One Mantra Is All That It Takes: Komikon 2014

Showing posts with label Komikon 2014. Show all posts

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Events: Winter Komikon 2014

The grand event for a Filipino comic lover has come. Komikon is now on its 10th year and it continues to be the prime event for bringing out the comic lover within us Filipinos. However, that does not limit the audience to be purely Filipinos since I've seen a couple of foreigners looking around this event.

I could say that this Komikon was better than before. Well I always say that but it really was better. It can be seen if you've been attending the past Komikons. Let me share some of the things that made Komikon 2014 the best one so far for me.

I know when I said last Summer Komikon 2014 that the major event revolves around Visprint's table. Once again this is true due to 4 new books. Each of these books already had their respective book launch and are launching it once again for Komikon. These 4 new comic books are "14", Tabi Po 2, Maktan 1521 and Mythspace.

As "14" is released, by one of the most popular local comic artist, Manix Aberera, really long lines are expected once again from Visprint's table. Joked by some that any event that he goes to in order to have his book launch automatically becomes a "Manix Con". Well, it is easy to become a fan of his. Because not only are we drawn to his works but also to his attitude. As an artist, one could just easily hold a 1-hour break from time to time in order to rest his hands. Instead he continues to do the signings for his fans. It is only when he is called to go to another table to sign his art under a different publisher and to receive a Komikon Award were the only times I had seen him have that precious break time.

Guy on the left is Jomari Angeles, the one on the middle
is Manix Abrera, the one on the right is a fellow fan of Manix

This is one of the reasons why fans of Manix need to be early for Komikon 2014. The National Book Development Board continued their mission of promoting the value of reading through the release of the fourth issue of Tibok ng Utak. This was done by giving out limited free copies of Tibok ng Utak Blg. 4. It was illustrated by Manix Abrera and written by Jomari Angeles.

The next thing on my list was to pick up my pre-ordered copy of The Mythology Class by Arnold Arre. I received this from the Nautilus Comics' table. Aside from The Mythology Class, I also bought two more books from that group. It was surprising to see that they have comic books that won different awards. I'm really excited to finish reading these.

The fourth thing that really caught my attention was regarding chapter 3 of Sixty Six. It really took me a long time in locating it and waiting for it to be displayed at the Alamat Comics' table only to realize and find out that it sits with Anino Comics. Well I really got lucky since there were only a few copies of the 3rd chapter of Sixty Six being sold. Besides that, what really got my attention was the other comics under Anino Comics. If you had taken a peek at their catalogue book, in here it can be seen that Makoy's School Run was included. Well this is a surprise from Adarna House, Inc. who made this imprint of Anino Comics. Their works will be included in my usual monitoring of local comics.

This is an interesting thing that I had found. The Free Comic Book Day Ang Pilipino Komiks sa Kasalukuyan Blg. 3 & 4 are just being sold at the Comic Odyssey table. It was just saddening, most especially since I had the 4th issue be reserved days before it was to be distributed on Free Comic Book Day 2014. However, no copy arrived at the branch where I was supposed to pick it up. It was just depressing to know that there are still extra copies.

I got the Zoo Ilustbook for free since I got a Time First!
by Kirejan Javier. Thanks again for that ^_^

I know that bloggers who make reviews for comics are usually comic lovers. Well who knew that we, yes I'm including myself since I had really seen it, are capable of motivating writers and artists to continue enhancing their craft. I guess we might not always be hooked with the other works that each artist may have made. But once I see their potential I really mean it and write about it. That's why I'm including in here my special thanks for Jake Vicente for mentioning One Mantra in the 3rd issue of Horror Asylum which is seen with Ink Jinks Comics. I still recommend that other works from Ink Jinks Comics should be checked out. This is the group where I first saw Jake Vicente's works before his Tonio Tikbalang was picked up and released under Black Ink Comics.

Remember the short look that I did on a preview comic which was given away for free during a Komikon around 2 years ago, if I remember it correctly. Well after what I had said in my previous post. Mang Jose is finally released. This comic is also hard to find. I just found out that there is already a Mang Jose #1 out during Komikon. I just saw this comic in the hands of another attendee of Komikon. Even though Mang Jose is under Alamat Comics, it cannot be found at the Alamat Comics' table. Instead I found it at the Marbles Comics' table. These stories that are part of the Alamat Comics are really tricky to find since they are dispersed among the different tables in Komikon 2014.

This might be a small thing but these are the things that I really loved in my haul from Komikon this year. These might just be posters, but these are free movie posters that I got from joining some of the games held.

My first win is the movie poster of Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2, a movie for the Metro Manila Film Fest 2014. I just got this by randomly picking a piece of paper and claiming whatever is written on it at their table in the lobby. Even though they didn't have another comic book adaptation of this movie unlike last time, they said that they might make another comic book adaptation of this 2nd movie as part of their marketing strategy. The other cool thing regarding this first poster is that it was made by Ian Sta. Maria (illustrator of Skyworld & Sixty Six). How cool is that! I just don't know if he will also be the one to do the illustrations for the alleged comic book adaptation of Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2.

The second movie poster is for the documentary titled as "Illustrated By". Illustrated By is a documentary that features the Filipino invasion of U.S. comics. This is one of the films being shown for free in Conference Room E. As one could easily recognize, Manix Abrera was the one who did the illustration of the poster. I got this poster from a "Bring Me" game conducted on stage by the Komikon organizers. All that needs to be done is to bring to the stage a signed copy of Manix Abrera's 14. Luckily, I was just near the stage and the comic book was signed around lunch time. I really got lucky for the chances of winning it was pretty high for me. It was around 6:30 p.m. when this bring me game of Manix Abrera's work was conducted. During that time, a long line insanely still exists in front of his table. The guy must have always prepared himself for book signings.

Well that sums up the things that I enjoyed buying and receiving in Komikon 2014.

Other noteworthy things are the fascinating cosplay that was done. Two distinguishable ones are seen. The first is No Face from the anime Spirited Away.

Another set of cosplayers who did a nice job of the Guardians of the Galaxy appeared afterwards. It can be seen that respectable cosplayers are slowly filling up the event halls of Komikon year after year. I guess we'll be seeing more of them in the future Komikons.

A decade of celebration of the rich variety of Filipino comics is evident in Komikon 2014. The indie comics are slowly being looked at by our local publishers and are being put out there in various and famous bookstores. If this continues on, whoever said that "the Filipino comics are dead!" is dead wrong.

Here are the things that I got from Winter Komikon 2014:

Mythspace, Volume 1

Chikiamco, Carreon, Chua, Gregorio, Dimagiba, Quiroga, Sinaban
Visprint, Inc.

The Mythology Class

Arnold Arre
Nautilus Comics

FCBD Comics 3: Ang Pilipino Komiks Sa Kasalukuyan

Friday, April 25, 2014

Events: Summer Komikon 2014

Summer time in Manila won't be complete for comic book lovers without going to Summer Komikon. This year, the Summer Komikon took place last April 12, 2014 at the Bayanihan Center, Pasig City. For those within Manila, this is the first among the three komikons that one can attend.

A lot of new comics were released and one would really have to prioritize which one you should buy first especially since many of the works that are made locally have greatly improved and enhanced the quality of their works.

To those experienced in attending komikons, they know that it is best if you go to the venue earlier in order to get the freebies and for one not to run out of the comics you are planning to buy. One good tip that I can share is that you must purchase your tickets days before the event. The tickets can be gotten from any Comic Odyssey branch. Even though the tickets are mostly sold in the Galleria branch, they said that they could just transfer the tickets to the branch nearer or more accessible to you. The advantages of having tickets purchased early is that (1) you have the privilege of being able to enter the hall 30 minutes before it is open to the public and (2) an ecobag is reserved for you where you can place all the merchandises that you have gotten.

Let me just share the highlights of my Summer Komikon 2014 experience.

The major happening that took place occurred in VISPRINT's table. This is due to the 4 new books being launched that day. These are Seroks 2, Abangan, Tabi Po, and Kikomachine Komix Blg. 10. Yep. There's a new material from Manix so it was expected that there will be the big number of fans that'll line up at his table. It was fortunate that VISPRINT continued to help out by issuing numbers to fans who want works made by Manix be signed. It really proved to be useful in two ways. First, the usual long and curvaceous line that tends to go beyond the VISPRINT table was avoided. Thus, other works near the table, where Manix is signing stuffs, were not blocked. Secondly, it gave us, fans of Manix, yep I'm a big fan, some time to wander around with a sense of security that we will get our turn to have that precious moment with him. Naks. Haha fan boying much. Well the number that I got was 77. At around 12:00 noon, 2 hours after Summer Komikon 2014 started, the number Manix has been currently servicing is 24. Talk about patience and endurance for Manix, his fans, and the people assisting him, whom I saw never failed to smile every time someone asks either to get a number or to know what number is currently being entertained. Kudos to those two guys. When my turn finally came at around 3:30 p.m. it was indeed a marvelous feeling. Well if your a newly converted fan of Manix Abrera, this is one experience you'll never forget.

The next important thing for me in this year's Summer Komikon is with regards to one of the new books being launched by Black Ink Comics (BIC). This is Tonio Tikbalang Vol. 1 by Jake Vicente. If you are an avid reader of works from Ink Jinks Comics you have probably seen his stuff. Personally I think it was good that some of Jake's works have gotten the attention of the local publishing company, BIC. His stories are really enjoyable and entertaining.

The next table to go to is that of Pelikomiks Studios. They produce one of the best comics, both in terms of the art and in the story, that I have seen among the works in komikons. Their major work is Zombinoy, which I could say is a MUST BUY. Their other stories are Higante and Feed.

The second to the last thing that is of my top concern is Andoyman Komiks. Mostly the comics that I'd love to get from him that day is Ang Sumpa Kabanata 2 Unang Bagahi and Palitaw Komiks. However, due to my classmates, they requested for me to buy a copy of Palimos ng Kulangot by Ronibats and Andoyman. Since this comic can only be gotten for free if you buy a set of all of Andoyman's comics, I can say it was indeed a good morning welcome for Andoyman. From all the walking I've been doing in search for his table, only to find out that he arrived a bit late. Hehe. So I guess I kinda shocked him or made him happy from all the purchases that I've made, especially since I'm always at his table looking for a copy of Palimos ng Kulangot. If more requests for this comic should happen I guess the artist will really earn from me since in order to get a copy you'll need to buy all of his comics. You could say that with every komikon the value of the comic Palimos ng Kulangot increases as more works from Andoyman are released.

Photo from Andoyman

Now, finally the thing that I'm really anticipating for Summer Komikon 2014 comes from Macoy's table. Basically, two things interests me from the goodies laid out in the artist's table, which took sometime in the afternoon to be completed since (1) the artist and his family arrived a bit later and (2) the last goodie arrived in the afternoon, which I'm guessing was caused by the heavy traffic on EDSA. Going back to the two things that interest me. First is Macoy's School Run Parts 6 and 7 that gets to be released on that day. I tell you, this is the other zombie story, aside from Zombinoy, that one should get. If Pelikomiks Studios' Zombinoy talks of the start of the zombie apocalypse, Macoy's School Run is different in that he talks of zombies way after the zombie apocalypse had erupted. The next thing that is of my concern is Ang Maskot merchandises. Well known among the komikon community is this comic of Macoy for it has been adopted into an indie film last year. It stars Ramon Bautista, Alessandra de Rossi and Ketchup Eusebio. How amazing is that one can also find on sale at Macoy's table a DVD copy of this short film directed by Chris Castello and Mihk Vergara. As if that wasn't enough, a viewing of that movie was held at the Conference Room E in the Bayanihan Center. Also in order to complete one's day, a movie poster was being sold. Amazingly it is a happy feeling to know and personally see that a work from one of my favorite local comic artist was adapted into a short film. I guess this is what the Marvel fans felt when the first movie of their favorite superhero was seen in the cinemas.

In addition to these comics and artists that I had in my list of must buy or see is the luck that I had gotten from joining a simple contest made by Jerald Uy. He is a fellow blogger, although he writes way better than me, that blogs about pop culture. He maintains the website www.JeraldUy.com wherein he can give you an inside scoop from Century Tuna's Superbods SuperChallenge 2014 up to tips for first time Komikon attendees. Going back, I got this Iron Patriot Funko from him which is for me way cooler than getting the top price of winning five (5) tickets to Summer Komikon 2014. Hehe, I already got mine from Comic Odyssey and my friend will come and join me later in the day, so the Funko item was a better choice. Thanks again for this. Most especially since this is my first Funko.

Photo from www.JeraldUy.com

A lot more were happening in the other tables of artists and groups, but for now I guess these are the ones that really made my day at the event. To those who missed the Summer Komikon, there are still a lot of Komikons that will be held this year in Metro Manila, such as the Indieket and the Winter Komikon. There will also be the Iloilokon for those in Western Visayas. A decade of komikon will surely tell you that not only the local comic industry is still striving but it is moving forward with the goal of inspiring soon to be writers and artists to start making their own photocopied comics for it to be shared and distributed. With some luck it may be picked up by a local publishing company for it to be published and distributed in bookstores nationwide. An even more amount of luck may turn in into an indie film that stars some of the country's famous actors and actresses.