Rocket Kapre – Fantastic Filipino Speculative Fiction

EDIT: [March 2012] This is a review of the original, print edition. I subsequently worked with John “Koi” Carreon on revising the script of the digital edition.

Judging by “Marco’s Delivery Service”(written and illustrated by John Carreon) and its previous production, “My Falling Star Girlfriend”, Ravencage Studios (Facebook page) understands that while you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, it’s important to assume that many of us will do just that. The front and back cover of “Marco’s Delivery Service” (MDS from here on) are sturdy boards, which serve as the canvas for a colored front cover and a black-on-yellow logo at the back, both of which create a feeling of retro-fun. The front cover in particular calls to mind old school rebel-buddies-with-a-fast-ride shows, which is exactly the genre embraced by this stand alone komik, except in an anime influenced futuristic setting: think Outlaw Star or Cowboy Bebop.

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It’s looking to be an eventful first weekend of December, and I thought I’d mention a few events that will be taking place over the next few days.I’ve already mentioned “Better Living Through Xeroxography” which is taking place at Ilyong’s on December 3, 2010, at 7pm. It turns out that there’s a lot more going on to greet the last month of 2010, not everything spec related but but certainly of note to Filipino creators in general, and I thought today would be a good day to give a little run down:

• December 3
  • Better Living Through Xeroxography – 7pm, Ilyong’s.
  • s&wich - The latest work by poet Angelo Suarez, to be deleted (not launched mind you) on the 3rd of December, at 8-830pm. The facebook event page might explain more, but I’m not even going to pretend it didn’t go over my head. ^_^
  • Cinemanila screening of Scott Pilgrim vs the World: Scott Pilgrim! In Theatres! 8pm at the Robinson’s Galleria. What more do you need to know? (Oh, aside from the fact that this won’t be a free screening apparently.)
  • Comics Signing: Manix Abrera + JP Cuison + Dennis Nierra - 8-11PM at Sputnik, Cubao X.
• December 4
  • Modernist/Postmodernist Lee - While the Lee Aguinaldo: In Retrospect exhibit is ongoing until February, this coming Saturday, 10am, at the Ateneo de Manila Art Gallery, will be your only chance to hear Lisa Chikiamco (yep, she’s my cousin, and yep, she’s brilliant) deliver a talk on one of our first abstractionists.
  • UP-ISSI Indie Komiks Bazaar - a chance to pick up the works of Joanah Calingo, Alejandro Edoria, Macoy, Silent Sanctum Manga, Kickbackers, Meganon Comics, Wall Push Productions, Akda comics group and Inkwork Sorcery Studio, outside of the traditional komiks convention circuit. 1-5pm at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. (Link to the map is above.)
  • Polyhedral: Triple Crit -  a pen and paper gaming event, to be held from 1-9pm at LAST HOME Resto & Bar, Unit 6 Madison Square Pioneer, Pioneer Street Mandaluyong, Philippines.
• December 5
  • National Book Store: Free Comic Books Event - free comics and sketches, 20%off graphic novels, and a chance to win a sketch by Lenil Yu at the event to be held at the Powerplant Mall National Book Store branch, from 2-5pm.