Indieket Komiks Preview: Kalayaan #15

Kalayaan #15

Genre:  Superhero
Age Rating:  PG13
Story and Art:  Gio Paredes
Price:  65 Pesos
Publisher: GMP Comics

Sisikapin daw ni Gio Paredes na ihabol itong Kalayaan #15 sa Indieket.

Akalain mo yun? Naka-15 issues na pala so far si Kalayaan? Bilib talaga ako sa sipag at dedication ni Gio sa pagko-komiks. Hindi ako sigurado kung sya na ngayon ang may hawak ng record bilang "longest running indie comics series." Kung sakali man, hindi na rin siguro ako magugulat.

Bukod sa regular Kalayaan issues, nakapaglabas pa nga sya ng Kalayaan #0 (special introductory comic) plus Kalayaan Vol.1: A New Pinoy Superhero trade paperback (na available nationwide thru National Book Store). Sa ngayon, nag-i-ink pa nga sya para sa Bayan Knights #7 eh (i-discuss ko yan sa isa pang blog entry in the future).

Parang kelan lang nung nag-start ako bumili sa kanya (usually by mail ko natatanggap yung Kalayaan comics) at ngayon nasa 15 na sya. WOW! Kudos, Gio, for 15 issues!

Nawa'y magtuloy-tuloy pa ang Kalayaan at nawa'y dumami pa ang creators na kasing sipag mo - para dumami rin ang mas masayang mga readers gaya ko hehe!Ano ang dapat abangan for this issue?

1. Base sa cover, mukhang magiging mahangin ang issue na ito.

2. Sino nga kaya si Buhawi? Hero o villain? Member ba sya ng Parokya ni Edgar? Malalaman natin pag nabasa natin to hehe.. Sa blog entry ni Gio, magiging "one of the major characters" daw tong si Buhawi.

3. Base sa preview page na ito, mukhang patuloy si Gio sa pag-improve bilang artist. Yan yung isa sa gustong-gusto ko sa pagbabasa ng comics nya actually. Yung nakikita ko yung growth nya as writer and illustrator. Nakaka-inspire! Panalo sa details tong panel 1.

Bilhin ang Kalayaan #15 at iba pang Kalayaan issues sa table ni Gio Paredes ngayong darating na Komikon Indieket sa Bayanihan Center August 10, 2013.

- Mark Rosario

I spotted Pinoy Graphic Novels at National Bookstore



Philippine Fiction and Literature section


Marami nagtatanong sakin na kakilala ko kung saan ako nakakabili ng mga Komiks, ang sagot ko initially "sa National Bookstore".  Of course meron rin sa Fully Booked and Powerbooks.  Mas marami kase branch ang NBS at mas accessible.

Nakakalungkot lang isipin, na parang hindi aware yun iba na meron palang mga Pinoy Graphic Novels sa bookstores.  Kaya I took some photo ng mga available sa NBS and put them here for reference.  If may mga mali sa details, please let me know, it will be well appreciated.

TRESE

Publisher :  Visual Print Enterprises
Story:  Budjette Tan
Art:  Kajo Baldisimo

When crime takes a turn for the weird, the police call Alexandra Trese.

Book 1 - Trese: Murder on Balete Drive (P140)
Book 2 - Trese: Unreported Murders (P140)
Book 3 - Trese: Mass Murderers (P200)
Book 4 - Trese: Last Seen after Midnight (P175)
Book 5 - Trese: Midnight Tribunal (P150)

THE FILIPINO HEROES LEAGUE

Publisher:  Visual Print Enterprises
Story and Art:  Paolo Fabregas
Editor:  Budjette Tan
Cover design and Chpater covers:  Ian Sta. Maria

It's tough being a superhero, but it's even tougher  being a third-world superhero.

Book One:  Sticks and Stones (P200)
Book Two:  The Sword (P180)

ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH

Publisher:  Visual Print Enterprises
Story and Art:  Carlo Vergara

A mysterious stone falls from the heavens, granting Ada the ability to transform into Zaturnnah, a superhuman warrior endowed with uncanny strength and remarkable beauty....

Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH (P240)
Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila (book 1of 3) (P180)

12 (silent comics) (P500)

Publisher:  Visual Print Enterprises
Story and Art:  Manix Abrera

THE DARK COLONY

Publisher:  Visual Print Enterprises
Story/Script:  Budjette Tan
Co-plotter/Art:  Bow Guerrero
Co-plotter/Script:  J.B. Tapia

Mikey had other plans on his Holy Week holiday.  Driving for his grandfather was not part if it.  Nor did it involve running into a very unholy secret.

Book 1 - Dark Colony:  Mikey Recio & the Secret of the Demon Dungeon (P120)

BLACK INK COMICS  (P69.75 each)

BLACKink is composed of a 20 pages or 60 pages story written in English, Tagalog, or Taglish and illustrated as Comics or Manga.

Publisher:  Precious Pages Corporation

Hands of the Dragon - Jeffrey Marcelino Ong/Gilbert Monsanto
Pepe: The Lost Years of Rizal - Ron Mendoza/Arnold Renia Cruz
Vergil:  The Warrior Agel - Arman Francisco/Elmer Cantada
The Reaper - Nald Tabuzo/Vovoi Lim
Animen - Ron Mendoza/Randy Valiente
My Midnight - Ron Mendoza/Randy Valiente
Kalasag: Superhero ng Masang Pilipino - Jeffrey Marcelino Ong/Rommel Fabian
Fairies Wheel:  Pear of the Hill - Randy Valiente/Jon Ashlee Santos
Daughters of an Ancient Fairy - Rosahlee Bautista/Arnold Renia Cruz
Angels vs Devils - Arman Francisco/Tirso Llaneta
Manila Vice - Rosahlee Bautista/Almar Denso
Dark Side - Ron Mendoza/Erwin j. Arroza
Bloodhounds:  Master of the legion Kicks - Nald Tabuzo/Karl Komendador
Shortcuts

ELMER:  A Comic Book (P250)

Elmer tells the story of a family of chickens who lives and struggles to survive in a suddenly complicated, dangerous and yet beautiful world.

Publisher:  National Bookstore, Inc., Komikero Publishing
Written and Illustrated:  Gerry Alanguilan

SKYWORLD

Publisher:  National Bookstore, Inc.
Story:  Mervin Ignacio
Art:  Ian Sta. Maria
Editor:  Budjette Tan

Every legend hides a lie.

Volume 1 of 2 (P250)
Volume 2 of 2 (P250)

KALAYAAN

Publisher: GMParedes Enterprise
Story and Art:  Gio Paredes

Introducing a brand new hero for the new generation of Komiks readers!  Join Kalayaan as he battles the evil of a host of villains out to spread fear and anarchy.  Learn how he copes with a deadly consequence of fighting crime.

Volume 1 - Kalayaan:  A New Pinoy Superhero (P180)

ANAK BATHALA

Publisher:  BHM Publishing House
Author:  Oliver Ian Atienza and Bernard H.Morillo
Illustrator:  Erwin Arroza

This is a story of courage, will, unity and love.  This is the story of Kalem, the Anak Bathala.

Anak Bathala Book 1:  Kalem (P135)

Publisher:  BHM Publishing House
Author:  Norman De Los Santos, Bernard H. Morillo & Edsel L. Africa
Illustrator:  Orel Lana and Kevin Maksiar

Anak Bathala is the epic adventure of Kalem that showcases rich Filipino mythology and culture. It exhibits native Filipino beliefs and folk work intertwined with values.

Anak Bathala:  Kalem w/ Sulat Bathala baybayin manual (P359)

A Summit Media Graphic Anthology:  UNDERPASS (P100)

Publisher:  Summit Publishing Co.

You are invited to take a trip to the other side and come face to face with your most horrible nightmares, your deepest secrets, your greatest fears.

SIM -  Story and Art by Gerry Alanguilan
JUDAS KISS -  Script by David Hontiveros and Budjette Tan, Art by Oliver Pulumbarit
KATUMBAS -  Story by David Hontiveros, Art by Ian Sta. Maria
THE CLINIC -  Story by Budjette Tan, Art by Kajo Baldidimo

TIKTIK:  THE ASWANG CHRONICLES (P150)

A comic book adaptaion of the Movie

Publisher:  Reality Entertainment, Agosto Dos Pictures
Story and Character creation:  Erik Matti and Ronald Stephen Y. Monteverde
Script:  Erik Matti
Additional scnes and Dialogue:  Michiko Yamamoto and Jade Castro
Edited by: Budjette Tan

SIGLO:  A Grafiction Anthology

Publisher:  Mango Books/Nautilus Publishing
Editor:  Dean Francis Alfar, Vincent Simbulan

Volume 2 - Siglo:  Passion (P850)

Contributors:
Elbert Or, Nikki Go-Alfar, Lan Medina, Reno Maniquis, Edgar Tadeo, Hiyas De Guzman, Vicente Groyon, Honoel Ibardolaza, Paolo Manalo, Andrew Drilon, Carlo Vergara, Jason Banico, Marco Dimaano, Quark Henares, Antonio Abad, Ma-an Asuncion, Gerry Alanguilan, Jaime Bautista, Michelle Soneja, Cyan Abad-Jugo, Luis Katigbak, Jonas Diego, Joel Chua, Ariel Atienza, Jeremy Arambulo, Angelo Suarez, Rafael Kayanan, Leinil Francis Yu, Jose Illenberger, Jac Ting Lim, Camille Portugal, Oliver Pulumbarit, Wilson Tortosa and Ma. Camille Francisco.

LOVE IS IN THE BAG

Publisher:  Studio Studio
Story by:  Ace Vitangcol
Pencils by:  Jed Siroy
Colors/Tones by:  Andrew Agoncillo, Ferdenee Mempin
Storyboarding by:  Ryan Cordova, Glenn Que

Love is in the Bag is an atypical romantic comedy where the heroine, Kate, can't seem to approach her crush Calvin, because everytime she gets excited...she turns into a bag.

Volume 1 (P388)
Volume 2 (P450)
Volume 3 (P450)
Volume 4 (P450)
Volume 5 (P488)
Bag Together: A Love is in the Bag sequel (P188)

ANGEL CRUSH

Publisher:  Studio Studio
Story by:  Ace Vitangcol
Pencils by:  Jed Siroy
Junior Artist:  Ferdenee Mempin
Storyboarding by:  Ace Vitangcol, Ryan Cordova, Glenn Que

Volume 1 (P338)
Volume 2 (P338)
Volume 3 (P338)

THE HUNTERS (P169.75)

Publisher:  PowerHans Philippines
Story: Zayden Ramos
Art:  Kajo Baldisimo

4 year old Zayden Ramos and comic book illustrator Kajo Baldisimo create a story where s\Steve Hunter and his friends team up to stop an alien invasion from the planet Orania.

PRIVATE IRIS

Publisher:  Blue Cow Co. Inc.
Story:  Jamie Bautista
Art:  Arnold Arre

 A detective mystery comic book for kids of all ages! It's very educational, even to adults.

Private Iris Collector's edition boxed set (the first six cases) - (P700)
Private Iris Gift Set (three issues per set) - (P300)
Private Iris (single issue) - (P170)


It is nice na malaman na buhay na buhay ang Komiks sa bookstores.  Nagkakaroon ng launching and signing events.  Nakikita narin natin ang ibang title na nasa Top Ten monthly bestseller sa Philipine Publication category.  May mga branches na may dedicated table para sa mga Pinoy graphic novels.  Minsan nasa corner shelves kaya madali talaga makita.  O pumunta ka sa Phlippine Fiction and Literature, makikta mo sila, though most branches hindi organized yun racks, try asking nalang yun sales lady or inquire sa Customer Service.  The first photo above was taken sa SM Megamall branch, very organized, sama-sama mga pinoy graphic novel, almost two levels ng shelf ang na-occupy, sarap pagmasdan.  In the near future, baka buong shelf na ma-occupy or magkaroon na sana ng Phil. Comic/Graphic Novel section.

These books, or at least most of these, are also available at Fully Booked, Powerbooks and Bestseller branches.  Black Ink comics is also available at Precious Pages branches.

- Kristopher Dimaano Garello

Indie Komiks Preview: Kalayaan #14 ni Gio Paredes

Nagulat at natuwa ako sa cover ng Kalayaan #14 ni Gio Paredes.

"Huwaw! Totoo ba to? Kalayaan at Adoboverse crossover? Asteeg!"

Kakaiba talaga si Gio. Pagkatapos ng matinding love story (issues 9 to 12) at malupit na bakbakan (issue 13), eto naman ang ihahain nya sa atin. Very unpredictable talaga ang direction ng komiks nya.

According kay Gio, cartoony ang artstyle na gagamitin nya rito. Nakatapos na nga raw sya ng 4 pages sa interiors tapos nasend na rin ni Bien Del Rosario (Adoboverse creator) sa kanya ang page 11. Exciting di ba? Plus interesting malaman kung pano magbe-blend ang story ni Kalayaan sa mundo ng Adoboverse. Actually, two years ago na raw mula nung nag-start sila ni Bien na planuhin tong crossover nato.

Aabangan ko to, for sure! Fan ako ni Kalayaan at matagal ko nang miss ang Adoboverse (naghihintay pa rin ako ng issue 3!). February 2013 daw ang release sabi ng cover.

Good luck sa inyong dalawa, Gio at Bien!

- Mark Rosario

KALAYAAN volume 1 ni Gio Paredes

Si Kalayaan ay una kong nakita sa pages ng Bayan Knights #2.  Isa sya sa mga member ng Powerhouse Division, na may mala-superman na power.  Sunod ko sya na-encounter sa Sulyap anthology, featuring Kalayan #1.

Fast forward!

Sa National Bookstore ko nabili tong book ni Gio Paredes.  Akalain mo yun? Isang indie komiks na nasa bookstore (sobrang dedicated talaga ni Gio sa mga gawa nya.  Pagkaka-alam ko sya pa mismo nagdadala ng Kalayan sa National Bookstore)?  Sana dumami ang indie creators na tulad nya.

Balik sa book.

Ang Kalayaan volume 1 ay collected edition ng single-issues #1 to #4 ng Kalayaan, plus some materials na makikita sa #0.  Sa simula, di ko nagustuhan ang komiks na to.  Nag-eexpect kasi ako na Pinoy na Pinoy ang makikita ko.  Dahil siguro sa mga kalaban nya na parang walang bakas ng pagiging Pinoy ang hitsura lalo na yung mga name nila (Blood Fang, Die-Cut, and Vorgon); foreign na foreign.  Pero sa mga sumunod na chapter, sobrang nagustuhan ko na ang takbo ng kwento.  Lalo nung talagang pinakita sa kwento ang kultura ng Pilipinas.  Mula sa pagiging matulungin sa kapwa, hanggang sa pagmamahal sa pamilya na mahusay na inilapat sa mga pahina ng komiks.  Pinakita rin sa kwento ang mga isyu sa Pinas tulad ng kahirapan, edukasyon, politika, justice system, atbp.  At ang inaakala kong super lakas na Kalayaan, meron palang tinatagong kahinaan.

Sa pag-usad ng kwento, marami nabubunyag tungkol sa pagkatao ng ating bida, bilang John Dela Vega, ang alter-ego ni Kalayaan.  Isinabuhay nya ang isang typical na Pinoy na biktima ng kahirapan na naghahangad ng pagbabago.  Dahil sa magandang loob at tapang, sya ang napili na maging test-subject sa project Kalayaan.  Bilang isang Kalayaan, na may natatanging lakas, sa tulong ng genetic enhancement at high-tech na damit at sandata, nagawa nyang maging bayani ng mga Pinoy.  Dahil sa pagkakamali ng kalaban na nag-aakala na mapapatay ang ating bida sa kanilang paraan, si Kalayaan ay nagtaglay pa ng mas higit na lakas na magagamit nya para magagapi ang kalaban, ngunit may nag-aabang ng kapalit...

Tulad ng nasabi ko na, di ko muna nagustuhan ang Kalayaan, ayoko kasi sa superhumans e.  Pero iba si Kalayaan. Sobrang likeable yun character dahil sa napakahusay na pagsusulat ni Gio.  Hindi sya yung superhero comics na puro bakbakan na nakalimutan na nila pahalagahan yun personal na kwento ng character.  Sobrang ayos yung backstory. Talagang na-introduce yun character ni John dela Vega, na nilapatan pa ng pagguhit ni Gio. Damang-dama ko ang bawat emosyon, ang bawat luha ni Kalayaan.  Si Kalayaan, ang superhero na iyakin.  Sobrang nakakalungkot yun ending ng volume 1, apektado ako...

Sa kabuuan, sobrang na-enjoy ko tong volume #1 kaya sinigurado kong lahat ng susunod pang issue ay susubaybayan ko.  Di nagkamali si Gio na bigyan ng Bandila-inspired costume si Kalayaan, sya talaga ang NEW PINOY SUPERHERO.

- Kristopher Dimaano Garello

Ang Kalayaan volume 1 ay mabibili sa maraming branches ng National Bookstore, Bestseller, at Comic Odyssey sa halagang 180 pesos lang, sulit na sulit..  Currently, meron nang 13 issues ang Kalayaan na maari mabili sa Comic Odyssey sa halagang 60 pesos.  Maari nyo rin sila mabili personally kay Gio tuwing may comic conventions, pede pa kayo pa-autograph o pa-picture.