Comics: Elmer ~ Issue 1

Illustration and Story by: Gerry Alanguilan

Rated: 17+ Only

Genre: Anthropomorphic / Drama / Fantasy

Komikero Publishing
SLG Publishing
(5/5 ★★★★★)

"Elmer is a window into a world where chickens have suddenly acquired the intelligence and consciousness of humans, where they can now consider themselves a race no different than browns, black or whites. Recognizing themselves to be sentient, the inexplicably evolved chickens push to attain rights for themselves as the newest members of the human race.

Elmer tells the story of a family of chickens who lives and struggles to survive in a suddenly complicated and dangerous world." 

The Good:

This 1st issue of Elmer begins with the everyday getting-out-of-bed sickness that most of us have.

We follow Jake Gallo, as he orients us to the current situation of the world after chickens emerged as a new race that is at par with the humans due to their newly acquired intelligence and consciousness.

The plot was wonderful. The dialogues may have been hilarious to read but questions regarding the norms of the society were placed with ease.

I think what was great in this comic was how the illustrations were carried out. Alanguilan is really a gifted artist who skillfully shows to us chickens full of emotions. He doesn't need to add an eyebrow to show anger. The facial features already gives the tone of that character.

There was a great splash page in this issue. The illustration of a rooster and his chick enjoying the sunset over a can of beer was delightful to look at. An enlarged and framed illustration of that scene would be great to hang in the house.

The Bad:
With the removal of the tasty chicken dish that we have been accustomed to, ducks now replaces that scene. However, it really seems fucked up to see a chicken eating a roasted duck on some panels. It seems too much for me to accept that part of reality.

The Verdict:
Humans at par with the chickens? Who would have thought of that kind of reality in an alternate universe. Recognizing them to be at par with our level of intelligence and consciousness seems to be a crazy idea. It would also lead us to kissing goodbye on eating our favorite fried chicken since it would then be considered as a crime of murder and as an act of cannibalism.

This 1st issue of Elmer was an enjoyable read. An alternate world where chickens could possibly be your employer is interesting. Even the idea that a nation would later on elect their first (and definitely not the last) chicken president/prime minister of their country would put all into confusion.

Alanguilan tells us to take a peek to experience this other worldly possibility that after all the fight for equality in terms of religion, race, color and sexual orientation comes the fight for chicken equality.

"Aw, dad... this isn't another one of those "oh, you're LUCKY you didn't have to peck dry corn and uncooked rice off the dirt!" kind of thing is it?" - Jake Gallo

Free Digital Copy:
ComiXology: Elmer #1
KOMIKERO DOT COM: Elmer01.cbr

Comics: The Mythology Class

2nd Edition

Illustration and Story by: Arnold Arre

Nautilus Comics

(5/5 ★★★★★)

(Cover C "Nicole-Kubin Cover")

"Summoned to a secret gathering one stormy night by the mysterious Mrs. Enkanta, Nicole finds herself face to face with tikbalangs, kapres, and all sorts of engkantos - new found friends, she embarks on a quest into the realm of myth and folklore where she fights alongside heroes of her childhood against an age-old terror. Follow in their footsteps as their adventure takes them through the familiar streets of Metro Manila and into a world more fascinating than they had ever imagined."

The Good:

This comic opens our Philippine pre-hispanic era for discovery.

A cast of college students, old aged teachers and a familiar yet a new and extraordinary view of the local mythology, the story introduces us once again to those familiar tales. A time before the battle of Mactan took place. The era where the gods of nature took reign and the enkantos were still believed to be true by many.

The story has a lot of good points. One of those were certain conversations written using the baybayin alphabet. The use of this alphabet opens our eyes to the rich culture that our ancestors had.

References to Ibalon warriors, Alunsina, Bantugan, and the kris weapon were effectively used here. A new object known as the Narra tablet seems original to the ears. It's like a different version of the Code of Kalantiaw wherein instead of laws, stories about mythological creatures are the ones written on it by Bantugan.

Other references included Francisco Balagtas' Adarna bird, Francisco Coching's Pedro Penduko and a Philippine Legendary book, whom I think was a nod to some of Arre's source material.

The illustrations of this comic book goes hand in hand with the story perfectly. The distinction between reality and dream sequences were beautifully executed.

A couple of splash pages and the two-page spreads intensified a lot of the scenes. The best splash page would be the Aswang Reborn and Tikbalang Drift illustrations. They command a huge scene for the story. However, the most rewarding picture would be the two-page spread of the Monument of Batch 2000. It gives off that feeling of graduation even though the class only took 4 months.

Each design really played homage to our past. The most interesting design that Arre had created for this story would be his take of our local hieroglyphic type of drawings. These design may make you wonder of an early Egyptian type of culture, minus the pyramids and the giant sphinx of course!

The Bad:

The worse thing that occurred in this comic book is that the story has to end.

The Verdict:

The Mythology Class takes us to a ghost busters type of story, wherein capturing a couple of escaped enkantos were needed to be done before the morning class starts.

Mrs. Enkanta, Nicole and the rest of the group will truly be a memorable adventure that Arre has luckily invited us to join.

A story written more than a decade ago, the class always feels new and old. It's an adventure that Bathala calls all of us to accept.

So call on the others, for Mrs. Enkanta, Nicole and the rest of the group are just waiting for the story of our ancestors be told.

"Promise me never to forget those stories. Maybe someday you might find yourself in one of them." - Nicole's Grandfather

More of Nautilus Comics can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Nautilus Comics"

More of The Mythology Class can be seen at:

Penlab: "The Mythology Class"

Events: ELBIKON 2016 Schedule

 

A pre-valentine's day treat will happen on Laguna next month for the Los Baños Comic Convention is back once again to satisfy our hunger for more.

Now on its 3rd year, the ELBIKON hosted by The Graphic Literature Guild will be held on February 13, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Baker Hall, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The entrance ticket is worth Php. 30.

Grab a comic book lover to date in this event at UPLB.

More information about ELBIKON 2016 can be seen at:

Facebook Event Page: "ELBIKON 2016"

Twitter: @ELBIKON

Comics: Ang Sumpa ~ Kabanata 3: Ang Pakiusap

Created by: Andoyman

Story Assist by: Super Gi

Rated: T+ / Teenage 13+

Genre: Detective / Mystery / Suspense

Andoyman Komiks

(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"Iniimbestigahan ni Arman Darte, NBI Agent,

ang pagkamatay ni Pangulong Enrique Ortega.

Ngunit mayroong pakiusap

si Madame Estrella Ortega, biyuda ng pangulo.

Papayag kaya si Arman o hindi?"

The Good:

The investigation regarding President Ortega's death continues. The story continues its detective work with Arman as the sole investigator of the case.

A human person is now presented as a suspect in this story. Based from the 2 previous chapters, I would have almost believed that this would be a paranormal story if it wasn't for the appearance of that suspect.

The Bad:

The cover wasn't that striking. It appears to be overloaded with too much video footage regarding the death of the president. It felt really exhausting just by looking at each picture depicting the events that follows after the news of the president's death was reported.

The story also felt to have really slowed down in contrast to the previous two chapters.

The Verdict:

Ang Sumpa remains to be an interesting story full of detective and logistical work. I just hope that with the appearance of a new character and the revelation of a suspect in this chapter, it won't just be a coincidence that both of them appeared on the same chapter of this story.

So far this story is still recommended to those who love plots that are solved with logic. Wherein subtly the clues that could help solve this case have been planted underneath our eyes from the very beginning.

More of Ang Sumpa can be seen at:

http://www.angsumpa.wordpress.com

Facebook Page: "Ang Sumpa"

The creators can be seen at:

Andoyman

http://www.andoyman.wordpress.com

Facebook Page: "Andoyman"

Super Gi

http://www.jgifederizo.wordpress.com

 

Comics: Buti Pa Ang Cupcake May Fillings

The Heart Edition
Illustration and Story by: Vee Jocson

The CoSmic Book

(5/5 ★★★★★)

The Plot:

Fat girl meets handsome skinny boy. Boy only dates sexy girls. So fat girl slims down for handsome boy to notice.

The Good:
The 20 pages was worth it. A simple love story of a girl meets boy was interestingly told.

A reflection of our society was depicted. Some common everyday scenarios can be seen such as,

"Customer: Pabili po!

  Sales Attendant: Mamaya ka na! (doing nothing)

  Customer: Mag sara na lang kayo!" 

Previous showbiz news such as the "dala ka ng foods sa condo" issue was also referenced in one panel.

It is also worth nothing of the attractive cover art that was made. Strawberry dessert lovers and hugot-lines fanatics would definitely stop to look at it.

The Bad:
None that the reviewer can see.

The Verdict:
The story of Cupcake was a great one. This comic book was nicely done by Vee Jocson. A story full of comedic references and that opening scene could lead you astray from the ending that the creator has prepared for us.

Cupcake really does have feelings!

"taste it! it's to die for!" - Cupcake

This could be purchased at:
Gumroad: Cupcake (2015)

More of the creator's works can be seen at:
http://tapastic.com/vjocson

More of The CoSmic Book can be seen at:
Facebook Page: "The CoSmic Book"

Events: Asia Pop Comicon 2016 Schedule

Asia Pop Comicon (APCC) was a success after being launched at Manila last year.

The organizers have released the schedules early this year so we can prepare ourselves, both our wallets and free day, for the upcoming APCC 2016.

Save the date for the respective country that you would be attending.

Here's the schedule for Asia Pop Comicon 2016.

• Korea
• June 10-12, 2016 (Postponed until 2017)*
• Manila, Philippines
• August 26-28, 2016
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• 4th Quarter of 2016 (Coming Soon)**

More information about Asia Pop Comicon 2016 can be seen at:

http://www.asiapopcomicon.com/

 

* Based on a post at the official website of AsiaPop Comicon Korea dated April 30, 2016.

** Updated as of September 18, 2016. Early pronouncements regarding the schedule for UAE was removed from the official website.

Events: Manila International Book Fair 2016 Schedule

Another big event has laid out its schedule this year for bookworms.

The Manila International Book Fair is back, currently on its 37th year. It will be held on September 14-18, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasig City.

Start saving now and mark this date on your calendars.

More information about the Manila International Book Fair 2016 can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Manila International Book Fair"