There’s something about the SM Mall of Asia that has many big conventions going there. I wonder if it’s because it’s more affordable to have them there.
I don’t go there very often, but The Manila International Book Fair 2008 and Graphika Manila 2008 were events I wanted to catch. But what was the big deal for each of these events this year and what should you remember to do for next year?
What do you get when you mix the Philippines’ premiere theme park and rabid Japanese anime and manga fans???
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Got some intel that the Manila Comic Con will be moved to 2009 due to issues with the Glorietta venue. I haven’t confirmed the info from other sources.
So maybe the launch of Ninoy’s comic book will be moved as well?
Perhaps the community of comic book artists here in the Philippines are wondering, just as I am, if there are any thorns between the 1st Manila Comicon and the longer-running Komikon. I am curious to the history between the two organizers, if any at all - but I would not press any such inquiry further.
The Komikon brand has developed a very local flavor, with independent artists coming out annually with various titles. A lot of selling from indie creators and established retailers happens during the Komikon, and the occasional nods to various creators are a nice touch.
The Manila Comicon appears to also be a matter of selling, but of a bigger scale. Based from their site, the event is clearly a launching pad for the Ninoy comic book anthology. Not only that, but I believe a school for comics as well. Indie creators will have a share of the action… I’m looking forward to see how they are treated during the convention.
Personally, I’m tired of seeing superheroes. You can taste all the machinery behind Superman, Batman, Hulk, Iron Man, Xmen that it leaves an aftertaste that never seems to go away. Some creators seem to be caught up with such flavors that local comic book characters are populated with superheroes. They are keen to state that comics isn’t all about superheroes, but the public and subsequently, big business, seems to see that as the only successful model.
Here’s a chance to promote yourselves and the Filipino artist in the process! Art In Site is offering you the chance to design one of their 3000 covers.
I haven’t done mine yet.. because I’d have to print the thing first and THEN send it.
The Night Monkeys is an anthology of not only Palanca Award winning children’s literature, but also a collection of illustrations done for each story included in it. It will be released from Tahanan Books. (I did the illustration you see here:)
As taken from the Tahanan Books multiply site:
Monday ~ 30 June 2008
5.00 P.M. to 7.00 P.M.
Mary Grace Café
Serendra
Fort Bonifacio Global City
(Attire: Casual)
Special launch price P275.
Retail price P295
For more information please contact Fran or Josie at 813-7165.
Schools in the EDSA-Ortigas consortium (EDSOR). Which includes La Salle, ICA, Poveda, Xavier (my alma mater) began their Peace Camp today, they invited Elbert Or and myself to hold a workshop on comics. Friend Vin Simbulan was invited to give a workshop on short story writing. Other artists were invited as well to discuss other arts.
25% of the class was left-handed. Approximately there was equal number of guys and girls. A fair number of the ladies were quite good, trumping the number of promising gents.
Elbert discussed the nature of comics and synaesthesia, and I discussed script breakdowns - anticipating the activity the kids would have of turning their reflections of the Peace Camp activities into comics. They began planning and illustrating at around 2:20PM and finished at 4:00PM.
I wish there was more time, but even then - learning how to illustrate comics doesn’t merely take a day even if teaching it can.
We received a cool EDSOR Tee and the appreciation of everyone involved. Poveda will be hosting it next year. Perhaps we’ll hear from them then.
Local comic book artists were invited to the College of Saint Benilde’s relatively new School of Design & the Arts (SDA) Building in Manila to participate in a talk with Mr. Ben Templesmith.
Ben is the Australian artist of the 30 Days of Night graphic novel series as well as others including Fell, written by Warren Ellis.
Ben talked at length about his process (planning to rendering) and demonstrated his digital coloring technique. You can view some moments of his discussion here on my Multiply site.
Some key techniques he presented and that I believe are responsible for his current rendering style include:
He also showed us behind-the-scenes photos of his experience with the cast and crew of the 30 Days of Night feature film. Those photos also included a fair deal of dead bodies, severed body parts, fake snow, fake fangs, fake blood. Quite humorous really.
Following his talk, we had a chance to ask him questions, such as:
Plus other things on white pens, copyright, and as well as his inspirations.
After the Q&A, we took photos and Ben proceeded to autograph copies of his stuff (even 30 Days of Night posters). When that was done Mr. Benjie Marasigan of the SDA gave us comic artists a tour of the multimedia floors of the building. Nice enough to teach and and to study in, looking forward to more events there.
Thanks to Fully Booked for sponsoring Ben Templesmith over and offering his books at a discount, and also to the School of Design & the Arts for hosting the talk and connecting the academe with industry.
Features artwork, production notes, daily events, and other musings from the artist Joel Chua from Metro Manila, Philippines. He works for the publishing,animation, and gaming industries.
