Saturday, January 30, 2016

Events: Asia Pop Comicon 2016 Schedule


Asia Pop Comicon (APCC) was a success after being launched at Manila last year.

The organizers have released the schedules early this year so we can prepare ourselves, both our wallets and free day, for the upcoming APCC 2016.

Save the date for the respective country that you would be attending.

Here's the schedule for Asia Pop Comicon 2016.
  • Korea
    • June 10-12, 2016 (Postponed until 2017)*
  • Manila, Philippines
    • August 26-28, 2016
  • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
    • 4th Quarter of 2016 (Coming Soon)**

More information about Asia Pop Comicon 2016 can be seen at:

 


* Based on a post at the official website of AsiaPop Comicon Korea dated April 30, 2016.
** Updated as of September 18, 2016. Early pronouncements regarding the schedule for UAE was removed from the official website.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Events: Manila International Book Fair 2016 Schedule


Another big event has laid out its schedule this year for bookworms.

The Manila International Book Fair is back, currently on its 37th year. It will be held on September 14-18, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasig City.

Start saving now and mark this date on your calendars.

More information about the Manila International Book Fair 2016 can be seen at:

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Comics: Buster (Preview)

Illustration and Story: Peejay Catacutan
ChopSoy Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)


Inside the magazine ChopSoy 2015-2016 Arts & Comics Preview, a 4-page preview of Buster can be seen.

The 4-page preview was enough to get you excited for this comic. Presented to us fully colored, we could expect that the same would happen once the comic finally appears on a comic convention.

Reviving our hero doctor, Jose Rizal, a different kind of hope in the 3rd world war was an interesting concept with his return. The details of the remnant countries still in action and the mystery party whom the world is fighting against will really get the interest of those in search for a war comic that is made by a Filipino.

If you don't have the magazine, just try looking at the cover. Motto Stella having a background full of explosions would surely make you wonder on what kind of story the creator is telling here.

Be sure to check this comic out when it is released on June [July] 2016. Dr. Jose Rizal might just be the Buster that this world war 3 themed story needs.

In celebration of Free Comic Book Day 2016 the 4-page preview can be viewed online:
Scribd: Free Comic Book Day - Buster #1

Buster Comics Update:

Friday, January 22, 2016

Events: Color Pop Fair 2.0


Adult coloring books has been one of the trends last year. It was a form of relaxation for some, while others use it to release the inner artist within them.

In helping to hone this creative talent, National Book Store will be having a coloring event on January 23, 2016 at the Glorietta Activity Center.

Different activities will be held such as art lessons, art demos, live art exhibits and book launches.

Discover your potential as an artist through this event.

The schedule of some of the activities can be seen below:


More information about Color Pop Fair 2.0 can be seen at:
Facebook Event Page: "Color Pop Fair 2.0"

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Comics: Josef Miggy & Yaya Karol ~ Issue 1 (of 4)

Story by: Budjette Tan
Illustrated by: Rysa Antonio and Kajo Baldisimo
Alamat Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)


The Plot:
A kidnapping happened in front of Josef and Yaya Karol. Gifted with super powers, Josef Miggy a.k.a. Kid Kilowattz and Yaya Karol a.k.a. Dark Cloud, rescues Louie from his abductors. Will they be able to get Louie back? Will they finish all of this and still be in time for Josef's grandmother's birthday?

The Good:
This comic cleared the questions, from Josef Miggy & Yaya Karol ~ Super Secret Adventures, on whether their super powers were real or imaginary.

The illustrations and story still looks great. It maintained that tone that makes this comic to be kid friendly. The best example would be attack moves labeled as Electro Blaster and Sonic Boom Sigaw.

The Bad:
Now that the question on whether or not Josef Miggy and Yaya Karol had super powers were answered. The next question would then be regarding the origin of their powers. Since this is just the first of the four part series, we'll just have to wait on how the creators would tell the origin of their powers.

The Verdict:
A lot of things have been subtly mentioned for the future plot of this mini series as different antagonists and item were mentioned in this 1st issue. Who knows, maybe this story is part of the Trese universe that Tan and Baldisimo had built. Especially since this was marked as an Alamat Comics. A lot of events could happen, such as possible crossovers of characters or the recognition that they too belong to the universe where the guardian of the city wields a Sinag as the choice of weapon and is often protected by two demigods.

Josef Miggy & Yaya Karol's kid friendly story smoothly entered the Alamat universe that is often toned to be very dark.

"If only we had a real magic word to yell this would be easier!
Saying "Ula-Ula-Ula-Pow!" just makes me sound silly!" - Yaya Karol

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Book News: A Martial Law Experience Comics From Anino Comics


Carljoe Javier announced on Facebook last Thursday, January 14, a new book under Anino Comics that will be released next month.

12:01 is a story about the real-life horrors of Martial Law. The story was written by Russel Molina (co-creator of Sixty-Six) while the art was made by Kajo Baldisimo (co-creator of Trese).

This book aims to talk about Martial Law experiences.

It is said to be out next month in time to commemorate the People Power Revolution.

Anino Comics Update:

Preview Page of 12:01 by Russel Molina and Kajo Baldisimo


'12:01'Story: Russell Molina (Sixty-Six)Art: Kajo Baldisimo (TRESE)Published by ANINO
Posted by Kajo Baldisimo on Friday, January 15, 2016

Monday, January 11, 2016

Guides: Reviewing One Mantra's 2015: Top 5 Komiks

We've been busy last year checking out both new and old komiks. Before starting out a fresh batch of comic reviews this year, we made a list of our Top 5 Komiks among those we had reviewed last year, 2015.

5th: Mythspace: Lift Off ~ Part 3 by Paolo Chikiamco and Koi Carreon (Mythspace)

In an era where Marvel wows us with the adventures of Guardians of the Galaxy, Chikiamco and Carreon challenges it with our own take of the galaxy with Mythspace. Better leave it to the kapre, tikbalang and a mananangal to be our protectors. Hey! They might be our best defenders against creatures from a galaxy far, far away.





4th: Feed No 1 & 2 by Vince Torres, Sid Santos and Geonard Yleana (Pelikomiks Studios)

The creators behind the series Zombinoy has made another post-apocalyptic series. In time with the global warming that we are currently experiencing, Pelikomiks cooks a fresh meal of what it would look like if we live in a world where famine is the new norm. As far as the story goes, we might just appreciate a zombie apocalypse rather than a period where food is really scarce. This event would really trigger total chaos. The people left after that chaos would be deemed to be extremely dangerous. Even Omar, a character from the Feed series, has said, "The truly innocent are long dead. Anyone who has managed to survive two years of famine is guilty of something."

3rd: Skyworld ~ Volume 2 by Mervin Ignacio and Ian Sta. Maria (Alamat Comics; National Book Store, Inc.)

This has got to be one of the best Filipino comics available at the book store. This comic book never fails to amaze and surprise us. From the very detailed illustrations up to the amazing historical fiction, our money is well spent on this work.

A story about the new conquerors of Manila presents itself as different parts of the metro is attacked by creatures we had only known as part of our childhood stories. Creatures who were used to scare us as a means to prevent us from playing out at night.

Our hero? Well he seems to be nobody special. He is just a simple son of a skygod.

2nd: Light by Rob Cham (Anino Comics)

This work won us over as the creator dares us to read his own silent comics, amidst the presence of works by a rock star Filipino comic book artist.

Each page literally stands out as the colors try to escape each time we flip a new one.

It's a simple story of restoring color back to the world. But it is the illuminating colorful journey that makes its distinctive mark on our eyes.

The creator breaks it down to us that by playing mostly with colors, he could already give us a wonderful comic book.

1st: Love In The Dog Pound ~ Part 1 by Lara Antonio and Che Bantayan


Surrounded with works made by veteran comic book creators, this comic book made by Antonio and Bantayan stood out on this list.

A product born out of the 1st Comic Book Creator's Workshop (Komiket University), Love In The Dog Pound when looked upon is just a simple story. However, the manner the story was laid out really engages a reader inside a dog's mind and heart. The art adds more dept as each panel gives us a beautiful memory of love and friendship.

This heartwarming and tearjerker comic book from the 1st batch of Komiket University was a great start for a series full of love.

Haven't found your forever yet? Well this comic book may make you realize that another forever, who will love you unconditionally, is just beside you, guarding your home. Another life whose love will always be present, even if the affection that you show has lessened.


One Mantra will continue to give our thoughts to our local comic books, especially on the indies, as your guide on whether they may suite your taste or not.

Haven't read any of these komiks yet? Be sure to try out these 5 titles as part of your 2016 Reading Book Challenge!

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Book Update: Wounded Little Gods by Eliza Victoria Book Cover


The author of the 34th National Book Award for Fiction Novel in English, Dwellers, has recently posted the cover of her new novel.

We get a glimpse of Eliza Victoria's latest work, Wounded Little Gods.

The beautiful cover was made by Jap Mikel. The illustration gives off an eerie feeling, similar to what can be felt in her The Ghosts of Sinagtala story, the 2nd story of Unseen Moon.

No specific launch date was announced.

This new novel from Visprint, Inc. by Eliza Victoria will surely be worth adding to our 2016 Book Challenge. Her stories are one you shouldn't miss out reading.

Synopsis of Wounded Little Gods by Eliza Victoria

"Regina was born and raised in the small town of Heridos, where gods and spirits walked the earth.
Until they didn't.
Ten years ago, the whole town produced a bad harvest - rice grains as black as soot - and the people of the town moved on, away from the soil and the farms, believing the gods and spirits have abandoned them.
It is ten years later, on a Friday before a long weekend, and Regina ends her shift at an office in Makati. She walks home with a new colleague named Diana. Diana, following a strange and disturbing conversation with Regina, does not appear at the office on Monday, and the day after that.
And the day after that.
On Thursday, Regina opens her bag and finds a folded piece of paper filled with Diana's handwriting.
On the page are two names and a strange map that will send Regina home."
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