Comics: Mythspace: Lift Off ~ Part 2

Story by: Paolo Chikiamco

Illustrated by: Koi Carreon

Mythspace

(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"Picking up right where Mythspace #0 left off;

After years of thinking his Lola was a loon,

Ambrosio "Bros" Magkalas has been abducted by...

a mecha driving Nuno and a gun-toting

Manananggal?! Faced with the realization

that his Lola's tale of what happened to his parents

may not be a delusion, Bros is determined to seek

the truth... but outside Earth, humans have no rights,

And Bros is about to learn this the hard way..."

The Plot:

Aboard the Battleship of Akkatizatizamon, Grand Aegis of the Ymos City Protectorate, a presentation of three rarities are being held. This is done in order to get the entitlement of Free Trade Licenses that aims to give exemptions from planetary taxes and licensing fees for life. Thus, the galaxy's finest bounty hunters have searched the universe for unique items. This has led to Bros capture by Qu, a mecha driving Nuno, and Va-Lis-Ya, a gun-totting manananggal.

The Good:

It continues to amaze us in this story telling of the world of mythspace. The illustrations really help a lot in describing this universe that goes beyond earth.

The cover is still impressive as it maintains that sophisticated futuristic artistic look for a comic book.

The Bad:

Bros is already out in space with Winter-Ice-Thawing, a tyho or a shapeshifter, who gives a quick orientation of the world of mythspace. Despite of the new found information from Winter-Ice-Thawing, there are still lots of questions that remain unanswered as more surfaces.

The Verdict:

Amidst those questions that pile up due to the limited number of pages in the comic book format, the mythspace universe is still an awesome series.

Chikiamco and Koi takes us to new worlds as the universe of mythspace is slowly unveiled in part 2 of Mythspace: Lift Off. This is one comic series that is highly recommended to be read.

This could be purchased at:
Gumroad: Mythspace: Lift Off #2
Storylark.ph: Mythspace: Lift Off #2: Lift Off 2

More of Mythspace can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Mythspace"

Twitter: @mythspace

The creators can be seen at:

Paolo Chikiamco

http://www.rocketkapre.com

Twitter: @anitero

Koi Carreon

http://www.eclectic-lights.blogspot.com

Comics: Callous ~ The Comic Strip Series: Chocolate Chip Wishes and Caffeine Dreams

Illustrated and Story by: Carlo Jose San Juan, M.D.

Feathers and Tar Productions
(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

"Dr. Rianne Nicah is a struggling new physician who braves the world with her guardian duck, Cal Duck!"

The Plot:

Hospital life with ducks as your guardian is the center of the Callous comics. Different topics from the expected hospital humor up to Star Wars is seen in this compilation. However, it is the insights of Cal Duck on life which gives the biggest lesson from this comics.

"No task is too small to not chase perfection and excellence!" - Cal Duck

The Good:

Common misconception on some things are mentioned in this comic book. Such as the thought of eating foods with burned sugar like creme brulees, caramelized fruits and toasted sugar. This is due to the advise of the doctor that fat is produced in the body from unburned fat. Therefore, the patient only ate sugar that were burned. Another scene is wherein Dr. Rianne does an evil laugh because it relieves stress.

The illustrations and story are nicely done. Even those comic strips that are co-authored by another individual are great to be read.

The Bad:

The explanation as to the reason for the existence of the guardian ducks were not mentioned much in the comic strips. It would be a bit nicer if a comic strip showing Cal Duck being assigned to Rianne was seen.

In the middle of the compilation, more black and white comic strips were seen. It would seem nicer if all of the black and white comic strips were presented first before the fully colored ones were shown.

"I find rest days such a waste when all I do is rest!" - Dr. Rianne Nicah

The Verdict:

This first compilation of Callous comics was an enjoyable one. It's like reading one of those comics in the Sunday newspaper. It is simple, easy to understand and funny. Those 3 are the basics things that are usually present to keep any reader engaged in continuing to read more.

The life lessons from Cal Duck that can be read will really strike the mind as one reads more quacks from Callous comics.

"Remember the past and work for the future...

But never forget to live today!" - Cal Duck

More of Callous Comics can be seen at:

http://www.callouscomics.com

Facebook Page: "Callous Comics"

Twitter: @callouscomics

 

Comics: Hands of the Dragon ~ Book 1: Rise of the Zodiac Circle

BIC0008
Story by: Jeffrey Marcelino Ong

Illustrated by: Gilbert Monsanto

Black Ink Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

This is one among those first books from Black Ink Comics (BIC) that I had gotten since their launch in the previous Komikon.

The Plot:

The story is set on Dongwu, a dimension inhabited by shape-shifters that either belong to the Dark Side or the Bright Light. A race was held in order to secure peace. The safety of the 5 elements and the balance of the universe lies in the hands of the zodiac circle with Xian Long, the dragon warrior, as their leader. Things change as the balance is disturbed when Xian Long is held behind bars by Wang Zhi, leader of the lion clan. It is now up to the little dragon to save the universe from going dark.

The Good:

The story and the plot are nicely told. It is another retelling of the origin of the zodiac signs. The illustrations were also great. But the thing that I really love is the layout of this book. It does not contain any pages whose texts are not easily seen and read. That is remarkable especially since most of the other books that are part of the first batch that were released have that problem.

The Bad:

There are a lot of origin stories about the zodiac signs. That will be the challenge for this comic book to take that story of a race and the fight vs good and evil into the next level. Otherwise, this will just really be a retelling of that race and the similar plots of the good winning in the end without any big obstacles.

The Verdict:

The Hands of the Dragon is a nice comic book. The next books are interesting to look on whether they will better or not.

More of Black Ink Comics can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Black Ink Comics"

Twitter: @BlackInkComics

Comics: Sixty Six ~ Chapter 3

Story by: Russel Molina

Illustrated by: Ian Sta. Maria

Alamat Comics

Anino Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

 

The Plot:

Upon discovering his superpower, Mang Tino takes on punishing the bad guys with his bare hands. As a senior citizen, who knew that he could wield so much strength. That is until he is observed by a leader of a group whose members have glowing eyes. This issue ends with Donat speeding up his wheelchair to the scene of the crime.

The Good:

We are now given a villain whose powers can be of a match against our sixty-six year old superhero.

The letters being sent to Mang Tino at the end of every issue becomes interesting. In this issue it would be great to know what really took place wherein Ella was involved. It could be a great plot for this series.

The cover for the third issue looks great even though it is a simple black illustration of Mang Tino standing with his hands on his waist.

The Bad:

Mostly it is the copy of this issue that is a big thumbs down. The story and illustrations were great. The quality just suffered as a result of the poor printing of this comic. It lowered the value of this comic. Because the way it was photocopied was like it came from an old photocopying machine.

The Verdict:

Despite the poor quality of this issue due to the poor photocopier or printer, it continues to intrigue us about this senior citizen who recently got his super powers. As the villain is slowly introduced in this issue, it would also be nice if the letters at the end of every issue could somehow tie up to the plot of this series.

Chapter 3 of Sixty Six gives us our local take on a superhero disguised thru his old age. A superhero who drops off the cape and puts on a cap instead.

"Kumpleto nga kayo, saksakan naman ng duwag!

May lakas nga kayo, di niyo naman ginagamit!" - Donat

More of Sixty Six can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Sixty Six"

They can be contacted at:

Russel Molina

russmolina@gmail.com

Ian Sta. Maria

iamiansm@yahoo.com