Getting Comic

A couple of months ago, I saw the first issue of Kwentillion in a bookstore, a magazine featuring young adult literature pieces and an anthology of original short comic stories. Featuring familiar names of comic artists I have come to respect, I immediately bought my copy. It was a milestone in the publication industry, and I truly hope this first issue will not be the last. Also last week, I finally saw the premiere issue of Trese, the detective/horror/crime comic series I have always meant to begin reading but couldn't find the first issue in the bookstores I usually visit. Maybe I haven't been looking well enough, but needless to say, it was an important buy and just in time for the coming convention I will attend this June.

These recent buys made me remember the feature I wrote two years ago during my internship. I just did a man on the street interview with the comic artists present during the Comic-con last May 2011 and got fortunate that I got to talk to some of the biggest names in the industry.

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Artists share their two cents on the local comics scene

May 2011

What many popular culture historians dubbed as the Philippine comics industry’s Golden Age has been since decades ago. However, the local comics scene is gaining momentum once more due in part to the recognition of the craft of Pinoy artists abroad working for popular international publishers, but more so due to the rich pool of talent of our local artists.

Despite competition from their foreign (and immensely more prevalent) counterparts, as well as from other forms of entertainment, our komikeros continue to create comic stories that are closer to home. They continue to tell stories about our culture, about our own dreams, about ourselves.

Three of these Pinoy comic writers and artists gave a few words about their craft and their advice to the hopefuls.

Going for it

Photo by Alea Gomez

Budjette Tan describes himself as a “copywriter by day, comic book writer by night.” He is the writer behind the comic series Alamat, Batch 72, and Underpass.

Collecting comic books since grade school, Tan has always dreamed to be in the comics industry. His latest project is Trese, a horror/crime comic series, with Kajo Baldisimo (Alamat, Defuser, Starwars) as the artist. Trese, according to Tan, is his most favorite work so far. “People seem to be happy with it, and I am, too,” he said.

As a writer, Tan would like to work with artists like Carlo Vergara (Zsazsa Zaturnnah), Gerry Alanguilan (Wasted, ELMER), and all the many Pinoy artists here and in the United States. He dreams of writing more stories “that can reach more people here in the country and the world.”

The Filipino talent in comics is undeniable. For Tan, aspiring artists should not be discouraged. “Whether writing or drawing, nothing should stop them. We're in the best time now to create comics. You can self-publish them online as webcomics, or have them photocopied. There are no excuses,” he advised.

For more of Budjette Tan’s work, visit tresekomix.blogspot.com.

Keeping it humble

Photo by Alea Gomez

Gilbert Monsanto is an illustrator noted for his work in Hazard, Hellcop, and the 2003 revival of Darna, among others.

Monsanto’s latest endeavor is the comic series Bayan Knights. For him, it is the most remarkable work in his career as a comic artist, both in its goal of pioneering the superhero comic scene in the country and of helping fellow Filipino artists.

Bayan Knights is a comic book project featuring the superheroes created by artists from an online art community. By publishing these characters, the artists’ works become copyrighted and protected.

Despite already being an accomplished artist, Monsanto strives to be better by creating more memorable characters “at makatulong sa bagong mga comic artists tulad ng ginagawa ko ngayon sa Bayan Knights (and helping new comic artists like what I’ve been doing in Bayan Knights).”

Monsanto has been inspired by the comics since childhood, and has worked his way up to become a top caliber artist of the country. He advised aspiring illustrators to go out and discover the art as well as people. “(Dapat silang) makakilala ng mga taong makakatulong sa kanila. (They should get to know people who can help them.) Go for people they can work with, at hindi lang sarili (and not work by themselves alone),” Monsanto said.

For more of Gilbert Monsanto’s work, visit bayanknights.com

Taking it to greater heights

Gerry Alanguilan is another prolific Pinoy comic artist who created Wasted, Johnny Balbona, Humanis Rex!, and ELMER, among others. He also worked in DC Comics and Marvel in the United States.

Unlike the two previous artists, Alanguilan did not consider being a comic artist when he was still a kid. According to him, he had many various dreams, but “drawing comics was a hobby for a long time. Hindi ako naniwala na pwede akong maging comic artist. (I did not believe that I could be a comic artist.)” He held the profession in high regard since childhood and believed that “magagaling na tao lang ang pwedeng maging comic artist. (Only outstanding people can become comic artists.)”

As proven by his numerous accomplishments in the field, he has become an outstanding artist himself and has made a name as one of the top Pinoy comic artists of this generation. This may be attributed to his relentless drive to create better works.

 Even with a lot of achievements to his credit, Alanguilan says, “Hindi pa ‘ko masaya. Hindi pa ako kuntento. (I’m not yet happy. I’m not yet satisfied.) Even if I’m happy with my previous works, gusto kong gumawa ng mas maganda pa (I want to create something better). I keep moving on.”

This attitude is what he wants to share to young hopeful artists. “You can’t afford to be half-hearted. Either bigay na bigay or wag na lang. (Either you give it your all or none at all),” Alanguilan added.

For more of Gerry Alanguilan’s work, visit komikero.com.

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I wish I could write a more in-depth piece on this topic, if circumstances permit. Anyhow, I'm excited for the coming con!