Comics: Si Janus Silang at Ang Tiyanak ng Tabon

Adapted by: Carljoe Javier

Illustration by: Natasha Ringor

Anino Comics

(2/5 ★★☆☆☆)

"Ang akala ni Janus,

pangkaraniwang laro lang

ang TALA Online.

Sunod-sunod ang pagbabago sa buhay niya

matapos ang kahindik-hindik na pangyayari

sa RPG tournament na sinalihan niya.

Pero nang matuklasan niya

ang tunay na kaugnayan ng larong ito

sa alamat ng Tiyanak ng Tabon,

wala na siyang magawa

kundi ipagpatuloy ang paglalaro!"

The Good:

The cover of the book was wonderful. The layout was also neat. The smooth illustrations of the main story in contrast from the TALA online game was nice to be seen visualized in this book.

The Bad:

The story was poorly adapted from the source material. Several details have been omitted to give space due to the illustrations and restriction of the number of pages. An example was the huge trust that Janus immediately gives to a stranger he has just met online. It was also strange for Renzo to speak about the same experience of almost being taken away by a Tiyanak like creature just like what happened to Janus' father. It was peculiar since Janus never disclosed that information prior to Renzo's recounting of his experience.

The news report was also inconsistent. Initially it was reported that the deaths at the Malakas internet cafe shop was an addition to the total number of deaths of children who died after playing an online game. This is in contrast to Mang Joey's narrative to Janus as he tells him that the deaths that occurred at the Malakas internet cafe shop was not the first case since earlier cases were overshadowed by bigger news reports.

Further improvements to the illustrations are suggested. It would have been better to have 2 different art styles whenever the story focuses on the present and whenever it shifts back to the olden stories regarding the tales of Tiyanak and Tala.

The background also needs refinement. The sharpness of the edge of the corners of the house or the cabinet as an example doesn't quite work to be pleasant to the eyes. Also, the bird's eye view of a character looking up needs to be polished. The eyes of the character was drawn looking to be cross-eyed (exotropia) on page 46.

In some panels, the story and art does not convey the same message. Such is the moment wherein Janus is playing TALA  at home while Mang Joey and Renzo faces a Do-ol. The message of Mang Joey from the speech balloon doesn't match with what appears on Janus' cellphone. It also gives a misconception that Mang Joey has telepathy in contrast to cyberkinesis or technopathy that was explained in the novel.

The Verdict:

Janus Silang is a great young adult series created by Edgar Samar. However, this comic book adaptation does not seem to be at par with the novel.

It does not give enough hype for new readers to pick up the source material or the next book in the series if this is the starting book.

It's best to recommend the first novel to the new reader of the series before introducing them to this comic book adaptation.

Comics: Si Janus Silang at Ang Labanang Manananggal-Mambabarang

Story by: Edgar Calabia Samar

Illustration by: Mervin Malonzo

Anino Comics
Haliya Publishing

(4/5 ★★★★☆)

The Plot:

Apat na buwan na si Janus sa mansiyon nina Manong Joey pero naroon pa rin ang sakit ng dilang-karayom ng manananggal sa puso niya dahil sa pagkawala ng mga mahal niya sa buhay at sapilitang paglayo kay Mica.

Simula ng Christmas break nang mawasak ang proteksiyon ng mansiyon laban sa Tiyanak at sa mga kampon nito. Hindi pa ito nangyayari kailan man. Matinding barang ba ito? Sa kabila nito, may mabuting balita naman si Renzo kay Janus na nagpapahiwatig na maaaring buhay pa ang Papa niya!

The Good:

The cover was a nice variation of the novel's cover. It pays homage to the original novel wherein the teenage Bagani twins were part of the cover.

The world building was amazing to be seen adapted to comic form for the 2nd chapter of this series. The illustration of creation of the world lifted from "Ang Saysay ng Matatandang Daigdig" makes one wish for the creation of that book.

The illustrations were great with some that were very memorable. The first is the two page spread showing Kuya Renzo, Mira, Janus and Miro enjoying the Christmas season. The second is the one where most readers where excited to see done by Malonzo. It is the home page of the TALA game. It was very great to look at and makes one wonder if this game could be really made. The concept feels at home due to the characters used in the game.

A couple of comics from Haliya Publishing and Anino Comics were neatly placed in the back ground as easter eggs in one scene.

The Bad:

Some parts of the book could have been omitted from this adaptation. Like the painting scene made by Mang Isyo. The transition of the story feels weird from the last scene of Mang Isyo leaving in search for Janus' father which then proceeds to show a page of Janus' diary at ESISA (Espejo School of Integrated Sciences and Arts) before ending with the painting scene to close the chapter 2 of the story.

The level of intensity of Bino's reappearance and deception didn't show that same intensity of tension it was originally told in the novel. This story is one, among the many great story telling points made by the writer in his novel. It was told with a high level of suspense and wonder as readers ponder to the unveiling of Janus' father's wherebouts.

The worst part of this adaptation would be the death scene of Janus' mother in the hands of the tiyanak. The scene of Janus discovering the tiyanak feasting on the internal organs of his mother was a striking imagery left by the first novel. That scene was what made other readers be frightened from reading this series.

"Siyempre hindi na, 'no! That's so like precolonial age..." - Miro

The Verdict:

Malonzo's adaptation of the second book of the Janus Silang series was executed better than the comic adaptation of the first book. He gave fans of the comic a new look of the series in its comic form and makes them wonder if an animated version could soon follow for this story.

A common reason to buy this book are the details in the cover. The name of the writer and story alone deserves our money, but add that this comic adaption was made by Malonzo would instantly drive people to purchase this book. Having those facts alone you would know that you're in good hands with this book.

Edgar Samar's exceptional writing and Mervin Malonzo's exquisite illustrations were really a good tandem for this comic book. Si Janus Silang at Ang Labanang Manananggal-Mambabarang the graphic novel definitely has a spot in our recommended comic books to be read.

"Gago. Putol ang katawan, may pakpak, lumilipad, anong hindi nakakatakot dun." - Janus

*This post is part of the PH Blog Tour of Janus Silang 2 the graphic novel
**Update as of 11/22/2019. Typo was omitted after rechecking the soft copy of the book received.

Comics: I Grew Up, I Guess

Comic Adaptation of the Poem "What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up" by Jamie McGhee
Illustrated by: Chocnut-san
Genre: Slice of Life

(5/5 ★★★★★)

"A comic adaptation of the poem, "What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up" by Jamie McGhee that portrays the realities of being a young professional while chasing an indefinite dream."

The Good:

Let's start first with the cover. Who wouldn't stop to take a look at the beautiful cover of this comic. Aside from the beautiful drawing, the use and blending of colors strikes the eyes for an individual to be drawn towards it. It enhances the cover really well for anyone to pause and take a closer look at it.

The illustrations inside neatly matched the poem made by Jamie McGhee. The illustrations were neat and clean to look at.

The Bad:

I only wish that the entire comic book is colored. It might have been really amazing just by judging the use of colors in the cover.

The Verdict:

The dreams that one had before venturing out into the "real world" was nicely portrayed. The truthful reality of how the current world operates was depicted extremely well.

This comic book adaptation will surely hit the hearts of a lot of readers who back then had big dreams of conquering the world only to be held back by the reality that things work out a bit different than we had imagined it to be.

She can be seen on:

Facebook Page: "Chocnut-san"

Comics: Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles (A Comic Book Adaptation of the Movie)

Story & Character Creation by: Erik Matti and Ronald Stephen Y. Monteverde

Script by: Erik Matti

Additional Scenes and Dialogues by: Michiko Yamamoto and Jade Castro

Illustrated by: Art Chefs

Edited by: Budjette Tan

Reality Entertainment, Inc.

Agosto Dos Pictures, Inc.
(2/5 ★★☆☆☆)

This is probably the highlight of my Summer Komikon 2012. The promotion of Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles movie and the launch of its comic book adaptation.

Basically this comic book is a shorter version of the movie. It is about the story of Makoy and Sonia, who is nearing her due date. She went back to her hometown that is close to a group of aswangs. As the couple sort out their relationship problem, their lives, most especially of their unborn baby, is threatened due to an aswang accidentally brought home. The creature has disguised itself as a pig. Thus, it has easily entered Sonia's house. After a great battle, the story ends with a flower as a birthday gift given by Makoy to Sonia while the sun rises.

This comic book was the first one given to us as a teaser before the movie was released. The dialogues were great and the illustrations superb in this comic book. It can be seen as an entertaining aswang story that doesn't deviate much from the plots of earlier aswang movies. However, the story mainly boasts more of the visual effects that is incorporated in the movie where this comic book was adapted from.

At some parts, we can see the product placements such as Lipps Candy and Boy Bawang. Both of them were neatly placed in the story. An amusing weapon shown is the improvised blowgun used by Abel. Instead of arrows laced with poison, he uses Boy Bawang that served as bullets against the aswang.

The thing that I really love about this comic book is that it's fully colored. That is a rare treat that could be gotten. Since most of the local comics produced have its contents in black and white.

Aside from the story, this comic book includes many other things. Some of those are story boards, set designs and interviews with Peter Collias and Dave Yu.

The only downside for me is the way it was handled by the one in charge of the layout. One of my pet peeves is regarding the poor layout a comic book is given. Most of it is not seen in the story. It is mostly observed in the behind the set information that this comic book contains. Big disappointment for that part.

Personally, I think that this comic book basically gives away much of the story of the movie. If asked if it should be in one's shelf, I would say it is only good if you collect aswang related comics or locally fully colored ones.

More of Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles can be seen at:
http://www.theaswangchronicles.com