Since I was not able to attend KOMIKON last Saturday, I was not able to get a copy of Bayan Knights # 1 ...until today. Anyways, here goes the review:
NO MAJOR SPOILAGE! The issue deals with the aftermath of a bloody battle dubbed as "The War In Metro". But this war is not yet over. Still, a mysterious enemy is threatening the peace of the country and one man has made it his mission to stop whatever it is they're planning. But first, he must recruit heroes who will fight at his side.
I love this issue! I was already spoiled for the storyline 2 months prior but man, seeing the words on the art was awesome. As I've said before, the art is Gilbert Monsanto's best work to date. I love me those details. Reading the script for this 2 months ago, I was really psyched. It's a team book but the team is composed of superheroes created by different people -- the first time in Philippine komiks (I think). I like the way each character is introduced and how each of them plays a relevant part either in the plot or making the book more fun. Although, some characters do really stand out from the rest. Yes, Boy Ipis, I'm looking at you and all your ridiculous side comments.
Here's hoping we don't have to wait too long for issue # 2. Damn, it's hard reviewing this without giving away too much. So I'll be cutting this short. Oh before I forget, there are also 2-page spotlights ala DC's Secret Origins backup feature. This should give readers additional background information on some of the Bayan Knights.
This week, Sacred Mountain was finally able to release the long awaited second issue of Tropa. I was fortunate enough to find that a copy of the said issue was already available at Comic Odyssey in Eastwood City, Libis. So here goes... but first a complementary recap:
Last issue, we learned that for some weird coincidence (or it may be fate) a group of five friends have found themselves empowered with different abilities. Although at first not all of them knew about each other's powers, a reunion of sorts have had them reveal each others secrets to one another. However, this reunion was interrupted when they are suddenly attacked by a group of manananggals.
NO MAJOR SPOILAGE: Now... here's what I like about the story-telling style used by Mr. Monsanto: it's like watching the television series Lost. As the team go about attempting to ward off their attackers, we also learn a few more tidbits about their past... some more mysterious than others. And while some questions are answered, we also get new mysteries like: Who the heck is kuya? What the heck is she? What will happen to the new guy?
There are some beats of the story that I don't think fits one another: like mixing science-fiction (time-travel and an apocalyptic future) with fantastical elements (magic and monsters). But it's just me. Maybe in the long run I'll be able to love the mesh of these genres (like I was able to love the mesh of space and western on Firefly). I also have an inkling to where one subplot may go but I'm a sucker for this type of tragedies. I just hope that I'll get a wonderful surprise in the end.
I would also like to commend the fact that even though the art on this komik is a collaboration among may talents in the industry, it wasn't inconsistent. My greatest fear about this book is that the art would suck because we get a different artist on every page. I am happy to report that that is not the case. The artists' styles seamlessly complement one another resulting in a unnoticable change (okay, so maybe a little) in art style. I just hope that we always get this on every issue.
All in all it was a good issue and I will be coming back for more installments of this tale. I just hope that I don't have to wait another year for issue 3.
