One Mantra Is All That It Takes: August 2016

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Comics: Higante ~ Episode 1: A Monster Grows From the Wasteland

Illustration and Story by: Geonard Yleana
Rated: For Mature Readers

Pelikomiks Studios

(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

(Cover by Sid Santos)

"Two brother scavengers discover

a mysterious and powerful source

of energy.

Now, they're going to teach

society a lesson."

The Good:

The first episode of Higante shows the different ironies that are present in our society. Such as seeing a pile of garbage underneath a "no throwing of garbage" sign. Also piles of junk serves as a playground for kids leading them to compare it to Disneyland.

The Bad:

It is not easy to identify if this story is an origin story for a superhero story or not.

The illustration of the cover didn't do much for it to be an eye-catcher. Mostly the line "from the creators of "Zombinoy"" did it.

The Verdict:

This is another title from Pelikomiks Studios. However, this story didn't make a striking first impression compared to the other titles.

An energy drink, which makes the person who drinks it become a giant, was accidentally ingested by a young scavenger in a city. A place where society is not in an apocalyptic mood, may make the reader wonder as to how the the boys would teach society a lesson. Especially with a giant roaming the city, it may just send out the police enforcers, if they have the capability, to try to neutralize the giant.

"Tires. Drums. Steal cages

Your place is like Disneyland." - Toti

More of Higante can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Higante"

Friday, August 26, 2016

Guides: Tickets for Celebrity Guests of Asia Pop Comicon Manila 2016

Asia Pop Comicon (APCC) Manila isn't complete without celebrity guests. These are currently the ticket prices for APCC Manila's three (3) stars that are coming over to celebrate.

First on the list is Nicholas Hoult. He was known for the roles of the mutant scientist Beast (in X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past and X-Men: Apocalypse), War Boy Nux (in Mad Max: Fury Road), Jack (in Jack the Giant Slayer) and R (in Warm Bodies).

The ticket prices for his events are:

Autograph Session - Php. 1,700

on August 27 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
on August 28 from 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

Photograph Session - Php. 2,200

on August 27 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
on August 28 from 5:15 - 6:45 p.m.

Meet & Greet Session - Php. 5,700

on August 27 from 4:45 - 5:30 p.m. (limited to 60 tickets)
on August 28 from 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. (limited to 60 tickets)

Second to appear would be Claire Holt. She is known for the role of Rebekah Mikaelson (in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals).

The ticket prices for her events are:

Autograph Session - Php. 1,200

on August 27 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
on August 28 from 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

Photograph Session - Php. 1,700

on August 27 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
on August 28 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Meet & Greet Session - Php. 3,300

on August 27 from 4:45 - 5:30 p.m. (limited to 50 tickets)
on August 28 from 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. (limited to 50 tickets)

The last celebrity guest to participate would be Joe Dempsie. He is best known for the role of Gendry (in Game of Thrones).

The ticket prices for his events are:

Autograph Session - Php. 1,200

on August 27 from 12:00 nn - 1:00 p.m.
on Augsut 28 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Photograph Session - Php. 1,700

on August 27 from 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
on August 28 from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Meet & Greet Session - Php. 3,300

on August 27 from 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. (limited to 40 tickets)
on August 28 from 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. (limited to 40 tickets)

Tickets are available via SM Tickets Online (http://www.smtickets.com/events/view/4666), SM Ticket Outlets and on the event venue.

Prepare those merchandises, smiles and questions as the celebrities arrive at the Asia Pop Comicon Manila 2016.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Comics: Bubblegum & Taffy (Preview)

Illustration and Story by: Jemuel Bernaldez

Studio Salimbal

(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

This 5-pages exclusive sneak peek of Bubblegum & Taffy can be seen at the last pages of Bravos ~ Cebu: Recruitment.

It shows a market place with a butcher busy cutting up some meat. Until a wild dog came and made everyone flee except for the butcher. He then locks up his meat, puts on a head gear and grabs two of his butcher knives to face the creature.

It looks like one of those short funny cartoons that we see on the television.

Overall, this preview was just fine. The illustrations were good. The plot of the story was still a bit confusing. The title alone, didn't give much clues. It will even leave you wondering who is bubblegum and taffy. Could it be that one of them could be the butcher, the creature or the girl on the first page?

We'll just have to wait and see what the story is all about.

More of Studio Salimbal can be seen at:
http://www.salimbalcomics.com

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Guides: Tickets for Asia Pop Comicon Manila 2016

With a few days left, Asia Pop Comicon is back for the second time around here in the Philippines. It will be held on August 26 - 28, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

The tickets are priced at Php. 550 for 1-Day Pass, Php. 850 for 2-Day Pass and Php. 1,050 for the 3-Day Pass.

Children 5 years of age and below are free to enter on all three days. Presentation of a valid certification card may be required for verification processes before entering the show floor.

There's also the Geek Bundle worth Php. 3,500. The bundle includes (1) 3-Day Pass, (1) event lanyard, (1) tote bag, (1) cape and (1) high-end 1/12 Iron Man XL "Shotgun" armor from Comicave Studios. This offer is limited to the first 100 customers only. Just register, log in and then view the options to buy at (http://www.smtickets.com/events/view4666) or at any SM Ticket Outlets.

Go get your tickets and geek out at the Asia Pop Comicon Manila 2016.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Events: The Philippine Readers and Writers Festival 2016

National Book Store's annual 3-day literary festival is back as a nice conclusion for this month. The event will be held at Raffles Makati from August 26 - 28, 2016.

No entrance fee is needed for all of the various events that will be conducted. All that needs to be done is to just sign up at the registration table.

Venue capacities are limited. Seats are on a first come, first served basis.

The foreign writers that will be present are Paula McLain, Adam Johnson and Anna Todd.

Paula McLain, the author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun, and Adam Johnson, the author of The Orphan Master's Son and Fortune Smiles: Stories, will be present on August 27, 2016 (Saturday) by 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. respectively at Ballroom 2. Anna Todd, the author of After, After We Collided, After We Fell, After Ever Happy, Before, and Imagines, will be present on August 28, 2016 (Sunday) by 2:00 p.m. at Ballroom 2.

The schedule of some activities can be seen below: