Bakemono High (Book One) by Elbert Or

Meet Max - a vampire who always gets bullied by classmates. Amy, a mummy who's a certified worry-wart. Chuck, a werewolf wearing what looks to me like a Charlie Brown get-up - and he's madly in love with Salem, a cute gothic witch.

Welcome to the world of Bakemono High!

Leaping straight from the pages of K-Zone magazine into its own compilation, Elbert Or's Bakemono High (Book One) is definitely a fun read!

I have nothing but praises for this wonderful all-ages treat. I enjoyed reading it from the first page to the last. Plus I have to admit that I love the cover so much. Believe it or not, merely staring at it never fails to make me smile! Yes, it has that kind of effect. Well at least to me hehe.. In fact, I swear I can hear a cheery song playing inside my head at times. Something that sounds a little like the Teen Titans theme!

Elbert’s stories are super fun. His illustrations are adorable and dynamic plus the expressions are well-pronounced. That's something I am hoping to develop in my own art. Looking and studying Elbert's work, I know I have a long way to go haha!

I felt kind lost though while reading the musical pages (or Bakemono High School Musical, as Elbert puts it). Sure, Elbert writes some wonderful lyrics but I am left to wonder how the actual melody goes. I wish there was a play button or something to help me appreciate these four pages better.

Also, I can’t help but wonder why the series isn't called Bakemono Elementary or Bakemono Nursery since the characters (and the topics) exactly aren't set on a high school setting. Well, I suppose Bakemono High just sounds catchier!

All in all, I’d say I am totally satisfied with this volume. This is definitely the kind of comic I will share with my son Yuri once he’s old enough to read. Having said that, the wait for the second book officially starts NOW!

- Mark Rosario

SUMMER KOMIKON 2013 (RECAP)

Summer Komikon 2013 situational cartoon by Rommel Estanislao

Summer Komikon 2013

April 13, 2013 10:00 am - 7:00pm

Baynihan Center, Unilab compound, Pasig City

Late February this year, local comic creators started posting, or changing their Facebook profile photos or covers to chibified komik characters.  Hmmm...  Then eventually, it was revealed that the theme of this year’s Summer Komikon will be for kids.

Komikon gave away five complimentary tickets to a lucky person who had identified the most Komik characters, artists, mascots and fans from Rommel Estanislao’s epic Summer Komikon 2013 situational cartoon (seen above).

Komikon also gave away two complimentary tickets each for the first five who submitted their picture taken with a Summer Komikon 2013 poster at any National Bookstore branch, and five tickets for the first participant who submitted their picture with Summer Komikon video playing on NBS.  Entrance was 100 pesos, and for children 12 years below, it was free until 12 noon.  For those who bought tickets 0001-0100 pre-sold at Comic Odyssey Robinsons galleria, got free Komikon/Comic Odyssey loot bag with giveaways.

 Or just buy the ticket at the venue on the day of the event and get some freebies; an Orange Komikon/Comic Odyssey loot bag with event poster, komikon tabloid, and a fan; the early ones also got The Manila Bulletin newspaper, and some got Next Issue, 7-eleven Avenger card or Titus pens.  And all ticket holders can claim a free The Hobbit cup from 7-eleven.

http://www.komikon.org/summer-komikon-2013-floorplan-directory/

The event started at 10:00 am.  It was a sunny day and the crowd got bigger and bigger, big thanks to the nice air-conditioning of Bayanihan Center and 7-eleven’s free unlimited Slurpee, we forgot how hot the weather was.  Attendees, participants, exhibitors, sponsors, guest etc felt more secured as the Komikon organizers had at least eight CCTV cameras installed and monitored throughout the event.   Additional Bayanihan security guards and new floor layout - there were only one entrance and exit door open at the main hall and no one was allowed to go out through the entrance; even the Organizers.  Service doors were also closed and tightly guarded.  Komikon also appointed volunteers/marshals to provide additional security.

 

Conference room BCD - Indie Tiange and KomikoNook

The Indie Tiange was located at conference room BCD separated from the main Hall featuring 30 talented independent artists/groups.  This year, they got bigger space/table to showcase their works.  Variety of nice komiks to choose from Ikos Komiks, T-Phase, Dayo comics, Kowtow, Happy Lockjaw, Vicatan studio, Piktaw Comix, among others.  Pinoykon’s Jeffrey Benitez was also there with his own komiks Junior and Kapitan Bandila, he also sold some blank cover variants.  Also, Macoy with his sons Eiji and Eric were there with their collaborated komiks.  This year, a screen was provided so that the people in room BCD can watch what was happening on stage at the main hall; but without audio.  KomikoNOOK, where you can read komiks for free, was also in room BCD.  They added more chairs so more people can read and relax.

Inside conference room E, guests artists from Singapore; Otto Fong and C.T. Lim, talked about self-publishing in Singapore.

In conference room F, KomiKalye, where you can have your comics signed and have personal drawings from pinoy artists working for international comics like Harvey Tolibao, Carlo Pagulayan, Stephen Segovia, Heubert Khan Michael etc.

The Summer Komikon crowd Hall A and B

Halls A and B, where the main program was held.  Lots of nice things to buy, notably comics from the bins of Comic Odyssey and Comicxhub, PSICOM’s super affordable books, shirts from Moobytoons, BLACKink graphic novels with new releases such as Bloodhounds, The Reaper #2, Animen #3, Manila Vice, Angels vs Devils etc.


Paolo Fabregas

Visprint also launched new titles; Filipino Heroes League book 2 by Paolo Fabregas, Kikomachine Komiks blg. 9 by Manix Abrera, The Dark Colony book 1 by Budjette Tan/Guerrero/Tapia.  Gerry Alanguilan also had his Wasted graphic novel reprinted.  NBS launched Who is AC? By Hope Larson and illustrated by Tintin Pantoja.  NBS, Ian Sta. Maria and Mervin Ignacio had Skyworld signing; Ian also gave away some of his sketches to those who brought Skyworld graphic novels.  And the Komikon merchandise; orange loot bags, blue Summer Komikon 2013 shirts, Sulyap Anthology, and Komikon buttons.

  

Michael David - creator of Kubori Kikiam

 There were also new titles to chose from; Toto Madayag’s Kolsenter, Mark Rosario’s My Wife is Pregnant, Kai Castillo’s Agawan Base, Paolo Herras & Tepai Pascual’s Noodle Boy, Pelikomiks Studio’s Zombinoy #4, Russel Molina & Ian Sta. Maria’s Sixty Six, Lyndon Gregorio’s 12^th Beerkada book - Musikada, Ariel Atienza’s Westside (blank cover) #4, Jon Zamar’s Codename: Bathala #3, Ed Tadeo’s Jacara Zar #2,  Rh Quilantang’s Hipon Gamay #2, Michael David’s Kubori Kikiam coloring book, etc.

Ambush by Andrew Villar, Boy Ipis by Michael Ignacio, and Boy Bakal by Carlo Valenzuela, now on TPB format

Macoy’s Ang Maskot indie komiks turned indie film trailer was viewed; Ketchup Eusebio (And Maskot) was also there.  Carlojoe Javier and Bogart the Explorer were also there to promote their film Untitled Superhero Movie.

Again, Hero sausages, the best Hungarian sausages, had the sausage-eating contest.  There were lots of nice prizes for the Bring-me game, like free 50-tokens from Quantum amusement and I-On energy drink.

The Game of Thrones contest had the coolest price; The Iron Throne paper weight.

Winners from Comic Creation and Character Making contest took home some komikon goodies.  Among 30 submissions for the Character Making contest, Mila Aswang outshines the others.  Kowtow Komiks took the Indie Tiange Best Seller award and won an automatic slot on the coming 9^th Komikon.

Harvey Tolibao announced his HMT comic board winners.

Indie Tiange Moving Up ceremony introduced the first batch of graduates; Kai Castillo, Paul Michael Ignacio, Aaron Felizmeno, Mel Casipit, Wan Mananita, Rh Quilantang, Tepai Pascual, Rommel Estanislao, JP Palabon, Gio Paredes etc.

Tepai Pascual, the class valedictorian gave a very inspiring Graduation speech.

The Manila Bulletin cartoonists where called on-stage, then something happened; Rommel Estanislao’s proposal to Ails Casis.

At around 8:00 pm, the Halls were almost cleared, but still there was a crowd by the Visprint table; Manix was still signing for his fans.

It is indeed a wonderful event.  Everyone who attended would surely agree with me.  Congratulations Komikon for a wonderful experience.

If ever you missed the event, you can still catch some Indie Komiks at Comic Odyssey Robinson's Galleria, new titles available are; Wasted by Gerry Alanguilan, My Wife is Pregnant by Mark Rosario, Jacara Zar #2 by Ed Tadeo, Codename: Bathala #3 by Jon Zamar, Kubori Kikiam coloring book by Michael David, Luzviminda by Ray Magbanua, Piktaw Comix, Dayo comics, etc.

 - Kristopher Dimaano Garello

Summer Komikon 2013 Report

Eto yung report ko sa Summer Komikon as a fan and attendee.. Nagsulat rin ako ng maikling entry sa kabilang blog ko tungkol naman sa experience ko as a first time seller (ni-launch ko nga pala yung My Wife Is Pregnant comics sa event na ito).

Photo credits: Robin Rivero

Dumating kami nina Joy at baby Yuri sa Bayanihan Center around 10:30 am. Hardcore na yung pila that time. Abot na hanggang labas. Buti na lang nakapasok din kami agad. Pagpasok na pagpasok, si Omeng (Estanislao) agad ang nasalubong namin. Natuwa naman ako at may freebie agad kami haha! Binigyan nya kami ng kopya nung Summer Komikon situational cartoon nya. Sobrang ganda! Kasama kami nina Joy at Yuri sa poster. Papa-frame namin to for sure hehe!

Isa sa mga una kong binili e yung pinaka-aabangan kong Bake Mono High ni Elbert Or. Nakikita ko na dati yung sa K-Zone eh. Isa pa, sobrang fan ako ng artsyle ni Elbert. Bukod sa ma-entertain, isa sa purpose kaya ako bumili ng Bake Mono e para pag-aralan yung style nya haha! Masaya bumili kasi kasabay ko si Bien Del Rosario ng AdoboVerse. Kwentuhan kami tungkol sa komiks nya (na sobrang miss ko na rin). Try daw nya mag-release ng bago sa Indieket. Nice!

Maya-maya pa, nakita ko na yung dalawang komiks buddies ko na sina Danry at Kristopher. Sa wakas, nahawakan ko rin ang Batch 72 from Danry haha.. Kay Kris naman e yung Andong Agimat, Animen at FCBD Comics ng Comic Odyssey. Ansaya talaga pag merong kaswap ng komiks sa Kon.

Ikot-ikot pa. Tingin-tingin din. Si Joy, bumili rin ng komiks nya. Love Letter ni Reylee (Perti Ba Comics). Manga. Mukhang cute din hehe.. Ako, maya-maya pa e meron na rin akong Liga ni Likeman #1, Lakan at Makisig #3, Espiritista #1, Jacara Zar #2 tsaka yung colored giveaway sa Storylark table na "I Hate Mornings." Lupet, glossy ehehe! Astig din yung pinamigay ni Jon Zamar na Next Issue Anthology preview (na inabot ni Kris sa kin hehe). Very interesting! Anime ang tema. May mga time slot pa!

Isa sa mga highlight para sa kin e yung nakapagpa-sign ako ng Bully Saurus Rex kay Robert Magnuson. Lagi ko kasing binabasa yung book na yun kay Yuri mula pa nung 3 months old sya. Pinapirma ko para matuwa si baby pag laki nya. Ambait ni Robert. Kakawili kausap. Kaka-starstruck nga lang hahaha!

Well, siguro yung pinaka-highlight sa lahat e yung wedding proposal on stage. Antindi ni Omeng. Lalo ko syang naging idol. Rakistang-rakista haha! Nangako syang "ipaglalaba, ipagluluto at ipamamalantsa" si Ails. Ang naisagot na lang ni Ails (na halos hindi tumigil kakaiyak) eh "I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Woohoo! Sigawan ang lahat. Ako naman, maluha-luha kahit malayo kami sa stage (that time, ni hindi ko nga alam na sina Omeng at Ails yun). Basta natuwa lang ako para sa kanila. Sana sa Summer Komikon din sila mag-reception in the future hehehe...

Overall, sobrang saya nung Summer Komikon. Na-observe ko lang, sobrang daming tao. As in sobra! Kelangan na kayang lumipat sa mas malaking venue?.. Tsaka nga pala.. Natuwa ako na libre ang entrance ng mga bata hanggag 12 noon. Sana laging ganyan. Mas maganda nga kung permamente na at kung whole day. Para mas maraming bata na ma-hook sa pagbabasa ng komiks. Para mas lumaganap pa at maipasa sa susunod na generation yung hobby ng comics reading

 Salamat, Komikon, sa isang malupit na event. Salamat din, 7-11, para sa  Slurpee at sa mga The Hobbit cups ninyong puro Gollum naman haha! Oks lang libre naman :p


- Mark Rosario

ANG BATANG NAKASALAKOT (VICATAN KOMIKS)

Written and colored by : Lancelot Catan
Illustrated by: Carl Embalzado

Pinoykon.  Lakad lakad muna, then this komik really caught my attention.  ANG BATANG NAKASALAKOT.  Unang pumasok sa isip ko yun Buknoy ni Paul Merick Malunes, yung batang may mahiwagang salakot. "Anong meron sa salakot?" yan agad ang tanong ko kay Lancelot.  Then ikinuwento nya yun plot na ang bida ay may pangalan na Bernardo Carpio.  Hmmmm, naisip ko, parang dami na stories na ang bida Bernardo Carpio; like yun sa Sanduguan ni Gener Pedrina, o yun sa Skyworld, o yun sa PSICOM o iba pang kwento tungkol sa alamat.  "Ano ang special sa Bernardo Carpio mo?".  Talagang lalo ako na-intriga sa komiks na to.  Ano bang kakaiba ang maiihain ng komiks na ito?.

As describe above, batang Bernardo Carpio ang bida, pero hindi pala sya ang orig na Bernardo na nakagisnan natin mula sa mga alamat.  Ninuno nya ang unang Bernardo.  Isang katuparan na mula sa bloodline ng Unang Bernado Carpio ay may magmamana ng kanyang lakas.  Very interesting.  Pero itong unang issue ay isa palamang introduction ng characters, discoveries, and back stories.  Marami pang questions sa utak ko na di nasagot tulad ng "ano meron sa salakot?" o bakit naka-Haduken ang bida sa cover, namana rin ba nya yun superpower na yun?.

 Agad agad ko sya binasa nun nasa Pinoykon ako.  Napansin ko agad yun art, may feel na pinoy na pinoy, at parang napakagandang basahin in-colors.  Yun panels, medyo nakakalito at nakakahilo sa simula, yun iba kase hirap ng orientation kung pano sequence dahil overlapping pati yun ibang speech bubbles, pero later nasanay rin ako sa style nila.  Some speech bubbles are too large, natakpan na yun portions ng art na would look really nice.  Nagustuhan ko yun art, lalo na nun nakita ko yun ibang colored pages sa webpage nila, meron identity.  Also, napansin ko rin some of the typos, pati yun di nila paggamit ng space between sentences, which makes make it look crowded and confusing.  Di ko rin sure kung style nila yun pag-gamit nila ng punctuations; daming "period" instead na spaces or comma ang ilagay.  And some "exclamation maks" I think is unnecessary or over used.

Ganun pa man, I enjoyed this issue.  Agad ko sya pinuntahan and showed my appreciation and concern about sa mga na-observe ko as described above.  He is so nice naman to welcome my feedback and told me na aware sya sa errors involving the typos; little miscummunication daw regarding sa printing.  Gusto ko malaman yun mga susunod na mangyayari sa title nato.  He would not give me spoilers kahit na hints.  He just told me na may plan sila about dun sa salakot na I eagerly ask "ano meron sa salakot?"

Aabangan ko talaga to hanggang matapos and kwento. 

Lancelot is a very nice guy, I hope every komiks creator would be like him.  I also like na very suportive yun buong family nya, kasama pa nga palagi yun anak nya sa convention.  Congratulations Vicatan Komiks.

Lancelot Catan with his son and nephew

Of note, I admire this guy, kase nun sa Pinoykon parati sya nawawala sa table nya kase nauuhaw raw yun anak nya; bumibili sya ng tubig o shawarma, awww, hehe..

- Kristopher Dimaano Garello