Part 2 of my article on the Philippine fantastic for the “World Tour of Wonderment“ feature of Fantasy Faction is now up. (You can find part one here.) In this post, I give a brief primer on the fantastic in prose fiction and comics, by talking about prominent creators/projects in these fields. Check it out!
There are two exciting new Amazon Kindle releases from Filipino creators today (courtesy of Flipside Digital): First up is “Lower Myths” by Eliza Victoria, who has contributed to Usok, Ruin and Resolve, and Alternative Alamat.
Lower Myths features two compelling novellas of contemporary fantasy from Eliza Victoria, one of the most talented young writers in Asian speculative fiction today. In “Trust Fund Babies,” children of two warring witch and fairy families face off in the final round to a centuries-old vendetta.
In “The Very Last Case of Messrs. Aristotel and Arkimedes Magtanggol,” an aristocrat and his daughter consult a famous lawyer-sibling pair about a mysterious crime. But in the lawyers’ hilltop mansion by the sea, they uncover sinister hints that their reality may not be what it seems.
The second release is a revised edition of “Marco’s Delivery Service“. If you read my review of the original work, you may be interested in this version, as I worked with creator Koi Carreon to iron out the kinks and flesh out the story, in order to–we hope–create product that retains the great art and retro-futuristic world, while adding some narrative polish. Fans of old school anime like Outlaw Star should definitely check it out.
Everyone remembers that the small press and indie komiks event “Better Living Through Xeroxography” is this Friday right? Well, for those who’d like more insight into the world of independent publishing, the organizers have also put together a series of talks/panels for the next day, March 3. Here are the details from panitikan.ph:
BLTX, small-press expo is on 2 March 2012, Friday, at Ilyong’s on Kalantiaw, Project 4, QC, 8PM onwards. BLTX Talks in on 3 March 2012, Saturday, at Chef’s Bistro at 94 Sct Gandia cor. Tomas Morato, 2PM to 8PM. Better Living Through Xeroxography or BLTX is a small-press expo now on its second incarnation, the first one a success by indie standards: 30 small press publishers and 200 buyers on a rainy December day in 2010.
The goal of BLTX is simple. Bring together independent self-publishers from Metro Manila (hopefully from elsewhere, too), in a one-night event that will allow them to sell their wares: books, yes, but also zines and other printed materials like shirts, postcards, posters, and this year, CDs from musicians more indie than indie. It’s about selling, but also about meeting like-minded individuals who believe in literature and creative work that might not ever get into the mainstream of commercial bookstores and galleries, but for one night is the star of the show. You can also just imagine BLTX to be the coolest meet-and-greet between writers and readers, one that involves beer, some music, and plenty of creativity you rarely see. This year though BLTX will also be space for productive discussions on the making | marketing | selling of the self-published book, where practical aspects of actual independent book production will be shared by those who have survived it with sanity intact.
BLTX Talks will happen the day after the BLTX small-press expo, a full six hours of four different panels that will answer central questions about PRINT PUBLISHING, ONLINE / WEB PUBLISHING, RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION, and COMMUNITY. All necessarily in light of the industry of independent self-publishing, and all against the traditional forms of cultural production as we know it in these shores.
Confirmed speakers for the BLTX Talks are Mabi David (HighChair), Tweet Sering (Astigirl), Honey de Peralta (Flipreads), Oliver Ortega (hal.), Ime Morales (FWGP), Mike David (Kubori Kikiam), Feliz Perez (Mt. Cloud). Participating small-press and indie publishers for BLTX include The Cabinet,? Gelo Suarez,? hal. ?Heights,? High Chair,? Kubori Kikiam,? Macoy,? Omeng Estanislao, Pantas, Paper Monster Press, Patrick Rawwrr, QBCCC (The Quarterly Bathroom Companion Comics Compendium), Rob Cham, Silent Sanctum Manga, Tapat Journal, Tilde Acuña, UP Writers Club, Zigzag Animals, UP Music Circle, Migi de Belen. BLTX is the brainchild of the Youth & Beauty Brigade. Check out the BLTX FB Event Page for updated lists of participating small-press and indie publishers and BLTX Talks speakers! See you at BLTX and BLTX Talks!
Here are more details about the venue for the BLTX Talks: Chef’s Bistro, your all-in-one hang-out place for dining pleasures and memorable experiences. Away from the traffic noise and the hassle and bustle of city streets, Chef’s Bistro’s location is perfect for focused events. Its function rooms are the perfect venue for your corporate or private meetings, with our delectable set meals served. Or just come as you are and lounge with us outdoor or on the veranda.
Tels.: 414-4515; 359-9975 Mobile: 0917-7989-811 Website: chefsbistro.wordpress.com Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ChefsBistroFusions Follow us on twitter: twitter.com/#!/chefsbistroph Googlemaps: Just type: Chef’s Bistro, Scout Gandia
Remember last year’s Better Living Through Xeroxography, small press and indie komiks event? Adam David and company are at it again on March 2, at Ilyong’s Cubao (same venue as last time). Here’s the official Facebook page and description:
A SMALL PRESS EXPO!!!
BOOKS / ZINES / KOMIX / FIRST 100 BOTTLES OF BEER FOR FREE / FREE VIDEOKE, TOO, BUT YOU’LL HAVE TO SING ON STAGE
QBCCC! HEIGHTS! UP WRITERS CLUB! THE PATRICK RAWWRR! THE GELO SUAREZ! THE ROB CHAM! HIGH CHAIR! THE MACOY! PAPER MONSTER PRESS! SILENT SANCTUM MANGA! THE TILDE ACUñA! THE YOUTH & BEAUTY BRIGADE! HAL.! KUBORI KIKIAM! TAPAT JOURNAL! THE OMENG ESTANISLAO! THE CABINET! AND MORE AS THEY SIGN UP!
MARCH 2, 2012 // ILYONG’S, KALANTIAW, PROJECT FOUR, CUBAO
Maps to the venue:
from the Cubao area > http://twitpic.com/tr6ok
from the UP/Ateneo area > http://twitpic.com/tr6za
Poster art > http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150485850937717.367672.574957716&type=1&l=2dac22c2a3
For inquiries and such about signing up
and whatever else, contact Adam David
via eMail > juncruznaligas@gmail.com
or via text > 09163063173
“Buhay Indie” is a new blog that ill be featuring journal posts from different Filipino komiks creators, with the aim of giving the reader insight into their lives and artistic process. The first entry is by Dr. Carlo Jose San Juan, creator of Callous. Here’s the description of the blog from the very first post:
This is a journal about our life as comic creators and the stories behind the production of independent comic titles we enjoy reading. Making comics is never easy. Most of us manage our time, balancing everything to make one issue in time for an event. More often than not, we encounter a lot of problems while making the pages, and it takes extra effort to get the job done. And we each have our own stories to tell. Each entry will be made by a different comic creator, featuring their comic projects and updates about their comic production… in a form of a diary. The contributors for this blog are the members of Indie Comic Manila, a Facebook group composed of independent comic illustrators and writers from different comic circles. It’s also the same group behind the 100 Araw ng Komiks campaign. It’s tough being an indie creator. But we love making comics, so we do it anyway… Now we’re sharing our stories with you.
While it’s not a Rocket Kapre release, “High Society“, my steampunk comic book with Hannah Buena, is getting a book page on the site, to give me a central hub to post purchasing information (now that it’s available from four different online retailers), as well as reviews. One notable review has come from Frida Fantastic, over at Adarna SF. Here’s an excerpt:
The comic does a good job of immersing the reader in the setting while still keeping it accessible for readers who aren’t familiar with the Philippines. I love details like the use of Filipino sound effects (e.g “bog!” instead of “wham!”).
xxx
Buena’s art is expressive and dynamic, with a subtle manga influence that makes everything extra adorable. It has a bit of of a sketchy feel because some of the pencils are visible, but it I think it’s aesthetically pleasing.
It’s also relevant to mention that “On Wooden Wings”, my short story in Philippine Speculative Fiction volume 6 that is set in the same world as “High Society” (and which will become the first part of the “Wooden War” series) was the subject of an in-depth review/analysis by Jha over at Silver Goggles. It’s very interesting to read impressions of that alternative history from a reader who is not Filipino but who is a fellow Southeast Asian.
Take your first step into a world of automata, magic, and alternative history! The year is 1764, and, for the first time in nearly two centuries, the Spanish forces have been repelled from the great walled city of Manila. While the Spaniards are quick to lay the blame at the feet of the invading British and their clockwork machines, the secret to the success of the Filipinos may lie closer to home, with an ally that is both ancient and new, mythical and mechanical. “High Society” is a stand-alone steampunk comic book in the “Wooden War” series.
Andrew Drilon (“Pericos Tao“) is one of the most respected komiks creators in the country today. His latest mini-comic, “Supermaker” has garnered praise from creators such as Chris Roberson and Jeff Lemire. He talks about the inspiration for the comic here, but I still wanted to know more. I asked the always busy Andrew if he’d be willing to answer a few questions about “Supermaker” and he graciously agreed:
So yeah, I feel that once that “rule set” is established, you can extend it forwards and backwards with your imagination, giving the impression of a life outside the actual story, which allows for things like sequels and fan fiction. However I do like the thought that they exist somewhere in the second dimension, living lives outside our purview. It’s a romantic idea that I tend to obsess over.
It was originally designed to run in monthly 8-page installments for three years. The first “season” would have been a year, clocking in at around 96 pages, with the whole thing running to almost 300 pages. I had a ton of ideas for it–the overall stylistic theme being rampant references to (and reflections on) all the superhero comics I grew up reading—all anchored in this “real” cartoonist’s story. I wanted to do a “Supreme” or “End League”-style work, which usually starts out being derivative of other stories but evolves into own thing. I love Barth and Borges and Burroughs, and I think there are lots of ways to do metafiction comics that we haven’t seen before. In the end, though, I decided to just cut out the body and leave the heart of it–that sentiment expressed in those 8 pages, which I think is the most important aspect of the story.
Convention-going komiks fans have known about Gerry Alanguilan’s Elmer for years, but now it’s set to reach a wider audience through a second edition published by National Book Store itself. The second edition will be launched this Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Bestsellers, 4th Floor Robinson’s Galleria, Ortigas at 5pm.
According to Gerry: “This edition will be virtually the same as the previous Komikero Publishing edition, although it would have a new afterword, a sample of the script, and drawings previously available in the Elmer Limited Edition Box Sets. Because of my agreement with my publishers abroad, this edition will only be made available here in the Philippines.”
If you don’t have a copy of Elmer–or, heck, even if you do–this would be a perfect time to pick up what is, to date, probably the most critically renowned Philippine graphic novel. It’s won the 2011 Prix Asie-ACBD Award, been included in a list of essential reading by the Association of Critics and Journalists Love, and been nominated for best comic book of the year award by two French festivals, and the “Best Graphic Album-New” in the Eisner Awards.
So last Saturday’s book launch of Trese volume 4, “Last Seen After Midnight” was a smashing success. Not every Trese fan could be there of course, which is why I’m uploading the question and answer portion of the event. After all, how else is the world going to know the rift running through the middle of Trese fandom: should Alexandra ever get a romantic interest? Budjette and Kajo also address fan influence on the storylines, a Zsazsa Zaturnnah crossover (make it happen!) and when book 5 will be coming out.
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Rocket Kapre is an imprint of Eight Ray Sun Publishing Inc. (a new Philippine-based publisher), dedicated to bringing the very best of Philippine Speculative Fiction in English to a worldwide audience by means of digital distribution. More info can be found at our About section at the top of the page.
