Aside from Trese, get to know this collection of Pinoy comics that will also make you proud of Filipino talent.
The star-studded Netflix adaptation of Filipino comic book, Trese, is going to air on June 10 and we can’t wait. Trese is an award-winning horror/crime comic written by Budjette Tan and illustrated by Kajo Baldisimo. It tells the story of Alexandra Trese, a detective who deals with crimes with supernatural origin. You don’t have to be a comic book fanatic to get excited with this adaptation. The fact that it’s the first Filipino comic to get international attention is making all of us proud. We hope Trese will not be the last, but just the beginning. So, here are other Filipino comic books that we also want to see on international scene.
Trip To Tagaytay
Trip to Tagaytay is the 2001 National Book Awards winning graphic novel and is one of Arnorld Arre’s masterpieces. Set in a futuristic Philippines, Trip To Tagaytay shows a dystopian Manila with its streets littered with high-tech junk, Aga Muhlach as the aging President, and the Eraserheads playing a reunion concert on the moon.
Even though Arnorld has a lot more adaptation-worthy comics under his belt, Trip To Tagaytay is well-suited in this time of CGIs and dystopian themed movies and TV series.
Ella Arcangel
Think about Stranger Things or Harry Potter. One of the reasons for their great success is their David and Goliath story where youngsters fight against evil larger than their lives. If you’re a fan of those kinds of shows, then this—comic book is right up your alley.
Ella Arcangel is a series of stories that is set in a strange community called “Barangay Masikap” where both humans and monsters struggle for survival in a small portion of the big city. It is written by Julius Villanueva and animated by Mervin Malonzo.
Sixty-six
Sixty-Six is the story of unconventional hero Celestino Cabal or “Mang Tino.” On his 66th birthday, he receives the gift of superpowers and goes on to bring evildoers to justice. Aside from the superhero element, Sixty-Six is also a story of love and a glimpse of the life of an ordinary Filipino. Mang Tino is a former OFW and now lives with his wife, Aura, who has dementia. Throughout the story, there’s also an unfolding of past through Aura’s letters to Tino when he was still working abroad.
The combination of Russell Molina’s writing and Ian Sta. Maria’s realistic art gives a perfect mix of action and heartwarming elements in this comic. The emotional value that this comic has will make it a memorable film or series if given a live-action remake or a animated film.
Doorkeeper
The creation of Ethan Chua and Scott Lee Chua, Doorkeeper, is the tale of a cosmic immortal being who appears at pivotal moments of Philippine history and myth.
According to the creators, the concept of the butterfly effect was the inspiration for the Doorkeeper. It’s the idea that huge consequences can stem from small, seemingly inconsequential choices. Doorkeeper is included on the list for those who wanted to see more of time-travel story made in the Philippines.
Ugh
Ugh by Hulyen aka Julienne Davidas’ is a unique work that showcase slice of life vignettes and sense of humor. Hulyen’s unique take on the world is relatable in a weird way. Whether animated or live-action, Ugh could be a good coming-of-age film or TV series.
Dapit Hapon
Dapit Hapon is the debut work of Warehouse 6. It’s a story of three group of friends, their journey and crazy adventures in high school. What set this comic book series unique is the simplicity of the story and its realistic elements making it not only feasible to produce, but relatable to watch as well.
Unlike with the other titles on the list, Dapit-Hapon is a refreshing coming-of-age set in the ‘90s with a backdrop that’s inspired by some streets in Quezon City.
The subtle and minimalist storytelling and art of Dapit Hapon give people a peek into what kind of life Filipino teenagers have before the rise of digital age.
This list only comprises six titles, but there are actually more to include. It’s only a matter of time and opportunity for these graphic novels to have their own time to step into the global spotlight. Living in a country with widely diverse culture and people surely give artists lots of inspirations.
Related: Hype Is Real: All The Celeb Filipino Voices in Netflix’s “TRESE”