Comics: Tuesday Mornings

Illustration and Story by: Hench Dulin

(4/5 ★★★★☆)

The Good:

The cute way of meeting someone with the help of Pollo the chicken paves the way of how the two characters cross paths.

The idea of a meet up for a breakfast meal, offered by a food truck that has a chicken running around to advertise, is such a cool and simple plot.

A food blogger meets chef meet cute story is such a joy to read.

This story has also made a great representation of the LGBQTIA+ community by having an inclusive "bear" type of character. The artist portrayed that not all boys love (BL) themed stories need to have characters that have a chiseled and well defined muscles. Sometimes, they may be on the plus size.

A nice easter egg can be seen of Komiket in this comic.

The Bad:

I guess the only bad thing here is that we don't know why they gave out free coffee refills during Tuesdays.

The Verdict:

Tuesday Mornings is a very simple meet cute love story that subtly represents a different demographic of BL. This representation does great as it shows the reality that not all queers have a six pack abs. Some only have one but is a great chef. Ultimately this comics is a win a for love.

More of the creator's works can be seen at:

Facebook Page: Henchman Draws

Twitter: @henchmandraws

Instagram: @henchmandraws

Comics: My Special Relationship with Art

Illustration and Story by: Gusstelier

(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

The Verdict:

This comic deals with an assessment of one's self for the past years. It takes a look at the soul of the artist on his relationship with his work.

This a nice reminder to all of us to never forget to pause and examine one's passion on how far we have improved ourselves.

It advises that the first step that must always be undertaken is to always practice your craft everyday for one to be a master of it.

"I can make my canvas my soul."

More of the creator's works can be seen at:

Instagram: @gusstelier

Twitter: @gusstelier

Facebook Page: Gusstelier

Comics: School Run ~ Issue 1

Macoy x Ardie Aquino Edition

Illustration and Story by: Macoy and Ardie Aquino

(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"In post-zombie apocalypse Philippines, life is good! Or at least as good as you can expect in a third-world country with 80's technology and an everpresent zombie plague. But as Maki and her friends will soon discover, just getting to school in the morning can be a real killer.

SCHOOL RUN is a tongue-in-cheek zombie story with everything you look for in the genre: humor, action, social commentary, and the undead munching on kids."

The Good:

After almost a decade, School Run is back as Macoy made a collaboration with Ardie Aquino.

This update is thrilling to see in so many ways. It now comes in color with the dialogues updated from Filipino to English.

The cover has been changed to show a crowd full of zombies with some of the main casts in it. Also within the hoard are the creators so one would find it amusing to try and guess which one are they among the zombies.

The previous panels and script originally drawn by Macoy has been given a new look by Ardie. The details that can be seen at the background of the characters are worth to look at. Knockoff logos of familiar companies and brands can be seen like Food Panda, Angkas, Skull Head, and Meralco. An added bonus was the additional signage stuck on a post promoting Ardie's Home Massage Service beside a Mackoy Plumber post.

The story describes of a post-zombie apocalypse world that occurs in the year 2035. It still gives a fun and fresh look of the Philippines with young children as the main characters.

The Bad:

One of the biggest concern with this post-zombie apocalypse version is the NZP or the anti plague medicine that everyone appears to be taking. The presence of this item, which was also present in the original version, leaves a lot of questions. It insinuates that by forgetting to take this pill will turn you into a zombie aside from the primary means of exposure to a contaminated blood or body fluids. It begs to question if the zombie virus was also airborne. It is also appalling that no new drug has been invented yet in order to increase the interval time for this medication be taken by the general population. The need to take a pill every 4 hours is going to be a tiresome chore because it means setting an alarm so you could wake up from your 6 to 8 hours of sleep just to take this anti plague pill.

The Verdict:

Zombie apocalypse themed stories is still a nice story to dwell on. This updated version is more child friendly in comparison to the original one. This can be seen as the head of one of the characters pop up at the back of the school bus. Looking at it in black and white back then gives a more chilling scenario in comparison to the current multicolored zombies in the series.

Most of the original fans would be pulled back to rediscover the story of Maki. I just hope we can finally see the ending of this series.

More of the creators' works can be seen at:

Ardie Aquino:

Instagram: @chikidoodledoo

Macoy:

Twitter: @komiksnimacoy

Events: Komiket Schedule 2023

Komiket is ready for 2023 as it already gives us a list of the events that will be held this year.

New to the schedule is the first physical event of Philippine International Comics Fair (PICOF) and new venues for Komiket to be seen.

Here are Komiket's schedule for 2023:

• Komiket BGC
• January 28 - 29, 2023
• 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Market Market Activity Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

• Komiket
• March 4 - 5, 2023
• 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2

• Art in the Park x Komiket
• March 19, 2023
• 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 
• Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City

 

• Komiket Katipunan
• March 31, 2023 - April 2, 2023
• 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• UP Town Center, Quezon City

• Philippine Book Festival x Komiket
• June 2 - 4, 2023
• World Trade Center Manila

• Komiket Pride
• June 16 - 18, 2023
• 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
•  Ayala Malls The 30th

• Toycon 2023 x Komiket
• July 7 - 9, 2023
• SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Manila

• Komiket Iloilo
• July 21 - 23, 2023
• SM City Iloilo

• Komiket Bacolod
• July 28 - 30, 2023
• SM City Bacolod

• #KomiketU
• 9th Comic Book Creator's Workshop
• August 5, 6, 12, and 13, 2023
• 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• via Google Meet

• Philippine Book Festival 
• August 18 - 20, 2023
• SMX Davao

• Manila International Book Fair (MIBF)
• September 14 - 17, 2023
• SMX MOA

• Komiket
• October 21 - 22, 2023
• 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 1

• Paskomiket
• November 25 - 26, 2023
• SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2

• Komiketmas
• December 2 - 3, 2023
• 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Ayala Malls the 30th

• Singapore Comic Con - SGCC2023 x Komiket
• December 9 - 10, 2023
• Sands & Expo Convention Centre

More information about Komiket 2023 can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Komiket"

* Note this list will be updated regularly

Comics: Man vs Ipis! ~ Volume 1

Illustration and Story by: AJ Bacar

Sskait Comics

(4/5 ★★★★★)

"The ipis your mom warned you about-

An ipis suddenly appeared

out of nowhere and

attacked the man...

Emotionally

Papatalo ba?? Of couse not."

The Good:

This short comic book neatly tells a comedic story of man against a cockroach (ipis) that lasted for 9 rounds. The art and story are superb.

The best panel would be the scene of the baby cockroach being calmed down by its mother to sleep as they face an inevitable death.

"K lang. Mas cute naman ang bunso." - Bunso Ipis

The Bad:

The first few panels were seen drawn using a thick brush. However, it eventually improved wherein most brush strokes do not use a thicker stroke compared to the earlier one.

The Verdict:

It is a short comic book that is highly entertaining that does well in both its art and storytelling.

Who knew that a dying scene of cockroaches can be an emotional moment.

"Kaka-kompyuter mo yan." - Mommy Ipis

More of Man vs Ipis can be seen at:

Facebook Page: Man vs Ipis

Twitter: @sskaitcomics

Instagram: @sskaitcomics

Events: Komiket Schedule 2022

A comic convention in the middle of a pandemic? This seems to be the way to move forward as Komiket adapts to the changes.

Adherence to the minimum public health standards is reiterated at all times. This includes the proper wearing of face mask at all times in the venues to be conducted. It is hoped that most of the attendees had already gotten their primary dose of COVID-19 vaccines at the very least. Of course it is better if booster shots were already gotten by individuals that are qualified.

Here are Komiket's schedule for 2022:

• We Art Luneta x Komiket
• April 23 - 24, 2022
• 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Noli Me Tangere Garden, Luneta Park, Manila CIty

• Komiket Ortigas
• June 10 - 12, 2022
• 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Ayala Malls The 30th, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

• Komiket Iloilo
• July 15 - 17, 2022
• 10:00 a.m - 8:00 p.m.
• SM Iloilo, Iloilo City

• Davao Pop Culture Mania 2022 x Komiket
• August 19 - 21, 2022
• 1:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m.
• La Herencia, F. Torres St., Davao City

• Komiket
• October 29 - 30, 2022
• 9:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m.
• Centris Elements, Quezon City

• CebuLitFest 2022 x Komiket
• November 25 - 27, 2022
• Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu City

• Paskomiket 2022
• December 3 - 4, 2022
• 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall 2, Mandaluyong City

More information about Komiket 2022 can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Komiket"

* Note this list will be updated regularly

Comics: Tarantadong Kalbo ~ Volume 2

Illustration and Story by: Kevin Eric Raymundo

Komiket Inc.

(5/5 ★★★★★)

"Nagkagulo sa bakuna, nag-agawan ng itlog, nagkanaw ng dalgona, nagmahalan ang mga baboy, naghabulan ng jetski, nagtulungan sa mga pantry, at tumindig para sa bayan. Ito ang koleksyon ng mga komiks ni Tarantadong Kalbo sa unang parte ng 2021, ang sequel sa pinakamasagwang taon nating lahat."

The Good:

An update of the current sociopolitical events of the Philippines is presented in this 2nd book of Tarantadong Kalbo. Government response against the COVID-19 pandemic are best illustrated in the strips Distancing, 'La Pa, Variant, and Dance Shield Revolution. Even the public's perception of living with this virus are potrayed in Quick Group Pic and Conyo Mask [with Conyo Wings].

Trese's adaptation as a Netflix series was celebrated in several strips here such as Represent and Santelmo and Outta Nowhere.

The best editorial cartoons in this compilation is Saglit. This four panel strip will really knock at your heart.

The Bad:

This only captures half of the events that occurred in the year 2021. A 2nd book of 2021 compilation is expected to appear in the 3rd volume.

The Verdict:

Tarantadong Kalbo's comic strips show the Filipino life through the usage of 90s pop culture references to depict the drama in our everyday local politics.

An addition of quick news bites through Balitangero was amazing. On the other hand, Inuman Sessions: Historical Distortion provides us an educational material that discusses historical distortion and historical revisionism.

Tarantadong Kalbo Volume 2's best and most tearjerker work so far is the four panel Saglit that reflects the pandemic situation of the Philippines during the COVID-19 Delta Variant surge.

He can be seen at:

Facebook Page: Tarantadong Kalbo

Twitter: @KevinKalbo

 

Comics: Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise ~ Episode 4: Meet The Bestie

Illustration and Story by: Tsambolero (Raphael Unta)

(5/5 ★★★★★)

The Verdict:

Leonardo "Leo" Aurelio's best friend Sampaguita "Sammie" Rhose Catacutan gets to meet his boyfriend Thomas.

Laughter engulfs as the professional monster hunter meets the aswang. An exchange of funny tirades ensures as names such as "lumilipad na daga" (flying rat) and "angry lesbian dora" were shouted.

He can be seen at:

Twitter: @Tsambolero

More of Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise can be seen at:

Penlab: "Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise"

Events: We Art Luneta x Komiket

This is it. After enduring long lockdowns here in the Philippines, as part of the restrictions imposed to combat the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Komiket will be seen once again in a booth locally in Manila.

We Art Luneta, the Rizal Park Arts and Crafts Market!, is presented by Puesto and the National Parks Development Committee. It spotlights our Indie comics and books. One of its attendees is Komiket.

This event will take place on April 23 - 24, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. up to 8:00 p.m. at Noli Me Tangere Garden, Luneta.

See you there!

More information about We Art Luneta can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Puesto Manila"

Comics: The Children of Bathala: Volume One of Five

Illustration and Story by: Arnold Arre

Nautilus Comics

(4/5 ★★★★)

"Twenty years after the events of The Mythology Class...

Bidding a pleasant farewell, Mrs. Enkanta left to continue her journey through time. Nicole and her friends' adventures into the realm of myth and magic were seemingly over.

However, things have not been peaceful over the past two decades: Lane has lost her telepathic powers; Kubin is weakening; Rey and Misha have mysteriously gone missing; and doubts about Enkanta's true purpose are growing.

As their friendships, once strong and binding, slowly fall apart, Nicole senses a dark spell affecting them all.

Convinced that those cherished days they shared in the Mythology Class are fading away, Nicole is unaware that a new band of visitors from the magical world of Ibalon have arrived. These beings hold the key to unlocking an ancient mystery; one that may reveal a frightening terror, but also open an enchanting new world for Nicole, her friends, and her daughter Princess Marilag."

The Good:

The story brings us back to the world of Mythology Class years after they fought off the engkantos. The story and illustrations remain superb.

A lot of references to various books, personalities and tales were made. The most thought provoking concept presented was the Bukidnon Skyworld introduced at a Ted talk.

The Bad:

This first volume among five has a slow pace in story telling.

Many conversations were written using either baybayin or another Filipino language. It would have been a great idea to have the translations of these conversations written somewhere at the end of the book for those who don't understand the language.

The Verdict:

Nicole and her other classmates under Datimbang are back years after their initial quest. The curse of the ancient once creeps in as the blood moon starts to settle in. All hopes that the dark anitos won't find them.

More of Nautilus Comics can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Nautilus Comics"

Comics: Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise ~ Episode 3: Hunger

Illustration and Story by: Tsambolero (Raphael Unta)

(5/5 ★★★★★)

The Verdict:

We got 7 panels for this NSFW episode.

This answers the question of how do they do the deed once Tomas is in his other form.

Tsambolero really gave us an interesting couple that is likeable. I just think we ought to know what Tomas hunted to eat for food

He can be seen at:

Twitter: @Tsambolero

More of Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise can be seen at:

Penlab: "Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise"

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: Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise ~ Episode 2: Celebration

Illustration and Story by: Tsambolero (Raphael Unta)

(5/5 ★★★★★)

The Good:

The artist really did a great job illustrating the different emotions on his two main characters.

The Bad:

Still this is only 4 panels long.

The Verdict:

A romantic candle light dinner fills the mood of the two lovers. Tsambolero's art are really great to look at. I just hope he draws a longer story in his next episodes.

Just be mindful of what you are eating if it is allergic to your partner. You don't want to kill the love of your life.

He can be seen at:

Twitter: @Tsambolero

More of Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise can be seen at:

Penlab: "Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise"

Comics: Tarantadong Kalbo ~ Volume 1

Illustration and Story by: Kevin Eric Raymundo

Komiket Inc.

(5/5 ★★★★★)

"Mula sa pagtapal ng repolyo hanggang

paglamon ng dolomite, ito ang koleksyon ng

mga komiks ni Tarantadong Kalbo sa taong 2020,

ang pinakamasagwang taon nating lahat."

The Good:

Tarantadong Kalbo comics is the equivalent of Pugad Baboy comics that currently floods our social media.

The present sociopolitical events of the Philippines can be seen in his comic strips. The plight of the poor during the current pandemic are portrayed on the strips Mahirap and Caramel Matapobre. The COVID-19 pandemic response of the country are seen through the strips Fus Ro Dammit, V.I.P., The Emperor, and Napakasuwerte.

The best strips in this compilation delves on topics such as depression in Ok, Not Ok. and fake news in Inuman Sessions: Fake News.

"Ang hindi mag-luv sa own wika are like parang worse pa sa hayop or stinky isda."

The Bad:

There are several comic strips wherein the context are a bit hard to grasp such as Buksan Ang Kwaderno.

The Verdict:

Joining the ranks of Pugad Baboy, Tarantadong Kalbo can be considered as part of the Filipino comics that has been of relevance to the society. It paints the current situation of an ordinary Filipino in this extraordinary times.

Even the sweetest and saddest stories are presented through the strips Tobleron and Tobleron (2).

"Yan talaga yung pinaka-ayaw ko sa lahat.

Ang mabuhay sa takot."

He can be seen at:

Facebook Page: Tarantadong Kalbo

Twitter: @KevinKalbo

More of Tarantadong Kalbo can be seen at:

Penlab: "Tarantadong Kalbo Book 1 Preview"

  

Comics: Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise ~ Episode 1: Hatid Na Kita!

Illustration and Story by: Tsambolero (Raphael Unta)

(5/5 ★★★★★)

"Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise follows the life and times of Tomas and Leo, who -- for all the world -- look like any other yuppie same-sex couple in their twenties. They, too, fight about all those domestic things long-term couples bicker about. But then again, Tomas and Leo are no ordinary couple, and it's not because they're gay. Tomas is a bloodthirsty, self-segmenting, folkoric creature of the night, while Leo is ... well, just Leo."

The Plot:

Late for work? Grab is still 10 minutes away? It looks like a job for Leo's crosswise partner.

The Good:

The story and art are really loveable to look at. The creator did a great job in this online comic.

The Bad:

The only bad thing is this is only 4 panels long.

The Verdict:

Tsambolero gives us a sweet and hilarious take on an interesting same-sex couple that involves different creatures, wherein their main focus is love. This episode ends with the lower half of Tomas still polishing the floor with a coconut husk.

The artist made an adorable couple in the image of Tomas and Leo where readers will keep on coming back for that 'kilig' feeling.

He can be seen at:

Twitter: @Tsambolero

More of Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise can be seen at:

Penlab: "Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise"

Anthology: Balik Tanaw

Illustration and Story by: Ardie Aquino

Ardie Aquino Comics

(4.167/5 ★★★★☆)

"Ang librong ito ay koleksyon ng mga komiks na nagawa ko noong 2015. Ito ay anim na kwento na tungkol sa paghanap ng kaligayahan, pagluto ng sinigang, pag-hingi ng extra rice, lihim ng kasama mo sa bahay, pagkain ng bawal at pagbalik tanaw sa buhay. Sana sa bawat paglipat mo ng pahina ay madama mo din ang mga emosyon na nadama ko noon."

The Good:

Ardie's craft really has improved. This could be seen from the changes that he made with the Extra Rice with Extra Tries story as an example. His illustrations also improved, if one would compare this 2020 version to the 2015 original.

Balik Tanaw is a new story included in this 2020 remastered edition of Ardie's 2015 comics.

The best story in this compilation is Ang Roomate Kong Aswang. It tells about the battle between a human and an aswang, which mostly centers on the aswang pictured as a bad roomie rather than his identity.

Reading beyond the surface of this story would give the picture that every person is different and unique. It could be due to gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality and even species. Despite these differences, what really matters is how a person interacts with others. Being angry to an individual does not need to be discriminatory but rather it could be plainly due to his or her awful demeanor towards others.

The Bad:

This anthology would have been better if the layout was improved. Some pages are hard to read due to the parts that are near to the spine of the book. This problem is already evident on the foreword page.

All stories exists in the same world except for Balik Tanaw and Hipon sa Hapon. It would have been interesting if they were connected in some way.

The story that didn't do well was the bonus story, Balik Tanaw. Its never ending story didn't work with me. If your future self went into your past to try to save your past self from doing the same steps, why on earth would you repeat the same things. It could have easily worked out by not helping the character find the crystal in order to prevent the same things from happening once again.

The Verdict:

Ardie's throwback to his previous works by creating an updated and better version of them is a good concept. It measures the growth you have achieved with your craft in doing so.

This anthology is a gateway to Ardie Aquino's weird and absurd ideas. Be sure not to miss it.

He can be seen at:

Facebook Page: Ardie Aquino

* Breakdown of Rating:

★☆☆☆☆ -

★★☆☆☆ - 

★★★☆☆ - Balik Tanaw

★★★★☆ - Burn Baby Burn, Sinigang: Kwento ng Lumbay, Extra Rice with Extra Tries

★★★★★ - Ang Roomate Kong Aswang, Hipon Sa Hapon