Comics: Tarantadong Kalbo ~ Volume 2

Illustration and Story by: Kevin Eric Raymundo

Komiket Inc.

(5/5 ★★★★★)

"Nagkagulo sa bakuna, nag-agawan ng itlog, nagkanaw ng dalgona, nagmahalan ang mga baboy, naghabulan ng jetski, nagtulungan sa mga pantry, at tumindig para sa bayan. Ito ang koleksyon ng mga komiks ni Tarantadong Kalbo sa unang parte ng 2021, ang sequel sa pinakamasagwang taon nating lahat."

The Good:

An update of the current sociopolitical events of the Philippines is presented in this 2nd book of Tarantadong Kalbo. Government response against the COVID-19 pandemic are best illustrated in the strips Distancing, 'La Pa, Variant, and Dance Shield Revolution. Even the public's perception of living with this virus are potrayed in Quick Group Pic and Conyo Mask [with Conyo Wings].

Trese's adaptation as a Netflix series was celebrated in several strips here such as Represent and Santelmo and Outta Nowhere.

The best editorial cartoons in this compilation is Saglit. This four panel strip will really knock at your heart.

The Bad:

This only captures half of the events that occurred in the year 2021. A 2nd book of 2021 compilation is expected to appear in the 3rd volume.

The Verdict:

Tarantadong Kalbo's comic strips show the Filipino life through the usage of 90s pop culture references to depict the drama in our everyday local politics.

An addition of quick news bites through Balitangero was amazing. On the other hand, Inuman Sessions: Historical Distortion provides us an educational material that discusses historical distortion and historical revisionism.

Tarantadong Kalbo Volume 2's best and most tearjerker work so far is the four panel Saglit that reflects the pandemic situation of the Philippines during the COVID-19 Delta Variant surge.

He can be seen at:

Facebook Page: Tarantadong Kalbo

Twitter: @KevinKalbo

 

Comics: Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise ~ Episode 4: Meet The Bestie

Illustration and Story by: Tsambolero (Raphael Unta)

(5/5 ★★★★★)

The Verdict:

Leonardo "Leo" Aurelio's best friend Sampaguita "Sammie" Rhose Catacutan gets to meet his boyfriend Thomas.

Laughter engulfs as the professional monster hunter meets the aswang. An exchange of funny tirades ensures as names such as "lumilipad na daga" (flying rat) and "angry lesbian dora" were shouted.

He can be seen at:

Twitter: @Tsambolero

More of Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise can be seen at:

Penlab: "Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise"

Events: We Art Luneta x Komiket

This is it. After enduring long lockdowns here in the Philippines, as part of the restrictions imposed to combat the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Komiket will be seen once again in a booth locally in Manila.

We Art Luneta, the Rizal Park Arts and Crafts Market!, is presented by Puesto and the National Parks Development Committee. It spotlights our Indie comics and books. One of its attendees is Komiket.

This event will take place on April 23 - 24, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. up to 8:00 p.m. at Noli Me Tangere Garden, Luneta.

See you there!

More information about We Art Luneta can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Puesto Manila"

Comics: The Children of Bathala: Volume One of Five

Illustration and Story by: Arnold Arre

Nautilus Comics

(4/5 ★★★★)

"Twenty years after the events of The Mythology Class...

Bidding a pleasant farewell, Mrs. Enkanta left to continue her journey through time. Nicole and her friends' adventures into the realm of myth and magic were seemingly over.

However, things have not been peaceful over the past two decades: Lane has lost her telepathic powers; Kubin is weakening; Rey and Misha have mysteriously gone missing; and doubts about Enkanta's true purpose are growing.

As their friendships, once strong and binding, slowly fall apart, Nicole senses a dark spell affecting them all.

Convinced that those cherished days they shared in the Mythology Class are fading away, Nicole is unaware that a new band of visitors from the magical world of Ibalon have arrived. These beings hold the key to unlocking an ancient mystery; one that may reveal a frightening terror, but also open an enchanting new world for Nicole, her friends, and her daughter Princess Marilag."

The Good:

The story brings us back to the world of Mythology Class years after they fought off the engkantos. The story and illustrations remain superb.

A lot of references to various books, personalities and tales were made. The most thought provoking concept presented was the Bukidnon Skyworld introduced at a Ted talk.

The Bad:

This first volume among five has a slow pace in story telling.

Many conversations were written using either baybayin or another Filipino language. It would have been a great idea to have the translations of these conversations written somewhere at the end of the book for those who don't understand the language.

The Verdict:

Nicole and her other classmates under Datimbang are back years after their initial quest. The curse of the ancient once creeps in as the blood moon starts to settle in. All hopes that the dark anitos won't find them.

More of Nautilus Comics can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Nautilus Comics"

Book News: The Children of Bathala Volume 2 of 5 Launch

Nicole is back to continue the story in this 2nd volume of The Children of Bathala. The sequel series to Arnold Arre's award-winning graphic novel, The Mythology Class, will nearly be in your hands this November 2021.

No further updates regarding when the book will be open once again for orders after the pre-order link closed last November 6, 2021.

(Image from Instagram account of Arnold Arre)

"Idra's plan to hide Nicole and her friends from the Dark Anitos has failed. Now the evil Budniaan has arrived in this world with his army of undead warriors and twisted engkantos to hunt the former Mythology Class down.

With Rey and Misha on the other side of the globe and the group at odds over what course of action to take, they all realize they need to reunite and escape Budniaan's threat. A plan is formed to visit a location of past glories and race against time to uncover the secret of an ancient artifact that may lead them to safety in the spirit realm - the Skyworld.

Will this group of adventurers who are past their prime be able to escape to fight another day before they are found by a sinister enemy more powerful than any they have faced before?"

Comics: Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise ~ Episode 3: Hunger

Illustration and Story by: Tsambolero (Raphael Unta)

(5/5 ★★★★★)

The Verdict:

We got 7 panels for this NSFW episode.

This answers the question of how do they do the deed once Tomas is in his other form.

Tsambolero really gave us an interesting couple that is likeable. I just think we ought to know what Tomas hunted to eat for food

He can be seen at:

Twitter: @Tsambolero

More of Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise can be seen at:

Penlab: "Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise"

Book Update: Whatever Something Shadow Trese Book 8 Cover Preview

One cannot have too much Trese goodies this year. After posting the Trese vision board of stories and books last January 6, 2021, Budjette Tan finally laid out the title and cover of the 8th Trese book that had a working draft name of Whatever Something Shadow.

(Image from Instagram account of Budjette Tan)

Trese 8 is officially titled as Shadow Agents. An interesting image that consists of Madam and the Askaleros were shown here. Following the way the title of the previous Trese books were made, Trese 9 is bound to have a shadow on its name as well.

No release date as of writing was announced regarding this 8th Trese book that will be published by Avenida Books.

More information about the Avenida Edition of Trese books can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Avenida Books"

Trese Books 2021 Update:

Book News: Trese's Book Releases for 2020 and 2021

Book News: Budjette Tan Reveals Upcoming Trese Books