Monday, November 17, 2014

Gwapoman 2000: Hari Ng Basagtrip # 1

Gwapoman 2000: Hari Ng Basagtrip # 1Last Komikon, Aaron Felizmenio of Frances Luna III Illustration Firm released the first part of the GWAPOMAN sequel entitled HARI NG BASAG TRIP. First thing you will notice about it is the minimalist cover -- a black and white piece by international superstar Stephen Segovia. Inside art chores is all done by Aaron. And I must say this is his best work yet. The uncleanliness of his lines together with the washes complements the mood of the story. When I look at the art, it does not seem unfinished being uncolored and all. Frankly, it looks awesome in black and white. I hope Aaron keeps this art style for the remainder of the volume. It works. Perfectly.

Story-wise this episode is a lot easier to digest/understand than his previous releases. I don't know if it's because I am already familiar with most of the characters or because the story does not jump around and is quite straight forward. The pacing is great, alternating between the hero Rajah Aguila and Gwapoman's crew. I liked Rajah Aguila's background being a bit of a show boat. I liked his costume changes. I liked the interaction between Alas and Margaux, Alas and Mang Tan (May kiliti ako dyan). Basically, I found an appreciation for Alas. He is awesome. I liked that we learn a bit more about Gwapoman's background and that he's bit angrier this time around. I liked what little I saw/learned about Kartada X. Ooh, and that ending: totally, didn't see that coming. Nice one, Aaron. Nice one.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Karaoke: EXITS AND ENTRANCES (WATIC)

She's like a rock and I keep / Chipping off a piece to hold on to / And she's got a lot of nerve / Not seeing you the way that I do / We are, oh, we're about to be / So much closer than you thought that we could ever be / Well, I'm sorry to say that I gave it away / We'll I'm empty, you're empty / It's none of my business / But I won't be a witness / If I hang on for the ride / I promise I'll crash without her there / She's like a rock and you keep / Chipping off a piece to hold on to / And there's gotta be, gotta be / Something more than this / In a life full of exits and entrances / I know the way this plays out / But I couldn't find the words to tell you / And you thought that everytime she would never tell a lie / But believing a liar is feeding the fire / It's none of your business (Hang on for the ride) / But I won't be a witness / No, it's none of your business (Hang on for the ride) / But I won't be a witness / She's like a rock and you keep / Chipping off a piece to hold on to / And there's gotta be, gotta be / Something more than / Something more than this / She's like a rock and you keep / Chipping off a piece to hold on to / And there's gotta be, gotta be / Something more than this / In a life full of exits and entrances / Did you get what you wanted? / 'Cause I couldn't get enough / Now I'm back where I started / Again / She's like a rock and you keep / Chipping off a piece, chipping off a piece / She's like a rock and you keep (Yeah, she's like a rock) / Chipping off a piece, chipping off a piece / She's like a rock and you keep (Yeah, she's like a rock) / Chipping off a piece to hold on to / (Hang on for the ride) / She's like a rock and you keep / Chipping off a piece to hold on to / And there's gotta be, gotta be / Something more than / Something more than this / She's like a rock and you keep (Hang on for the ride) / Chipping off a piece to hold on to / And there's gotta be, gotta be (Hang on for the ride) / Something more than this / In a life full of exits and entrances / It's none of my business / But I won't be a witness

Karaoke: BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY (WATIC)

If this is what you think is honest, honestly / I think I'm gonna freak out / This isn't where I wanna be, wanna be / I think I'll let myself out / Show me the door, oh / 'Cause I'm leaving the way / I came in with the mess I made / Tonight will be the one to set it off / We had our lights on the town / Your eyes were smiling then / You left me hanging around / With all your whack friends / You don't take me serious / Boy, you make me furious / Guaranteed, we'll disagree / I found out / Finding out isn't the worst part / Don't believe it's just me / And I've found out / Do you really even have a clue? / You're not quite Satan / But I really think I hate you / We had our place in time / This is now, that was then / You've left me high and dry / With all your stuck-up friends / You don't take me serious / Girl, you're just delirious / Guaranteed, we'll disagree / I found out / Finding out isn't the worst part / Don't believe it's just me / And I've found out / Do you really even have a clue? / You're not quite Satan / But I really think I hate you / Whoa-oh ooh-oh... I hate you / Whoa-oh ooh-oh / If this is what you think is honest, honestly / I think I'm gonna freak out / This isn't where I wanna be, wanna be / I think I'll let myself out / Sh-sh-sh-show me the door, oh / 'Cause I'm leaving the way / I came in with the mess I made / Tonight will be the one to set it off / Tonight will be the one... / I found out / Finding out isn't the worst part / Don't believe it's just me / And I've found out / Do you really even have a clue? / You're not quite Satan, but I, ah-I / I found out / Finding out isn't the worst part / Don't believe it's just me / And I've found out / Do you even fucking have a clue? / You're not quite Satan / But I really think I hate you / You're not quite Satan / But I... / You're not quite Satan / But I really think I hate you

Thursday, October 09, 2014

Karaoke: I QUIT (Hepburn)

There was a time when I would / Go walking backwards 'round the world / If you said you're mine / And I'd run blindfold / Down the Kings Road Monday morning / If you'd just for once arrive on time / But you turned into another liar / And you came on like a new Messiah / So before you say what you desire / I'm telling you now / I quit! I quit! / 'Cos loving you's a job I don't need / Ain't gonna go to work no more / I quit! I quit! / The situation's vacant for me / Ain't gonna go to work no more / Ain't gonna go to work no more / Ain't gonna go to work / I got my hands dirty / While you rolled cigarettes / With one eye on the time / I tried my hardest / I've been conscientious / But I'm taking back that heart of mine / You can't roll me 'round your tongue no more, baby / It's time to clear up your emotional debris / And if I'm falling overboard, please don't save me / 'Cos I'm telling you now / I quit! I quit! / 'Cos loving you's a job I don't need / Ain't gonna go to work no more / I quit! I quit! / The situation's vacant for me / Ain't gonna go to work no more / Ain't gonna go to work no more / Ain't gonna go to work / La-da-nay nay nay da-day / La-da-nay nay nay, baby / La-da-nay nay nay / It's too late to say you're sorry / You're just like every other lover / A shot rings out and you go running for cover / And I'm so sorry, I can't be your mother / And I'm telling you now / I quit! I quit! / 'Cos loving you's a job I don't need / Ain't gonna go to work no more / I quit! I quit! / The situation's vacant for me / Ain't gonna go to work no more / Ain't gonna go to work no more / Ain't gonna go to work / I Quit! I Quit! / La-da-nay nay nay / I Quit! I Quit! / La-da-nay nay nay / I Quit! I Quit! / La-da-nay nay nay / Ain't gonna go to work no more / Ain't gonna go to work no more / Ain't gonna go to work

Karaoke: PARTY IN THE U.S.A. (Miley Cyrus)

I hopped off the plane at L.A.X. / With a dream and my cardigan / Welcome to the land of fame excess (whoa) / Am I gonna fit in? / Jumped in the cab, here I am for the first time / Look to my right and I see the Hollywood sign / This is all so crazy / Everybody seems so famous / My tummy's turnin' and I'm feelin' kinda home sick / Too much pressure and I'm nervous / That's when the taxi man turned on the radio / And a Jay-Z song was on / And a Jay-Z song was on / And a Jay-Z song was on / So I put my hands up / They're playing my song / The butterflies fly away / I'm noddin' my head like yeah / Movin' my hips like yeah / I got my hands up / They're playin' my song / I know I'm gonna be okay / Yeah, it's a party in the U.S.A. / Yeah, it's a party in the U.S.A. / Get to the club in my taxi cab / Everybody's looking at me now / Like, who's that chick that's rockin' kicks? / She gotta be from out of town / So hard with my girls not around me / It's definitely not a Nashville party / 'Cause all I see are stilettos / I guess I never got the memo / My tummy's turnin' and I'm feelin' kinda home sick / Too much pressure and I'm nervous / That's when the DJ dropped my favorite tune / And a Britney song was on / And a Britney song was on / And a Britney song was on / So I put my hands up / They're playing my song / The butterflies fly away / I'm noddin' my head like yeah / Movin' my hips like yeah / I got my hands up / They're playin' my song / I know I'm gonna be okay / Yeah, it's a party in the U.S.A. / Yeah, it's a party in the U.S.A. / Feel like hoppin' on a flight (on a flight) / Back to my hometown tonight (town tonight) / Something stops me every time (every time) / The DJ plays my song and I feel alright (yeah) / So I put my hands up / They're playing my song / The butterflies fly away / I'm noddin' my head like yeah (na-na-na nodding my head) / Movin' my hips like yeah (ooh yeah) / I got my hands up / They're playin' my song / I know I'm gonna be okay (gonna be oh-oh yeah) / Yeah (na na na ha ha), it's a party in the U.S.A. / Yeah, it's a party in the U.S.A. / So I put my hands up / They're playing my song / The butterflies fly away (butterflies fly away) / I'm noddin' my head like yeah (nodding my head like yeah) / Movin' my hips like yeah (movin' my hips like yeah) / I got my hands up / They're playin' my song / I know I'm gonna be okay (I'm gonna be okay) / Yeah (yeah), it's a party in the U.S.A. / Yeah (ha ha ha ha ha), it's a party in the U.S.A.

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

Komik Book Kollektor

So, I've decided to compile a list of where you can read free Filipino komik books in the interwebs legally. Please feel free to add more links in the comments section.

"BAYAN KNIGHTS" by Bayan Komiks
Bayan Knights # 7 pages 1 to 9

"COMBATRON" by Berlin Manalaysay
Project Combatron

"CODENAME: BATHALA" by Jon Zamar and Judd Abinuman
Codename: Bathala

"DARNA/CAPTAIN BARBELL/etc. FAN-FICTION"
Barbell Reps! by Frances Luna III Illustration Firm
Darna Lives! by Gerry Alanguilan & Arnold Arre
Digmaan Webcomics pages 1 to 68 by Gilbert Monsanto

"MASKARADO" by Reno Maniquis
The Complete Comic Strips
Maskarado Adventures

"RODSKI PATOTSKI" by Gerry Alanguilan and Arnold Arre
Rodski Patotski: Ang Dalagang Baby pages 1 to 9

"SANDUGUAN" by Gener Pedrina
Sanduguan: Himagsikan
Sanduguan # 4 - All Out War, Chapter 1

"SERVANT" by Geoffrey Borgonia
Servant # 1

"TRESE" by Budgette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, Atan
Book 1: Murder On Balete Drive
Book 2: Unreported Murders
• Book 3: Mass Murders
• Book 4: Last Seen After Midnight
• Book 5: Midnight Tribunal
Book 6: High Tide At Midnight
Precinto 13
Stories From The Diabolical

DISCLAIMER: I cannot vouch for any links in the comment section. As such, please be careful in clicking these links. Once I've verified these to be clean of malware, I will add them to the post above. Thank You.

Friday, October 03, 2014

Must See: Stargate/SG-1

Guess who's back?! I have not posted here for years now, ever since I discovered Tumblr. Though I also don't do much posting there either -- I mostly just reblog stuff. And so, I've finally decided to resurrect my original blog here. I hope I can keep this up.


THE PREMISE: Years ago, archaelogists uncovered a huge circular device in Giza, Egypt which was engraved with mysterious symbols that no one seems to be able to decode. When a disgraced Egyptologist named Daniel Jackson (James Spader) is recruited into the program, he is able to activate the object, a transportion device he calls a Stargate, by recognizing the symbols as an alien coordinate system. Jackson is sent along with Col. Jack O'Neil (Kurt Rusell) and his team to step through the gate and explore what awaits them at the other side.

One year later after the events of the movie, Jackson (Michael Shanks) and O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) reunite once more to continue the journey. Joined by Air Force scientist, Capt. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) and the Jaffa Teal'c (Christopher Judge), the four forms Stargate Command's SG-1 -- Earth's first and sometimes last line of defense against would-be alien conquerers called the Goa'uld.

Honestly, the movie wasn't that great. It was less epic than what I hoped it would be but is needed to appreciate some of the stuff in the SG-1 pilot. The series starts out a bit episodic with its mission-of-the-week type of stories. However, bits of these missions would pop up in later episodes forming their own mini story arcs with the larger Goa'uld saga. Stargate would be populated with developed recurring characters that gives the audience additional connection to the story aside from the main four. The thing I enjoy most about this sci-fi series is the mythology. Not only do they deal with gods and goddesses, the show also has alternate dimensions, alternate realities and time travel. The stakes each season becomes bigger and bigger to the point that later seasons actually have spaceship battles with spaceships captained by Earth personnel. One of the better space series out there!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Geoffrey Borgonia's SERVANT # 1 and 2

Servant # 1Another day, another review. w00t. Servant created by Geoffrey Borgonia tells the story of Gabriel Barreon, a call center agent slash superhero. His origin is that he is the son of the king of the pagan gods of old. Sent to our world for his own protection, Gabriel grew up as a human, taught about truth, justice and power and responsibility. He's also a geek and a big nerd.

The first issue of Servant also introduces us to the Del Maestro sisters: Katsuko, the brainy and uptight sister (who for some reason looks evil to me even though it seems that she's not) and Alexandra the carefree (and hotter) younger sister. There is also Victor, the patriarch of the Del Maestro family who seems to be the evil man behind the curtain. The weakest of the bunch though is the Mighty Ruler whose line delivery IMHO is a bit cliched.

The art on this book is rendered in 3D and is gorgeous. It looks like Borgy spent a lot of time creating the models for this. It reminds me a lot of ReBoot, one of my favorite programs growing up. My only problem is that the girl clothes needs a little loosening -- literally. They look too tight around the chest areas. Come to think of it, the same goes for Gabriel's civilian t-shirts. It's a bit distracting but still, as I said, gorgeous. Something that I think really needs work here are the fonts in the dialogue and also the speech balloons. The narration boxes in issue 1 looked a lot better but was changed in issue 2. One thing I found that improved in issue 2 though were the panels. It looked more like a comic book with the panel borders in there.

All in all, these are good first issues. It raises a lot of questions like: Who attacked Servant? What happened to Servant's world? What plans does Victor have? Does Gabriel like Alex (the obvious choice) or Katsuko (twist!)? Or maybe it's the girl reporter whose name I can't remember off the top of my head. Here's hoping that the next issues I read would be the collected edition. And yes, I am also beginning to shift my komiks collection from single issues to trades because TPBs would look better on my shelf.

Review: MARK 9 VERSE 47

When I went to KOMIKON last weekend, my intention was to get a lot of local TPBs. Yes, indie komik creators now publish their komiks in TPB format. I usually don’t get single issues if I don’t know the creator or work, so the TPB format is appealing to me. First, it looks more professional than photocopied comics. And second, I get to read a whole lot more of the story.

Mark 9 Verse 7One of the titles I got was MARK 9 VERSE 47 by Maika Ezawa and Tepai Pascual. I read volume 1 at the airport while waiting for my flight back to Singapore so forgive me if I don’t remember a lot about the story. It’s about a mysterious man named Visdei who was tasked to look for a certain gatekeeper. He has the ability to see angels and demons but aside from that he is blind. There are a lot of other character introductions here and I kinda forgot some of them except for the main antagonist named Mal. The second volume which I read just now depicts the “origin” of Visdei. It’s a more compelling read than the first one since we learn how Ron Hunter turned from a vicious a-hole prize fighter to the agent of God we first met. My only problem with the second volume is that it ended (bitin!). The art on this title is gorgeous. Depicted in manga-style, the action sequences and layouts are dynamic. You can tell that the artist really knows her craft because you’d think that this was really a manga from Japan. I hope the next time I go to Komikon there is already a third volume available.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Ang Astiging Boy Ipis: Reptullo's Revenge

Ang Astiging Boy Ipis: Reptullo's RevengeOH MY F*CKING GOD! This book is bad-ass. Mike Ignacio delivers a retelling(?) of the Boy Ipis mythos and it is without a shadow of a doubt, a masterpiece! An unexpected ride that will make you crave for more.

In the book, not only did Mike re-introduce Boy Ipis' origin, he also demonstrated his world building skills by introducing a bunch of interesting supporting characters and a villain with purpose. Not an easy task on a single issue but I think this TPB format that the Frances Luna boys are using has given Mike the space and freedom to do what he does best -- tell an awesome story. And I think Boy Ipis has now moved from a western "superhero" format to a "shonnen" style epic.

And in a surprising twist, Mike handled the art chores on this 100-pager himself (with ink/tone assists from some friends). His style reminded me of the art from Combatron/Tinay Pinay from the olden days of komiks (at least for me). I can say that not only is Mike a great storyteller, he also has a great eye for action. He has delivered the most awesome and brutal fight sequence I have ever seen in a local book. This book is surely one of the best buys from the last Komikon. I hope Mike releases the next volume very soon.

Mark Rosario's "MY WIFE IS PREGNANT"

My Wife Is PregnantWhen I got back from KOMIKON, the first book I read was the last one I picked-up: Mark Rosario's "My Wife Is Pregnant". I've seen Mark's strips posted on Facebook and it really was amusing. It made me smirk or LOL in front of the screen, disturbing the peace of our office.

I was excited when I heard that Mark planned to leap into indie publishing by making those strips into a full-fledged comic book. "An Authobiographical Comic Book". It was right there on the cover. I should've known that this wouldn't just be a humorous and sometimes self-deprecating take on his road to fatherhood. What Mark made was a "love letter" to his wife and kid.

Keep it up Mark and start writing/making the second installment. I am sure dads and expectant parents will enjoy your work. I DID. And my "wife" isn't even pregnant.