Sunday, February 7, 2010

What’s Wrong With The Current RP Indie Comic Books (According To All Anonymous Out There)


This is SOPHIA BOOKS in downtown Vancouver, BC. This is my favorite comic store because it's multilingual. It carries all comic books from allover the world.


If comic books are dead, why do we always see these fans buying comics in Vancouver, BC?

Complaints, complaints, and more complaints.

That opening sentence is definitely fragmentary and Strunk and White of that age-old Elements of Style rules would have definitely chewed my ear off for using it, but fuck the duo. It is there to emphasize the dissatisfaction of many irritated, disillusioned-sounding “anonymous” posting their sometimes nonchalant, other times extremely bitter, if not abusive – comments against the status of RP’s indie comic books.


A Neighborhood comic book store in Vancouver, BC.


However, this is now the time to give all of you the opportunity to be truthful in expressing your views.


Would Bayani Fernando's alipores not kick you out of Cubao's sidewalks if you've worn something like this? Another "anything goes" in crazy Vancouver.

It has been going on for quite sometime now, that these – what we call in Bicol – “tawong lipod”, meaning the “unseen people,” have been harping day in and day out on the dismal state of the RP comic book indie publishing. The other group, however, would swear to high heavens, how excellent these Indie comic books are, and that the anonymous critics are so blatantly unfair. By the way, Tawong Lipod is used to describe the MALIGNO in the Bicol region. They’re there in our midst, but most people do not see them (just like the anonymice in the world wide web), unless one has been born with very sharp psychic perceptions.


Another neighborhood comics outlet in Vancouver.

Once and for all, I am opening a “portal” to let all the spirits, including poltergeists and other demonic entities, to enter into the world of “Tawong Lipod”, so that we can tackle this unsettling issue of RP Indie Comic Books. These unnamed critics have been pleading to be given the opportunity to unleash their dissatisfaction and their right to be heard. Well, the time has come for that opportunity.


Golden Age Collectables, one of the biggest comic book stores in downtown Vancouver.

But, let me make this clear, though. All comments will be screened. I am allowing the names of authors to be mentioned, the title of the book, and the review of the book. However, personal vendetta, invective, and/or innuendos, such as the ones relating to one’s sexual orientation, status in life, and other personal things, will not be allowed.


Would you be caught dead wearing one of these costumes in downtown Cubao? Comic book fans donning their favorite superhero costumes during Free Comics Day in downtown Vancouver.

I am expecting every criticism (pro or against a book) to be written with care and civility. We are here to express CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, and nothing more. Constructive criticism, by the way, is an honest-to-goodness review of the book. It should be fair even if one is disagreeing with the book. Say why you like or don’t like a particular Indie Comic Book and the accompanying explanation. I will allow phrases that professional critics use in their work to make the language colorful and alive and to give emphasis to an idea, but any abusive word will definitely be flushed in the toilet.


Laban kayo sa kanya? He could barely walk, but he's already a comic book fan! Way to go, wee one!

Well, then, let’s hear your brilliant ideas, critics. Let’s also hear your response, Indie Comic Book creators. If your book has been critiqued, you are more than welcome to give your response. If you chose not to respond, that’s fine as well. Rest assured that I am doing this here in my blog to give both sides the opportunity to exchange both side’s ideas, and if we can come up with satisfactory outcome, it will be the best of both worlds for all.


Archie comics just won't go away. They're everywhere in every nook and cranny of the north American landscape.

The portal is now open. You are all cordially invited to express your views. You may come in.

129 Comments:

Anonymous Ricky Reyes Boxing and Hairstyling Gym said...

Bago sagutin ng mga anonymous ang tanong mo JM mas mabuti kung magsalita muna ang mga pro-RP 'indies' at ibigay nila ang dahilan sa: WHAT IS RIGHT ABOUT RP INDIES?

February 8, 2010 at 6:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sobra sa dynamic tension at exaggeration ang mga indies.

February 8, 2010 at 6:46 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Guys,

It would be too counterproductive if we're just going to give a one-liner comment.

In order for everyone to see what exactly is WRONG with what the Indies are doing from a particular book, then we won't know the meaning of: They're too isip bata, they're too exaggerated, and so on.

In short, what we are expecting from you is: put your money where your mouth is.

Isn't this the way it should be? We just can't accuse the Indie Comics creators this and that – without any scintilla of evidence.

We have to see a TITLE of a book and its AUTHOR and your REVIEW of that book.

Because, without these required things, we'd end up like the expression in Bicol: SABIHON LANG NA MAY GAAN SA BULOD, PERO DAI IPAGLUGSAD AN GADAN PARA MAHILING KAN GABOS NA TAWO? (It's not enough to claim that there's a dead man up the mountain, we have to bring the body down in order for everyone to see it).

Anybody could say this and that quite comfortably without the effort of analyzing the work, and that's UNFAIR. The fair deal is show us the moolah. Show us the real McCoy. Giving us a one-liner comment is tantamount to HOGWASH, even TWADDLING!

February 8, 2010 at 8:11 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Ricky Reyes:

Why are you expecting now the pro Indies to speak first? The burden of proof is not on their side, it's ON YOUR SIDE.

You have to convince us about the wrong things the indie creators do and for us to analyze whether what you will be saying has some validity or sense of truth in it. This is the only fair deal.

February 8, 2010 at 8:17 AM  
Anonymous Department of Foreign Affairs said...

Physically nandito sila sa Pilipinas perso mentally, ang isip nila ay nasa Canada.

February 8, 2010 at 2:19 PM  
Anonymous Kikay Komikera Upsilonian said...

"Say why you like or don’t like a particular Indie Comic Book and the accompanying explanation. I will allow phrases that professional critics use in their work to make the language colorful and alive and to give emphasis to an idea, but any abusive word will definitely be flushed in the toilet."

Hey jm you didn't say anything about the anonyrat critics going first. Its an either/or situation right? That's what you wrote in your blog right up there.

TSAKA, curious ako makita ang mga praises sa RP indies as a whole.

February 8, 2010 at 2:32 PM  
Anonymous Kikay Komikera Upsilonian said...

By the way, you know you're treading on thin ice here?

You're asking to be convinced that most Indies lack creative merit. That's a very subjective point my fiend. In all probability, whatever these so-called critics say will not be taken objectively. You also appear to be biased for the RP indies when you said:

"You have to convince us about the wrong things the indie creators do and for us to analyze whether what you will be saying has some validity or sense of truth in it. This is the only fair deal."

Hey, I and many others couldn't possibly review EVERY expensive, black and white, xeroxed, limited distribution, "indie" comic out there. And I think that's the number one thing that is WRONG with RP Indies. They're largely INACCESIBLE to the GENERAL PUBLIC. And that's not even a criticism based on creativity. Does this count?

Personally, I am not a professional critic so don't expect me to give you a real solid "critical analysis" of an Indie work.

However, as an ordinary reader, I know what I like and can only honestly say why I like it, and especially what I personally don't like in a sample "indie work". I may even be compelled at times to give "one liners".

Which reminds me, critics usually resort to general "one liners" when they make movie and book reviews right? That's already an opinion and it should count. Usually, one-liner criticisms encompass a bird's eye view of the matter. So, we should not be too quick to dismiss this outright.

What do you think?

February 8, 2010 at 2:58 PM  
Anonymous Kikay Komikera Upsilonian said...

We just can't accuse the Indie Comics creators this and that – without any scintilla of evidence.-JM

Isn't it SELF-EVIDENT that most, if not all, of these indies are not available to the general public? Expensive to a lot of people? In cheap black and white xerox paper? Have limited distribution? Mostly "westernized" or highly influenced by foreign pop media? Predominantly made by amateurs? Largely unoriginal? And are personal "hobbies" of mostly sheltered and well-to-do young adults and by so-called "komiks professionals" forcing themselves to be a part of this young amateur group?

That's not a "creative" criticism by the way, but consider this please: HOW can you possibly get even the BEST (eyes roll) "indie" komik out there and review it with that major stumbling block of inaccessibility staring you in the face?

February 8, 2010 at 3:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sabi mo - "Why are you expecting now the pro Indies to speak first? The burden of proof is not on their side, it's ON YOUR SIDE."

Attorney JM, your Honor, please, siguro naman tama rin na sabihing kumbinsehin RIN ng mga ilang Indies na ito kung ANO nga ba ang maganda sa ginagawa nila.

Tagal-tagal na nila diyan, hanggang ngayon di pa sila dinudumog ng mga local publishers para ilimbag ng maramihan at matagalan mga gawa nila. Me industriya ba ng RP Indie Komiks ang lumitaw? Di ba wala?

Regular ba labas ng mga iyan? Madali ba hanapin? Abot-kaya ba at di masakit sa bulsa? Kuha ba nila ang kasalukuyang Pinoy zitgeist? Creatively original ba ang marami sa kanila? Indigenuous ba karamihan sa kanila? Kumikita ba karamihan sa kanila sa benta (kung meron) ng indie komiks nila? Dinudumog ba sila ng mga ads?

Di ba negative din ang sagot diyan?

Kung agree ka, ano pa nga ba ire-review mo? Di ba mas nakaka-aliw at mainam na i-one liner natin mga comments sa RP indies?

I rest my peace.

February 8, 2010 at 3:27 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Now I am being barraged by impatient comments.

The only reason I am asking you guys to direct your particular commentary towards a book and its author, is to have some sense of order and structure in critiquing the Indie books. My problem with generalized one-liners is this: nobody would know the four Ws of what you're talking about.

What book is it? Whose book is it? What is this book all about? When was it published?

Unless the pro side group volunteer their comments, we'll never attain an honest-to-goodness balanced discussion.

It's difficult to understand what one is talking about if everything is generic, or no name brand, so to speak.

Also, don't you guys find any redeeming value from these Indie comic books? Do these books do not possess even an iota of sense of truth, let alone any vestiges of humanity in them?

Basing upon the posted comments, we are all left groping in the dark for not knowing any particular solid analysis to illuminate why a book is childish, for instance, or why is it up there on cloud nine.

Please help us understand exactly why you guys are complaining about these books.

I am not siding with the Indies like what you said. I am just trying to open a dialogue between the two opposing groups.

February 8, 2010 at 5:50 PM  
Anonymous Ricky Reyes said...

Para mas maayos ang mga komento JM ay dapat bawal ang mga anonymous. Manggulo lang ang mga alam ng mga anonymice na ito.

February 8, 2010 at 8:30 PM  
Anonymous Kikay Komikera said...

I'm really curious ako makita ang mga praises sa RP indies as a whole. We'll see from these their bata, isip-bata at virgin ideas on their indies.

Actually, we're more bata, isip bata at virgin in what we're doing here.

February 8, 2010 at 8:40 PM  
Anonymous mvicente@yahoo.com said...

Sir JM:

Nakakatuwa naman diyan sa Vancouver. Ang daming happening sa komiks. Parang halloween.

Maka sabat lang po. Ako man ang Indie, kahi't nasa pinas ako, sa canada na rin ang sisp ko, sabi nga ng isang anonymouse.

Hay, Diyos na mahabagin, kayong mga anonyrats. Ngayong binigyan kayo ng space dito, ayaw naman kayong magsalita ng maayos. Sir JM, hanga ako sa tiyaga ninyo na magpa-abuso sa salita ng mga may tupac-shakur sa ulo nitong mga ito.

Umayos nga kayo. Magsalita na kayo ngayong hinamon kayo ni sir JM na patunayan ninyo kung may mga bayag nga kayo.

Hahahaha. Mga sira. Dakdak kayo ng dakdak na akala ninyo kung sino kayong critics, yun pala takot naman kayo magbigay ng pangalan. O, ano?

February 8, 2010 at 10:30 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

MVicente:

Salamat sa iyong pagdalaw.

Sabi mo nag-abuso ang lengguwahe nila sa akin. Inabuso mo rin sila sa lenguwahe mo.

Sana, may civility man lang tayong lahat para hindi mauwi sa kabaliwan lang itong usapan natin.

Kaya, magsipag-hunos dili tayong lahat nang makapag-usap ng matino.

February 8, 2010 at 10:37 PM  
Anonymous tunynapinoy69@yahoo.com said...

Hi JM my papa,

Ngayon lang ako nakapunta uli kasi nakakatakot naman yung nilagay mong pictures ng mga Maria Kalaw-Katigbak.Ipakilala mo nga ako diyan sa dalawang taga Canada, yung nakaputi at yung Wolverine. Katakam-takam ang mga katawan nila. Dami pala'ng sexy guys diyan. Imbitahin mo naman akong makapagbakasyon diyan para maka-meet ako ng napakaraming papa na nagpuputian na tulad mo.

Hoy, at kayong mga daga sa internet, magsitigil na kayo sa katitili, ha? At huwag na huwag ninyong gagamitin uli ang pangalan ko, mga bruha! Mga silahis! Ano ba etetch, usapan ng mga uhaw na bading? Ache-che.

February 8, 2010 at 10:51 PM  
Anonymous mvicente23@yahoo.com said...

Sir JM sorry. Nadala lang ako ng mga salita nila kaya napagaya tuloy. Tama kailangan nga ng matinong usapan.

February 8, 2010 at 10:55 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Tunay na PILIPINA, ehe.. este... Pinoy pala. He-he.

Takot ka pala sa mga bangkay. Baka mamaya, mapundi sa iyo si Wolverine, tusukin ka ng kuko niyang metal, ikaw rin ang magdurusa. Bakit naman kailangan mo pang magpunta dito para maghanap ng lalaki, e, napakaraming Pinoy diyan ang natitiyak kong MARARAHUYO sa iyong iwing kagandahan. HHHHHH.

May Olympics ngayon dito, baka hindi ka na maka-book ng flight dahil siksikan na ang mga nagpupunta. Nagkatraffic-traffic na nga, e. Maganda nga sana dahil nagbalikan na uli dito ang cast ng Twilight series at kasalukuyang nagsu-shooting na ng pangatlong film. Makikita mo sana ang mga paborito mong cast.

Pero diyan sa Sampaloc, marami ka ring mapapanood na mga hunks, kaya diyan ka na muna mang-hunting.
HHHHHHHHH.

May comment ka ba tungkol sa topic ngayon? O nag-gugulo rin lang na tulad ng iba?

February 8, 2010 at 11:06 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

mvicente23@yahoo.com

Thank you. Okay lang iyan.
Teka, magpapahinga muna ako't sumasakit yata ang ulo ko sa talakayan dito na mukhang kung saan-saan nan napupunta.

February 8, 2010 at 11:10 PM  
Anonymous annabellegonzales@yahoo.com said...

Tunay na pinoy:

Pinasakit mo ang tiyan ko sa katatawa, a. Landi mo naman. Nagtatawanan dito mga officemates ko dahil sinabi ni JM na baka matusok ka ng kuko ni Wolverine. Ang tanong tuloy ng mga kalalakihan dito ay "do you swallow?" Kung nilululon mo raw?

JM, I hope okay lang itong tanong dito sa call center. Gusto lang nilang malaman kung si Tunaynapinoy daw ba ay yung "swallowing" type.

February 8, 2010 at 11:19 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Annabellegonzales:

Que barbaridad!

Sige, ituloy mo ang interview kay tunynapinoy69@yahoo.com.

Meanwhile, lalangoy muna ako para maka-recover ang aking katawan sa PAGKAGIMBAL sa mga pinag-uusapan dito.

Whew!

I'll see you guys later. Magsipagmeryenda muna kayo para mahimasmasan nang kaunti ang inyong mga isipan. Semi-gutom lang siguro ang marami sa inyo.
HHHHHHH.

February 8, 2010 at 11:32 PM  
Anonymous tunynapinoy69@yahoo.com said...

Annabelle,

Depende naman, puta ka.

Kung tulad ni JM, sisimutin ko hanggang sa huling patak. O... apir!

Sabihin mo sa mga kasama mong mga boys diyan na email ako sa tunynapinoy69@yahoo.com kung gusto nilang makaramdam ng walang kasinsarap na BJ. O... apir... apir! Iha, alam mo bang yang mga lalaki, hele-hele pa iyan, pero sa oras na naisubo mo na at natikman na kung gaaano pala kasarap ang aking chupable lips, go, go, go na iyang mga iyan.

Apir!

February 8, 2010 at 11:40 PM  
Anonymous tunynapinoy69@yahoo.com said...

Yeheeey! Puro pala tayo mga baklaaa na anonyrats ditooo. Simulan na natin ang usapan ng mga bading. Ache-che.

annabellegonzales ituloy mo na ang interview sa akin.

February 9, 2010 at 12:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mga anonymous, anonymice and anonyrats, this is now our chance to be interviewed by annabellegonzales.

We're now ready for interview, annabelle.

February 9, 2010 at 10:28 AM  
Anonymous tunynapinoy69@yahoo.com said...

Annabelle,

Depende naman, puta ka.

Sabihin mo sa mga kasama mong mga boys diyan na email ako sa tunynapinoy69@yahoo.com kung gusto nilang makaramdam ng walang kasinsarap na BJ. O... apir... apir! Iha, alam mo bang yang mga lalaki, hele-hele pa iyan, pero sa oras na naisubo mo na at natikman na kung gaaano pala kasarap ang aking chupable lips, go, go, go na iyang mga iyan.

Apir!

February 9, 2010 at 10:29 AM  
Anonymous Ricky Reyes said...

Ako rin, annabellegonzales, gusto ko rin ang interview mo. Pasikatin natin ang mga kapwa bading sa blog ni JM.

February 9, 2010 at 10:33 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Teka, bakit nauwi sa kabadingan ang usapan. Ikaw talaga tunay na pinoy, ayaw mong paawat. Maghahanap ako ng PACIFIER na at least 10 inches long and 4 inches wide para ipasak mo sa iyong "CHUPABLE" lips (by the way, I like this term, Chupable, very creative) kudos to you for inventing this. The pacifier, you can suck on it 24 hrs to your heart's content. Kaya lang baka ma de-form naman ang iyong mga labi.HHHHHHHH.

Now, may nabasa ka na bang indie komiks na gusto mong i-review?

February 9, 2010 at 11:33 AM  
Anonymous tunynapinoy69@yaho.com said...

Siyemfree naman, Zha Zha Zhaturnnah!

Funny, Down-to-earth, homo-erotic, out and out spoof of Mars Ravelo's Darna. Problema lang, kopya ang idea kay Mars Ravelo. Buti na lang hindi na demanda ng mga anak ni Ravelo si Carlo Vergara. Pero okey pa rin ang kinalabasan at puwede na rin sa masa na kulang ng sophistication, lalo na ang mga badings na tipong palengkera type.

Ito ang aking mini-review. Puwede na ba ito, JM?

February 9, 2010 at 11:58 AM  
Anonymous Cecilia Salimpusa said...

I cannot fathom what this recent post is really trying to say. Honestly. Kinda disjointed.

OK. First, you feature comic shops and cosplay players in Canada. I notice that these "Canadians" in your photos admire more American mainstream comics characters of DC and Marvel. The photos you show also indicate that these Canadian comics stores are dominated by AMERICAN mainstream comics like Archie, Walt Disney, Bongo, DC and Marvel.

What are you trying to say here, JM? That the current RP Indies aspire for this state of affairs? Are you saying that there should be more comics specialty shops in the Philippines selling mostly imported foreign English comics with some local "indie" comics? That in promoting local comics its not bad to cross-dress as Destro, Wolverine and Stormshadow?

By the way, and I hope other eagle-eyed "tawong lipods" out there noticed this: those photos of yours are mainly of MAINSTREAM AMERICAN COMICS. I don't see any CANADIAN INDIE COMIC being read or sold in those comics shops. Nor do I see any popular (?) Canadian comic book character for that matter being represented by those cross-dressers.

Heh. Deja vu. Kinda seems familiar don't you think? Same thing's happening in the RP Comics and "Komikon" scenes right now.

Then, you follow up with saying that there are critics who bewail the dismal state of the RP comics publishing scene (is this correct?) but that in reply thereto, there are pro-indies who say that (from a creative standpoint?) there are "excellent" indies out there so its "unfair" to say that the RP comics publishing scene is dismal.

--Let's sidetrack a bit here and inject this point. JM, the BUSINESS of PUBLISHING is different from the CREATIVE/PRODUCTION aspect. They are not the same. We'll get back to this in a while. :)

You then claim that these self-styled "critics" have been PLEADING (?) to be: "given the opportunity to unleash their dissatisfaction and their right to be heard." Really? Here in your blog they've been pleading for it? Where exactly? Don't recall that from happening.

February 9, 2010 at 12:45 PM  
Anonymous Cecilia Salimpusa Part 2 said...

Next,you seem to side with the pro-indies when you next conclude that to settle the whole thing, these critics are now invited to air their grievances and critical reviews of any particular INDIE works so that the pro-indies can be convinced that--the critics negative views about the current RP comics publishing scene(?)--are wrong.

Whew. OK. Hope I've summed up your blog post there correctly. Now then, an opinion --

Whether or not some or all indie works are creatively bad or good, does not solve the socio and economic problem raised by the critics that most if not all, of the indie works are largely inaccesible to the general public.

The "creative" reply of the indies are not actually "responsive" to the "non-creative" critique of the "tawong lipods". So its a useless and futile exercise.

For the sake of argument, let's say there are a lot of GREAT, well written and drawn "INDIE" works out there. This does not settle the main problem of their price cost, non-ubiquity, unabashed reflection, admiration and promotion of US and Japanese comics and pop media influences in their works. Lets face it. Its a CULT. A marginalized CULT at that that has now become the pastime and "personal hobby" of those few who are economically well-off. They are not motivated in the first place to make this an economically viable "industry" or "business". Most of them are in it for "love". They don't care if they put out the next issue next year or at unexpected times, or if they sell well.

And guess what? Because they are so "free" because they are not accountable to a reading and PAYING audience, most of them are super-sensitive and immature to even the teensiest, weensiest bit of criticism to their carefree, amateurish works.

The indies in fact, are the first to bewail that people don't read anymore. Why? Because a lot of their printed and xeroxed works are unsold and unread by a great many Filipinos.

The "indies" are not an industry, JM. They don't even aspire to be. They're Bohemians.

OK. Assuming a critical review of their individual works are made here, what ultimate objective do we hope to accomplish in the long run?

That they'll finally write and draw, original and good "Filipino" indie comics? So what? If its STILL inaccesible to the general public, its still a CULT or SUB-culture with no real economic or business value. Pretty soon, they'll be overtaken by the next fad or new technology in the next generation. Where will they be then?

You may be game to criticize the unoriginality and amateurishness of most of their works (which are really "to be continued" ashcans), but what does all this achieve in the end? Really?

February 9, 2010 at 12:49 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Cecilia Salimpusa:

Okay. Now, at least we're going somewhere.

I'm surprised that you're looking for Canadian comic books. Unfortunately, almost half of the comics from USA are made by Canadians. The Free Trade agreement makes the line very blurry as to which is American and which is Canadian. The reason? Half of the so-called American labels are actually owned by Canadians. HHHHHHH. This is the reason why even if the creators (and a lot of them) are Canadians, people outside north America always think they're products of USA. Even Hollywood is not totally USA. A lot of Canadians and Canadian Jews are film producers in Hollywood, not to mention the big percentage of actors in Hollywood who are also Canadians.

So, please don't blame me for posting images about comics that most people would think are USA comics. That is not the case. People in the US and Canada move in and out of these two nations as if we're one. In fact, before any person from US mainland, could enter Alaska, he had to cross the border first in British Columbia, because that is the only passage they have. Hence, many stupid Americans (the type that Jay Leno would interview in his show), think that British Columbia is also a part of the USA. HHHHHHHH.

No, please don't hate me for putting those images. I only want to show how the comic book in this part of the globe is still alive and kicking.

But, I totally agree with your idea about Phillipine komiks publishing. Honestly, you rather opened my eyes from this latest posted message from you how it makes sense what a guy named Aklas Isip used to say. There's a lot of truthfulness and economic ideas from it. I did sort of bump rapped Aklas before thinking he was too harsh on the Indies, but his view on Philippine publishing makes a lot of sense.

I don't mind if you guys don't want to discuss the works of the Indies. Discussing the state of RP komiks publishing is indeed one beast that's quite hard to conquer. Maybe you guys should harp on this more. Yes, I like what you said and yes, it makes a lot of sense.

February 9, 2010 at 1:27 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Tunay na pinoy:

Ikaw na mismo ang nagsabi na sppof ng Darna ang Zha Zha Zaturnnah, so bakit ka nagtataka kung ano't hindi dinemanda si Carlo Vergara ng mga Ravelos?

Dahil spoof nga, at nakatutuwa ang pagka-spoof kaya walang problema. In fact, para sa akin ay isa sa mga ingenious Indies ang Zha Zha. Ang sama nga lang ng pagkagawa ng film version (at kung ako si Carlo Vergara, hahambalusin ko ng dos por dos itong si Joel Lamangan). HHHHHHH. Sukat ba namang gayahin ang style ni John Waters? Eh kung wala kang grip sa comedy ay magtigil na lang. Ipaubaya ito sa mga direktor na very intuitive sa comedy.

Nasayang yung napakagandang material na sana'y naging kasing popular ng graphic novel.

At saka nga pala, ano naman itong "palengkerang" label na isiningit mo sa mga bading? Intrigera ka talaga. Mamaya, mapaaway ka na naman niyan.

February 9, 2010 at 1:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ser, "book" publishing in the Philippines is really poor. Especially if its a non-textbook. Did you know that if you are able to earn Php 50,000-Php 80,000 in first printing of your non-textbook you're already a "best seller"?

Zsa Zsa earned what---around Php 80,000 in its first printing according to a newspaper interview Vergara gave. Zsa Zsa has a cover price of Php 200.00. P80,000 divided by P200 is 400 copies.

400 copies! 400 freaking copies for crying out loud and you already label it a "best seller". C'mon!

Zsa Zsa is now in its 2nd printing and there's no word yet if it also sold that much.

Also, is Zsa Zsa an "indie"? Isn't it published by a legitimate publisher?

February 9, 2010 at 4:12 PM  
Anonymous Cecilia Salimpusa said...

I don't understand what you're trying to say here, JM. Can you please clarify?

So there are a lot of Canadians working for Image, Dynamite, Marvel DC and others. You mean to say just because there are Canadian creative laborers working in these companies, the end product, a United States comic -- that uses AMERICAN characters, in AMERICAN milieus, FOR A predominantly AMERICAN audience, is also a "Canadian" comic? I don't get it.

Look, there are British, Latinos, Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos, Malaysian and other foreign creative laborers working on these U.S. comics titles that are primarily sold to an American audience. If say, Filipinos like Gerry Alanguilan, Leinil Yu and Edgar Tadeo partly worked on Superman, as inker, penciler and colorist/co-inker is SUPERMAN also a Filipino comic? Does this mean that I should be proud in calling it a Filipino comic as well? C'mon! :)

February 9, 2010 at 4:43 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

What? 400 copies? I bought 10 of them and gave to people I know.

I thought it sold 4 Million copies?

Is this an accuarate number you're quoting? 400 copies are a trickle in the bucket. In a country with 90 million people, that number is too small. This must a mistake. Mother Lily won't make a movie out of a komiks that sold for only 400 copies!

February 9, 2010 at 4:52 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Okay, I got it.

I guess I have to explain to you.

Rules of the Free Trade agreement is different. It has nothing like the example you gave of Gerry and Leinil working for the US company.

No, we're not talking exporting or importing labor here. We do that to Asia. Like, say, TELUS here in BC is exporting jobs through call centers in RP. But Telus is still multinational, not owned by RP.

But, the Free Trade is otra cosa. Therefore, let me tell you that any company from the US that comes to Canada and Canadian companies going in to the US – both, according to the agreement, must have ownership from both countries. For instance, we have the CRT, the agency that controls telecommunications. There was a time when I worked for Verizon. Originally, it is an American company. When it entered Canada, it became a three-company mixture between Verizon, Telus and Dominion. See what I mean? Owned by both countries. 1 part US, 2 parts Canadian. Same thing with publishing. Say, if Marvel US printing and selling books in US, Canadian Marvel is also printing and selling comics in Canada. It's a different set-up and it can be confusing to outsiders, even for many insiders. But the rule of the game is: each country will have ownership. Meaning, if you're American and you'd like to create for a Canadian book, that's fine and vice versa. For instance, the film company Lion's Gate is a British Columbia company, but it also has a US counterpart. The share the same vision, they have the same thrust.
I guess the difference between the north American trade vs the the Philippines style is that: a multinational company is totally a foreign owned company. Am I right? Correct me if I'm wrong.

February 9, 2010 at 5:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with Cecilia that these INDIES, can be classified as BOHEMIAN stuff, and doesn't give a damn whether, they make money, appeal to their prospective audience, has a coherent storyline, or drop- dead illustrations, etc. in short, THEY DON"T AIM TO PLEASE. It's world apart from the commercial publishing.

Alice B. Toklas

February 9, 2010 at 9:44 PM  
Anonymous Uhnbeleebabehl said...

What? Zsa Zsa has now reached 4 million copies since its first printing? 4 million copies "sold" na?! Natalo pa nya ang pinaka-bestseller dito: "Pera Mo Palaguin Mo" by Colayco that hasn't even reached a million copies sold? Aaaaaa. Nonononononono. Something's wrong here.

February 9, 2010 at 11:06 PM  
Anonymous Cecilia Salimpusa said...

Whoops. We may be miscommunicating here. When I used the term "creative laborers" I did not mean that the guys would physically leave the country and do hard labor in another country.

It just means that as a creative laborer, you offer your creative services to a foreign company. Work for Hire ka. Under contract.

You said kasi: "Unfortunately, almost half of the comics from USA are made by Canadians." So I took this to mean that there are Canadian creative laborers working for American Comics like John Byrne(?). So, following that train of thought, I don't think just because there's a Canadian "creative laborer" making an American comic that is meant for the specific American taste and audience, doesn't mean that its also a "Canadian Comic".

I mean if we only use as basis the racial heritage of an employee or hired contractual worker in determining the "nationality" of a comic book, this is surely unacceptable. Right?

February 9, 2010 at 11:16 PM  
Anonymous Cecilia Salimpusa part 2 said...

So, is there a Walt Disney, Marvel, DC, Image, Bongo, etc. CANADA-owned counterpart of these comics companies and are there predominantly CANADIAN creative workers there as well?

Are you speculating here?

February 9, 2010 at 11:18 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Cecilia:

Let me expand on this.

Let's say: FORD MOTORS CANADA. We know it started in the US. But now, that the north American Free trade is imposed, Canadians owned big chunk (I think it's 2/3)FORD MOTORS CANADA. Simply put, each company operating between these two countries, each country will have ownership. I mentioned the case of Verizon + Telus + Dominion. Verizon is the only US company that came in to Canada. Instead of creating a Verizon Canada, they took another route by combining Verizon in Canada with two huge companies, namely TELUS and Dominion. If a laborer would want to work for the US, then he can go to the USA and apply for a job there. If an American wants to work in Canada, then he had to go to Canada to apply and work. These companies move their employees as well in both countries. Say, if a Candian is needed to go to the New York branch, he'll end up working there, yet Canada is paying his salary. Do you see now the difference?

But, anything artistic is otra cosa. There is a special provision in both countries for artists. If you're a singer, or actor, or illustrator or writer, you can work for both countries even if you've chosen your residence the US or Canada. The set back is, both countries will tax your income. It's up to you. Many actors and singers who are Canadians (Celine Dion, Brendan Fraser – for instance) live in Canada but basically work in Hollywood (US).

Canada and US since both were founded by the same race, hence, nothing's different in them. Sure, both countries have little differences in their laws, but other than that, and the social programs of Canada and the safer surroundings compared to the USA, EVERYTHING is basically the same for both countries. The culture is one and the same. Therefore, there is no such thing as Canadian-centric or US-centric thingy. You go in and out of the borders of both countries, you hardly notice the difference. Even our long distance is simply Dial 1.
HHHHHH.

February 10, 2010 at 4:22 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Cecilia:

The answer to your question is yes.

Two-fold. Sometimes the company has a franchise that one can buy to operate it. But other big companies are actually shared ownership when it crosses the border. Each government of both borders will also responsible for giving incentives to these companies.

February 10, 2010 at 4:27 AM  
Anonymous Naintriga sa Free Trade said...

Sa madaling salita, JM, dahil sa Free Trade Treaty na 'yan, ang mga mainstream comics companies ng U.S. tulad ng DC at Marvel ay meron ngang Canadian counterpart?

Kung Oo, ang U.S. mainstream komiks na end-product ay pang U.S. audience talaga at di ng Canada, bagamat ang mga nagtatrabaho sa U.S. comics company at sa counterpart nito sa Canada ay galing sa iba't-ibang lahi. Tama po ba ang pananaw na ito?

Wala kasing kinalaman kung me counterpart ang isang US comics company sa Canada o ibang bansa, pagkat ang huling produkto, ang inilimbag na comics ay pang U.S. audience talaga. Example: Capt. America comics ng Marvel. Kahit na ginawa pa yan sa U.S. o sa Canada, at nilikha ang isang isyu nito ng kung iba't-ibang lahi, ang panlasa't kiliti pa rin ng kuluturang Amerikano ang target ng Capt. America comics at di ng Canada, Japan, o Pilipinas ang main market nito.

Pero pakisagot naman o. Meron nga bang Canadian counterpart ang mga U.S. mainstream comics companies, kasi nga binibenta ang mga U.S. mainstream comics diyan din sa Canada?

February 10, 2010 at 7:31 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Naintriga:

Ito kasi ang sitwasyon. Kung ano man ang ginawang pang US (if there is such a thing), eh, tiyak na pang Canada rin. At ang ginawang pang Canada ay tiyak na pang USA rin. Bakit? Wala nga kasing kaibhan ang dawalang bansang ito kung culturally ang pag-uusapan. IIsa kasi ang pinaggalingan ng dalawang bansang ito.

Hindi ito tulad ng: pang AMERIKA ay pang PILIPINAS din? Hindi, di ba? Bakit, dahil hindi pareho culturally ang Amerika at Pilipinas. Ito lang naman ang ibig kong linawin. In a way, border lang ang nagdi-divide sa dalawang bansang ito, with different names, but they are the same banana.

February 10, 2010 at 10:25 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

"Meron nga bang Canadian counterpart ang mga U.S. mainstream comics companies, kasi nga binibenta ang mga U.S. mainstream comics diyan din sa Canada?"

Oo mayroon. At gano'n din sa US, mayroon din.

Maliban na lang doon sa mga maliit na indies, kung minsan, halimbawa, gawa ng Canadian, doon sa US ipi-print, lalo na king ang distributor ay naron na sa US. From the printer, diretsho na sa Bodega ng distributor yung komiks. Tapos, i-si-ship na sa buong mundo from US. Pero sa malalaking kompanya, Mayroon sa Canada, mayroon sa US. At dahil nga sa Free Trade at walang tariff itong mga publications na ito, no one seems to give a rat's ass kahi't saang panig pa ito ng mundo gawin. In fact, nakakakita na ako ng mga Canadian and USA books na printed in...(hold your breath) CHINA!

February 10, 2010 at 10:35 AM  
Anonymous Anony-Rick-Kikay-Tuny-anna-Cecil-Uhnbe-Naintriga said...

We're a group of anonymice with no credentials and achievements whatsoever, and to make ourselves look important we criticize the indie writers and artists to make them look childish.

We hide behind our anonymice handles like shadowy rats scurrying in this labyrinthine "tabloid" blog of JM. We can insult and hurl invectives against the indie writers and artists, but they cannot insult as back because they don't know who we are.

Why we are doing this to them? Because we are nobodies. Even if we look like cowards, by treating these indie writers and artists with contempt, we think that we make ourselves important in our own little twisted minds.

February 10, 2010 at 1:46 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Anony-etc:

I think you're having the wrong notion why I am allowing your voices to be heard here in my blog.

Nosiree, it's not to insult the Indies. I am doing this to create a healthy dialogue between the two groups. Your group has been hurling accusations from the very trivial to the most brilliant against the Indie group since time immemorial, hence I do believe your voices should be heard. But, whatever you say should be with the intention of airing the legit concerns, not childish capriciousness. However, it doesn't mean I am allowing this so that you guys can abuse the other group at the drop of a hat. If the comments are not worthy, it will be absolutely rejected. This is also the reason why I am hoping that you guys would critique the Indies' works so that you'll be able to tell the creators what you like and didn't like about their work. I don't expect you to critique a graphic novel like the way Pauline Kael would thrash a film or a book, but this is the best way, the legit way, to let your opinions be heard.

The books are there for everyone to critique. Everybody's a critic; but by the same token, everyone can also be a fan of a creator's work.

Please consider this an opportunity to open a dialogue, not to insult anyone. The petty comments I have deleted, but left some of the ones with legit questions or concerns.

And if your mission is just to muddle the discussion, then there's no more reason to post any comment, it will just be deleted, anyway.

February 10, 2010 at 2:27 PM  
Anonymous Anony-Rick-Kikay-Tunay-Anna-Cecil-Uhnbe-Naintriga said...

Pwede pa bang mag-comment sa mga indie works? eh eh eh eh eh.

February 10, 2010 at 2:37 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Diyata't hindi mo pa rin pala alam? Iyan nga ang sinasabi nitong topic, di ba?

February 10, 2010 at 2:47 PM  
Blogger Reno said...

So far, Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah pa lang ang na-re-review. Wala na bang iba?

I was reading all the comments hoping to get an insight on what people think of the indie comics in the Philippines, but 46 comments in and still nothing so far.

(And I find it pretty funny that the word verification for my comment is "iningles")

February 11, 2010 at 2:14 AM  
Anonymous Anony-Rick-Kikay-Tunay-Anna-Cecil-Uhnbe-Naintriga said...

OK kalalabas ko lang ng kubeta at sa wakas, narito na ang aking rebyu sa mga “INDIES”: Pfrrrrrrrrhhhrrt..(Tunog ng utot na introductory call to attensiyon)

ASWANG FILES DECLASSIFIED (issue 1 of 2) – Galing sa “Meganon Comics”. Writer: Maika Ezawa, Art by Tepai Pascual, Edited by Dragfly. Format size: 5.5 x 7.5, black and white, 32 pages, paper stock: coupon bond. Cover date: October, 2006. Salita: Tagalog. Drawing: Japanese Manga! Genre: Anime’ na me halong adbentyur, mystery, horror atbpang mga sangkap na sinadyang pinaghalo-halo para wag mo lang makategorya ng diretso. Presyo: Php 80 daw ang isa!

Synopsis: “Chapter 1: The Prophecy” (eyes roll). Actually, di sinasabi o pinapakita kung saang bansa ito nangyayari. Basta, nasa loob tayo ng isang building. Tapos. Sa loob, pinagtutulungan ng tatlong lalaking teenager si Dani,isang matalinong nerd daw, pero sa drawing ay mukhang hindi naman.

Siyang dating naman ng misteryosong si Renan na kasing-edad nila. Sinubukang pagtulungan ng tatlo si Renan pero mabilis ito kumilos. Parang bampira sa “Twilight”. Pinatigil agad ng “boss” nila ang laban nang makita ito. Mukhang kilala ng “boss” si Renan pero hindi sinasabi. Bago umalis, binantaan nito si Renan na magkikita sila muli.

Di sinasabi kung ano ang relasyon nina Renan at Dani. Basta sinabi ni Renan na kanina pa niya hinahanap si Dani at gustong samahan ito. Batsi yung dalawang mestisong manga hanggang sa nakarating sa…medyo di mo maintindihan sa drawing kung ano talaga ang lugar, basta me entrance at tinatakpan ito ng yero. Me narinig daw na boses dito Renan at gustong magpatulong. Hndi nila alam, me nanonood sa kanila.

Pagpasok ng dalawa, me nakitang saradong gate o pintuan sa madilim na loob at me sulat alibata ito sa taas. Hindi ma-translate diretso ni Dani pero sa tingin niya ito daw ay pintuan “na may tatak upang manatiling nakasara ng mahabang panahon” (naks).

Maya-maya, maraming “evil spirits” ang umatake sa dalawa. Tumakas sila palabas. Takot daw ito sa liwanag ayon kay Renan pero kaya naman ng mga malignong ito o “tawong lipod” na mag-iba ng anyo.

Pagkasabi niyan, inatake naman sila ng maraming itim at malalakas na pusa galing sa isang portal na lumitaw bigla sa ere. Me solusyon si Dani: takot daw ang pusa sa tubig kaya napilitan ang dalawang tumalon sa tubig na agad na nakadrawing sa susunod na panel. Ano ba itong lugar na to? Anyway, di na sila inatake ng pusa at naglaho.

Pagkaalis nina Renan at Dani, makikita na natin ang misteryosong teenager na lalaking pinanonood sila. Hindi daw nito inaasahan na makakasama niya ang 2 ito sa katuparan ng “propesiya” (scratch-scratch). Talon ito pababa at mukhang malakas din tulad ni Renan. Kahit di niya nakita ang loob, nasabi nito na nabukas na daw ang pinto. Magiging “masaya” daw ang mga susunod na mangyayari.

Cut to: loob uli ng ewan na lugar. Me translation na sa alibata ng pintuan: pag magtipon daw ang 3 kapangyarihan, mabubuksan muli ang pintuan para matapos ang digaang nasimulan (NAKAW! Digmaan nanaman!) laban sa mga nilalang ng KA-DILIMAAAAAN. Hindi kaya sa U.P. ito? Sa Diliman? Eh-eh-eh-eh.

Cut to: Me seksing babaeng parang Laura Croft ang suot pero me local ifugao design na tela nakapalibot sa bewang. Malakas din. Tumatalon ng malayo. Nag-landing sa pinasukan kanina nina Renan at Dani at ang sabi nito sa last panel: Tila yata’t nahuli ako sa aking pagsapit. Nabuksan na ang tatlong Datu ang tarangkahan. THE END.

Issue 2 daw sa October. Pramis. Anong taon, di sinabi.

O ayan. Pinahiram lang yan kaya napagtiyagaang basahin habang nagpaparaos. E, me label pa sa cover: Panalo! BEST INDIE sa UP Bhay ng Alumni Komikon 2006. Hanep. First issue pa lang, di pa tapos ang kwento, PANALO NA! Kelangan pa bang i-rebyu yan? Hhmnnnnnn? Eh-eh-eh-eh.

February 11, 2010 at 5:51 AM  
Anonymous Anony-Rick-Kikay-Tunay-Anna-Cecil-Uhnbe-Naintriga said...

Ay mali. Sa aking pagmamadali, na mix-up ko, nabaligtad ang creative team ng Aswang Files sa isa pang Indie:"Mark 9 verse 47" na tinapon ko na sa onidoro.

Ang publisher pala ng Aswang Files ay: SALIMPUSA 2009. Ang mga creators nito ay sina MARIA KRISTINA PAGUIBITAN o "TinaPie",Kuligma at Arjin. At yes, nanalo ang first issue nito ng Best Indie of 2006 (daw).

OK. Kung gusto nyo pa ng rebyu, sabihin nyo lang agad para ma-schedule ko uli ang balik ko sa kubeta. Baba-yuuuuuuu! :) Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh.

February 11, 2010 at 6:06 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Reno:

Puro nga paliguy-ligoy, eh.
Kung saan-saan napupunta ang mga tanong.

I am beginning to believe that most of these yelping guys have actually not read ANY INDIE BOOK and this fact is beginning to be unraveled to all of us.

Puro generic comments na kung anu-ano lang.

February 11, 2010 at 8:32 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Ayun. Salamat at nagkomento itong si CONGLOMERATE ANONYMOUS. We want to hear more from you, guys. And also from the fans of these creators. Keep them coming. Thank you.

February 11, 2010 at 8:42 AM  
Anonymous Anony-Ricky-Kikay-Tuny-Tunay-Annabelle-Cecilia-Uhnbelee-Naintriga said...

Ayan,

Anony-Rick-Kikay-Tunay-Anna-Cecil-Uhnbe-Naintriga,

binago ko na ang handle ko dahil you hi-jack my handle.

But I like your indie review. Pilipino indies are good as pamunas tae sa puwet kung nagtatae ka.

February 11, 2010 at 2:06 PM  
Anonymous Anony-Rick-Kikay-Tunay-Anna-Cecil-Uhnbe-Naintriga said...

Pfrrrrrrrrhhhrrt..(Tunog ng utot na introductory call to attensiyon)

Nandito nanaman tayo sa tabing damuhan at kararaos lang uli sa loob ng UP Bahay ng Alumni. Haaaay. Mas epektib talaga ang mga ”indies” pag me kabag ka sa tiyan. Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh.

MARK (9 verse 47) Issue No. 2 - Galing sa “Meganon Comics”. Writer: Maika Ezawa, Art by Tepai Pascual, Edited by Dragfly. (Ito na nga talaga tamang info) Format size: 6.5 x 8.5, 52 pages (medyo mas malaki at makapat pa sa “Aswang Files Declassified”) Paper stock: coupon bond/xerox paper uli. Salita: English. Drawing: Japanese Manga! Genre: Anime’ same description as in Aswang Files pero itong “Mark” merong dagdag na pseudo-religious, contrived angst. Price: Php 50!

Synopsis: Kung sa “Aswang Files” ang mga lalaking bida ay halos magkapareho ang build (slim), itsura ng mukha at suot na damit: short sleeve collar tight-fitting white shirt at long pants, na karaniwang kasuotan dito sa Pinas ng mga estudyante, e sa “Mark” naman, slim din ang build ng lahat ng characters ngunit mahahaba ang buhok at mahahabang coat, scarf at gloves ang trademark suot nila.

Malinaw sa mga establishing shots, na nangyayari ang kwento sa isang un-named western country o continent. Europe? Halos lahat ng characters lalaki at iisa lang ang babae. PERO, ang mga lalaking protagonist, mahahaba ang buhok tulad ng babae at me androgenous look. Dahil nga naka coat pa, hindi mo ma-distinguish tuloy ang babae sa lalaki kung walang dialog. Tulad ng Aswang files, walang caption ang Pinoy manga na ito.

Iyon nga pala. Walang masyadong physical action pala dito di tulad ng Aswang Files. Usapan lang ng mga ulo ang lahat ng panels sa “Mark”. Monologue at conversation halos. 52 pages ng walang patutunguhang dakdakan.

“Verse 2: The Keeper” (sabay punit sa cover at punas sa puwet) Si Visdei ay nakaitim na coat, nakataas ang malaking collar, may dark, granny shades, me dalang staff o cane, itim at mahaba ang buhok at me goatee. Me porma at style. Pumapasyal si Visdei sa isang public park at magulo ang isip. Anim na sentence lang sa isip niya sa iisang page, “magulo” na isip nito (?) Pag-upo ni Visdei sa bench, sabay dating naman ni MAL, slim, puti ang hat, puti ang long hair, puti ang gloves, jacket, pants at sapatos. Porma din tulad ni Visdei. Bakit ganyan sila kaporma manamit? Walang paliwanag.

Pinipilit kumbinsihin ni Mal si Visdei na sumama sa kampo niya kahit na magkalaban sila. Kinukutya pa ni Mal si Visdei na di nito mahanap-hanap ang “gatekeeper”. Sino at ano ang “gatekeeper” walang background info o flashback. Dito, nawala na ako personally. Wala ring intro kung sino ang dalawang character na ito para ma-hook ang interes ng reader sa kwento. After 3 pages of this shit, nawala na ako.

Ifa-flush ko na sana sa arenola ang “indie” pero … pinagtiyagaan ko na lang at naisip na unfair ito ke Reno Maniquis na laging sumusubaybay sa mga idol niyang anonymous sa blog ni JM (). Ploop! (sound of bullshit dropping)

February 11, 2010 at 2:30 PM  
Anonymous Anony-Rick-Kikay-Tunay-Anna-Cecil-Uhnbe-Naintriga part 2 said...

Sa susunod na 12 pages, dakdakan ng dakdakan sina Mal at Visdei. Agent of God pala si Visdei (ayon kay Mal) at hinahamak ni Mal ang quest ni Visdei na hanapin ang “gatekeeper” (scratch-scratch). Alam daw ni Mal na pinaparusahan si Visdei kaya, kumalas na daw siya at sumama sa kampo ni Mal; ibibigay ni Mal kay Visdei ang lahat, sumama lang siya. Example ng kanilang contrived at sanitized dialog:

Mal: I don’t have time for this. So will you join me?

Videi: (Smiling) Heh. (Tapos bigla na lang nagalit at sumigaw ng…) TO HELL WITH YOUR OFFER!

Mal: You know, for an agent of God, you sure are foulmouthed.

Me dahilan ba para ganyan agad ang reaksyon ni Visdei? Wala. Sumigaw lang para manatili interes mo sa kababasa ng dakdakan nila. Simulated ang reaksyon. Walang cause and effect. Melodrama. Foulmouthed ba ang “To hell with your offer”? Well, sa mga maseselan ang buhay at di nakaranas ng ordinaryong pamumuhay, “oo” ang sagot.

So… umabot nga ng 12 pages ang ganyang dakdakan. Umalis na si Mal at sinabing kung magbago isip ni Visdei, nandito lang siya. Sabay exit ng bakla.

Second sequence: 20 pages. TAHIMIK na nagpapahinga si Visdei sa park nang me naligaw na bola sa tabi nya. Me dumating na bata. Pangiting hinihingi uli ang bola. Inabot ni Visdei ang bola. Nakita ito ng nanay ng bata. Agad na kinuha ang bata at sinabi: “Don’t come near that man. He’s dangerous!” Bata: “But Mom, I only—“ Nanay: “No buts.” Bakit ganun naging reaksyon agad ng nanay kay Visdei? Wala namang ginawang masama si Visdei para tawagin siyang “dangerous”. Maayos naman at maporma ang dating niya tapos “dangerous”? Again, melodrama. Walang cause and effect. At me concluding statement si Visdei sa sequence na ito: “No wonder Jesus chose children as models of society. Their simplicity and innocence would surely make wonders for this world.” ???? Walang koneksyon nanaman sa nangyari para ganyan kalalim ang naging thinking ni Visdei. (sound of toilet flushing)

February 11, 2010 at 2:35 PM  
Anonymous Anony-Rick-Kikay-Tunay-Anna-Cecil-Uhnbe-Naintriga- third and last part said...

Balik pahinga uli si Visdei nang biglang sumulpot si Uriel (BABAE) at Michael (Lalaki) parehong slim, naka-coat at scarf. Maporma rin tulad ni Visdei. Habang nagdadakdakan, malalaman natin na anghel sina Uriel at Michael. Pinag-uusapan nila kung lalaki, babae o hindi ang hinahanap na “gatekeeper”. Pilit na pinalalabas ang angst sa eksenang ito. Wala raw “faith” si Visdei sa tao kaya hindi pwedeng “tao” ang gatekeeper pagkat malaking responsibility daw ito para bantayan ang “gate of hell” nang di makalabas ang mga masamang espirito o demonyo sa kabila (Naks! Parang sa Aswang Files! Kapwa “indie” nag-gagayahan sa plot at theme. Eh-eh-eh-eh)

Ok. Dakdakan pa rin. Malabong philosophizing pa rin, me mga powers daw ang tulad ni Visdei at tulad ng gatekeeper, me nakikita siyang di nakikita ng iba, bla, bla, bla. Hanggang sa napagod na. Bago umalis o nawala ang dalawang angel, sinabi ke Visdei na manalig siya sa ‘faith” niya at lagging nandiyan ang simbahan. Hindi malinaw kung anong religious faith ito.

Third and last sequence: 6 pages. Habang naglalakad si Visdei sa isang cobblestoned avenue me nasalubong siyang grupo ng mga kalalakihan at sa harap nila, isang batang lalaki, me coat at naka-scarf na tumatakbo paiwas sa kanila. Next, hindi malinaw ang pagka-drawing sa sumunod na nangyari. Lumampas ang bata kay Visdei, tumalikod, tapos me panel shot ng kamay ni Visdei na me anino (?) tapos biglang nagpasalamat ang bata: “Thank you mister! That thing is scaring me” Nabigla si Visdei: “Kid! You can see them?!” Napatigil din ang grupo ng lalaki sa likod ng bata. Nanlaki ang mga mata. Nagkaroon ng worried look ang bata. Next and last panel: Pinalibutan ng grupo sina Visdei at ang bata. Napasigaw si Visdei ng: “BLOODY HELL!” The End.

Kailan ang labas ng kasunod na kabanata? Hindi sinabi. Pero sigurado, baka tulad ng Aswang Files, manalo din ito ng “Best Indie” for obvious reasons. Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh. 52 pages at ganyan lang ang nangyari.

Observation: Tulad ng Aswang Files, confusing ang storyline. Ang art, hindi malinaw. Weak at contrived ang dialog, reactions ng mga characters at ang conflict ng storya, hindi malinaw. Ano ba talaga ang pinaglalabanan sa storya na it? Interesting ba? Engaging ba? Wala. Sa halagang Php 50, sulit ba? Hindi.

O ayan. Next naman: KALAYAAN no. 4! Superhero komiks ni Gio Paredes! Flushhhhh….Eh-eh-eh-eh. Pasisikatin natin ang mga “indies” na ito 

February 11, 2010 at 2:36 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Anony-ricki-kikay atb:

Japanese ma,am pala ang author niyang nire-review mo. Akala ko, Pilipino. Pero puwede na rin kaysa wala.

Kung talagang ganyan nga ang takbo ng storyline, may katwiran kang hindi ito magustuhan. Kulang na kulang nga sa logical build-up ang mga pangyayari. Malamang hindi siguro sa Pilipinas nangyari ang setting niyan. Bakit Naka-trench coat ang mga bida? Nagte-trench coat na rin ba ang mga kabataang Pinoy ngayon?

Naitanong ko ito, kasi, napansin ko sa TFC (The Filipino Channel), ang mga kabataang artista, kahi't na NAPAKAINIT sa studio ng TV, mga nakasuot ng TOQUE at saka HOODED FLEECE!

Baka naman dahil dito, kaya sinulat ng Japanese author na iyon na nag-re-rflect din sa mga kagawian ng mga kabataang Pilipino ngayon? Pero, kitang-kita ko sa TV na sila'y TAGAKTAK SA PAWIS!

Para tuloy sila yung leading character ng PERFUMED NIGHTMARE ni Kidlat Tahimik, na kung saan nagkulob ito sa FREEZER ng pagawaan ng Yelo at doon nanginig nang nanginig. Ginawa niya ito para ihanda ang sarili sa pagtungo sa USA at ma-meet si Von Braun sa Amerika. At saka nga pala, lagi ko ring napapansing mga naka-leather jacket ang mga kabataang artista. Bakit nga ba? Baka naman dahil pag pinawisan sila ay makapag-lose ng weight?

HHHHHHH.

February 11, 2010 at 9:25 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Japanese naman pala ang author niyang nire-review mo. Akala ko, Pilipino. Pero puwede na rin kaysa wala.

Kung talagang ganyan nga ang takbo ng storyline, may katwiran kang hindi ito magustuhan. Kulang na kulang nga sa logical build-up ang mga pangyayari. Malamang hindi siguro sa Pilipinas nangyari ang setting niyan. Bakit Naka-trench coat ang mga bida? Nagte-trench coat na rin ba ang mga kabataang Pinoy ngayon?

Naitanong ko ito, kasi, napansin ko sa TFC (The Filipino Channel), ang mga kabataang artista, kahi't na NAPAKAINIT sa studio ng TV, mga nakasuot ng TOQUE at saka HOODED FLEECE!

Baka naman dahil dito, kaya sinulat ng Japanese author na iyon na nag-re-reflect din sa mga kagawian ng mga kabataang Pilipino ngayon? Pero, kitang-kita ko sa TV na sila'y TAGAKTAK SA PAWIS!

Para tuloy sila yung leading character ng PERFUMED NIGHTMARE (played by Kidlat Tahimik himself) ni Kidlat Tahimik, na kung saan nagkulob ito sa FREEZER ng pagawaan ng Yelo at doon nanginig nang nanginig. Ginawa niya ito para ihanda ang sarili sa pagtungo sa USA at ma-meet si Von Braun sa Amerika. HHHHHHHH>

At saka nga pala, lagi ko ring napapansing mga naka-leather jacket ang mga kabataang artista. Bakit nga ba? Baka naman dahil pag pinawisan sila ay makapag-lose ng weight? Gano'n ba ito? Nakababaliw!

HHHHHHH.

February 11, 2010 at 9:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dapat talaga meron tayong sariling comics journal tulad sa States. O di kaya, Comics Review devoted sa mga ganitong talakay. Kung meron kasing ganitong comics review, kahit papaano may incentive na mahiya itong mga indie amateurs para husayin at pagandahin ang mga gawa nila.

Patay na nga ang komiks industry natin, pero heto't binibigyan nila ng masamang imahe ang tunay na "indie" sa Pilipinas, mga legitimate, naghihirap at unknown creators na pursigidong nagsusumikap na gawin itong seryosong livelihood at business, hindi "personal hobby" o libangan ng iilang sosyal na may pera, at may maraming oras na pwedeng sayangin.

February 12, 2010 at 6:27 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Anonymous:

Tulad na nga ng nasabi ko na ng kung ilang beses, MARAMI tayong mga BAGONG DUGO na komiks indies na MATITINO ang gawa. Itong na-review dito ni anony-rick-kay, ay kumbaga sa tubig sa banga ay siyang LATAK.

Siguro'y ito ang pinili niya para i-emphasize ang ilang mga gawang indie na hindi up to par.

Pero, may mga alam akong indies na may sinasabi. Lalo na sa drawing. Gusto ko sanang magbanggit ng mga titles, pero baka isipin na naman ng nasa kabilang panig na ako ay BIASED, kaya hahayaan kong ang mga followers nitong mga Indie publications ang magsalita rito. Pero, personally, may mga alam akong mga indies na EXCEPTIONAL ang mga obra.

Siguro'y tatalakayin ang ganito sa ibang topic sa susunod na mga araw. Pero ngayon, ito ang araw ng mga nagagalit sa indies, kaya pakinggan natin sila, at pakinggan ang mga tagasunod ng mga indies.

Iyong accusations na PAMUNAS PUWET ang komiks indies, hinayaan kong mapublish, dahil LUMANG TUGTUGIN na ito, dahil IBINULGAR na ito sa atin ng the one only, SUPREMONG KAPRE. Kaya nawalan na ng originality ang phrase na ito ni Anonyrickikay. Kumbaga sa husgado, ito'y nagsilbing HEARSAY na lamang, dahil galing nga ito sa original na salaysay ni Ginoong Floro Dery doon sa lumang komiks industry.

February 12, 2010 at 8:57 AM  
Anonymous Kubeta Komiks Anonymous Review said...

Pfrrrrrrrrhhhrrt..(Tunog ng utot na introductory call to attensiyon)

Nandito tayo sa construction at…Haaaay... nakatulong talaga ang “Kalayaan” ni Gio Paredes na “makalaya” ang dumi sa tiyan. Lalong-lalo na pag may nakain na street food ang mga trabahador dito at na-HEPA B. Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh. So without further ado, eto na ang review ng KALAYAAN

KALAYAAN Issue No. 4 (June, 2008) – Galing sa GMP Comics. Writer and Artist: Gio Paredes, Edited by: Bien del Rosario. Format Size: 5.8 x 8.3, No. of pages: 24, Paper stock: interior book paper (black and white), Cover: Coated book paper (colored), Salita: Tag-lish. Drawing style: Lahat ng lalaki magkapareho ang body-type; ideally masculado at ang nag-iisang babae (si Dra. Rhea Calalang/Geneticist) super sexy naman, Genre: troubled and angst ridden American superhero style ala Marvel at Image. Cover price: Php 65.

Issue title: “The Broken” – “Isang bagong superhero sa makabagong panahon. Binigyan ng lakas ng teknolohiya para itama ang mali. Kilala siya sa bansag na…KALAYAAN” iyan ang maikling background summary ng bida natin sa interior back cover.

Pero alam nyo, sa totoo lang walang pinagbago e. Yung mga tema, plot, drawing, nagawa na sa U.S. mainstream superhero comics ng Marvel at Image na pamilyar na pamilyar sa nakakabasa nito at marami sila. Di pa kapani-paniwala ang mga clichéd elements ng comics na ito.

Seksing “geneticist” ala Vivian Velez/Patricia Javier sa Pilipinas? Come on. Kung ganun man lang, di sa abroad na ako namalagi. Di ba? Pero, ang dahilan daw ng stay niya sa Pinas ay dahil sa “revenge”. Gusto niyang ipaghiganti ang pagpatay sa parents niya ng mga kidnapper sa pamamagitan ng “technological weapon” at experiment niya na si John Dela Vega aka “KALAYAAN”. Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh. Mukhang magiging matagal-tagal ang paglipas ng sama ng loob na ito. Tindi ng angst. Di practical at believable. Tsk. E paano kung edad 40 ka na? 50? 60? 70? Iyon pa rin ang prioridad mo sa buhay? Revenge? Lahat ng resources mo nakatuon doon? Baka malunod ka sa lungkot at mag-lasing ka na lang. Eh-eh. Tapos “Rhea” pa pangalan mo. Eh-eh. “Rhea ALCOHOL!” EH-EH-EH-EH-EH-EH!

February 12, 2010 at 5:55 PM  
Anonymous Kubeta Komiks Anonymous Review part 2 said...

First sequence: Sa pambungad na caption ng first panel, sinabi na ang theme at foreshadowing ng isyung ito: “Maraming nangyayari sa mundong ito na hindi natin gusto, at karamihan sa mga ito ay wala tayong magawa para mabago ito. Masakit mang tanggapin, ito ang realidad.” Naks.

Sabi sa pangalawang caption: Calalang Mansion. At least dito, alam natin kahit papaano na sa Pilipinas nangyayari ang kwento, pero saan exactly, hindi sinasabi. Ang problema naman ng drawing sa unang panel, frontal long shot ang kuha sa isang factory (?) bahay (?) sa dulo ng bangin at mga triangle (?) na puno sa likod nito. Halatang di binigyan ng importansya ni Gio Paredes (at Editor Del Rosario) ang establishing shot. Hindi ka maku-kumbinse kung saan sa Pilipinas itong “Calalang Mansion”.

Pero sa mga susunod na panels, malinaw kung saan ang expertise at focus ni Gio: exaggerated muscled body types at undefinable “jack Kirby” style machinery. Mahina siya sa drawing ng background, bahay, building, location, etc.

Anyway, nakatayong nagbe-bench press si “Kalayaan” buhat ang dambuhalang super-advanced bloke sa loob ng laboratory habang ini-examine siya ni Dra. Rhea Calalang. Sa dialog malalaman natin na dahil sa sabotahe last issue ni Vorgon (kung sino ito, walang flashback o paliwanag man lang) nagkaroon ng side-effect si Kalayaan: namumula ang mga mata pag nagagalit at NAKUPO! naging 5 beses mas malakas na siya kaya…WOW! di na niya kailangang mag-“recharge” tulad ng dati (kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng pag-recharge na ito --kung energy drink ba ito, baterya sa utak o ano—ay di rin naipaliwanag sa isyung ito).

Sa dakdakan, malalaman din natin na bumalik sa bansa ang kapatid na lalaki ni Rhea, isang super genius sa “computer at machines” at lagi na lang na-accelerate sa iskwela, si “Cyfer” Calalang na maskulado din at naka-skin tight costume. Gumawa daw itong si Cyfer ng mga “construction robots” para mapabilis ang pag-drawing o pag-construct ng Calalang mansion sa unang panel.

Pero teka. Nagaalangan si Dra. Rhea. Me hesitation. Me isa pa siyang natuklasang pagbabago kay KALAYAAN. Heto:

February 12, 2010 at 5:56 PM  
Anonymous Kubeta Komiks Anonymous Review Part 3 said...

Rhea: “Dahil sa nangyaring overload sa katawan mo, maraming cell ng katawan mo ang nasira. Isa na rito ang reproductie system mo. John…WALA KA NANG KAPASIDAD NA MAGKA-ANAK PA.”

Bwah-hahahahaha! Tindi ano? BAOG na superhero para sa makabagong panahon! Uhnn-beh-lee-bah-behl!

Rhea: “Hindi naman ito ang katapusan ng mundo, John. Maraming babae diyan na pwedeng magmahal sa iyo sa kabila ng kalagayan mo.”

Sabay pasok ni “Cyfer” para mag-update ng security camera na nilagay sa front gate. Caught in an awkward moment ang dalawa. Tahimik na sinuot ni KALAYAAN ang mga arm-length metal bands niya na siyang nag-activate para palibutin ng mga maliit na “nano-bots” ang katawan niya at ma-assemble ang kanyang “body armor” o costume na base sa design ng bandila ng Pilipinas. Pagkatapos, malungkot na lumipad paalis si KALAYAAN; bumalik sa kanyang ala-ala ang yumao niyang ama. Nami-miss niya ang mga payo nito. Awwww.

February 12, 2010 at 5:57 PM  
Anonymous Kubeta Komiks Anonymous Review Part 4 said...

Second sequence: Flashback. Ayon sa internal monologue ni John dela Vega aka KALAYAAN habang lumilipad sa langit, bumagsak ang loob ng kanyang ama (na walang binigay na pangalan) nang iwanan siya ng kanyang asawa para sa ibang lalaki. Naging lasenggo ang ama at si John naman ang naging breadwinner, hanggang high school lang at naghahanap ng trabaho.

Hindi pa siya superhero noon, PERO ganoon din kalaki ang katawan niya, machong-macho at may bullcap sa ulo na may nakatatak na “J”. Ang laki-laki ng katawan, WALANG MAHANAP NA TRABAHO KAHIT KARGADOR, BOUNCER, PROSTITUTE o MALE MODEL MAN LANG? Uhn-bee-lee-va-behl!

So yun. Pag-uwi niya ng bahay isang araw, habang kinakausap ang ama tungkol sa naningil sa kanila ng utang, namatay na lang ang ama. Hindi nai-specify kung ano talaga dahilan. Basta lang daw sa kaiinom at ayon sa doctor (na walang pambayad) may taning na dati ang buhay nito. Sumama loob ni John kasi daw, nang mawala si inay, ayaw na ring mabuhay ng tatay. Awwww. Lumuluha si John sa panel nang sabihin niyang: “At ngayon, parang naiintindihan ko na ang nararamdaman nya. Parang ayaw ko na ring mabuhay pa.”

Pagkatapos niyon, diretso siyang lumipad pataas, diretso sa araw parang si Superman, habang bumarag sa isip niya ang salitang “baog” at mga scenes ng mga taong nagsabi niyon sa kanya. Hindi siya nakatiis kaya’t tumigil siya sa gitna at galit na may luhang sumigaw ng: “AAAAAAAAAAA!”

John, anak, ang pag-abandona ng asawa ay ibang-iba sa pagka-baog. Sa unang dahilan pwede pa tayong maniwala na pag taksil kang iniwan ng asawa mo; magpakakamatay kang talaga. Sa totoong buhay kasi, madalas mangyari yon. Pero kung na-diagnose ka lang ng pagka-“baog” bibihira dito ang nagpapakamatay kasi me mga psychological treatment na dito at pwede ka namang mag-adopt. Kaya hindi convincing at over-acting si KALAYAAN na me angst pang mag-isip ng suicide dahil lang sa baog siya. Weak at non-existent ang motivation. Fake. Melodramatic.

February 12, 2010 at 5:58 PM  
Anonymous Kubeta Komiks Anonymous Review Part 4 said...

Third sequence: Balik tayo sa loob ng “Calalang Mansion” nag-uusap ang magkapatid na Rhea at Cyfer Calalang. Secured na raw ang repairs na ginawa ni Cyfer. Safe na sila. Pero may gumugulo sa isip ni Cyfer. 9 years na daw patay sina “mommy” at “daddy” nandoon pa din ang poot ni Rhea sa mga kidnapper. Unfair daw kay KALAYAAN na nagiging kasangkapan lang niya. Insistent naman si Rhea na nasa tamang lugar ang ginagawa niya.

Tapos napunta from left field ang dialog sa social commentary. Very awkward. Dito cliché ang dialog ni Rhea: “At bakit naman natin i-aasa ang mga bagay na ito sa awtoridad? Mga walang silbi. Kapag may sunog, ano sinasabi nila? Faulty electrical wiring. Kapag may pinatay, ano sinasabi nila? I-imbestigahin po namin samantalang hindi naman. Kapay may kinidnap na mayaman, ano ginagawa nila? Ka-konchaba nila ang mga kidnapper.” Gio, anak, siguro naman may ibang paraan para masabi mo ito ng hindi napupunta sa cliché’? Gasgas na gasgas na ang ganyang dialog. Nakakatawa pa.

So, iyon, na-elevate ang galit at poot ni Rhea sa overall system of government at society ng Pilipinas. Tsk tsk. In self-denial si Rhea kaya: “Ang mabuti pa, ay activate mo ang tracking system natin kailangan nating malaman kung saan nagpunta si John.”

Fourth sequence: Flashback ni Rhea. Pagkalipas ng ilang sandali bumalik sa ala-ala ni Rhea ang unang pagkikita nila ni John. Scene: “North Cross Cemetery, Novaliches, Quezon City” pero ang background scene wala namang mga nitso o gate ng sementeryo. Archway lang at bakod na gawa sa bricks ang nasa background.

Sa foreground ng panel na ito nakita ng dalawang machong-macho at balbas sarado na tambay sa foreground na naglalakad papunta sa kanila si Rhea na nakamini-skirt at half-cut sleeveless shirt (exposed and abs na belly) na may shoulder bag. Eto pa. Kung ganyan suot mo, siyempre magnet yan sa rapist. Dadalaw ka sa sementeryo (para dalawin mga magulang mong patay na?) ganyan suot mo? At di pa malinaw sa black and white drawing na ito kung gabi nga ba o araw, at kung sa liblib ban a lugar magaganap ang tangkang rape.

Pinalibutan si Rhea ng dalawang goons, pero biglang lumitaw si John at doon nakita ni Rhea ang bilis at galing ni John sa ‘martial arts’. O, walang trabaho, marunong naman ng martial arts? (scratch-scratch) Nang matumba ang dalawa, tinulungang makatayo ni John si Rhea, pagkatapos eyeball to eyeball na silang magkaharap. Rhea: “At sa sandaling iyon, alam kong natagpuan ko na ang taong tugma para sa aking project Kalayaan.”

OMG. Dahil lang sa insidenteng ito, by accident nakita na ang tamang guinea pig niya. How convenient. Ang tawag dito, mga iho ay…CONTRIVANCE. Di kapani-paniwala at katawa-tawa.

February 12, 2010 at 6:00 PM  
Anonymous Kubeta Komiks Anonymous Review Part 5 : Da Conclusion! said...

Fifth and last sequence: Caloocan City North. Nag-landing si Kalayaan sa dati nilang bahay mag-ama. Malas daw ang bahay. Walang gustong mangupa o bumili. Hindi raw naniniwala si Kalayaan noon na malas ito pero ngayon naniniwala na siya. Pasok siya sa loob ng madilim na bahay at binuksan ang komedor. Me kinuhang bote. Ininom. Tapos, bagsak, naglalaway bibig. Nasa likod niya ang bote ng lason na me label: “poison” at drawing ng itim na bungo at buto. (Eh-eh-eh-eh) Kalayaan: “Maraming beses ko nang sinubukang magpakamatay dati dahil sa kahirapan sa buhay at mga problema. Ngunit naduwag ako dati. Pero ngayo’y matapang na ako.” So ayan. Nauwi na nga sa suicide nang malaman na baog na ang superhero natin. How amusing and utterly bizarre! Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh.

Kahit papaano, medyo nakaka-aliw ng konti itong isyu ng KALAYAAN di tulad ng ASWANG FILES at MARK. At di tulad ng mangang ito, sa KALAYAAN me effort na gumawa ng istorya, iyon nga lang, faulty, awkward, melodramatic at unintentionally funny. Ganon din sa drawing. Okey sana ang concept nasira lang ng amateurish treatment at execution.

Dahil dyan, fair lang na bigyan ang KALAYAAN No. 4 ng rating. So…

Rating: 3 mongolian toilet bowls out of 10,000. Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh.

Next: ROLEPLAY (A comic book by Josel Nicolas)

February 12, 2010 at 6:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Siguro'y ito ang pinili niya para i-emphasize ang ilang mga gawang indie na hindi up to par.Pero, may mga alam akong indies na may sinasabi. Lalo na sa drawing. Gusto ko sanang magbanggit ng mga titles, pero baka isipin na naman ng nasa kabilang panig na ako ay BIASED, kaya hahayaan kong ang mga followers nitong mga Indie publications ang magsalita rito. Pero, personally, may mga alam akong mga indies na EXCEPTIONAL ang mga obra."

JM, wala ka dito sa Pilipinas para personal mong isa-isahin ang booth ng mga Indies sa Komikon. Maniwala ka, kaibigan, na yang mga nire-review ay sample ng MAJORITY ng gawa ng mga Indies sa Komikon. Mapa U.P. man o sa Megamall o sa kung saan pa.

Yang sinasabi mong may mga exceptional, iyan ba ay sa BOTH story and art o hanggang art lang? Maganda sana kung mas nakararami itong mga "exceptional" na indies. Pero hindi e. Mas kumalat ang mga "non-exceptional" at sampler lang iyang mga pino-post dito.

Ikaw na rin ang nagsabi na open dialog ito. Banggitin mo ang mga "exceptional" na ito at bakit mo naman nasabing "execeptional" ito. Pwede ba yang mabenta sa commercial market kung sakali? Professional ba ang creator niyan sa trabaho?

Sino naman ang audience para sa 'EXECPTIONAL WORK" na yan? Marami bang bibili kung sakali? Ikaw, willing ka bang mag-sugal at ilimbag ang mga yan dito on a commercial scale para patunayan na "exceptional" nga yan?

February 12, 2010 at 6:13 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

"JM, wala ka dito sa Pilipinas para personal mong isa-isahin ang booth ng mga Indies sa Komikon."

Well, that's true. Maybe the ones I've read were actually the exception and not the rule.

February 12, 2010 at 6:56 PM  
Anonymous Inodoro at Orinola said...

Itong si Kubeta Komiks Anonymous AKA Anony-Rick-Kikay- ...... ay wala yatang ginagawa at ang sipag mag-review ng indies.

Kubeta, bakit hindi mo gamitin ang mga oras mo na magsulat ka ng sariling mong mga storya na pang-indies rin para kumita ka pa ng pera at ma-review naman namin ang mga gawa mo na pang-inodoro rin.

Ehk-ehk-ehk-ehk-ehk!

February 13, 2010 at 12:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Bakit Naka-trench coat ang mga bida? Nagte-trench coat na rin ba ang mga kabataang Pinoy ngayon?

Naitanong ko ito, kasi, napansin ko sa TFC (The Filipino Channel), ang mga kabataang artista, kahi't na NAPAKAINIT sa studio ng TV, mga nakasuot ng TOQUE at saka HOODED FLEECE!"

At bakit na rin naka-leather jackets sila? Ahahahahaha. JM, ganyan ka impoverished ang imaginations ng mga mainstream entertainment writers dito sa Pinas. Peks man. Kung ano Pinoy Koboy/Adobo Westerns noong 1960s, ito ang version for the new Millenium.

Naalala nyo yung TV series noon na TOTOY BATO starring Robin Padilla? Me episode doon, naka-matrix look mga goons at si Totoy Bato. Hehehehehe. Leather jacket, shades, machine guns. Hahahahahahaha. Walaaaang ka-sense sense! Walang logic! All for the sake of eye-candy at kung ano ang uso sa takilya. Walang originality at taste. No rules. So bading. You think kaya, mga dating "indies" ang gumagawa nito? :)

--Linus

February 13, 2010 at 5:32 AM  
Anonymous Storyboard artist na hirap sa written composition at hindi pa tapos ang article sa mga komikero me 4 na buwan na said...

Hihihihihi. Nakakaaliw naman itong mga review ng anonyrats. Mga Kingkoy na sarap hambalusan ng dos por dos. Hihihihi.

Piro, ang galing. Pati tuloy ako na-inspire na ding mag-rebyu at tirahin ang mga alipin sa colonial mentality na panay ang puri sa puti.

Kung ganyan kababa ang quality ng karamihang indies, tama lang na daanin natin sa sarcastic humor ang mga review ditu. Nakuha ko. Kahit papaano, nabawi ng patawa ang nasayang na oras sa kababasa ng di maayos na gawa.

Pwede bang ma-review dito ang MASKARADO ni Reno Maniquiz? Hihihihi.

February 13, 2010 at 3:38 PM  
Anonymous Salvacion Calupitan, DD said...

INODORO AT ARINOLA, MY FRIEND. Ngayong nagsisimula na ang paglatag ng review, ay parang ayaw mo nang ituloy? Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh.

Dati atat na atat kayong maglabas ang mga anonyrats ng review para patunayan ang mga sinasabi nila na nagkalat ang maraming bulok na "indies", tapos ngayon, ayaw 'nyo na? Gusto nyo ring tirahin ng personal ang mga anonymous (pero di naman magawa, eheheheheh).

Pasalamat nga kayo, heto pinag-tiyagaan balikan 'yang mga gawa nyong bulok. Kung sino-sino tinatawagan kung meron pa silang kopya ng mga gawa nyo, kung ilang basura ang hinalughog, ilang oras na sinayang para buuin ang mga nai-shred nang kopya ng "indies", eheheheheh...tapos magagalit kayo? Kayo pa?

Kaya nyo bang ibalik ang perang pinambayad sa gawa nyo? Kaya nyo bang ibalik ang nasayang na oras ng mga nagbasa (at sumakit ang ulo) sa mga award-winning works (kuno) nyo? Kung hindi, tumahimik na lang kayo and enjoy the ride. Bumabawi lang ang mga na-biktima ng "hype" at exaggeration nyo. BACK-OFF! ika nga ni Abalos. Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh.

Kayo, ba't di ninyo i-post dito ang review sa mga "exceptional" na indie works sa hanay nyo? Kung marami ito, PATUNAYAN NYO. Damihan din nyo ang post. Mag-alay kayo ng oras dito gaya ng ginagawa ng mga anonyrats. Nage-exert na ng effort ang isa sa kanila. Nagti-tiyaga. Kayo? Wala.

Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh. OK ka, Kubeta Komiks Anonymous Review, Anony etc. Kung kailangan mo ng tissue paper, sabihin mo lang at hahalughog kami ng mga indies at ipapasa sa yo. :) KUNG HEI FAT CHOI!

February 13, 2010 at 4:10 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Salvacion Calupitan:

Kaanu-ano mo yung namutol ng ari noon sa Pipilinas? Kapatid mo ba si Carmelita Calupitan?

Kung anu-ano na yatang alias ang ginaga,it ninyong mga anonyrats.

Yung komiks ni GIO PAREDES ay POST MODERN ang approach, kaya huwag mong hanapan ng structure. Alam naman natin na hindi para sa lahat ng readers ang post modern, kaya bigyan naman natin ng credit ang gumawa nito. Ngayon naman, dahil lang nag-comment dito d=si Reno, iyon naman ngayon ang pinupurtirya mo. Reno's work is good, especally the drawings. Naro'n na ko. Mag-review kayo. Pero sana naman ay sabihin din ninyo kung ano ang magandang as[ects ng mga material na nire-review. Huwag naman puro na lang negative. Mas balance kung sabihin ninyo ang the good, the bad and ugly. Tapos, kaming readers ang huhusga kung kayo ba ay lopsided o fair sa inyong reviews. Bawasan na rin natin kung puwede ;lang yung TOILET HUMOR. Let's be professional sounding for once.

Thank you.

February 13, 2010 at 6:02 PM  
Anonymous Inodoro at Orinola said...

Iisa lang tao itong si

Kikay Komikera, Tunynapinoy, Department of Foreign ..., annabellegonzales, Ricky Reyes, Cecilia Salimpusa, Anonymous, Uhnbeleebabehl, Naintriga, Anony-Rick-Kikay-Tuny/tunay-anna-Cecil-uhnbe-Naintriga, Kubeta komiks, Storyboard artist na hirap ..., Salvacion Calupitan at iba pa.

Langhiya. Ehk-ehk-ehk-ehk-ehk! Ang daming handles nitong si Kubeta.

Ito namam ang review ko sa mga reviews nitong si Kubeta - "KUBETA NA MAY TAE."

Maiksi lang ang review ko dahil ano ba ang makikita sa kubeta na taihan, natural na kubeta ito na may tae. Ehk-ehk-ehk-ehk-ehk!

February 13, 2010 at 8:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So kung bulok ang isang bagay, "post modern" pala ito. Ganun. Wala palang diperensiya. Uhum. So, there's nothing wrong pala with the indies kasi nga, "post modern". E ba't pa tayo nagre-review kung post modern pala itong mga amateurish at grade Z komiks works?

February 14, 2010 at 5:10 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Inodoro at Orinola y Lavabo:

Na-misinterpret mo ang sinabi ko.

Ang sabi ko, huwag mong hanapan ng structure ang work, kasi post modern. I was just talking about the structure. But, take note, that even if a work is unstructured, it had to be really extremely creative to get a yea or nay approval from the readers, even if the work is written as a postmodern story.

Have I made myself clear to you?

Another thing, if the plot's apex is at the beginning of the book you are looking at an example of postmodernism because it is challenging what society deems as a standard plot - beginning, middle, and end. Think of it this way - What do you think is a normal, expected format to a story, work of art, building, song, movie, etc? Then, if the artist completes something that is entirely different and makes you surprised at how very nontraditional the work is, chances are that you are experiencing something that is postmodern.

How good or bad the work is – is what we call in Spanish: otra cosa (another thing or to put it more succincly, another story). So, your review is worth it. It challenges our views and our personal likes and dislikes.

This is the reason why I have been emphasizing to the young writers to stay away from meta fiction as much as possible. They should train themselves fist to the the traditional BEGINNING MIDDLE & END, because in art, whether it is poetry, novel, painting, etc, the artist SHOULD KNOW FIRST THE RULES BEFORE HE CAN BREAK THEM – and get away with it. Historiographic Metafiction: Parody and the Intertexts of History, could be overwhelming for someone who's just beginning to create a work of art. Also, how can one distort a fact, for instance, if he never knew what the fact was in the first place?

The main characteristic of postmodernism it its absence of structure, and its politics are: Parody and History, Subjectivity, Ideology, even Crypto-ethnicity. And the last aspect is the most unsatisfactory, even the most unacceptable, ugly head of postmodernism. Would one want his identity & ethnicity become encrypted, silenced, unless articulated by choice? Who should write the Filipinos? The Italians? HHHHHHH. Of course it should be the Filipinos. But in the first book we read from your review, the Filipinos' ethnicity is totally encrypted, sealed, silenced.

Another thing that the culture of Postmodernism makes claims of ahistoricism that leads to a naive belief that the postmodern age is somehow a post-capitalist age. Wasn't this fact was also present in the books you've reviewed?

A very good piece on this is the following:

FREDRIC JAMESON: POSTMODERNISM, OR, THE CULTURAL LOGIC OF LATE CAPITALISM by Wes Cecil:
"Postmodernism is a unique historical moment distinguishable by a number of features found in art, architecture and culture in general. He then goes on to use a comparison between Van Gogh and Warhol to lay out one of the key distinguishing features of Postmodernism: the fetish. The fetish is important for Jameson in both the Freudian sense of a partial forgetting or covering up - in this case of capitalist social relations – and in the Marxist sense of material objects being perceived as having pre-eminent social importance. Van Gogh's painting, representing high-modernist art, is juxtaposed with Warhol's "Diamond Dust Shoes," representing postmodern art. Jameson contends that Ein Paar Barnschuhe contains "the whole object world of agricultural misery, of stark rural poverty" and therefore is not a fetish since it does not cover up the ugly social relations that constitute them. In contrast, "Warhol's Diamond Dust Shoes evidently no longer speak to us with the immediacy of Van Gogh's footgear." Jameson argues, "it does not really speak to us at all.

That says 'nuf, I guess.

So, let the reviews keep coming, folks. Let's all open our eyes and learn what's really going on in the RP comic book creations these days. We'll all learn from this, I'm sure.

February 14, 2010 at 11:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ok. Understood na po. Thank you for the enlightenment. :) Very informative and much appreciated. Pero ito lang ha, 'yang mga na-review so far, walang originality, creativity o "attractiveness" as a literate "post modern" work. Ayan. Ngayon, kung me gustong tumutol, karapatan po ninyo yon. PERO me karapatan din ang mga taong nilinlang ng mga indies na bilhin ang mga gawa nila, na nauto ng mga hype at marketing nila, na magreklamo. At iyon ang ginagawa dito. Kaya maraming salamat uli kay JM sa pagkakataon.

Kala nyo, sinadyang piliin ang mga bulok na 'yan? Oy, RANDOM yang pagpili ng mga titles na yan. Bakit? Kasi nga, mas marami kayong mga bulok na mga "indies" kuno na nagi-ilusyong magaganda ang mga gawa 'nyo. Amateurs. Impostors. Kokonti lang sa inyo ang maka-Pilipino at exceptional na di binibigyan ng tama at sapat na parangal.

Sagot nyo, gumawa kami ng sarili naming komiks para punahin 'nyo? Oy, wag kang lumihis. Yang mga gawa nyo ang ayusin nyo. Mag-aral muna kayo. Tumigil muna kayo sa personal hobby nyo. Matuto muna kayo ng husto at HUWAG nyo gawing laboratory ang mga inosenteng nagbagsak ng pambayad sa mga "indies" nyo. Kawawa naman. Dini-disilusyon nyo ang mga tunay na Pinoy indie creators. Nasaniban lang kayo ng colonial mentality at lack of talent.

The power of Christ, compels you!
The glory of the everlasting Sto. Nino compels you!
Evil spirit, I cast you out! I banish you out of the bodies of the komikero "indies". Amen and ... AMEN.

February 14, 2010 at 1:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr.JM,

To extrapolate further: Yung music ba ni John Cage eh maituturing din na POST MODERN ? kasi ang sabi ni John, MUSIC daw, NEEDS NO AUDIENCE.

And regarding VAN GOGH vs WARHOL, eh post modern nga si Warhol. Modern art na nga si Van Gogh, eh mas modern pa si Warhol, therefore, PostModern nga siya, ganoon ba ang explanation niyan?

February 14, 2010 at 9:16 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

"Kokonti lang sa inyo ang maka-Pilipino at exceptional na di binibigyan ng tama at sapat na parangal."

Salamat at sinabi mo ito, meaning, hindi mo nilalahat ang mga indies. This is fair. Again, thank you.

February 14, 2010 at 10:37 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Anonymous:

Postmodern music could be called as such if the composition is simply created during the postmodern era, or music that follows the postmodern ideology. The postmodern music is an opposition to modernist music. Post modernist music has the the same characteristics with postmodernist art. Since it came about AFTER modernism, this "new kid" on the block has collided head-on against modernism.

Since John Cage's music is rather favoring towards eclecticism in musical form (though most of his compositions were East Indian-influenced), yes, we can consider his music postmodernist.

The case of Van Gogh and Warhol is simply this: Van Gogh's art have spoken to us because of its universality; while Warhol's tended to alienate us because of the subjectivity of his work. Simply put: Van Gogh had spoken with us (because we, the audience, have some common feelings and awareness to what he was saying); while Warhol was doing his own thing, and the devil may care if we understand him, or not at all.
:)

February 14, 2010 at 11:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr.JM,

Actually, nagre-resonate na rin ang art ni Warhol over time. Yung mga Brillo Boxes, Campbells Tomato Soup, Marilyn Monroe ,Mick Jagger etc.eh mga reflections lang ng isang CONSUMERIST SOCIETY, na gaya ng AMERIKA. Yung ki VanGogh, noong bago pa pa eh I'm sure hindi rin nagresonate sa mga Art Lovers na nasanay sa REALISM, kasi nga bago.Ergo, over time pala, ang Post Modern, eh naiintindihan din ng madlang pipol, ganoon ho ba?

February 15, 2010 at 4:36 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Anonymous:

Definitely, Warhol's work is based on an ideology as well: Consumerism. And in order for anyone to appreciate this mentality is to have the means to afford the product.

Unfortunately, this is more geared towards the filthy rich, the upper echelons of the world's economic landscape. Since the number of middle class and lower class are greater in this world, many are alienated by Warhol's work. But, come to think of it, Warhol is lesser evil compared to DALE CHIHULY. His glass work may look amazingly beautiful and each piece is totally unique (because glass can be manipulated during the firing stage to shape and color it, and each piece will NEVER be repeated – unlike some of Warhol's print works that can be done using one original to create several reproductions), Chihuly's pieces are mind-boggling for a politburo comrade, or for any hoipolloi out there, watching the pieces of wonderful-looking glasswork, but only talking to the very rich – resulting in alienation, even leaving a bitter taste in the working class' mouths, knowing that the creator of these glorious-looking pieces of art are actually shunning them away, as if telling them: "Hey, you, plebians, eat your heart out because you just can't afford to buy one like this. This little piece of glass is worth $4million dollars which I've created just for Bill Gates alone and just for him to enjoy. Look at it till your wooden shoes (bakya) fall off your feet!"

This is what I meant "when a piece of art does not talk to the population at large who are looking at it.

February 15, 2010 at 12:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

MR.JM,

In short, even in Arts & Culture its still a CLASS WAR, out there right?
Surprisingly, here in PINAS, the NOUVEAU RICHE, who has the aspirations for gracious living and the good life, and wants to live the life of the RICH & FAMOUS, are notorious for their tacky tastes. They are extremely vulnerable to the manipulations of the so called ART COGNOSCENTI, who are experts in subtle persuasion to buy the paintings of their proteges. LOL!

February 15, 2010 at 5:42 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Anonymous:

HHHHHH.

These cognoscenti who are supposed to be well-informed, need to be informed, then, or it would be an obvious case of a blind leading another blind.

Gosh, I hope they're not into the VELVET paintings that look so tacky. These hideous paintings used to proliferate the Ermita art sidewalks and cheapy-cheapy galleries.

BTW, I hope the government has restored the Amorsolo paintings on the walls of the Metropolitan Theater.

Those works of art are part of the country's heritage, left to rot for years.

February 15, 2010 at 6:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr.JM,

You mean," MABINI ART"? I think they are still there, altho I have noticed they also moved elsewhere. They have flourished over the years.
Now regarding POSTMODERNISM, what art movement came next? who are the major exponents in visual arts, poetry, literature, cinema, photography, theater, dance, etc.?
Is there such a thing as POST-Postmodernism?

February 16, 2010 at 7:36 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

So far postmodernism is the latest.

However, dance is evolving so quickly these days that the tings we see are mind-boggling. I think this art will be the first one to be catapulted to another level. Hip-hop is definitely pushing the envelope further.

February 16, 2010 at 9:09 PM  
Blogger Dennis Villegas said...

Grabe tog comments dito...it took me a whole day reading and understanding all of them! nakakatuwa...nakakatawa...nakakainis..nakakbaliw!
Iba ka talaga JM!
Ito lang masasabi ko...may mga Indie Komiks na Pinoy na walang kwenta. at may mga Indie na ala-Jae Lee ang galing!

March 22, 2010 at 7:27 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

And to tht, I cn only say: AMEN.

:)

March 22, 2010 at 8:18 PM  
Blogger Reno said...

I posted this on another blog, let me re-post it here...

"There are those critic who say that most indie komiks are crap, and they're right. But then, isn't that true everywhere else and not just in the Philippines? Having been to two conventions in the us, I've seen their indies, and most of them are crap, too. Heck, even a lot of their mainstream output is crap.

So, instead of moaning about the crap indie product, why not point people in the right direction, and tell people about the titles that aren't crap. That way, a lot of the crap producers can learn how not to make crap."

March 22, 2010 at 9:10 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Reno:

I couldn't agree more.

Second...AMEN... for the day!

March 22, 2010 at 9:56 PM  
Blogger pamatayhomesick said...

may mga tema rin na maayos at pinaghirapan ang indie comics book..

ako basta related sa arts at comics pinapatus ko. para sakin maganda ito lahat.

musta na pards!

March 31, 2010 at 12:55 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Everlito:

I like that. Kung gusto nating mabuhay uli ang komiks at maging isang tunay na industriya, kailanang bumili tayo ng mga gawa ng ating mga kababayan.

Unfortunately, mas gusto ng iba na i-patronize ang gawa ng mga dayuhan.

I'm doing very well, thank you.

March 31, 2010 at 11:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

JM, tumpakis!

Karamihan sa mga komikeros ay kunwari ang mga idols daw nila ay ang kapwa nila mga pinoy writers at artists pero ang totoo ang tunay na mga idols nila ay mga PUTI at HAPON.

Pati TAE ng mga PUTI at HAPON ay MABANGO ang amoy nila.

March 31, 2010 at 11:44 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Anonymous:

Grabe, wala talaga akong masabi.
I am absolutely tongue-tied.

March 31, 2010 at 12:56 PM  
Blogger macoy said...

nasaan na po yng review ng roleplay? i was waiting for that.

tsaka maari po bang mag-request ng karagdagdang review sa ating pinagpipitaganang reviewer?

- ang maskot
- operasyon
- taal volcano monster vs. evil space paru-paro

salamat po!

April 4, 2010 at 8:39 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Macoy:

Naghihintay nga rin ako, eh.

Pero mukhang hindi na yata na-review yung mga ipinangako sa ating iri-review niya.

April 4, 2010 at 8:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

April 7, 2010 at 10:59 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Mga Bakla? Ito ang sabi niya? Bakit, nakipag-sex ba siya sa mga taong binabanggit niya? Paano niya nalaman na mga badings ang taong inaakusahan niya kung hindi siya nakipag-sex sa mga ito?

Ayayay.

April 7, 2010 at 8:25 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

O, sino naman ito?

Kung sinu-sinong characters ang mga sumusulpot dito.

April 7, 2010 at 8:27 PM  
Anonymous Kapre said...

JM,

meron anonymous na nag-bulgar na pala sa isang ANONYRAT. Ang nagtatago talaga sa paggiging anonymous ay sa huli nabubulgar rin.

Pero may suspetsa na ako kung sino pa ang ibang mga PAYASO SA KOMIKS na mga ANONYRATS rin na nagkalat dito. Iyong isa ay meron trademark na ginagamit palagi na "HOW SAD." Iyon naman isa ang trademark ay EK-EK, pati blog niya ay nilagyan niya ng ek-ek.

Ang hindi ko maintendihan talaga ay bakit ang mga kabataan artists na ito ay pinagdiskitahan si Auggie, kaya inalalayan ko ito duon sa blog ni Gerry.

Ang isa pa rin sa napansin ko ay bakit sobra ang PAGSAMBA ng mga kabataan artists kay Kirby, dinidiyos nila ito, wala naman kaalam-alam sa mga prinsipiyo sa komiks ang mga batang ito. Hindi nila alam na paluko-luko na ang mga gawa ni Kirby ay bilib pa rin sila dahil sa kanilang mga KATANGAHAN. Pati nga kung ano ang EXAGGERATION at DYNAMIC TENSION ay mga NATATARANTA sila dito. Sabagay napansin ko rin na ang karamihan sa mga MEDIOCRE ang mga abilidad ay bilib yata kay Kirby.

Itong pagsamba ng mga kabataan artists sa mga puti ay patunay talaga na NAPAKALALIM ANG PAGKADIKDIK SA MENTALIDAD NILA NG KAISIPAN COLONIAL AT ALIPIN. Wala talagang mangyayari sa komiks sa Pilipinas, hindi na ito babangon.

April 16, 2010 at 11:25 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Malungkot itong prediction mo, Supremong Kapre. Pero napansin ko rin nga na mas gusto ng mga kabataan ngayon ay ma-inspire sa gawa ng mga taga first world, lalo na yung manga.

Yung isang isiniwalat mo ang identity, matagal nang may sentimyiento de asukal iyon. Galit rin sa akin iyon kahi't wala naman akong sinasabi o ginagawa sa kanya. Dapat sigurong i-email mo sakin sa:

tauruswarrior@shaw.ca

ang mga identity nila para naman makilala ko ang mga ito. Salamat. At sana, dalawin nilang madalas yung blog mo sa drawing at marami silang mapupulot doon, pati comedy, marami ito. He-he.

April 16, 2010 at 11:40 AM  
Anonymous Kapre said...

JM,

ang KARAMIHAN sa mga kabataan pinoy artists ngayon ay hindi interesado na matuto sa mga sekretos sa komiks, mahilig lang magdunong-dunongan sila.

Ng buksan ko ang blog ko nuong nakaraan tatlong linggo para magkaruon ng FOLLOWERS ay isa lang batang pinoy ang interesado, si Vergara. Ang iba ay dalawang taga India, dalawang babae at apat na lalaki na mga puti, isang mexicana yata, isang babaing taga Espanya, at isang hapon.

Makikita mo na na talagang limitado lang sa mga kabataan pinoy ang interesadong matuto sa kapwa pilipino, mas interesado pang matuto iyong hindi mga pilipino sa pinoy.

Bilib ang mga kabataan pinoy artists kay Kirby at ibang mga puti, hindi naman sila tinuturuan ni Kirby at iba pa. Kaya mas matalino at mas maraming matututohan ang mga HINDI PINOY dahil mas bilib sila sa nagtuturo na pinoy ng libre sa kanila. Darating ang araw na ang mga kabataan pinoy artists ngayon ay maiiwanan na naman sila ng panahon. Di ba ang Pilipinas ay kulelat sa Asia ngayon dahil sa utak colonial at alipin ng mga tao nito?

April 16, 2010 at 9:22 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Supremong Kapre:

Yang mga kabataan ay makaka-realize din siguro later sa kanilang dapat idolohin. What's puzzling is this: they seem to go towards where the HYPE is. Pati mga thiing nila ay basado sa mga sinasabi ng komiks characters o mga gumagawa nito.

Hindi naman lahat, pero karamihan ay nase-sway nga ng mga kung sino ang lagi nilang nakikita at ikinakalakal naman ng DC at Marvel.
HHHHHHH.

April 16, 2010 at 9:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Si Auggie kasi puro pintas ang ginagawa pero wala naman siyang maipakitang sarili nyang obra. Ilang taon ng pasingit singit sa blog si Surtida pero ni isang drawing ng kuko nya wala pang naipakita. Tapos kung makapintas akala mo kung sinong maestro. JM, Superkapre, compel nyo naman ang inyong butihing kaibigan na si Auggie na magpakita man lang kahit isang illustration, KAHIT ISA LANG. Isa rin ba syang cobarde kaya ayaw niyang ipakita ang kanyang drawing sa ating mga sabik na sabik na Komiks afacionado?

Andoks

April 20, 2010 at 12:45 AM  
Anonymous Kapre said...

Andoks na anonymous,

alam mo na ang kagubatan ay binubuo ng mga kahoy, damo, baging, ligaw na bulaklak, at iba pa. Ang komiks ay kagaya rin ng kagubatan at ito ay binubuo rin ng iba't-ibang klaseng mga tao na kagaya ng mga dibuhista na naglalapis at nagtitinta, ang iba ay mga manunulat, nagleletra, nagpipinta, ang iba naman ay komiks historians, komiks kolektors, kritiko at iba pa.

Si Auggie ay komiks kolektor, kritiko at historian. Marami siyang alam na history sa komiks na hindi ko alam, at isa siya sa miyembro ng kagubatan ng komiks. Andoks na anonymous, naintendihan mo na ba?

At si Auggie ay hindi cobarde dahil NAKALANTAD siya o hindi siya anonymous, alam mo kasi kung sino siya at kilala siya ng marami. Pati larawan niya ay naka-post sa internet.

Samantala ikaw, Andoks, ay hindi ka kilala ng sinuman at ang pangalan na ginamit mo ay kung saan mo lang pinulot. Wala kang larawan sa internet at wala rin nakakaalam sa'yo kung sino ka. Anonymous ka, at ang mga anonymous ay cobarde na patago na bumabanat sa mga nakalantad. Lumantad ka at magpakilala ka para hindi masabi ng sinuman na cobarde ka. Andoks na anonymous, naintendihan mo na ba?

April 21, 2010 at 11:01 PM  
Blogger Robby Villabona said...

Andoks,

Puro ka pintas kay Auggie. Nakagawa ka na ba ng sarili mong Auggie? Wala ka pa namang nagagawang Auggie, diba?

April 24, 2010 at 5:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Puro ka pintas kay Auggie. Nakagawa ka na ba ng sarili mong Auggie? Wala ka pa namang nagagawang Auggie, diba?"

Hi hi hi hi. Nagsalita si GEORGE ESTREGAN, JR. :)

April 30, 2010 at 6:56 PM  
Anonymous D' Dominators! said...

Mr. Villabona, alam kong storyboard artist din kayo tulad ni Gng. Kapre-corn. Pero, meron na po kayong mga nai-publish nang komiks works?

Ano na ang nangyari doon sa mga komiks pages nyo sa deviant site? Natuloy ba? Na-publish ba 'yon? Medyo na-disorient ako sa artwork nyo tungkol doon sa panunuhol; setting e isang carinderia sa Pilipinas tapos ang salita ng mga tambay roon e, Ingles. Ano na ang nangyari dito? Me kwento ba ito? Ano ba title nito?

May 1, 2010 at 5:09 AM  
Anonymous VOTE! LADLAD PARTY LIST! said...

Robby! Tagal mong nawala a. Di ka na sumisipot sa mga meetings natin. Me miting de avance si Binay bago mag May 10, sama ka, dalhin mo camera mo. Sama mo na rin mga comics artist friends mo para mapakilala sa grupo, especially si Carlo Vergara. :)

Mwah!

May 1, 2010 at 4:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ayon kay Reno Manaquiz, creator ng cult pinoy indie superhero komiks (soon to be a movie produced by REGAL FILMS )"Mascarado":

"There are those critic who say that most indie komiks are crap, and they're right. But then, isn't that true everywhere else and not just in the Philippines? Having been to two conventions in the us, I've seen their indies, and most of them are crap, too. Heck, even a lot of their mainstream output is crap.

So, instead of moaning about the crap indie product, why not point people in the right direction, and tell people about the titles that aren't crap. That way, a lot of the crap producers can learn how not to make crap."

Parang walang relevance ang i-point out ni Reno ang mga crap sa 2 US comics conventions (lang) na napuntahan niya. Tapos, ini-insunuate niya dahil kadamihan ng indie (at mainstream) output sa US at Pilipinas ay "crap", ay useless lang daw ang umangal.

Una, Mr. Reno, kulang pa yata ang mga nabisita nyong mga comic con. At di lang sa comic con makikita ang gawa ng maraming "foreign" na magagandang indie. Nandiyan ang mga bookstores sa US specializing in Indies lalong lalo na sa Canada. Bakit di nyo subukang puntahan naman ang pinaka "international" at class na comics convention sa buong mundo: ANGOULEME' comics convention sa FRANCE? Kung maraming bulok diyan sa US (na ang comics culture e, gayang-gaya ninyong mga "superhero" indies) e siguro naman kabaligtaran ito sa FRANCE kung saan hindi dominated ng US superhero comics. Dito, makikita nyo ang tunay na "indie" at mas marami sila sa mga "crap" na comics na tinutukoy mo.

May 1, 2010 at 5:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymice to Reno Part 2 said...

Ngayon, matatanong mo, bakit kaya ganun? Sa France, mas marami ang matino, mature at original na mga "indies" kesa sa US? Nasa "kultura" nila ang sagot. Kasama na sa kulturang iyan ang malayang pagbatikos o "criticism" sa mga bulok na gawa. Hindi sila emotional o namemersonal kung makabasa ng kritisismo. Bagkus, ang kritisismo pa nga ang tumuturo sa kanila kung papaano gumawa ng mas maayos na gawa, ng "improvement" doon sa "criticised" crap work.

Hindi ako sang-ayon sa panukala ni Reno na wag pansinin ang mga umaangal. Let them moan. Bakit? Pagkat barometer din iyan kung me ginagawa kang tama o mali.

Hindi nila trabaho ang turuan ka kung paano gumawa ng magandang gawa. Hindi sila producer o "artist". Consumer sila. Readers. Customers. IKAW, bilang alagad ng sining, ang tanging makakasagot sa katanungang iyan. You are supposed to be creative, hindi ang audience mo. Bilang alagad ng sining, trabaho mo ang mag-isip kung paano maaliw ang audience mo. Kung di nila gusto gawa mo, siyempre, aangal sila. Karapatan nila yan. Kung sasabihin mo pang "unfair" sila kasi palagi na lang angal nila at DI NILA TINUTURO SA YO KUNG PAANO GUMAWA NG MAGANDANG OBRA, e, parang binabaligtad mo na ang mundo. Parang helpless ang labas mo. Hindi ka talaga "creative" ika nga. Ganun ka ba Reno? Ganun ba kayong mga Pinoy "superhero" komiks creators? Creatively at intellectually helpless at incompetent ba kayo?

Trial and error yan e. Mahirap. That's the life of the artist for you. Kung di nyo kaya, itigil nyo na PLEASE ang mga kaka-komiks nyo. Mag-shift na lang kayo sa call center, hairdressing, vulcanizing o flower arrangement. This is not the life for you. Di pa kayo ready for mainstream. Talagang pang sub-culture pa kayong mga komikero. The mainstream has no pity or patience for crybabies who are emotionally and intellectually weak.

May 1, 2010 at 5:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymice to Reno Part 3: D' CONCLUSION !!!!!! said...

Actually, learning curve itong mga pumupuna sa inyo, however crass their comments may be. If you intend to be a commercial artist and conquer the mainstream, you have to get used to it, learn from it and improve on it. Marami kang matututunan sa mga umaangal. Dapat pa nga hayaan nyo sila.

Di rin ako sang-ayon sa opinyon ni Reno na ang pwede lang na kritisismo ay ang TUMUTURO kung paano gumawa ng magandang komiks o dili kaya ay iyong klase ng kritisismo na nagsasabi kung ano ang mga magandang komiks ngayon, o mga indies ngayon. You are unreasonably limiting yourself here, my friend. Hindi mo pwedeng i-censor, o sabihing mali, iyong mga klase ng kritisismo na bumabatikos lang. Bakit? Kasi nga, sa paglalait at pagbatikos, nakikita mo na kung anong problema sa gawa mo. At mula diyan, makakagawa ka na ng paraan para ayusin ang gawa mo sa susunod. Agree? Lets give room for ALL sorts of crticisms and learn from them. Agree?

Ngayon, me nag-suggest diyan maaga pa na yung mga SAGRADO-INDIES ang mag-cite ng mga magagandang INDIE komiks na nandiyan ngayon at magbigay ng dahilan kung BAKIT ito maganda (sa kanila).

Inayawan ito ng maraming hyper-sensitive at emotionally unstable "artists", lalo na si JM. Ito raw kasi ang pagkakataon ng mga "critics" na tirahin ang mga "indies". Ngayong ginagawa na, me mga napipikon naman at nasasaktan, emotionally at psychologically tulad nina Reno, Robby Villabona, Floro Dery, at ng iba pa diyang mga economically frustrated, manically depressed at disillusioned Filipino comics artist, na walang maipagyabang na successful comics work nila.

Ngayong binulatlat ang isyu muli at nagbigay ng magandang segue itong si Mr. Manaquiz, heto nanaman ang proposal: KAYONG MGA "INDIES" (KUNO) ILABAS NINYO DITO ANG MGA PABOR NA REVIEW SA MGA GAWA NINYO, AT KUNG SAAN ITO MABIBILI, MAHIHINGI O MAPUPULOT, AT SASABIHIN NAMAN NG MGA BUTIHING "CRITICS" KUNG BAKIT NAMAN ITO BULOK.

In other words: WHAT IS SO GOOD AND RIGHT ABOUT MOST PINOY INDIE KOMIKS NOWADAYS?

May 1, 2010 at 5:33 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Sabagay, wala namang masama kung ang trabaho ng isang tao ay hairdresser, o basurero.

Siguro kung wala akong trbaho at kailangang kumita ng income, baka pumasok akong MAGTATAHO.

May 1, 2010 at 5:45 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Akala ko, na-exhaust na ang lahat ng comment dito, meron pa pala.

Kung sino man ang gustong sumagot sa mga tanong na ito ay bukas pa ang telon ng entablado para ipahabol ninyo ang inyong mga katugunan.

May 1, 2010 at 5:49 PM  
Anonymous ANONYRAT said...

Luko-luko talaga itong si D' DONOMINATORS! aka ANONYMOUS aka VOTE! LADLAD PARTY LIST! aka ANONYMICE TO RENO PART 2,3 aka JM. Halata, ano?

May 2, 2010 at 3:25 PM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Nice try, anonyrat.
:)

May 2, 2010 at 3:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Salamat JM. Uulitin ko ang tanong. Naghihintay pa ako ng sagot. Eto:

WHAT IS SO GOOD AND RIGHT ABOUT MOST PINOY INDIE KOMIKS NOWADAYS?

May 3, 2010 at 4:39 AM  
Blogger Reno said...

Wow. Andaming na-i-quote sa akin na hindi ko naman sinabi. Ayus ah.

Ikuwento mo ang naging karanasan mo sa Angouleme, Anonymice. Interesting iyan. Maganda nga na maihambing ang komiks sa iba't-ibang parte ng mundo. Sa karanasan ko sa US convention at dito sa local, hindi nalalayo ang quality ng mga indie. Baka may mai-share ka tungkol sa mga indie na nakita mo sa Angouleme.

May 7, 2010 at 7:32 AM  
Blogger Reno said...

Ay teka. Di pala ako ang tinutukoy. Mr. Manaquiz! Ikaw pala ang kausap. Sumagot ka sa blog na ito!

May 7, 2010 at 7:34 AM  
Blogger TheCoolCanadian said...

Reno:

Hahaha!
Kailan ka pa nagpalit ng apelyido mo, hindi mo ipinaakam sa amin. He-he.

May 7, 2010 at 8:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ang pinagbibira na naman nitong si "anonymous" dito ay sina Auggie, Vergara, JM, Robby, Dery at Maniquis.

Sa Guhit Pinoy message board ay pinagbabastos rin nito ang mga artists duon. Bulgar na kung sino itong si "anonymous" duon.

Gusto ba ninyong malaman kung sino itong si "anonymous?"

May 19, 2010 at 1:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sige. Para siya naman ang mabira natin

:)

-Vicente Mendoza

May 19, 2010 at 7:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sige nga para kami naman ang bunira sa kanya.

- Vic Mendoza

May 19, 2010 at 7:19 PM  
Blogger Robby Villabona said...

D' Dominators,

Nandoon naman yung buong kwento kung gusto mo basahin.

Bayaan mo, i-translate ko sa jejemon para maintindihan mo.

May 27, 2010 at 3:24 AM  
Anonymous Di Canadian Dominators!!! said...

At nagsama-sama nanamang mag-respond ang mga komikerong talunan ng Project Runway. Eh eh eh eh.

Siguro katatapos lang ng mga rectal examinations nyo kaya sabay-sabay kayong nagva-vagina monologues dito. Eh eh eh eh eh.

Pero...wala yata si Ogie boy. Hmmm. Hindi yata naging successful ang kanyang brain transplant? Eh eh eh eh eh.

Robbie: O, panalo na si Binay! Lumabas ka na dyan sa closet mo! Itabi mo na yang frame sa photo mo. Para kang nasa loob ng closet ni Kapre. LUMADLAD KA NA! hi hi hi hi.

At dyan naman ke Mr. Maniquiz: Oy RENO, kung ano-ano yang mga convention ang pinapasukan mo. Ang laki ng katawan mo, ba't di mo subukang maging bouncer? Di bagay sa yo ang American comics inker, dre. Bouncer o...(gulp)..male model. x(

At doon naman sa sira-ulong "anonymous" kuno na si Kapre (o si Ogie Boy). Hoy, bistado na kayo, mga kulukoy! Ano? Nabulgar na kayo no. Bistado na kayo no. Walang binatbat yang mga bomb threats nyo. "Gusto nyo bang malaman kung sino..." ek ek. Sinong tinakot 'nyo?

Well, hanggang na lang muna. Merry Christmas uli mga komikerong LOSERS.

June 17, 2010 at 7:30 AM  
Anonymous Telugu Movies said...

Hello!

What’s Wrong With The Current RP Indie Comic Books (According To All Anonymous Out There).Good Artcile with the images.

August 25, 2010 at 11:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

and bobobo sumagot. masyadong defensive. maayos naman ang tanong.
kaya wala tayong marating eh.

September 1, 2010 at 10:46 PM  
Anonymous alesum said...

I take my hat off to the author of this article. Well done.
------------------------------------------
alesum

October 16, 2010 at 10:47 AM  

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