May

4

Free Comic Book Day 2008

Filed Under Comics Artists, Elmer, Filipino Artists, Komikero Group, My Comics, Philippine Comics, Timawa, Video Blogs | 25 Comments

It was my first time to participate actively in Free Comic Book Day. Last year when I was drawing “The Black Cat” for Graphic Classics, I didn’t realize it was for FCBD. For years the Graphic Classics gigs were things I did and greatly enjoyed, but it seems hardly anyone saw them locally. I’ve so far contributed to the volumes adapting short stories by HP Lovecraft, Jack London, O. Henry, Bram Stoker, Rafael Sabatini and this special edition where I adapted a story by Edgar Allan Poe. They were great to do and I’m forever thankful to publisher/editor Tom Pomplun for giving me the opportunity to be able to exert my creativity in this direction. I also want to thank him for his patience. He would know what I mean. He’s probably one of the best guys I’ve had the privilege to work for in the industry.

When I came to the Comic Odyssey yesterday to drop off the 50 giveaway copies of Elmer #3 at 11am, there was already a long line forming outside the store. Apparently the owner Sandy is giving away a LOT of comics, as in a LOT, and not just those with “Free Comic Book Day” stamped on it. Behind the counter were several big boxes of Graphic Classics FCBD which contained 250 copies. I was concerned if we could give them all away because it was really a lot.

I had lunch first with Budjette Tan, who kindly gave me a copy of his TRESE: Murder on Balete Drive, and Charles Tan (no relation to Budjette that I know of). We talked comics of course, and about the Iron Man movie. I haven’t seen it, but all the talk about it being a fantastic movie was driving me nuts. I want to see it, but I’m not sure when I can find the time.

I was back at the store at around 12:30. Edgar Tadeo was already there and we started signing. I had a lot of stuff to sign, not only the 250 copies of Graphic Classics, but anything else that people bring with my work on it. That was OK, but it left me little time to do sketching. In the end I was able to do only one sketch for a guy who asked for a drawing of a local superhero. Of course, I did TIMAWA.

Budjette was there in a kind of semi-launching of TRESE’s first volume. I can’t say enough how awesome I think this comic book is. For those of you in the Philippines, hang on as it should be available at National Book Stores all over the country. For those abroad, you can order a copy online here.

Mico Suayan (Marvel’s Moon Knight) also arrived, as did Leinil Francis Yu (Secret Invasion). Many other comic book creators arrived including Gilbert Monsanto, Jonas Diego, Randy Valiente, Bow Guerrero, Aris Lim, Dennis Crisostomo, Augy De Lara and many others.

The first couple of hours I was there, Azrael Colladila set up a webcam that streams the event live online. He told me that Tom Pomplun and Anne Timmons (frequent contributor to Graphic Classics) were watching. I immediately felt conscious but I waved them hello in case they were indeed watching. I forgot the camera was there, and when friends came like Jonas, Gilbert and Johnny Danganan, I went and told all kinds of stories and said a lot of things which I probably wouldn’t have said if I only remembered a camera was there. ha! ha!

The Philippine Daily Inquirer dropped by for a video interview and as soon as the guy started shooting, I immediately went into my You Tube character without even completely realizing it. It was really strange. Stranger still probably to the guy and other people who saw it. You might see the video interview at their site or at You Tube at some point.

At 5pm I was just completely wiped out. I admire Edgar and Mico for their endurance in drawing for several hours, but me, I was beat. Not only that, it’s really difficult for me to draw with any semblance of competence publicly. So I was able to only do that just one sketch and that was it. Someone asked why I wasn’t drawing, and I said why, and he said something like “But you’re just standing there!” Well, jeez man, you know who you are. I know you read this blog, but man, that wasn’t such a nice thing to say. Needless to say, I got quite pissed. But it passed soon enough and I hung on till around 6pm and there was still a line outside the store for the free comics. All the copies of Graphic Classics were pretty much given away, and I just signed the few remaining copies left.

I took the remaining 4 pre-reserved sketch requests and I’ll just do it at home and deliver it to the store when I finish them. Definitely before the month is out.

Jonas, Johnny, Gilbert and I hung out a bit. We invited Gilbert to join us in our Komikero meetings and he said he’ll try. Gilbert seems like a perfect fit. He’s crazy enough for us. Sorry guys, requests to have Komikero meetings in Manila… well, it’s not really possible. We can meet in Manila once in a while of course, just like we did last night, but the official Komikero meetings will still be in San Pablo. If we do it somewhere else, it just might lose something, I just can’t put my finger on it.

It was nice to catch up with old friends who came to visit like Ricky Olivares, Aris Lim, Bow Guerrero, and an old college buddy of mine who still loves comics.

Enormous gratitude goes to Sandy Sansolis of Comic Odyssey for agreeing to do this event, and ordering astounding 250 copies of Graphics Classics, and definitely a lot more only to be given away. I hope it translates into more people reading comics, and of course, for better business for Sandy and other retailers. I did hear that Felix Cua was also doing an FCBD thing at his Druid’s Keep store in Magallanes, so it’s all great!

Commentary/Photo coverage: Azrael Colladila, Azrael Colladila 1/OJ, Azrael Colladila 2/Victor, Azrael Colladila 3/Mark Cerbo, RoninVampire, Ricky Olivares,

Video Coverage: RoninVampire, Popazrael 1, Popazrael 2, Popazrael 3, Popazrael 4, Popazrael 5

Commentary: Edgar Tadeo, Stompbox, James Barcelona,
(More Links To Follow)

Comments

25 Responses to “Free Comic Book Day 2008”

  1. Ed on May 4th, 2008 9:30 am

    It was amazing to see old friends again!

    Over time ako after the dinner with Sandy and CO Family. I still drew until the store closed. Oh-ha?! Sa’n ka pa? :P Seriously, it was tiring but I enjoyed it.

    Okay. My turn to write something about the event. :D

  2. Jonas Diego on May 4th, 2008 9:42 am

    “If we do it somewhere else, it just might lose something, I just can’t put my finger on it.”

    I know what it is: San Pablo…and the lake.

    Seriously.

    I’ve had this theory for sometime now (despite hassling you about meeting in Manila…he he he) that part of what makes us Komikeros is also the rituals involved in our meetings. Rituals like walks around the lake for first timers (kahit old-timers), sitting on the grass to draw, the snack attacks in between, the walk up the VERY LONG stairway, and other little things like that.

    Move the meeting to Manila and we’re not going to be able to do any of those things anymore and it will really be just a meeting for drawing.

    This is the main realization that I’ve had: we don’t really meet to draw (wow, ngayon ko lang na-realise to!?). We meet to affirm our bonds but the beautiful thing is that bond is not just set in the air (parang wala lang). The bond is set in a place called San Pablo, beside a lake, near a little store that sells roasted coagulated chicken’s blood.

    People kasi when they meet after a long period of time of not seeing each other experience a bit of awkwardness because some things have changed and a bit of catching up is required. Notice this is never the case for us Komikeros even if we haven’t met for several months?

    Well, we still need to catch up with what each other is doing but I believe one of the reason why we hardly feel any time has passed between one meeting and the next is that San Pablo offers a kind of timelessness quality to our meetings.

    In a very big way the Komikeros’ soul (as a group) is tied to San Pablo despite most of us being in Manila already. This is part of the reason why I still make the monthly trip and part of the reason why I go when I feel beaten down or discouraged.

    Because our meetings have the magical quality of returning its members to its roots, the bedrock of who they are. Of, in a way, bringing the world back into focus or finding a new perspective. Or, at the very least, finding some inner reserve to be able to do what is right and do what needs to be done.

    Most importantly however,it brings us back to a simpler time when we’d just spend the afternoon with a piece of paper and a bit of pencil whiling the day away with good friends in our own little corner of the world.

    I usually come up with crappy drawings during our meetings (if at all) but I look up and I realize that everything is as it should be and everything will be alright.

    Bow.

    Sorry, naging article na ata to…

  3. Nyek! - edgartadeo.com » Blog Archive » The Things In Life Are FREE! on May 4th, 2008 10:05 am

    [...] had a quick and short appearance to sign the pre-launched Trese: Murder On Balete Drive, and also Gerry Alanguilan who gave a way massive number of Graphic Classics and Elmer #3. Azrael was there who setup the [...]

  4. Azrael on May 4th, 2008 10:16 am

    im so tired all day!
    enjoyed the event also!

    big hugs and thanks to Sandy of Comic Oydssey
    and to all of you too.

    im now uploading the pics and video hehehe

    @gerry
    will wait that inquirer.net video interview!

  5. Gerry Alanguilan on May 4th, 2008 10:18 am

    Ed… you’re a machine! :)

    Jonas… wow, that’s beautiful man. Honestly, if I wasn’t married…

    Thanks for the coverage Az!! :D

  6. Jonas Diego on May 4th, 2008 10:38 am

    Nyahahaha! Ipo-polish ko siguro tapos gagawin ko ng full article. Tapos pambobola ko ng chicks…mga maliliit na manok. Run, Elmer! Run! He he he! :D

  7. Reno on May 4th, 2008 1:32 pm

    I wasn’t able to attend, but it’s great to hear that you guys had a lot of fun. I hope I can make it the event next year, :)

    Thanks to Sandy and Felix for participating in FCBD!

  8. Eman on May 4th, 2008 1:34 pm

    Waaaah! Di na naman ako umabot!

  9. gilbert monsanto on May 4th, 2008 9:07 pm

    Sana nagampanan ng event ang dapat mangyari, ang makahikayat ng mga bagong readers ng comics :)

    Di kaya dapat mamigay tayo sa ibang lugar na di regular comic readers ang nandun?

  10. Sandy on May 4th, 2008 10:29 pm

    Hey Guys,
    Yesterday’s event was a complete success. Thanks to Gerry, Ed, Mico, and Leinil for attending the event. Thanks to Az for the online streaming and coverage. Thanks to all the comic fans that attended as well. Aside from the comic fans, I saw many new faces on FCBD 2008. I would guess over 1/3 of the people in line were non-comic readers that just happen to pass by wondering what the long line was for and decided to join in. The word “FREE” is a magic word. I was glad that FCBD was able to attract many new readers which is the ultimate goal of FCBD. I’m already looking ahead to next year and planning to make FCBD 2009 even better. Thanks again everyone!

  11. Ed on May 5th, 2008 8:12 am

    Sa mga Pinoy “masarap pag libre!” Hehehe! :D

  12. Nerp on May 5th, 2008 8:13 am

    glad the event was really succcessful! salamat ulit sa free book gerry!

    :-)

  13. Pope on May 5th, 2008 10:17 am

    Iiiiiiiii MISSED IT! XD

    Next year na lang =p

  14. Myke Guisinga on May 5th, 2008 11:44 am

    Huhuhu! Wala ako…nasabahay ng mangyari ang event. May kaunti kasing salu salo sa haus kasi. Jonas…naiyak ako sa sinulat mo.

    Waaahhhh!

  15. gilbert monsanto on May 5th, 2008 12:18 pm

    Parang linya sa isang blockbuster movie sa haba. Ang saya!

  16. jerome dizon on May 5th, 2008 3:44 pm

    Wala man ako sa Pilipinas ay masaya akong nakakuha ng Graphics Classic at nakabili na rin ako sa wakas ng Secret Invasion( second printing).. Gerry saludo ako sa gawa mo… Salamat din kay Azrael sa live feed/chat, naka usap ko din si Anne. More power and tama din si Gilbert na sana eh maraming mahikayat na hindi regular na mambabasa ng komiks. Dito sa Sydney marami akong nakitang mga batang nakipila sa FCD. Ako naman eh nakipila sa 3 comics shop hehheh naka 9 free comics ako hehehe

  17. Philip Tan on May 5th, 2008 6:06 pm

    Masya rin ang FCBD dito so Pasadena branch ng Comic Odyssey.. pero syempre di katulad ng diyan sa inyo.. naiinggit tuloy ako XD Gusto kong sumama diyan XD haha Next time hopefully! But gratz on the success of the show Sandy! And everyone also, of course : )

  18. Robin C. Rivero on May 5th, 2008 6:36 pm

    Hi Gerry! I never got to properly thank you for the copy of Graphic Classics and for signing my copies of Elmer… even though I cut in line :( I was just so caught up in the excitement of it all…and fan-girl that I was, I just followed my friends in and sort of went with the, uh, counterflow. Anyway, thanks so very much for being awesome. Looking forward to Elmer #4!

  19. Ash Exconde on May 6th, 2008 3:20 am

    Wahhhhh! I totally forgot about this… kinalendar ko pa and the fact that I was already in Robinson’s that day… sayang talaga… totoo masarap ang libre lalo na’t gustong gusto ko yung freebies… hay, next year na lang…

    thanks to all the pinoy artists!!!

  20. Rod Samonte on May 6th, 2008 3:46 am

    Gerry, Ed, and all you komiks illustrators,
    Linsyak, walang ganito nung panahon nina Redondo, Coching, Alcala, etal. You’re all like celebrities, a. More power to you all.
    Rod

  21. miel on May 6th, 2008 5:50 am

    Hi Ger,
    ahem! penge ng Elmer #3,ehehe!

    dengcx

  22. Joseph on May 10th, 2008 8:39 pm

    Just saw your site! Ang dami palang local artist na nagdra-draw sa Marvel! Familiar ung name ni Dennis Crisostomo sa mga sketch cards ng Marvel. I really hope they sell those trading cards locally, I don’t know why comic Odyssey is not selling those Marvel trading cards, I really hope they get some stocks here.

    By the way, nagpa-sketch ako sayo ng Jean Grey, ako ung pang apat sa list, ok lang matagal basta maganda, gusto ko nga sana same size ng trading card para mailagay ko sa magandang card case pero kahit ano ok lang. :D

  23. Gerry Alanguilan on May 11th, 2008 12:03 am

    Hello Joseph!

    Tapos na ang Jean Grey sketch. Backing board sized sya though. Di ko kaya magdrawing ng trading card size. Gumawa ako ng mga artwork for cards before, pero malaki rin ang original nya.

    Dadalhin ko sa Comic Odyssey bukas, Sunday. Pero baka late na ako makadaan. Salamat!

    :)

  24. Joseph on May 11th, 2008 11:17 am

    No problem! Dpat try mo mag sketch sa mga Marvel cards, sigurado magiging one of the most sought after artist ung mga gawa mo. :)

  25. Bow Guerrero on May 21st, 2008 8:59 pm

    Gerry! I wasn’t able to thank you enough! I really appreciated the free book and the autograph. (amazing art as usual)

    It was nice seeing you again. It’s been too long. Hope to see more of your stuff.

    And I think I cut through the line…so apologies to all the guys who lined up to get an autograph from Gerry and the other guys, I didn’t mean it :-)