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!