Comics: Mythspace: Lift Off ~ Issue 0

Story by: Paolo Chikiamco

Illustrated by: Koi Carreon
Mythspace
(5/5 ★★★★★)

"Nothing lasts forever, Iho.

So let lola have her hug, okay?" - Aling Nena

This comic attempts to present to us a different view on Philippine mythological creatures, such as the kapre and the tikbalang. It also shares some views regarding aliens.

The story centers around Ambrosio, a child that grew up with tales of mythological creatures that lives alongside with us in the universe. These were stories that his grandmother told him as he grew up. Stories he didn't believe in until he himself got abducted by these same creatures that was narrated by his grandmother. This story aims to tackle differently on familiar things that we had come to know as a child. Things such as our knowledge on our local mythological creatures are theorized to be aliens in this story. The author has really given us a different spectrum and wild idea of how aliens could look like.

The story and art are really nice. But the most catchy thing for me is the cover art of this comic. Overall, this is one of the few titles wherein it is an original concept that is good to follow. It was well written and the art was nicely drawn. The colors of the cover art was also nice. This is one of those comics that you should own especially if you have a fascination with stories that involves Philippine mythological creatures and/or aliens.

"You are wise to doubt the tales of your youth...

... but all myths, all monsters, are founded on truth."

Free Digital Copy:

Rocket Kapre: Mythspace 0.pdf
Gumroad: Mythspace: Lift Off #1

Storylark.ph: Mythspace: Lift Off #1: Lift Off

More of Mythspace can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Mythspace"

Twitter: @mythspace

The creators can be seen at:

Paolo Chikiamco

www.rocketkapre.com

Twitter: @anitero

Koi Carreon

www.electic-lights.blogspot.com

Events: Filbar's Marvel and DC January Sale!

Looks like there's another sale happening this first month of 2014.

Filbar does this by having 40% off on selected Marvel books and 20% off on DC Showcase Presents books. Well there's no time to loose to all Marvel and DC fans since this offer will be good until supplies last.

More information about Filbar's can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Filbar's"

Comics: The Adventures of Apocalypse Al ~ Issue 1 (Retailer Exclusive Preview Edition)

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Sid Kotian

Color by: Bill Farmer

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"I love L.A. Beverly Hills on one side, demonic creatures on the other. Sometimes it's hard telling the two apart." - Allison "Al" Carter

I got this comic by chance while shuffling through a box of new comics in Filbar's in Festival Mall, Muntinlupa City. I was so amazed to have found this comic since I know that it would not be out in the shelves till next month (February 2014).

I bought this comic for the same price it will be sold by comic bookstores. It was also to my amazement that they had sold it to me since it was a retailer's copy, which I failed to notice on the front cover due to my surprise in finding this a month in advance. But still, it is a keeper since it would be a rare opportunity for me to just suddenly buy this off the shelf of a comic bookstore.

The difference with this retailer exclusive preview copy from the issue to be released next month is that the contents are not colored. It is only the front and the back cover of the comic that is colored by the artist. It really teases a lot by giving a preview on the art and the story of this new comic with the color being left out. In this preview I could personally say that this looks interesting. One could get the feeling that this might be a bad choice, but I think this might be due to the lack of color that it has.

I'll do the review for the story after I get a copy of the comic with full color next month. So far I'd say that you should try to browse this preview copy in a comic book store nearby. Try to buy it if they would allow you. But if they won't, well just browse through it and you might get interested in following this new series from Joe's Comics.

More of The Adventures of Apocalypse Al can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com

Events: National Book Store January 2014 Sale

Well this post is not that late since there is still a few more hours left in the National Book Store Warehouse Sale. The last day is today (January 19, 2014), from 10:00 a.m. up to 7:00 p.m. at the Quezon Avenue cor. Sct. Borromeo and Panay Avenue branch.

Alongside with this promo is the one pertaining to office supplies that is also on sale. This promo is available on all National Book Store branches that will end on February 9, 2014.

So to all the bookworms who still haven't heard of this sale, you only have till today to grab a good book for a lower price.

More information about National Book Store can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "National Book Store"

http://www.nationalbookstore.com.ph/

Others: Marvel 2014 Calendar

This is a nice freebie that one could get from Marvel courtesy of Comic Odyssey.

It features on the first 6 pages some advertisements on some of their upcoming comics to watch out this 2014. It just wondered me why the spelling of calendar is that way. Well this is a good calendar to use this year especially if you are a fan of the Marvel Universe. Be sure to always check Comic Odyssey's website weekly if there might be more freebies, new comics, and other announcements.

www.comic-odyssey.com

Novels: His First, Her Last: The Incredible True Story of an American Lost in the Philippines

Story by: Jonathan Sturak

Pendan Publishing
(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

A story based on the actual experiences by the writer on the Filipino culture, traditions and even some of the problems that the country have. It gives another perspective to a life in the Philippines through the eyes of a tourist.

Jason Stefanik, the main character of the story, deals with the strange culture the Philippines has to offer. Such example to that is the Filipino's habit of saying "nosebleed" if they converse with too much English. Then there's also the beauty that the Filipino's have in their genes that most of its citizens appears to be younger looking. This was observed among a group of nurses or nursing students that were mistaken for a group of high school students. The novel also takes into account the negative side of the country. Such as the health care system, especially since I'm assuming that he might have been admitted in a government hospital that is poorly funded. There's also the justice system, in which for a crime of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property the maximum penalty that can be carried out is six months in jail. Although I'm not much versed in the accuracy of the penalty that can be imposed on such crimes, in my opinion it is a bit light especially since the incident resulted in the death of an individual. The main character, as the story progresses, becomes a bit more likable especially since his image started out to be a mother's boy who complained practically about anything and rushes on the time he can finally get back to America. It is from that image that he transforms into a very determined and loving boyfriend that will do everything to look for his love one, no matter what happens. He does this despite the current condition his body is after the accident.

The novel provides some good tips on how to be a "smart" tourist in the Philippines and at the same it also illustrates some of the tourist attractions that can be on your to see list, such as Intramuros. It also gives a few "must know" for a tourist new to the culture that the country has. The story of Jason's adventure is an interesting insight and narration of the experiences that the author had. Amidst the bad experience that he had due to the accident, Sturak still manages to come up with a story that talks about love and hope despite the tragedy that takes place in a country rich with heritage.

The writer can be seen at:

www.sturak.com

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 3: Dark And Terrible Things

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)

The story continues after Debbie's death due to her act of jumping off a building. This act was made after a demon possessed her. This event also led to Joe's death as he tried to save her. The only difference soon after was that he came back alive but Debbie didn't.

In this issue, Joe finds Sarah, Debbie's sister, unfortunately on the same county morgue. An interesting object, which he calls as a soul-stone is shortly introduced that has the capacity to talk with a dead body's residual soul. However, amidst this tool, it only left him a dead end. Thus, clues for this case were closing one after the other. The story of how Joe and Laura had met was told in this issue. It was told that they had met after Joe incurred an accident while doing his job as a button man. The issue ends with Laura being pulled out of the place that both of them considered to be heaven due to the safety it gives to both her and Joe. After being unconscious for some time, Laura then awakens in front of the person, who is responsible for her death, in a place Joe last expects her to be in.

The art and story continues to be impressive. There's just a typographical error on the 2nd page on the part wherein it narrates the previous events that occurred in the 2nd issue of Ten Grand. This 3rd issue was well told most especially by Templesmith in his illustrations, wherein the emotions of the characters can already tell the story without many lines needed. My favorite panel in this issue would be the part wherein there are three illustrations of Joe and Laura in a single page. In the middle, which is also the largest scene, shows them to be at the beach. The lower left scene shows them having a meal while on the other side shows them to be in a car. This illustration of love is a good page made by Templesmith. This issue continues to show a story of love beyond death, amidst the presence of angels and demons. It still is one sweet love story.

"Love is the only thing worth dying for. I should know, I've done it plenty of times." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com