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Aug

17

“Where Bold Stars Go To Die” Artwork Completed

Filed Under Bold Star, Filipino Artists, My Comics, Philippine Comics | 23 Comments

Arlan Esmeña, my artist for “Where Bold Stars Go To Die” turned in the completed artwork today. I can’t tell you how excited I am that we have finally come to this point. This story has literally been NINE years in development. I first wrote this story back in 2000, thinking that it’s something I will be drawing myself. I was inking something for Marvel back then, and I thought I could do it, figuring that the story would take around just thirty pages or so to tell.

I lost time to do it so I thought I’d let other artists take it over. I first offered it to Dino Ignacio, and then Noel Lim, but when things didn’t work out, I thought I’d go and do it myself again. In the meantime, 8 years had passed.

And then Arlan came into the picture.

Let me tell you a little something about Arlan. I met him way back in 1994. I had passed my Architecture board exams two years before, and I was invited to join the local chapter of Architects here in San Pablo City. Like me, Arlan is an Architect, but unlike me, he has made quite a successful career for himself practicing the profession in the city.

I could spot a geek right away, and I knew Arlan was a geek as soon as I met him. It turns out, he was a huge comics and robots fan. When he was 15 years old, he created miniature Transformers out of bristol board. Transformers that actually transformed. Incredible creations, those little Transformers.

We’ve been friends since. When I left for the San Diego convention in 1999, he gave me photocopies of his portfolio to pass around to the publishers. I had no idea he had been preparing a portfolio. It was then I realized how interested he was in drawing comics. Feedback from San Diego was positive, but fruitless jobs-wise.

He probably wouldn’t have time for it anyway because as I said, he is pretty successful as an Architect, and he’s becoming known in the city, and beyond, for his unique design style.

We continued to hang around, sharing stories about movies, comics, TV and Architecture. We’ve also come to like making videos together. We have several “Kwentong Tambay” videos at You Tube where all I do is try to make Arlan laugh.

Sometime last year as we were heading towards Manila to see if we had won a video contest we entered (we got second place!), he asked if I had a story that he could illustrate.

At that time I had already resolved to draw “Bold Stars” on my own. In fact, I’ve already drawn a page from it. But I thought I could probably give it to him, and I asked him if he could draw me a few women. He spent much of the time at the contest venue just drawing women, and I was so impressed that I gave him the job. I’ve never seen anyone so happy and excited.

Since this was Arlan’s first time at the helm, I decided to draw the layouts as I discussed the story with him.

As for the story, well…

The story won’t be for kids, and won’t be for prudes either. That goes for YOU, Manoling. And YOU, Senator Manny Villar. Yes, this will be an adult comic book, and yes, you can probably call it bomba komiks. But this is so unlike any bomba komiks that you have so far read. This is intelligent, well drawn, and will deliver sledgehammers of pure, brutal emotion.

As in 2000 when I first wrote the story, my intent first and foremost was to do an adult comic book, but treat the subject matter seriously and with respect. It’s a concept that I first tried on Elmer and the subject of intelligent chickens. Ridiculous notions, serious treatment. Bomba komiks have always been considered as lewd, cheap, and disposable. “Bold Stars” will try to achieve the opposite of that.

So yes, “Bold Stars” might be more expensive than your average ELMER issue as we would be using the best production values available with the best paper stock and the best printing that we can afford.

I’ve gotten some really awesome artists to provide the pinups. Carlo Vergara turned in a terrific one, and I’m proud and lucky to have Brice Beckham aboard to provide one as well. Google that name if you like, but let me just tell you that he’s an actor. But the reason I asked him to contribute is because he’s such a kick ass graphic artist and he turned in an absolutely terrific pinup. More pinup artists to be announced soon.

There are lots more to tell with regards to “Bold Stars”, and in the next couple of months leading up to the Fifth Annual Komikon on October 18, 2009 where this will be launched, I will be talking more about it.

Next week I will be conducting a video interview with Arlan about this project and I’ll be posting it here.

Comments

23 Responses to ““Where Bold Stars Go To Die” Artwork Completed”

  1. dexterwee on August 17th, 2009 8:48 pm

    Looking forward to it Gerry.
    I won’t be able to go to Manila in October but early November. Would it be possible to purchase it through mail? or just kindly post the stores where it will be available. Thank you and more power.

  2. Borgy on August 17th, 2009 10:13 pm

    OOhhhh!! It’s coming this Komikon! ^_^

  3. Carlo San Jose on August 17th, 2009 10:15 pm

    I’ve been waiting for this since last year’s con. I even got the previews. Mukhang maganda to. Sana magbenta ulit kayo ser ng original inked art tulad last year, di ako nakabili kase wala pang budget, pero this year may budget na hehe.

  4. Pinoy Comics USA on August 18th, 2009 12:15 am

    Gerry,
    How much “guidance” did you give Arlan. From the little I see here looks like he can draw women. Sure would like to see pin-ups by Lenil and Jay Anacleto.
    Rod

  5. Gerry Alanguilan on August 18th, 2009 12:43 am

    Rod, all I can say is that I’m not a visual artist on this one. :) It’s actually a great opportunity for me to be able to demonstrate collaboration in comics not only in the work itself, but what comes after. Arlan co-owns this property with me. From now on, every time I mention this comic book, Arlan will also be mentioned. And whatever business this comic book makes as a comic book or some other possible incarnation later, Arlan will greatly benefit from it as well.

    I haven’t asked Leinil yet, but I am going to.

  6. Bong Redila on August 18th, 2009 3:54 am

    Wow! Is that Tetchie Agbayani?

  7. hazel on August 18th, 2009 4:14 am

    looks very good! hope there would also be nude men inside. Hihi. Looking forward to buying it

  8. Gerry Alanguilan on August 18th, 2009 6:22 am

    Any similarities with bold stars in the past (and some new ones), along with their classic poses, are definitely intentional, and part of the story. :)

  9. Gerry Alanguilan on August 18th, 2009 6:32 am

    Hazel… I can definitely say that that guy gets naked… a LOT. :)

  10. Pilar on August 18th, 2009 8:46 am

    Why not? It sounds interesting, after all. I’ll be buying it from you, Gerry. ^_^

    BTW, er, since my little brother is such a fan of your Elmer… I wonder if I can buy 3 more copies from you for him (I only have the 3rd issue you gave me for free. ^^; )?

  11. Carlo on August 18th, 2009 9:34 am

    Have my copy signed by the both of you, Gerry! I’ll be there on October.

  12. chummy on August 18th, 2009 9:42 am

    Wow, hope we can order it from you directy sir or be it available here sa Cebu sometime soon. judging from the previews this ones gonna be a keeper :)

  13. Romi on August 18th, 2009 12:26 pm

    Me bago na naman akong mabibili mula sa KOMIKERO – aabangan ko yan! :)

  14. Jose Mari Lee on August 18th, 2009 1:11 pm

    Arlanzandro Esmeña:

    Nakow, bakit mo timakpan ang 2nd head at 4th head ng anatomy ng mga babae? Utos ba ito ng Visual Artist na si Gerry Alanguilan? Lintek na direktor yan, ah. May MASSACRE ba diyan ng mga soft pron stars? Dapat, a-la HEDY LAMARR ito noong tumakbo siyang walang saplot sa Pelikula. At saka, nasaan ang secondary title nito?

    WHERE BOLD STARS GO TO DIE
    Lord, have mercy on their souls!

    Dapat ganito ang title. National Artist ang dating nito, di ba?

    Teka, ikaw ba’y taga GUBAT, SORSOGON or BACON, SORSOGON?

    Alam mo bang ka-apelyido mo yung movie reporter na si TITA SWARDING? Romulo Esmeña iyon, from Gubat, Sorsogon.

  15. Greta Valenti on August 18th, 2009 4:16 pm

    YAY!! Can’t wait to see it! Thanks Brice for drawing me!!!!!!! xoxoxoxo
    Gv

  16. Omar on August 18th, 2009 7:11 pm

    This is definitely something to look forward to in October…and enough reason by itself to go out and attend the con.

    Can i have both of you sign my copy? Will Arlan be doing free quick sketches at the con?

  17. arlanzandro on August 18th, 2009 7:48 pm

    Mr. Jose Mari lee:

    Wow! Never knew that. my Father is from
    Gubat,Sorsogon.the late Dioscoro Esmeña.

  18. Pinoy Comics USA on August 18th, 2009 9:38 pm

    JM,
    Aling pelikula yung kay Hedy Lamarr? I know Maureen O’Hara did it in Lady Godiva.
    Rod

  19. Jose Mari Lee on August 18th, 2009 10:12 pm

    Arlanzandro:

    Magkakilala sila ng father ko. Di ba relative ng father mo yung announcer dati sa DZGH diyan sa Balogo, Sorsogon, si Boy Esmeña? Ang pagka-alam ko, kilala rin ng father mo yung dating governor ng Sorsogon City, si Raul Lee, na first cousin naman ng father ko. Small world.

    Very unique naman ang pangalan mo. Ang daling tandaan dahil sa uniqueness. In the near future, kung magiging National Artist ka sa Visual arts & Architecture, huwag kang magtago sa likod ng sunglasess at baseball cap, ha. Di hamak na mas pogi ka kaysa ibang national artist diyan. At huwag na huwag mong bibitbitin ang naglalakihang architectural renderings at mga plano ng buildings na gawa mo kapag nagpa-interview ka sa CNN. He-he.

    Okay, tama na ang biruan. Congrats, Arlanzandro. Astig ang drawing mo.

  20. arlanzandro on August 19th, 2009 5:49 pm

    Mr. Jose Mari lee:

    Na Kwento nga ni Tatay B4.Wow!.hahaha.
    Thank You.

  21. Jose Mari Lee on August 19th, 2009 11:27 pm

    Rod:

    Ecstasy (1933)

  22. tristan on September 13th, 2009 6:07 am

    hello gerry.

    just passed by and years since i visit your site. How do you discern art from porn. kung may nasulat ka nito subject, i havent read it. I also draw but often have to hid drawing of semi naked women because of people have this bias that its already porn. i’ve written in my wordpress blogs how i am against nudity that showbiz people do. anyway, women are good subject to draw and only a mature person with enough understanding on such topic whats art and not. most of my drawing are by moods so i dont draw much often.

    san ba gagawin yun komikon kasi hindi pa ako nakakapunta sa isang event kasi uwian me from qc to sta.rosa. megamall pa rin ba? i hope to be there October.

    thanks

    Tristan G.

  23. Gerry Alanguilan on September 13th, 2009 8:01 am

    Tristan, it would be hard to pin down definitely the distinction between porn and art. It is inevitable that there would be people who would consider this porn. In fact in certain parts of the world, exposure of a woman’s legs is already porn. In certain parts of the world, a full frontal nude photo of a woman is NOT porn. So which is it? Ultimately, it’s in the eyes of the beholder.

    Personally, I don’t mind nudity if it’s appreciated by adults. I think that the more we hide something, the more people will look for it. The more commonplace it becomes, the less a big deal it becomes.