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Aug

20

Comics From Metro Comic-Con Reviews 1

Filed Under Comics Artists, Filipino Artists, Philippine Comics | 9 Comments

Here’s the first batch of reviews of comics that I received during the Metro Comic-Con last August 8-9 at the Megatrade Hall of the SM Megamall.

Josel Nicolas is relatively new writer-artist who I’ve mentioned before in this blog. Based on the work I’ve seen so far, there’s literally no one else like him in the way that he creates his comics. “Making Up Words” from 2007, “Windmills: Bear Bong” and “Roleplay” from 2009 are clearly works of an intensely intelligent and creative mind.

Of his two recent works, “Windmills: Bear Bong” is definitely the more entertaining read. The writing is playful, creative, and offers deep insight on even the most mundane of things.

“Roleplay” however, is something quite different. It’s one of the more remarkable comics I’ve seen at the Metro Comic-con, and as personal expectations go with regards to Josel’s work, “Roleplay” doesn’t disappoint. It truly is a remarkable effort from a storytelling point of view.

But it is not for all readers, even if you’re old enough to read material for mature audiences. It’s subject matter is brutal and harrowing and I seriously doubt anyone can read this without wincing. It’s not a sunny, happy story with a wistful, hopeful ending. The reading of it is like being hit with several sledgehammers at once and it ends feeling like you’ve been finally put out of your misery. It leaves you thinking about it, and thinking about it hard.

I won’t spoil it for those who want to dare read it, but it features a couple of guys being put through the most horrible wringer of their lives. The fact that one of them looks like me gave me pause. I certainly don’t want what happens to the guy in there to happen to me, but as I read it, it made it more harrowing.

What impressed me was how Josel told this story with sheer visual storytelling with a minimum of words. It’s not simply how the story was told, but the choices of scenes to focus on to tell the story were very interesting. Even though you can probably read this quickly, I suggest you don’t. Nevertheless, You probably would read it slowly of your own accord because you just want to catch every little storytelling nuance. Every little gruesome bit of it.

I really have to say it. Josel Nicolas has one of the sickest minds I’ve ever come across. You wouldn’t know it when you see him, but underneath that sweet young innocent face lies the sick demented mind of a storytelling genius.

Where is it available? Outside of the conventions? Beats me! It’s best to ask Josel.

“The Filipino Heroes League” presents an interesting and rather hysterical take on Filipino superheroes. I’ve ruminated not too long ago about the difficulty of writing superheroes in a Filipino setting because of the real problems they would have to face.

Writer-Artist Paolo Fabregas finds a really plausible solution to the problem, that’s both sensible and completely entertaining.

I’m going to do a bit of spoiling here as it’s necessary to get the concept of this comic book across.

As I opened the first issue (three are available so far), I’m rather puzzled why it’s set in America. The most beloved Filipino superhero “Bomb Boy” is there, celebrating the fact that he’s just become an American citizen.

It turns out that superheroing, very much like a regular job, seems much more attractive and lucrative abroad. The most powerful, and the most popular Filipino superheroes have moved Stateside for greener pastures, leaving the the second stringers back home to take care of things. And these second stringers are rather a pathetic bunch. Their headquarters is a shanty, and their transport is a pedicab. It’s pathetic and funny at the same time.

The cops don’t have much respect for this bunch and it leads to some interesting confrontations and complications.

Where is it available? Ask Paolo here.

Comments

9 Responses to “Comics From Metro Comic-Con Reviews 1”

  1. Josel Nicolas on August 20th, 2009 9:57 am

    Thank ye kindly again, sir. >:)

    The books shall be available at Sputnik komiks, Bukay Ukay, and Robinsons Gelleria Comics Odyssey.

    Plug plus plus.. hehe

  2. Gerry Alanguilan on August 20th, 2009 10:12 am

    Bagay yang comics mo sa Sputnik. :)

  3. Paolo Fabregas on August 20th, 2009 11:04 am

    Thanks you so much for the write up, Sir!!

    I’m hoping to get the entire book done before the end of the year so I’m afraid the only place where you’ll be able to get them is during the comic con in October. I may have it done by November for Black Market X but I’m not sure.

  4. Ryan Parreno on August 20th, 2009 9:05 pm

    This is what I wanted to do when I was there. Nakakahiya lang lumapit kasi hindi ako bibili e hehehe.

  5. Markus on August 21st, 2009 1:15 am

    Being a hero geek, I’m personally looking forward to reading Filipino Heroes League.

  6. Kathleen on August 21st, 2009 9:08 am

    Where’s Sputnik komiks? Nakita ko na rin yang komiks nila sir Josel, heheh, katabi pa nga namin ung booth nila non sa Metro Comicon eh. >.< Nakakainis nga lang ala akong perang pambili ng komiks nila non…pero babawi ako!

  7. Gerry Alanguilan on August 21st, 2009 9:12 am

    Sputnik! Info:

    Sputnik is located at Shop 60 Cubao Expo (formerly known as the Marikina Shoe Expo) on Gen. Romulo Ave., Cubao, Q.C (near Pure Gold supermarket).

    Open Mondays – Saturdays, 4 – 10 PM

    Our website is: http://www.sputnikcomics.com
    Our email address is sputnik.fantastik@gmail.com
    Yahoo Messenger: sputnik.fantastik
    Landline: 632 709 1867

    Download this file and open in Google Earth
    http://alanguilan.com/sanpablo/sputnik.kmz

  8. kc cordero on August 21st, 2009 6:04 pm

    ang huhusay! :)

  9. Ryan Parreno on August 22nd, 2009 12:26 pm

    Boss Gerry, I need to talk about what happened between I, my friends & Sputnik. I dragged my friends to see it one Saturday a few months ago, and we hung around between 3-6 but the proprietor had temporarily closed shop. From what we heard from neighboring shopkeepers, he does occasionally do this from time to time when he needs the me time, and unfortunately he doesn’t really have anyone else to man the place for him.

    It was really a shame, since we ended up not going in. I had gone there before and was looking forward to showing them around, but I really got egg on my face from my friends for that incident. I hadn’t tried going back since then, but my advice to people going there is to call their landline in advance.