CODENAME: BATHALA #1 & #2 by Jon Zamar & Judd Abinuman

Codename: Bathala is about a crystal-powered armor that grants its bearer the ability of flight and use electric current for weapon.  It took about two decades to finally see this armor take its first flight.  Many tried, but Michael, a crippled ex-engineer/ex-pilot succesfully controled it.  Actually, the armor is keeping Michael alive after an accident, though it is not clear to me how the armor actually helped in sustaining his life.  Is it like Iron Man's arc reactor, which an eletromagnet kept a shrapnel away from his heart?

The main story was set in the Philippines in the late 90's, when robots walk the streets and the police squad wears armors with superguns?  (hmm, clearly it is not the same Philippines we are living right now, maybe an alternate one).  I like the thought that Bathala not only saves lives but he brings real hope to people by letting them know that he is like everyone else - just a human.

Later in the story, he was proved to be worthy of the godly power having a selfless heart and for that, was given a gift from the heaven, a sword.  Michael, without the armor or even his wheelchair, helpless, surprisingly was able to summon the sword.  (astig).  Learning the full potential of the armor, he had the armor heed his call while falling from the plane, and then transformed to Bathala. (wow).  He fights villains, like every hero does.

I like Jon's villains, there are not wholly evil. They were merely misled. They did bad thing for good reasons.  One villain is Zona, a corrupted war-goddess.  She inhabits the body of Azon, a crippled girl who loves his brother Dong.  (Zona/Azon, crippled, with a brother Dong?, hmm clearly inspired by Darna).  But unlike Narda, who needs to swallow a stone, Azon has an Amulet and she does not have to swallow it whole. She just have to chant some phrase just like Hal Jordan. (ayos).  She has this amazonian-built (like Diana/WonderWoman), and her mask reminds me of Volta's.  Azon fought with wicked Tree-folks? hmmm that is something I do not like, believing that trees are neutral beings.

I like how Jon Zamar tells the story.  Smooth-pacing.  Very well thought.  I like reading the dialogues, though, being written on ALL-CAPS, the word "PAF", got me confused for a while until I realized it refers to Philippine Air Force.  Could just have printed the word in bold letters or placed a little footnote.

Judd Abinuman's art is great. It didn't need too much details and background which really made me enjoy each page especially on the later half of issue #1.  I like how the panels were placed.

The production is very great.  From cover to back cover, I could say this is worth every peso I paid for it.  It has colored cover and back cover, although the interiors are in black & white.  But, with 80 pesos each issue, you will get an Indie Komiks with glossy pages, great prints, thick paper, plus a great experience reading a Komiks that will make you feel proud that it was Pinoy-made.

Overall, this is a great read.  I will eagerly wait and support every next issue.

-  Kristopher Dimaano Garello



You can also catch Bathala on Bayan Knights as a member of TronIX team.  You may also see a 2-page Bathala origin on Bayan Knights #4.