Events: Nomination for the 2014 Filipino Readers' Choice Awards

Another nomination is set. This time it's for the Filipino Readers' Choice Awards (FRCA) 2014. The nomination period will be on August 4 - 18, 2014. Only books written by Filipino authors are allowed. It must also be published during January - December 2013.

From last year's 8 categories, this year now holds 13 categories from which readers can nominate their favorite books.

The categories are:

• Fiction in English
• Fiction in Filipino (or Taglish)
• Romance in English
• Romance in Filipino (or Taglish)
• Fiction Anthology
• Young Adult Fiction
• Children's Picture Book
• Comics & Graphic Novels
• Poetry
• Inspirational / Religious
• Humor
• Food & Cookbook
• Nonfiction

Hurry and voice out the reader in you and vote for that book.

For 2013 FRCA winners you can see them in the link below.

http://onemantra.blogspot.com/2013/12/events-winners-of-2013-filipino-readers.html

Just click on the link below for more details on how to nominate for the 2014 Filipino Readers' Choice Awards at:

http://www.filipinoreadercon.wordpress.com/2014/08/04/now-accepting-nominations-for-the-2014-filipino-readers-choice-awards/

Comics: Alex + Ada ~ Issue 1

Illustrated and Story by: Jonathan Luna

Story by: Sarah Vaughn

Rated: T+ / Teen Plus

Image Comics
(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

I only have the digital copy of this comic, which I got for free when Image Comics made the digital version of some Issue #1s free to be downloaded. Alex + Ada is just among those that were available.

The story is set in the future wherein most technologies are controlled by our thoughts. It was seen that from the moment we wake up, we can just think and command in our heads for our alarm clocks to shut off. This is true to the other gadgets such as lights, phones, and even cars. All of this is seen as the story follows Alex, a 27 year old who is celebrating his birthday. The issue concludes with him finding a huge box, a gift from his grandmother, in his living room. Upon opening it, he finds a female android inside.

This is a nice simple story that is set in the future. From this issue, I guess the main plot of this series will be regarding a man's love to his gadget. So far it looks interesting. The best part would be the comic's cover wherein Ada, I'm guessing that's the name of the android, is drawn to be wearing a veil on her head. However, when looked upon more closely, it can be seen that it is just part of Tanaka Corporation's wrapping of their product. The cover looks amazing since it appears to be a marriage scene.

More of Alex + Ada can be seen at:

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com
www.jonathanluna.com

www.savivi.com

Events: Nomination for the 4th Komikon Readers' Choice Awards

Komikon once again brings back the KOMIKON Awards to give recognition to notable works of art presented in the comic form. There are 11 categories for this year. The nominated works should have been released around July 1, 2011 - December 31, 2013. Nomination period starts from July 24, 2014 and has been extended until August 9, 2014. The voting period follows thereafter.

The categories are:

• Best International Artist
• Best Comic: Graphic Novel / Anthology 
• Best Comic Serialized
• Best Comic Strip Compilation
• Best Comic Creator(s)
• Best Cover
• Best Cartoonist
• Grassroot Award
• Best Webcomic
• Komiks Character of the Year
• Comics Aid Awards

There's still time. A few more days are left before the nomination period is closed. So better hurry.

Just click on the link below for more details on how to nominate for the 2014 KOMIKON Awards at:

http://www.komikon.org/2014-nominations/

Events: End of July 2014 Sale

You know the meaning of this pictures from National Book Store. Just check out the stores near your area and their respective dates.

 

For the events that need more details.

Anvil Publishing will be having their Mid-Year Sale this July 15 - August 15, 2014 in all National Book Store and Powerbooks branches. Book prices ranges from Php. 35 up to Php. 100.

Another deal is from PSICOM Publishing Inc. They will be having 10% off on their books from July 5 - August 31, 2014 in all National Book Store branches.

Be sure not to miss out on this great deal.

More information abut National Book Store can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "National Book Store"

http://www.nationalbookstore.com.ph

More information about Anvil Publishing can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Anvil Publishing"

More information about PSICOM Publishing Inc. can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "PSICOM Publishing Inc."

Comics: The Woods ~ Issue 1

Story by: James Tynion IV

Illustrated by: Michael Dialynas

BOOM! Studios
(5/5 ★★★★★)

(2nd Printing Cover)

This is my first review on a BOOM! Studios comic and I'm glad to say that this is a great opening story for The Woods.

The story initially takes place in Bay Point Preparatory High School in Milwaukee, WI. It starts by introducing the main characters. We are started off with two close friends Karen Jacobs and Sanami Ota, the Vice President of the student council. Then to Calder Macready, who is later hunted down by the two friends for his streaking performance. This chaos then went on to the hallway which disturbed Maria Ramirez, the President of the student council, and John Beaumont, the school principal. The streaker then ran over to Benjamin Store and Isaac Andrews. The scene then leaves the streaker and focuses on Isaac where he went to Adrian Roth, a genius, who is found busy in the computer room. At this moment the whole school body sees a blinding flash of light before darkness suddenly falls upon them. The entire school body is then enveloped by chaos due to the horrors brought about by an attack of bats from a dead tree up to Carrie Hill being devoured by a winged beast in the chemistry lab. This issue ends with a group of five students making their way into the woods to search for the truth of the sudden abduction of their school in this alien territory.

 

Once again, I say that this is a nice 1st issue for The Woods. The cover, even though it's the 2nd print that I got, remains to be an eye catcher. Just wait till you get to read it. Surely you'll be eagerly wanting to know and get your hands on the next issue of this alien abduction themed story from BOOM! Studios.

"This is what you need to understand. No one is coming for us." - Adrian Roth

More of BOOM! Studios can be seen at:

http://www.boom-studios.com

Comics: Precinto 13 ~ Calling The Parents Of A Little Girl In A Blue Dress

Story by: Budjette Tan

Illustrated by: Atan

Alamat Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)

Precinto 13 shares the same universe with the Trese universe. It features short stories of cases that involves the paranormal.

The case presents the story of Tracy, the little girl in a blue dress that got lost in Robertson Mall. The story shows how the little girl is usually ignored and shouted at by her parents. She then got lost in a mall and is held under the temporary custody of the mall security until she is picked up by her parents. However, when two groups of adults shows up claiming to be her parents, she did not pick her dad and instead chose two parental figures who showered her with hugs and concern as they got to her first. The story ends with Tracy's parents asking for help from Capt. Guerrero to find her.

This is a nice story that could be a wake up call for some parents. Since Tracy's story can be heard and seen once in a while from kids who prefers to hangout with their friends rather than be at home. They do this since they are always just ignored or shouted at. What she had done in choosing a total stranger who gave her love and care from the first time they had just met is not far from the reality to some of the cases being reported on the local news.

As usual, Budjette shows his great writing abilities in giving us this story from Precinto 13. It is just a strange feeling for me that this comic is drawn by a different artist since I'm just accustomed that it is usually KaJo who draws stories from the Trese universe. But I don't have any negative remarks for Atan. I liked how he had drawn this comic most especially the cover.

I think no amount of praise will ever be sufficient since I know that stories that are part of the Trese universe is going to be worth the purchase.

More stories from Precinto 13 can be seen at:

http://tresekomix.blogspot.com/search/label/Precinto13

Comics: School Run ~ Part 7: Casualties of War!

Illustration and Story by: Macoy
(5/5 ★★★★★)

We are left with a sad zombie bite mark on Maki's leg in the previous part of School Run. It gives the impression that even the lead character where the story of School Run began is not immune to the horror of dying in this zombie plaque.

In part 7 of School Run, the story continues with a sad fate to Eightball and the leader of the Black Squadron. The rescue mission for Eightball ended with a suicide. A human death to be more precise rather than die and reanimate into a zombie was picked as a better option. On the other hand, time shortens for Robert who got a zombie bite in his hand. A decision was then set by dividing the NZP, an anti-plaque drug that must be taken every 4 hours, between him and Maki, who is currently unconscious. Then, he covers her before leaving the area. His next action was to shout out loud while walking away from the scene in order to lessen the number of zombies surrounding Maki. This part ended with 3 deaths as Robert is finished off by a gunner who sees him to be halfway into transforming due to the zombie virus.

The cover of this part already says a lot regarding the events bound to happen to the characters, especially to Robert and Maki. This really is a sad turning point for this series as one major character dies and another one is awaiting the same fate, unless something could halt or reverse the effect of the virus inside Maki's body. Well there's going to be a lot of things that is still going to be told. Such as, what has happened to the rest of the group, and if Maki will ever make it to school in time before she gets a head shot. It would also be great if a side story of the Black Squadron is written like who and what they are.

School Run continues to be a great story told in a child like drawing. Even though that is the style of art done by the creator, this personally is still an envy. Since I wouldn't still be able to come up with this nice drawings, set aside the nice story telling.

"Die Human!" - Black Squadron

He can be seen on:

Facebook Page: "Komiks Ni Macoy"

Twitter: @komiksnimacoy

www.mcoy.blogspot.com