Comics: Pugad Baboy 23

Illustrated and Story by: Pol Medina Jr.
(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

Pugad Baboy is one of the famous comics known in our generation. It is known for discussing current events that occur in our country and even in other nations. This comic compilation features topics such as the 2010 National Elections, inflation, gun usage in the Philippines, the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill), and Pres. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino.

This 23rd comic compilation is a manifestation of how long Pugad Baboy has been around to give light humor on some of the big issues that our society face. For the printing it may have been overlooked since pages 48 and 49 were printed again on pages 50 and 51. Overall, this is just a minor error in the layout process before printing.

This is one comic compilation that can't be ignored especially since it was made by one of the country's well known comic strip artist.

"Yang batas kasi e parang bibliya. Maraming interpretasyon 'yan.

Kaya nga kung umasta at magsalita ang abugado

at evangelist e parehong-pareho." - Tomas Sabaybunot

Comics: Zombinoy ~ Issue 1 / Episode 1: Zombie Dito, Zombie Doon

Story by: Geonard Yleana
Illustrations by: Carlo Cruz, Sid Santos
Letters by: Dennies Layante

Rated: For Mature Readers

Pelikomiks Studios
(5/5 ★★★★★)

"Ano'ng gagawin mo

'pag nagka-zombie outbreak?"

Got this from winter komikon 2013. This is just one of those comics that are on my checklist after having listened to good reviews from the WIP ★ FOR IT ★ A Pinoy Komikast Podcast. I had seen this comic a couple of years back when I attended winter komikon 2012. I just didn't pay much attention to it since I was busy with other stuffs and I also had limited time. After reading this comic, I'd say I should have bought a copy of this comic years ago.

"Well, killing da already scientifically dead is not murder.

We hav a slang term por it...

Dobol dead." - Gen. Isagani Guerra

The story starts with Paulo and Clara hiking, I think somewhere in Olongapo was the setting, when the zombie apocalypse in Metro Manila started. From time to time, the scene leaves the two lovers and shifts to a scene that shows how the government of the Philippines is handling the crisis under the leadership of President Antonio "Dok" Menandro. As the government evacuates the foreign dignitaries and some survivors from Metro Manila, the national government is then transferred to Cebu. In here a cabinet meeting happens that ultimately concluded without any resolution of the action to be performed. A lot of remarkable and funny lines were said in that meeting which was mostly delivered by General Isagani "Guns" Guerra, the AFP Chief-of-Staff. He even gave an interesting meaning of T.O.D.A.S. in which for him is Totally Outrageous Demeaning And Sacrilegious. All throughout, it was really hilarious as "Guns" and Helen Jocson, the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, debated against one another for the course of action that the government must undertake in order to solve this problem. If not addressed right away it might just end up with the other countries quarantining the Philippines and later on being nuked by America. This issue ends with the two lovers having a big argument that might end ultimately in a breakup in the very worst places or should I say worst thing to do during a zombie apocalypse while stranded in the middle of the road.

"Ip we don't act right hir and now, at pigilan ang pagkalat ng virus na ito...

magiging zombie Christian country tayo!" - Guns

Zombinoy is amazingly a good comic that should be sold in our local bookstores and not just in comic book stores. The quality of this comic is really good in which I may compare it to the works produced by big international comic industries. The cover art is just the beginning and as one flips throughout this issue, one would be really entertained both in the art and in the story. The way the story is told is indeed cinematic, like what the creators are keen on promising to make at the very beginning. Even though it presents to be a serious story, it still manages to be funny with some punchlines given by the AFP Chief-of-Staff and also some moments from the two lovers. This is a highly recommended comic to all comic book lovers, not just zombie fanatics, since I can really guarantee that this is a fuckin good great comic. Like on page 21 where fuck is mostly the word you'll ever read and say in the event you are in that scenario. Just don't forget that this book is still for mature readers.

"Run over these fuckin zombies now or I'll never have sex
with you again!" - Clara

More of Zombinoy can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Zombinoy"

One Mantra Advisory: April 2014 Travel & Fan Fiction

There'll be new additions to this site especially since its SUMMER TIME here in the Philippines. I'll be posting some travel destinations that one must include in their "must go to" list, whenever they happen to visit that area. By having more than 7,000 islands here in the Philippines, one will never get bored of the rich culture this beautiful country has to offer.

Another new entries that will be posted are Fan Fictions on some familiar stories. I really couldn't just resist making my version of the story in anticipation of the release of the next issue or book.

Have a Happy Summer to all!!! :)

Comics: The Reaper ~ Book 3: To Kill A Reaper

BIC0052
Illustrated by: Vovoi Lim

Story by: Nald Tabuzo

Black Ink Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"Sometimes people get sick without apparent

reasons that lead them to death. The Morbus

class of reapers could be the explanation.

Firmus is one of them. He can make someone

severely ill by merely touching him or her.

He harvests souls that succumbed to diseases.

Firmus gave Mika an illness that will make

her live like a vegetable for the rest of her life.

Daniel has to kill the reaper to stop the curse

on her beloved girl."

If has been a while since I last bought a new material from Black Ink Comics (BIC). The third book of The Reaper series is the 1st for 2014 that I had gotten. It is to my delight that the problem that I had seen in the previous books of BIC was addressed. This is regarding how the text dialogues and narrations are placed in each page. This is a good sign that BIC is eager on improving the quality of material they are producing by also considering some inputs from their readers.

This 3rd book of The Reaper series gets back from the story of how Mika is continuously frightened to death by Noctis and Firmus. It is their way to get back to Daniel after interfering with their duties as a reaper. It had eventually led to Firmus making Mika severly ill. This book laid out for the start of a match between Daniel and the reaper responsible for Mika's sickness. The book ends with a surprising twist that involves Vi, a calamitas type of reaper.

The Reaper is a good story to follow among the BIC works. The writer continues to feed us interesting information on stories with regards to grim reapers. The new character introduced in this book will make one wonder on how that could affect Daniel in the story. This book also poses the questions if there is indeed a Calavaren Tower in Makati, how is it visible to other non-reapers and how does one access its 13th floor. There are still a lot of books left for this series that can tell more about the nature of reapers. I'd still give a thumbs up on this series.

"The happiness I saw in her eyes eventually helped ease my pain. As long as she was happy, I was happy. Love was that stupid." - Jake Imperial

More of Black Ink Comics can be seen at:

Twitter: @BlackInkComics

Facebook Page: "Black Ink Comics"

Comics: Afterlife with Archie ~ Issue 2: Dance of the Dead

Story by: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Illustrated by: Francesco Francavilla

Rated: Teen+, Violence and Mature Content

Archie Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)

(Cover A by Francesco Francavilla)

"This Is How The End Of The World Begins..,

Turn out the lights, the party's over.

The zombie outbreak has reached the halls of

Riverdale High and the bodies are beginning

to pile up.. Can Archie, Betty & Veronica

escape the carnage and find a safe haven to

make humanity's last stand or will they,

too, join the ranks of the undead as

a truly eternal love triangle?"

Jughead down and a lot more to go. The previous issue was a fast and well packed story in the sense that the bestfriend of the leading character in a story is the first to turn into a zombie. Normally, in the routine way of story telling, that does not happen at the very start of the story. But it works perfectly in this comics.

In this 2nd issue, two perspectives of the zombie apocalypse in Riverdale are told. One takes place in Pop Tate's Diner, where Mr. Jones infect that area. On the other hand, the main event happens during the Halloween Party at Riverdale High. Another one from Archie's friends dies in this issue which was beautifully illustrated by the artist. After the death of that character "twice", chaos soon followed at the gym which lead to the search for a safety at the Lodge Mansion by the remaining group from Archie.

"I'm done playing Brokeback Riverdale with you." - Ginger

This is another good zombie apocalypse meets "a famous set of story" that is well crafted by the writer and the artist. Especially for the artist in creating the page that re-enacts Snow White's death with the scene only showing the apple rolling off her hands. What's more fun and enjoyable in this series is that there is an additional short story at the end which they called "From the Vault: Chilling Adventures In Sorcery." This was said to be formerly published under the title "Chilling Adventures In Sorcery." These short stories will be included starting with this issue and later on for the upcoming issues of Afterlife with Archie.

From The Vault: Chilling Adventures In Sorcery ~ Cat

Illustrated and Story by: Gray Morrow

The story was just okay. Although it would be recommended that this part to be read only if you are looking for something to do. Well this short story is just an add on for the Afterlife with Archie comic anyway.

Needless to say, this comic, Afterlife with Archie, is highly recommended due to the great story told by Aguirre-Sacasa and illustrations that were drawn remarkably by Francavilla. One can't just wait to find out who is still left alive by the time Sabrina is back in the story.

More of Afterlife with Archie can be seen at:

www.afterlifewitharchie.com

Events: National Book Store March 2014 Warehouse Sale

Its too bad that I only read the announcement yesterday (March 14, 2014) when National Book Store conducted its last day of its warehouse sale at Alabang Town Center.

Well its not too late for those who are living in the Visayas Islands, mainly in Bohol and Cebu. Since National Book Store will also be conducting their warehouse sale there. This promo will run for two days.

So to all the bookworms in Bohol and Cebu, who still haven't heard of this sale, be sure to be there early before the books you are looking for are gone.

More information about National Book Store can be seen at:
Facebook Page: "National Book Store"
http://www.nationalbookstore.com.ph

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 4: A Hole In Heaven

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)

(Cover A by Ben Templesmith)

"Angels can't enter hell unless a demon holds open the door, and demons can't enter heaven without an angel's say-so." - Joe Fitzgerald

Previously the story ends with a hole in heaven that led to Laura's capture and transfer of residence to hell. The one and secured place that Joe thought was safe for Laura has now been infiltrated. It is now up to him to find and rescue her from whoever is keeping her captive.

"The thing about denying someone their voice in this life is that it tends to come out in death." - Joe Fitzgerald

In this issue, Joe wakes up from a nightmare of something bad happening to Laura. After speaking to the soul of Julie, from one of his previous cases, he learns and gets the confirmation that not only Laura is missing but the angel whom he had made a deal with is also gone. With no time to spare, Joe goes to a place called "The Club" in which it is one of the places that has a doorway to where the planes of earth and hell nearly overlaps. Armed with objects he had gathered, he makes a move past entities that guard the gate to that doorway. Who knows how much time he has left in order to get Laura.

The story gets better as Joe moves on and crosses from our plane into that of hell. Both the art and story never fails us in this issue. This issue also tells of how strong our human determination is as we pursue the different trials in life that each one of us needs to conquer. This is still a great series that has an angels and demons themed love story.

"We're more RESILIENT. Takes a LOT to destroy a human spirit." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com