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Mar

15

Seventies Komiks Covers

Filed Under Philippine Comics | 12 Comments



KC Kordero, Founder and Editorial Director of Filipino Komiks, very kindly loaned me a large collection of komiks from the 1970′s that he recently came in possession so I could document them, as well as digitize selected artwork for preservation and upload at the online museum. Presented here are some of the covers from that collection.

The Rex Komiks cover above is illustrated by Jun Borillo, while the 2nd Rex cover below is illustrated by Elmer Esquivas, depicting Zuma, a character that he co-created with Jim Fernandez.



The two covers of Hiwaga Komiks below is done by an uncredited artist. KC thinks it might be by Nestor Malgapo. Personally, I’ve no idea as I’ve yet to see colored work from Mang Nestor. Can anyone offer some ideas?





The next two covers are from Tagalog Klasiks, illustrated by “Gonzales”. I have to confirm it, but it might be the same artist as Adrian “Ading” Gonzales because of the similarity in some of the linework. The interior art of this serial is fantastic, drawn largely and doesn’t have the “cramped” look of many Filipino comics stories of this time.





The story credited as “Isinanobela ni Vic J. Poblete” seems to indicate that it’s an adaptation. Digging more deeply, it could may well be an tagalog adaptation of “The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe”, an Italian movie depicting similar characters and settings, if not the same plot.

More features from the KC Cordero collection soon!

Comments

12 Responses to “Seventies Komiks Covers”

  1. Rod Samonte on March 16th, 2007 12:34 am

    Gerry,
    Good to see you back in comics. Although your film knowledge is a revelation and thoroughly enjoyed that one. I saw 300 yesterday in IMAX, wow, what can I say, awesome. Those Rex comics are also a revelation. I don’t think I’ve seen them before. Apparently, while Zuniga & company were busy in the U.S. somebody was taking care of busines at home. The Shanghai Joe illustrator seem to be advanced in style. Do you have his name? Rod

  2. Gerry Alanguilan on March 16th, 2007 1:35 am

    Hello Rod!

    I just can’t stay away. :) The Shanghai Joe illustrator is “Gonzales”, who I think is Adrian “Ading” Gonzales. I can see similarities with this and the work he did in the US.

  3. Jonathan on March 16th, 2007 8:18 am

    It’s sad that REX stopped releasing komiks when I was hired in 1998. I would have love to write for their komiks (love for the byline) even for the low payment.

  4. Gerry Alanguilan on March 16th, 2007 8:42 am

    I went to a REX Bookstore not too long ago and I asked one of the employees about their comics and she looked like I was from a different planet. Apparently, they don’t remember they even had a comics publishing division. Maybe I should have talked to the manager or someone higher up. They came out with lots of really good komiks.

  5. alex abular on March 16th, 2007 12:58 pm

    Sir Gerry,

    Si Ading Gonzales po ang nagdrawing ng Shanghai Joe. May ilang art sample ako nya na galing din sa komiks at ganito talaga sya magdrawing ng puno at bato.

    Imagine Grade 1 pa lang pala ako ng binabasa ko ito. Yes, i was born in 1970.

  6. miel on March 17th, 2007 7:36 pm

    dear Gerry,

    the “Hiwaga” comics cover was probably done by Rey Arcilla–i’m not to sure but as far as i could remember siya yata ang unang gumamit ng mga watercolor/ black and white washes sa komiks noon–tapos papatungan ng color sa printing.

    :)
    deng

  7. kc cordero on March 17th, 2007 8:59 pm

    gerry,
    the ‘rizal’ cover was rey arcilla’s, but the other cover i’m sure was mang nestor’s. malapit sa mga karakter nila sa komiks ang mga pigura. ‘yung mata at buhok ng lalaki ni rey sa rizal, buhok at mata naman ng babae sa isang cover (kalajari) ay distinct na malgapo touch.

  8. Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » Mar. 22, 2007: Farting space potato on March 22nd, 2007 6:15 pm

    [...] It’s been a while since I checked up on Gerry Alanguilan, here are some covers from 1970s Filipino comics. [...]

  9. Bing Reynoso on April 11th, 2007 8:00 pm

    Sa wakas nasagot na rin ang tanong ko kung iisa nga ba si Gonzales at Ading Gonzales na gumuhit ng Shanghai Joe. Pero kung tama ang natatandaan ko, kung hindi si Hal Santiago ay si Steve Gan ang gumuhit ng mga unang labas nito. Ang mga natatandaan kong iginuhit ni Gonzales ay Totoy bato, Pangil, Darko, Boy Diablo, Kuta Bato, Asong bundok at Mercenario. Nasan na ba siya ngayon? :-)

  10. Gerry Alanguilan on April 11th, 2007 8:32 pm

    Hello Bing!

    Pagkakaalam ko, sumakabilang buhay na si Ading Gonzales. Si Hal Santiago nga ang gumawa ng unang labas, at sya rin ang gumawa ng mga unang buwan ng Shanghai Joe. :)

    Ipopost ko dito ang 2-page spread ng unang labas soon! Ang bagsik ni Mang Hal dito.

  11. Rex Komiks « KOMIKLOPEDIA on April 23rd, 2007 4:39 am

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  12. emman bedbugs on January 30th, 2008 6:09 pm

    hi gerry,

    I’m part of underground comics group…Bedbugs.

    I’m currently researching on 70′s comics too. Would you happen to have any contacts that may
    lead me to comics athour Jim Fernadez of Aztec fame?

    hope to hear from you!

    More power on your comics and sites!