If there is one thing that I have come to realize in my adult life, it’s that I’m a late-bloomer in a lot of things. I need not go into more (read: boring) details about it, but in relation to my topic of the day, it is only now, in my later years, did I realize that I really, actually love comics.
I don’t have hundreds in my collection, not yet anyway, nor do I have any of those cherished and expensive first editions of famous American comics or Japanese manga. I didn’t start collecting until several years ago when I learned from artist Jonas Diego that we actually hold local conventions now. Komikons, they have called these local gatherings, and they have successfully put “komikon” in the modern Filipino dictionary.
By that time, I was already aware that I could draw a little. Well, sketch, really. Learning about artists now gathering and holding conventions kind of made me regret I did not practice and improve on my visual artistry. Maybe I would be already joining them and marketing my own comics had I pursued learning the art, who knows?
Attending Komikon has become a part of my annual routine. I have been unable to attend some events in the past, but I have at least made it a point to be in one of the three major ones. I’ve been enjoying and, I guess, celebrating the new artists of this era who have made making local comics cool again.
I know of people who seem to look down on local comics, whether they admit it or not. The problem is they don’t even try to consider attending komikons or to simply check out samples. They have become mentally colonized to even dare think that local comics are worth their time. They either have forgotten or have no idea at all that many Filipino artists have actually been a part of various DC and Marvel series. Ever the peaceful guy, a friend of mine said it’s just probably because they already get to read manga on the net for free. But he completely missed the point. That said, I was not about to lose friendship over it; I was not the one missing something good, anyway.
If it’s not obvious already from my past posts, I already have several favorite titles that I like to follow: Kiko Machine, Cat’s Trail, Drop Dead Dangerous, Espiritista, Sulsi (and the other IKOS comics), School Run. I would like to follow Trese, Fallen Ash, Bathala, Dragon Breed, what else….? I really liked, too, the book Elmer and the short Ang Maskot that later became a short film, plus, Kapitan Tog provides comic relief, pun maybe intended 😉
Having bought a story from them, I think I should also try checking out titles from a certain group whose name escapes me for now. Meanwhile, I have to say that I really like the enthusiasm and the efforts the whole Alphario Team always puts into marketing and promoting their comics during the event and even pre-event.
Of all the titles, though, I really am very partial to Ang Sumpa (by Andoyman). Not only does the artist himself pours his heart into it, but so do I. When Andy asked me to serve as editor, I also ended up sharing my ideas, as far as the forensics side is concerned (expert-wannabe). That’s probably why it says “Story Assist by…” on the cover. Still, it’s his story, not mine, his characters, his plot. I, on the other hand, is just happy to be a part of the comics industry, even in just this way. Admittedly, I am now inclined to write my own story or stories — I can’t do the drawing, but I can write the story, right?
They did not hold the usual Summer Komikon this year. But rest assured that the Indieket’s happening soon. I plan to go so hopefully, things will go as planned. If they do, see you there, folks! Support the local comics industry!!! Time to KOMIKONATE 😀
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For more Komikon-related posts, please go to COMICS TRIPS.
Comics are fantastic. Reading comics is how I taught myself to read.
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Sorry, I missed your comment. Yes, comics can really be fantastic. I didn’t get to read a lot of those when I was a kid, though. I think, that’s also mainly because the comics industry here was practically dead here for the longest time until this decade.
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Thanks for the invite last month, can’t make it. Looking forward to reading your highlights. 😀
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He he…Will leave din naman agad as I’m alone, anyway, and most of the titles I need won’t be there. Probably after lunch. Will need to go back to Makati for my things THEN head to Laguna.
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Reblogged this on The End Justifies the Journey and commented:
Since the Indieket is coming, I am reblogging this. It’s missing a pic, I just found out, but will fix soon…
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I see there are a lot of links here so I’ll follow them soon. 😀 Maybe you can add learning graphics in your bucket list too. 🙂 I’ve read a few Manga stories from roommates when I stayed in Paranaque for a time and presently, I’m trying to finish The Dreaming by Queenie Chan. I stumbled upon her work when I bought Odd Thomas graphic novel at a book thrift shop during Typhoon Glenda’s rampage sa Laguna which left our subdivision 2 weeks without electricity – helpful in getting some of my backlog to-read books.
“Trese” is the horror comic book I saw in NBS. Don’t know if you’ve heard of the animation team behind the Voltron Force” The show last aired two weeks ago over at Disney Channel Asia. I can’t recall the animation prodco name from QC, I think. I’ll check if I still have a screen cap. I was going to mention about the animated show in my future post though in line with a fanfic. I haven’t gotten around to posting it.
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Learning graphics, something that I would like to improve on definitely, but I just don’t have the time for that yet. I should have practiced when I was younger, but I was more interested in writing 😦
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Hey! Just letting you know, my book review, This Book Is Going To Eat My Blog, is now complete. Check it out and let me know what you think at http://wp.me/p3Aqzs-xC. Thanks!
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Will do!!! 🙂
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Komikon Iloilo is coming again soon. So excited!
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Yay!!!!!!!! Share the experience, ha? 🙂
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