Everyone’s in it now. The issue is narrated by Sarhento Sagrado via a personal log entry about the recent events in the Bayan Knights’ universe. Two things happen in this issue: first, the encounter with the BANGIS team is resolved. Second and more importantly, the final chess pieces are gathered.
The main story also reads like a sort of encyclopedia -- reintroducing us to characters and giving hints about the new ones, reminding us that this is a very RICH universe and full of potential. Most noticeable about the latest release is the art which was digitally painted by Gilbert Monsanto. Though I find some of the roughs a little bit “rough,” GM still managed to wow me with a lot of wonderful pin-up styled shots and paneling. And can you believe how awesome that Harvey Tolibao (Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic) cover is?
Bayan Knights # 2 has been out since FCBD... so get a copy. Me, I got mine last Saturday but was unable to read it until today (I was bedridden with sickness ...still am). So here goes the reviewage:
The issue continues from where we left off last time: the CORE team being attacked by the Sipakas and the appearance of the POWERHOUSE Division to give a helping hand. And that’s just the first half! The book actually has more pages on it’s second outing. The second part introduces us to the GILAS team and foreshadows the appearance of the supervillain team BANGIS. And like last issue, we also get 2-page spotlights on some of the members of the Bayan Knights.
The art is quite good -- specially the spreads. The 6-pager involving the CORE and POWERHOUSE Divisions is a good example. The details on those pages are awesome. But I’m kinda on the fence about the pages that uses a lot of tones. I feel that it lacks a certain level of black-ness. That’s not to say that the combination of blacks and tones wouldn’t be cool. Just take a look at the GILAS panel. That’s eye-candy! They also got a special guest artist to do the cover -- Lan Medina (Fables, Punisher). So when will we be able to munch on #3? The issue leaves us hanging with a bunch of new revelations and cliffhangers. None of which I will spoil.
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.
Everyone’s in it now. The issue is narrated by Sarhento Sagrado via a personal log entry about the recent events in the Bayan Knights’ universe. Two things happen in this issue: first, the encounter with the BANGIS team is resolved. Second and more importantly, the final chess pieces are gathered.
