2 issue from the NBDB (National Book Development Board) booth. The last freebie that I had gotten came from the Anino Comics booth. A preview consisting of 12 pages for both Ang Supersibo and Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon were present to tease us of the two new books bound to be released by Anino Comics during Komikon 2015.

Komiket will surely give a new experience for those who regularly attend Komikon. In comparison to the Komikon crowd, the Komiket crowd has a lot of more younger faces around. Students, still in their respective school uniforms, would be seen checking out various comics that appeal to them. Heck, I even saw a fellow medical student making his way across the crowd. This scene really amazed me. As an avid komiks supporter, this crowd has impressed me a lot, especially with all those young curious (well I guess not all) faces wandering on what is in store for them on events such as this. Events where we rarely see attendees who are still in their teens. An interesting addition would be the attendance of some celebrities to this event.

Indeed Komiket gave off a uniquely different vibe, even though it is basically the same with Komikon. The main difference is the former being held in a smaller venue. Komiket really gave a nice komiks convention in the northern part of Metro Manila. It also serves as a great introduction to the much awaited Komikon this coming November. It would be considered as an alternative by others if time does not permit one from attending the November Komikon 2015.

Komiket can surely keep one surprised as they offer their attendees an experience you'll know that is a trademark of Komiket.

Here are more pictures from the event.