Arnold Arre's Halina Filipina

Whether the author admits it or not, Halina Filipina is actually a good respite from the current crop of superhero/mythology tales in the local graphic novel scene. More than just about the title character, it's also about a beautiful love story between a Filipina-American learning to appreciate her roots and a local who despise things that destroys the Filipino. Together they learn and relearn what it means to be a Filipino. I personally like how Arre portrays "entertainment" as a cure and also a disease of our national consciousness. A simple jab to the jaw of game shows peddling instant high and temporary help just to earn ratings and millions of pesos in product endorsements.

Overall, this book deserves the accolade it currently earns.

Genre: Modern Fiction, Graphic Novel
Rating: 4.5 strands of straw hat

Summer Komikon 2014 Reads

KAYAW by Magay, et. al.

This indie publication that categorizes itself as war epic is deeply centered into the heart of the Kalinga pride--that being unscathed by the Spanish, American, and Japanese regimes. Being part of the Austronesian race (but unlike their southern brothers --the Visayan Pintados that went the low profile), Igorot and Kalinga tribesfolk settle their conflicts through brutal headhunts with much public display. The introductory story is far from gruesome though (or maybe not just yet) but the sublime contrast and similarity to the Yakuza tattoo art is noteworthy. I know, it will connect heavily to the future with Lt. Masamune in tow.

Rating: 4 cuts of lengua out of 5

RODSKI PATOTSKI by Alanguilan & Arre

Since Lastikman and Darna Lives, the tandem of Gerry Alanguilan and Arnold Arre is always a good read. That territorial dispute would have been better if they put a Chinese and not Japanese Armada to express the current climate in the West Philippine Sea. The weapon's encryption algorithm would have been better if entrusted to Dr Dalawangpuso. All in all, it remains a great read not to be taken seriously.

Rating: 4 scoops of pistachio ice cream

KIKOMACHINE X by Manix Abrera

I thought I was buying a vintage Metallica or Pearl Jam vinyl when I saw this one. Of course, this is the 10th Kikomachine book by one of the current names in local comics. Glow-in-the-dark ang cover. Sakto lang ang lalim.  Parang Sunken Garden na bumababa ng 8 cm kada taon. Hwoooh.

Rating: 3.5 fathoms deep

Click here for my review of Mervin Malonzo's TABI PO #1. 

All images belonged to the copyright authors.

A Call for a Reprint of Andong Agimat

This weekend, I just got the news that Gerry will be selling the rare Arnold Arre + Budjette Tan collaboration work BATCH 72 and I can't wait to finally get a copy of the whole set. But what I've been looking for with no luck is a 2006 copy of Arnold Arre's ANG MUNDO NI ANDONG AGIMAT.

Printed or electronic copy will do.
By the way, this short animation below is also an impressive work to behold! Arnold, where art thou?

Better Late Than Never

A week a go, I voted for the best Web Comic for this year's Komikon Reader's Choice Awards. With a remorse, I already gave my nod to other web comic. But recently after viewing this one by Gerry Alanguilan and Arnold Arre I think they deserved to win it too. The art is good, and the story is just WOW! In less than 10 minutes I was caught off-guard, and left dreaming about Her.

BAD GUYS PULVERIZED INTO ATOMS

...AND DARNA EMERGES!

Images ©Arnold Arre and Gerry Alanguilan
Read the Web Comic here.

Genre: Web Comic, Fan Fiction 
Rating: 4 pulverized street bastards

Arnold Arre's After Eden

It's good to read again the book that you used to stalk and enjoyed reading in your College days.

This graphic novel by Arnold Arre is his most personal story before publishing another graphic novel- the Martial Law Babies last year. It's a slight digression from his most popular work The Mythology Class that anchored purely on the Popular Philippine Mythology. This book contains some fantastic element too, with angels and demons fighting each other and interfering with the lives of mortals, but reading After Eden again is a special experience, just like reuniting with old friends who are forever lost, and forever moving...

What I like in reading this comic book is the highly imaginative story and believable characters. It has some funny moments and unforgettable scenes, and it's a book about music too. I can hear the songs playing in my mind as I enjoyed reading it, hoping that the youthful love and longing you can easily feel will last for a very long time. It's a novel published at the height of the Anime and Manga invasion in the Philippines and I can say that it gave a good respite from the Anime Addiction. The story is enough to soothe a tired mind, and redirect a wandering soul.

It's a modern retelling of Adam and Eve, but this time they are out of the Garden of Eden. It's a story about childhood friendship facing a destiny. A destiny that only two people can make (or break).

Rating: 4 concert tickets out of 5

Genre: Modern Fantasy/Graphic Fiction