When Coloring Books for Adults are All the Rage

...they are still nothing compared to the good ol' sketchbook stashed in the rucksack.

Tyler Durden Returns

Chuck Palahniuk shares a preview on the return of Tyler Durden via his twitter feed. It will be published by Dark Horse Comics this year. It's been a great year so far for (comic) book nerds.

Some imaginary friends never left...

The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

How catchy and outrageous can a title get?

More than you can imagine. On the surface, you would think that this is just one of those novels with the basic 'around-the-world-in-XX-days' premise or perhaps another adventure and romp through 'space and time.' But this one is an exemption deserving to earn the reader's attention, especially for somebody out there who loves history and travel. This is not just an adventure story of one person--a centenarian with a Masters in Explosives title in his proverbial "resume," but a story of a group--and how they were able to unite themselves like a family when only weeks ago they were perfect strangers to each other, some even wanting to kill another. What the F right?

It's so tempting to compare Allan Emmanuel Karlsson with Forrest Gump. I can see it from book reviews in Amazon, Shelfari, and Goodreads. But I refuse to compare the two even if they have something in common, and that is coming from the simple lifestyle in the suburbs. The two may be fruits, but you can't compare apples to oranges (or to lift a comparison from the book--you can't compare vodka to banana liquor). With or without being aware of it, Forrest Gump have done something for American history. But Allan Karlsson have done lots of things for World History in crazy and funny ways. If you love WWII stories, you will appreciate this book more. Allan Karlsson provided his expertise and antics in World History after meeting an all-star cast of characters like General Franco, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Soong May-ling, Chiang Kai-shek, Mao Tse-tung, Kim Il Sung, the young Kim Jong Il, Lyndon Johnson, Charles De Gaulle, and Richard Nixon. And to top it all, there's an elephant, and a dog to join the party too.

As a novel I can say it's well-written by a Swedish author with a background in journalism. After Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo, the popular Nordic invasion of Western Literature rages on and it is here, surprisingly in the form of a funny story by Jonas Jonasson. It's a welcome and a cool departure too from serious themes of murder and detection by Larsson and Nesbo.

If you're a Filipino, just take it easy on the notoriety of formalin-induced Swedish meatballs made in the Philippines mentioned twice in the novel. Formaldehyde is of course, not country specific and anyone can do it anywhere but at least, it's nothing against the cardboard-filled Siopao buns made in China. Your choice--Bola-bola or Asado?


Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure & Comedy
Rating: 4.5 bags of Swedish meatballs from the Philippines

sign of the times

Alternative Alamat

If you love stories about Philippine Mythology this one looks delicious. Published today by Rocket Kapre Books in digital format, this is an anthology of new and old, known and unknown, fiction and non-fiction work of writers, artists, and historians involved in the fascination and study of our country's diverse mythology.

cover art by Mervin Malonzo for Rocket Kapre Books

CONTENTS:

“Ana’s Little Pawnshop on Makiling St.” by Eliza Victoria 

“Harinuo’s Love Song” by Rochita Loenen-Ruiz 

“The Last Full Show” by Budjette Tan 

“The Alipin’s Tale” by Raymond G. Falgui 

“Keeper of My Sky” by Timothy James Dimacali 

“Conquering Makiling” by Mo Francisco 

“The Sorceress Queen” by Raissa Rivera Falgui 

“Beneath The Acacia” by Celestine Trinidad 

“Offerings to Aman Sinaya” by Andrei Tupaz 

“Balat, Buwan, Ngalan” by David Hontiveros 

“A Door Opens: The Beginning of the Fall of the Ispancialo-in-Hinirang” by Dean Alfar 

Appendix A: A Few Notable Philippine Deities 

Appendix B: Interview with Professor Herminia Meñez Coben 

Appendix C: Interview with Professor Fernando N. Zialcita 

Appendix D: On Researching Philippine Mythology 

Cover and interior artwork by Mervin Malonzo

Treat Yourself This Xmas for 1000+ TNL Points

FOR MATURE READING ONLY

Immortals: Gods & Heroes

Last September 28 was the release date of a movie tie-in graphic novel that showcased a Filipino-born talent in comic book illustration. His name is Rafael Kayanan. Though he's now an American citizen, insiders know there's more to his name than being just a master illustrator using pen and pencils. A master of the Philippine martial art Sayoc Kali, Kayanan was a fight instructor for the movie The Hunted  starring Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro.

This graphic novel by the way spins from the upcoming epic 3D film Immortals by Tarsem Singh to be shown in November 11 this year.

The Lineup:
Writers: Brian Clevinger, F.J. DeSanto, David Gallaher, Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, Jock, Ron Marz, Jim McCann, Ben McCool, Jeff Parker and Paul Tobin
Illustrators: Dennis Calero, Kevin Colden, Steve Ellis, Trevor Hairsine, Scott Hampton, Phil Hester, Jock, Rafael Kayanan, Patrick Scherberger and Ben Templesmith
Cover Artist: David Mack

Sample page © Rafael Kayanan

"Spinning from the upcoming epic 3-D film Immortals from visionary director Tarsem Singh (The Fall, The Cell) and starring Mickey Rourke and Henry Cavill comes Immortals: Gods and Heroes, a stunning hardcover featuring ALL-NEW tales of Greek myths as you’ve never seen them before! Featuring incredible untold tales by Brian Clevinger (Atomic Robo), Dennis Calero (X-Men Noir), Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jock (Detective Comics, The Losers), Ben McCool (Captain America, Memoir), Ron Marz (Witchblade, Green Lantern), Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night) and more!"

Midnight Toast

On this eve of the official book launching and after reading my copy, I commend Budjette for writing quality stories beyond my expectations. Of the four, this latest book is my favorite. Any Pacquiao fan would surely like the mythology Budjette created here. And for the rest of the stories in this 4th collection, they all provided depth and additional dimensions to the overall progress of the ongoing Alexandra Trese story, the World of Trese that we readers like to follow.

I never imagined of a plant elemental before since I always refer to an "elemental" as representative of the traditional, worldly and fundamental "elements" like air, water, fire, lightning, and earth but the writer used the term to represent plant-like creatures and spirits but it's okay, it never hindered me in following the story and enjoy it just the same.  

What I would love to see in the future is to perceive the Trese story and legend through the eyes of Captain Guerrero. Though I wish KaJo drew him to look more Filipino than just a physical derivative of Batman's Commissioner Gordon and I would like to see him slightly knowledgeable already with the world of the unknown from all the strange cases he encountered and solved with the help of Trese and her Kambal escorts.  

But for the moment, I raise my bottle of fruit-flavored vodka to Budjette and KaJo tonight.

Good work!

Rating: 4 glasses of orange juice
Genre: Urban Fantasy & Horror

Rare Catch This Year

After reading a revolutionary essay about Society & Science on Adbuster Magazine (the magazine for culture jammers) I've been looking for this book for many years. Now, the long wait is over. Just got a copy this evening @ Powerbooks - Alabang Town Center.

It's not a comic book.
It's a Science Fantasy novel completely different from mainstream Sci Fi. Many consider this as the Book of Fables.

Spy Movie of 2011? We Hope So.

THE BOOK

17 days to go, seventeen days of waiting before lovers of Espionage Fiction worldwide will finally enjoy the movie with an impressive cast of actors. He played a memorable job as Commissioner Gordon in the last two Dark Knight films and I hope Gary Oldman will deliver the goods again by playing as operative George Smiley and finally hit for the home run this time around. Originally a book published in 1974 by John Le Carre who happens to be a former member and operative of Her Majesty's Secret Service---the MI6 (but this is no secret to his followers), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy as a movie will finally try to become the espionage film of 2011. Tinker Tailor is the first book (and my third Le Carre read in 2006) that will serve as a good jump off point for the bigger, more complicated Karla Trilogy.

If you want  a more realistic and mature espionage thriller who truly understands the current geopolitical structure with no bias, John Le Carre is on the top of the hierarchy. Not like Ludlum, Forsyth, and Fleming that puts the action and naked women at the center of the story, John Le Carre puts the issue (usually this issue is global) and the mystery at the center. In a Le Carre novel, there is no clear line that separates good and evil. If there ever was, the reader will realize that it was just a mirage, an illusion. There is no black and white. His stories are paradoxical that will make the reader think, and think again. Anyway, let's wait for the movie. We just hope that this movie is as good as the book.

Spy film of the year? We hope so.

THE FILM

THE TRAILER

Wikipedia Book

How big would it be if the most relevant, neutral, and credible Wikipedia articles (437 articles to date) were ever compiled in a single book?

This big. A book of 5,000+ pages. 

The question is, will you buy it? No?
Check the story here.

Planet Of the Geeks

 The back cover blurb states it plainly:
"In his first book, Carljoe Javier writes hilarious essays on diverse topics like being a certified geek, the panties of celebrities, the dilemma of peeing, teaching at a school for girls, his mutant powers, playing with an edgy rock band, and joining a local reality tv show."

This blurb essentially previews the whole territory of being a certified GEEK. And the book gives you clues on how to maintain that exclusive geek status as Carljoe Javier retells his misadventures with panty fetishes, loyalty tensions between two bootleg shopkeepers at-war, social incompetence with women at a wedding party, losing the battle against computer viruses, nursing the broken ego via Google, witnessing two chicks lip-locking in school, the dilemma of explaining to his little sister the truth about socioeconomic inequity, the pains of mind control when the bladder's about to explode, the horrors of writing scary stories, myopia and being Cyclops, rocking the crowd with the band, and being helpful but losing it in a reality tv show. All these with alcohol in between.

Luckily for Carljoe he will never run out of girls to talk to because he's now a popular writer. That's the most important thing to achieve if you want to be the hero of the Planet Geek.

WHERE DOES THE GEEK STAND? (image courtesy of Leigh Howells)

Genre: Essays
Rating: 3 bass guitars

A Ball-busting Detour on August 19

Strictly for mature readers only!
PUP Sta Mesa - August 19, 2011

This is a Mad Worlds

Days before my team conclude the ultra-cool road trip project: the Visayas-Mindanao road survey, I was already planning to do two things as soon as I breathe again the bucolic atmosphere of Las Piñas. First is to watch the Harry Potter Finale and second is to read a new book.

Just before entering the theater I saw this collection of essays (published last month) by the frontman of Radioactive Sago Project and to tell you the truth, I actually have no idea that Lourd wrote a blog via the urbanite website spot.ph until buying and reading this book.

"THIS IS A CRAZY PLANETS!"
---STELLA STRADA (R.I.P.)

Nothing's new really with Lourd's sensibilities and observations (and bigotry) regarding varied current affairs but seriously, I share the same sentiment when it comes to the First Sister of the Philippines, simply referred as "K." His tribute to the legendary public enemy Paquito Diaz, eulogy for the rock n roll station NU 107, sentiments on old movies, observations on the Pacquiao Clan and PNoy's metaphor of illegal wangwangs, warning on porn addiction, and his lamentations against taxi drivers from hell plus the bad habit of indiscriminate defecation in public are all classic Lourd de Veyra. There's nothing to contend in a writer who states the obvious, and shows you the sarcasm in a mask-less face.

His reminder for women; umasal lamang ng ayon sa ganda. And for the gents; ang tunay na lalake ay walang abs. Amen!



Genre: Essays, Social Commentaries
Rating: 3.5 shots of GIN POMELO

What is The Element?

This enlightening and assuring book made it to the 4th spot on my list of best strategy books in the post-industrial era. Dr Ken Robinson got a keen eye in dissecting histories of misunderstood and miscast individuals performing unbelievably high standards of professional and artistic work after discovering where their personal passions and their aptitudes meet, and binding them in unison. He also made a very good analysis on the current system of education that dwells on the past system of standardized mass-production and assembly line, “selling” education like meals from a fast food outlet. Creativity should never be treated like that. Applied imagination has an identity, and a soul, too.

The lives of Sir Paul McCartney, Matt Groening, Gillian Lynne, Richard Feynman, Meg Ryan, Chuck Close, and Paulo Coelho can attest against this traditional system of education that almost hampered them in discovering their own personal worth and identity if not from their own perseverance to follow their hearts and their instincts and with some element of luck and positive outlook, meeting exceptional mentors that helped them to continue moving forward.

This current system of education limits the child’s creative development by concentrating the curriculum into compartmentalized subjects applied separately from each other. Science is usually favoured over arts, mathematics over music or sports. What Dr Robinson proposes is for the educator to teach art as important as science, and music as with mathematics especially in the public schools.

This is really not a new concept but human development is never complete without improving the individual and the collective creativity and if you limit education by designing students to become technical workers, the child’s education remains partial. Nobody wants to see their children learn that way, to become future automatons. We mean of synergy here as unifying science, art, music, and athletics in one learning experience.

 

Anyway, I encourage you to try this if you’re looking for a good non-fiction read this year. You will be happy to find yourself in it.

Memorable Quotes from the book:

“Children learn best when they learn from each other and when their teachers are learning with them.”

“You can’t be yourself in a swarm.”

“Often we need other people to help us recognize our real talents. Often we can help other people to discover theirs.”

“Never underestimate the vital importance of finding early in life the work that for you is play. This turns possible underachievers into happy warriors.”

Genre: Personal Strategy, Modern Philosophy, Applied Philosophy

Rating: 4 sticks of crayons

Winter is Coming

Year-ender Book Assignments 1 & 2

Santa Clause dropped by the house and left 2 things!

My deepest gratitude goes to fellow FFP Ms.Honeylein de Peralta (fantaghiro), Carina Bolasco and Ani Habulan of Anvil Publishing for the complimentary copies of these two recently published books. I can't wait to read them and write the agreed reviews perfect for starting the new year right next month! This is a kind of assignment that I can never consider as a chore.

KOMIKS TOP 10

WASTED poster by LEINIL YU

Comics: since its inception in my younger life at 5 years old (even if I can't read or write yet), flipping the pages one by one allowed me to sense the story by just looking at the pictures in sequence. That experience taught me to trust my intuition in conveying what the author wanted to tell, and basically that became what comics really meant for us readers of this sequential form of art.

I was lucky to read some and even at this age, I still consider reading a comic book or a graphic novel in this country a worthwhile pastime. Here's the list of my All Time Favorite Filipino Comics (Komiks) from a wide range of  format. I included the series, the funnies, the solo release, the one shots, and the indies in my criteria. I'm sure you're not familiar with majority of them and maybe it's time for you to try reading them. Let me know what you think. By the way, this list is very subjective but you get the point. I'm going to present them in a countdown manner.

10 

This is surely, the most popular Urban Horror and Fantasy graphic novel series available in any bookshop in the country. The art by KaJo Baldisimo is superb, and the stories by Budjette Tan is one of the country's best. And yeah, it's an ongoing saga for us fans.

9

Homophobics need not be afraid to touch and read this graphic novel by artist/writer Carlo Vergara. It's a fun read, I assure you.

8

An indie comic by Louie Cordero (disguised as Abang Guard Production Inc) made its way into my list. A very ugly art (it's about shit, what else?) but a very funny story about a man accidentally obtaining the power of an alien excretion and literally struggling how to capitalize on the current misfortune from his native farm, to the flooded outskirts of Navotas. 

7

Manix Abrera's initial collection of college and post-college life in Peyups with the gang of mental bandits and activists scored highly as very relevant to any alumnus reader. No one can forget those days of cramming for the report, cramming for the exams, cramming for org activities, cramming for rock concerts, and last but not the least, cramming for love life (or zero love life). Hwoooh!

6

This is so far, the most memorable graphic novel on Philippine Mythology written and drawn by Arnold Arre. It's an adventure roller-coaster ride into the realms of lower and higher mythology complete with twists and turns throughout the Pinoy culture and history.  

5

Three words: Love and Destiny. Arnold Arre once again crafted a beautiful story revolving around two friends in a world heavily influenced by angels and devils ever since man's first fall to the temptation of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. 

4

Pol Medina Jr is for me the most consistent comic book artist and author. His trademark wit, humor, and deep sense of Pinoy culture is so far, the best among the living Pinoy cartoonists today. His books became required reads for Japanese students studying the Philippine Culture and Politics. And this is not a joke at all. This 5th collection of his series is a personal favorite because of his local parody of Star Wars. And I love the fight scenes and his cool usage of time paradoxes--ala Star Trek. This book made Polgas (aka Wisedog, Dobermaxx) a household name.

3

Gerry Alanguilan's ultra-violent story of a killing spree along EDSA is actually an allusion of his heartbroken days after his girlfriend migrated to the US. It's a classic story of coping the loss of someone you deeply loved. Love, or Die.

2

  

This book by the legendary Francisco Coching is five stars for me. It's classically drawn and classically written by a leading National Artist contender. Being a classic book, I  didn't mean that it doesn't have a twist. The twist is actually the main story and the reader will be rewarded with a perfect ending.

1

Once again, Pol Medina Jr's deep knowledge on the popular and less popular culture of the Filipino catapulted his name as the country's leading comic book author and artist. If you don't know yet where to test your anting-anting or agimat (with a hearty laugh), better read this book. Laughter is still, the best medicine for the Filipinos and the comedy-horror story arc is the best that exists in my opinion and still, unmatched. 

Metro Comic Con 2010

August 21-22

SM Megatrade Hall 2

BE PREPARED.

The Emperor's New Book

After buying the copy of Al Hazred's Necronomicon from a black market in Diliman last July, I instantly crashed into a Twilight Zone territory. The case is similar with my recent buy, a book authored by an American psychologist Dr. Alan Francis. But this time the weird stuff comes not from the content and substance of the book but from its emptiness. Something is missing. You see, the title of the book itself is enough to catch my attention to pick it up from the shelf but as I was scanning the pages each of them is entirely blank, nothing is printed not even a word nor a scratch is written on it.

A layman can easily explain that it was clearly a misprint from the publishing house but what really hit me is how the title coincidentally gave an apt meaning to the empty book. Does this "everything" that us men and old retards know about women actually means NOTHING or VOID, or perhaps NULLIFIED? Does it mean that the paperback I am holding is actually a reality in disguise? A sarcasm? A joke?

It may not mean anything to you but I consider the book's discovery as an Aha! moment. Maybe magic ink (ala Harry Potter) or Masonic ink (ala Da Vinci Code) is involved but so far, my interest lies in the fact that it's a tome that's supposed to inform the reader on what men know about women and looking at that blank pages, the assumption might still hold true.

But the greatest revelation of all is that after searching through the internet, it's official that the blank book was published as intended--- a blank book.

It is now lying on my shelf and part of my wicked archive, Category X. A book of void or a book of nonsense that costs only 40 pesos and still has its own hidden meaning--- tripping, floating, drifting somewhere in the consciousness of a human psyche.

Looking at it once tempted me to write or draw something into the blank pages but maybe it's better if I just leave the book as it is. After all this is the Emperor's New Book.

A title interesting enough for my reality check...

Hmmmm... Looks neat.

Wait, something is missing!

Aww s#!t, Category X!

Rating: 4 packets of salted peanuts out of 5 (80%)
Genre: Humor