Events: AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2019 Cancelled

It has been confirmed. AsiaPOP Comicon Manila (APCC Manila) 2019 has been cancelled. It was mentioned from a post in their Facebook page that conflicting events and organizational restructuring of their partners were the cause. This could be due to the recent acquisition of Fox by Disney and the San Diego Comic Con celebrating its 50th year this year.

Let's just all wait for APCC Manila's return next year.

Movie News: James Reid No Longer the Next Pedro Penduko

Aside from Darna, it looks like we won't be seeing the new Pedro Penduko movie adaptation soon because of James Reid's withdrawal for playing Pedro Penduko. According to a statement released by Viva Films, the actor cannot play the role due to his present medical conditions.

"James has spinal injuries and the film Pedro Penduko involves intensive training and major stunts. His regular therapy and treatment prohibits him to train hard or perform for the rigid requirements."

Pedro Penduko, first created by Francisco V. Coching a National Artist for Visual Arts, first appeared in Liwayway Magazine in 1954. Since then, it has been adopted numerous times into the big screen and television shows. Viva Films is set to make another movie adaptation of this story using the modern and re-imagined version written by Regene Estolatan under Epik Studios. James Reid was announced to play the famous komiks character last August 2017 during History Con 2017 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

Viva Films' Pedro Penduko Movie Update:
Matteo Guidicelli The New Pedro Penduko

Comics: Itch

Illustration and Story by: Mich Cervantes
Rated: Ages 13+
(5/5 ★★★★★)

The Plot:

Aya Estrada a student in an all-girls schools is coming to terms with her adolescence. Her sexual curiosity is put at crossroads when she realizes that the environment she thrives in demonizes and shames this type of topics.

The Good:

The sexual awakening of adolescents were neatly told while maintaining this comic good to be read by ages 13 and up. The creator even came up with a fake porn url in order to maintain the story's age appropriateness.

The realities of slut-shaming done by students to their peers feels familiar to many people. In a society where religion plays a huge role in our culture, many of these questions regarding sexuality are mostly frowned upon, especially in a Catholic school. The most common defense uttered is abstinence, as mentioned by Aya's mother.

This comic also gives us a fresh look on the sexual awakening that occurs on girls because oftentimes it is the boys' sexual awakening that we are exposed to. No depiction of a girl admitting her curiosity about sex was uttered as blatant as seen in this comic.

The Bad:

None that the reviewer could see.

The Verdict:

Another great slice of life story that focuses on the sexual awakenings of girls during their puberty.

It does a good job of presenting realty instead of turning this into a very censored comic that deals about how girls tend to think and act on their curiosities on a certain age. It intelligently presents to use that curiosity about sex is normal and that abstinence is also normal. One does not have to pick any of the two and say that the one not chosen is abnormal.

Cervantes does an excellent work with this story. Just be careful with your pet bird, if left unnoticed it might get eaten by the kitten.

She can be seen at:
http://www.themichlife.tumblr.com

Book News: Sparrows' Roar Goes BOOM!

Another local comic got picked up by a foreign publisher. This time its Sparrows' Roar's turn. Created by C.R. Chua and Paolo Chikiamco in 2015, it was first published by Studio Salimbal. Its once grayscaled pages will soon be seen in color as BOOM! Studios gives it a new look for 2019.

From the 10 paged preview that was released by BOOM! Studios, most of the pages have been retained. There were just some minor alterations by adding or changing some lines to further improve the story telling.

A Sparrow's Roar, a BOOM! Studios' BOOM! Box imprint will be available on October 16, 2019. It will also be available online on various digital platforms such as ComiXology, iBooks, Google Play and BOOM! Studios app.

Let's continue to support our local works so that our stories will continue to be seen by a wider audience around the world.

A Sparrow's Roar Update:
Filbar's Online Pre-Order

Synopsis of A Sparrow's Roar published by BOOM! Studios

"Per and her older sister Elena are both knights in the land of Esterpike. But while Per is a mere knight-in-training, Elena is a war hero and the revered commander of the most famous soldiers in all the land, the legendary Lions of Esterpike. When disaster strikes, Per must do the unthinkable and pretend to be her sister in order to travel to the capital and rally the troops against an incoming invasion that only she knows about. It'll take all her strength, cunning, and a bit of help from her sister's second-in-command, Amelia, to pull it off but with the fate of the people in her hands, Per has no choice but to step into Elena's boots in order to save the kingdom."

Comics: Walang Laman Ang Kahon

Illustration and Story by: Chocnut-san
(5/5 ★★★★★)

"Bago pa makarating sa akin ang balita, nakahanda na ang lahat.

Ang mga papeles, pamasahe, ang dormitoryong tutuluyan ko, at ang trabahong papasukan ko.

 Ako nalang daw ang kulang."

The Good:

The cover was well made. It gave that eerie feeling that this might turn out to be a suspense or horror story. It gives the vibe that something could be coming out of the box like the ones that was done in the movies The Ring and The Grudge.

The story revolves around Dino who leaves Tacloban in order to work in Manila. An emotional departure scene was shown in the airport similar to how our OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) leave our country.

The plot appears to touch on the loneliness that resides within Dina that could be a familiar feeling to anyone who had to leave their family for work.

The Bad:

It could have been a bit better if a few more details could have been explored on in order to know the condition Gina is experiencing. It would be nice if it at least it was hinted if what she is experiencing are just hallucinations due to stress, anxiety and even possibly trauma, due to the fact that she resides in Tacloban which suffered the most when Typhoon Haiyan struck, or if it was a paranormal thing.

The Verdict:

Walang Laman Ang Kahon presents itself to be a mystery suspense story about Dina's thoughts and feelings. She is aware that nothing is inside that box but with all the emotions that she had accumulated, it led her to believe it was her way back home.

This beautiful and creepy one-shot comic is an excellent horror story.

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

Facebook Page: "Chocnut-san"
Instagram: @chocnut_san