Anthology: Kommunity 2017

Created by: Budjette Tan, Ian Sta. Maria, Carlorozy, D. Borja, Hulyen, Manix Abrera, Toto Madayag, Ardie Aquino, Asshulz (Mae Andre Arboleda), Richard Mercado, Gaby Taylo, Buhay Kolehiyo (Mod Ryan, Mod Ton, Mod Lirip, and Mod Japh), Lyndon Gregorio, Josel [Nicolas], Cy Vendivil, Reginald Abisado, Ivyree Rosario, Elbert Or, Juris Go, Mich Cervantes, Jess Guanco, and Arnold Arre

Edited by: Paolo Herras and Richard Mercado

Komiket Inc.

(4.05/5 ★★★★☆)

"From award-winning

comic book authors

and prolific art market

and convention regulars

to the names behind the

most shared comic pages

in social media.

Meet the creators in your

neighborhood."

The Good:

The anthology features insights on how Komiket feels in the eyes of a comic creator, an artist or even as a regular comic con goer. 4 out of the 19 stories tells about this Komiket experience.

However, the best story in this anthology did not tackle the comic con experience but rather brought us a slice of life story. Little Things PH by Reginald Abisado and Ivyree Rosario. A story about life, love and death. This short silent comic would give chills as it shows off the same first 10 minutes that the audience felt to Pixar's Up.

The Bad:

One would agree that this anthology does not have a single story subject or art form. However, it does not look good if within an anthology there exists a set of comic strips that has one story line who unfortunately uses different art styles. It is difficult to love the comic Buhay Kolehiyo since the art deviates from one artist to another. It is confusing to know if the characters that exists in the other panels are the same or not.

The Verdict:

This compilation houses some of the best spin off stories from their main character arcs like Kambal: La Calauera Catrina (The Elegant Skull). Anthologies really gives a surprise story which could be an explored material in the future such as the mention of "Luha ni Lucifer" in the Kikomachine Komix. But in the end, sometimes the best gags can be seen in the sketchy illustrations of a sketchy guard in the story Security.

"People are doors. Lives are rooms. And sometimes doors leave." - Josel

* Breakdown of Rating:

★☆☆☆☆ -

★★☆☆☆ -

★★★☆☆ - First Komiket Experience; The Other Gonzaga; Uy Si Crush; Buhay Kolehiyo; Beerkada; Jan Jan Comics; Your Secrets Aren't Safe Here

★★★★☆ - Comics Convention; Security; Josel; The Wave Queller

★★★★★ - Kambal: La Calauera Catrina (The Elegant Skull); Hunghang Flashbacks Goes to Komiket!; Kikomachine Komix; Libreng Komiks; Little Things PH; Little Questions; Other People; Salamin

Anthology: LGBTQ+ Kommunity 2019

Created by: Emiliana Kampilan, Betina Continuado, Ezjae Zemana, Matt Alea, Mich Cervantes, Nowhere Bear, Yanna Sta. Ana, Tristan Yuvienco, Tayla Pangilinan, CJ Reynaldo, Lauren Baldo, Brent Sabas, Electromilk, Nina Martinez, Landlee Mae, Bianca Maranan, G3 San Diego, BluBulan, Rini Geronimo, Cy Vendivil, Protacio De Guzman, Ardie Aquino, Andrew Drilon, Jap Mikel, and Japhers

Edited by: Paolo Herras and Richard Mercado

Komiket Inc.

(4.45/5 ★★★★☆)

"From award-winning

comic book authors

and prolific art market

and convention regulars

to the names behind the most shared

comic pages in social media

meet the LGBTQ+ creators in your

neighborhood."

The Good:

A wide range of stories and topics were neatly touched in this LGBTQIA+ themed comic anthology from Komiket.

An insight regarding the different spectrums were seen on gays, lesbians, transexuals and even asexuals were tackled to name a few. Common entries were related to the Pride March.

The best story would be Pula Ang Unang Kulay Bahaghari by Emilana Kampilan. The struggle of a farmer in obtaining her right to a piece of land that they have been using for generations were seen to be at a disadvantageous side for those who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. All the misogony, bigotry and hatred were depicted.

Even the simple discrimination among men and women in terms of salary were evident. Kampilan also provides a footnote at the bottom of the comic to cite her references.

The Bad:

This is not a perfect 1st compilation from Komiket.

Minor problems were the layout done for the Agos story. The illustrations were seen to be a bit close to the spine of the book.

There were some stories that wasn't that engaging such as the Pusoy Dos story. The topic is a bit perplexing to understand on which spectrum of the LGBTQIA+ community the story wishes to dwell on.

The Verdict:

This is still a fine first from Komiket that compiles LGBTQIA+ content made by LGBTQIA+ creators. Stories that shows us that there's more to lesbians and gays. It showcases that within the rainbow exists trans and asexuals. The community is as diverse as one would stereotype it to be.

These are great stories that shows strength and pride in loving.

* Breakdown of Rating:

★☆☆☆☆ - Pusoy Dos

★★☆☆☆ -

★★★☆☆ - Agos, Well-wisher, Indak

★★★★☆ - Kublingtubi; Runner; Kwentong Tibo; The Garden

★★★★★ - Pula Ang Unang Kulay; Coming Out; Seen; Tago; Love Is Love; Unbroken; Walling; Love Transformed; We Are Two; The Fragile Mansion of Love; Bayugin; Love Conquers All

Movie Update: Buhay Habangbuhay (2016)

The film adaptation is already finished and all that we need to do is wait for it to be shown.

Paolo Herras, the writer of the comic book that was adapted into a movie, directs this story of love after the death of Joel and Sandy.

The cast is composed of Iza Calzado, Jake Macapagal, Meryll Soriano, Ricci Chan, Rocky Salumbides, Anna Marin and Nhikzy Calma.

Buhay Habangbuhay is going to be shown on March 16-23, 2016 as an Official Selection at the 2nd CineFilipino Film Festival.

Anthology: Lunatic

Created by: Mel Casipit, Kai Castillo, Maika Ezawa, Paolo Herras, JP Palabon, Tepai Pascual, Brent Sabas and Redg Vicenete

Meganon Comics

(3.75/5 ★★★☆☆)

(Cover by Redg Vicente)

"It's a Mad World.

During the full moon, energies are heightened,

releasing five crazy stories from eight deranged

and outright insane comic book creators.

Lunatic is the new normal."

Lunatic is the first anthology created by Meganon Comics. It contains 5 stories.

The Good:

Most stories did a good part of creating a story related to the title of the book. We were given stories that lean on foolishness due to man's desire, curiosity, need for wealth and by having a sense of false integrity.

The best story among the 5 would be Contestant by Ezawa and Casipit. For those who, at one point in time, have been watching our local noontime shows, the darker version of these noontime shows was vividly depicted to be a horrific scene. It's Fear Factor meets Survivor for the elimination rounds of this show! A player needs to go through all those crazy challenges in order to play for the jackpot round. It's one heck of an insanely twisted noontime show that they had let us watch.

The Bad:

The one that didn't do well was the last story, Ghost Parade. It started with a kid disturbed by loud noises which was later on said to be the sound of his own heart beat. The story ended a bit fast so that it just left me raising an eyebrow in confusion as I reached the last page. The conclusion was really confusing if the boy has just died or if he experienced astral travel.

Personally, it was a disappointment reading that story most especially since it served as the closing story of this anthology. The first story did absolutely great to the extent that I was expecting the last one to give the same chilling feeling towards the end of this anthology.

A small detail was also confusing regarding to the title of the 4th story. There's a discrepancy on the last letter of the second word. The chapter mentions it to be Hoodie Fernandes, however, upon checking the first page of that story, one would notice that it is titled as Hoodie Fernandez. This is just a small error that could be seen in this anthology.

The Verdict:

Lunatic is a good anthology that could send chills to your bones.

This first anthology by Meganon Comics has been a nice way to showcase the talents of different comic book creators through the crazy stories in this comic book.

Close that TV. Remove that mask. Loosen up your strings. Lunatic deserves to be read even by sane individuals. Trust me. The gong doesn't need to be played yet.

"Good people can do bad things.

It doesn't make them bad.

It only makes them

good people who do bad things."

More of Meganon Comics can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Meganon Comics"

http://www.meganoncomics.com

* Breakdown of Rating:
★☆☆☆☆ -
★★☆☆☆ - Ghost Parade
★★★☆☆ - Hoodie Fernandes/z
★★★★☆ -
★★★★★ - Umbra, Strings, Contestant

Comics: Buhay Habangbuhay ~ Chapter 1: Buhay Buwis Buhay

Story by: Paolo Herras

Illustrated by: Tepai Pascual

Rated: Parental Advisory Mature Content

Meganon Comics

(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

"Everybody has a

dark and light side."

The Plot:

The married lives of Joel and Sandy changed forever due to the abrupt death of Sandy. It sure is difficult to see how your loved one would continue his life without you.

The Good:

The story was nicely told with minimal words used in the illustrations. The life of Sandy was a bit easy to follow and understand as she discovers life after death.

The cover was the best part of this comic. The artist gave us two images on its front cover.

The Bad:

The illustrations were great but I'd still recommend further improvements to it. Some details could have used more inking (graying/shading? I'm not sure with the term) rather than leaving those images to appear as mere outlines, of course I'm not referring to the ghostly images of Sandy.

Then, there's this confusing character/s that was placed in this story. Another woman alive/ghost appears on the comics as she says that she enjoyed sleeping beside Sandy's husband, Joel. A few pages after this confrontation and the death of Sandy, Joel is seen to come home with a woman who shares similar features to the first one that Sandy had encountered. I'm not quite sure if these are two different individuals or they are just the same one. In case that they are just the same, a big question lies on how could that woman suddenly vanish into thin air after her confrontation with Sandy. How on earth did this scenario really happen?

The Verdict:

My greatest concern would be for the creators to devise a way to distinguish the characters, such as those that I had mentioned earlier, including the other illustrations in the environment. They were good, but, I must say, I prefer some objects be added with more shades and details, especially the ones closer to the point of view of the reader rather than leaving their outline as the final image.

This is an interesting series from Meganon Comics. A story about life after death here on earth is a fresh story in the komiks medium.

More of Buhay Habangbuhay can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Buhay Habangbuhay"