KA-BLOG!

2011-12-18T18:20:00.003+08:00

The previous week in comics was abuzz with the passing of two industry greats, Joe Simon and Eduardo Barreto.Joe Simon is, without a doubt, a comic industry legend.But personally, I am much more saddened with Eduardo Barreto's passing. Growing up reading comics, he was (and is) one of the people whose work I admire the most, right up there with John Byrne, Al Williamson, and Jose Luis

2011-11-16T09:45:00.004+08:00

If anyone reading this is on Facebook, check out Maskarado on the ComixTRIPS app! Click here to sign in and enjoy lots of Pinoy comics!Also, the 2011 KOMIKON is this Saturday, November 19, at the Bayanihan Center, Pasig City. Click here for more info.

2011-08-26T14:44:00.003+08:00

Comics Bulletin gives Graphic Classics Volume 21: Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Mystery 4.5 bullets! Antonella Caputo and Reno Maniquis's "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" is everything you could want for an adaptation of the classic story. Caputo's cuts are judicious, keeping the flow of the story intact. The characters of the proto-Holmes and Watson and the world they live in come to life in

2011-08-23T19:43:00.004+08:00

Just a quick plug... Captain Action King-Size Special #1 arrives at comic shops this Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011! Be on the lookout for any of these three covers... This continues the story arc from Captain Action: Season 2. Enjoy!

2011-08-16T19:41:00.009+08:00

CAPTAIN BARBELL COSTUMES THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT It's been a while since I've updated this blog, no? But anyway, I'd like to share the initial costume redesigns I did for the recent version of Captain Barbell. Here we go... Among the four costumes shown here, this is my favorite. I went back to the colors most associated with Cap, but made the blue darker. To give him touches of metal texture

2011-05-06T15:55:00.003+08:00

I was flipping through TV channels some nights ago when I caught a bit of Spartacus: Blood and Sand on HBO (It's on HBO here in the Philippines). It got me wondering... Why do all shows about ancient Rome (and even the new series The Borgias, set in Italy) utilize British accents? It's kind of silly, right? Shouldn't they be speaking with Italian accents? :)

2011-05-05T08:11:00.002+08:00

Metro Comic Con 2011 starts this Saturday, May 7 at the Megatrade Hall 2 at SM Megamall. It will run until Sunday, May 8. So if you're looking for something different to do this Mother's Day, this is the place to be! :)Artist David Lloyd (V for Vendetta, among other things) will be one of the guests so don't miss out on meeting him and all the other comics creators like Tony DeZuniga, Philip Tan

2011-04-28T18:59:00.004+08:00

Tomorrow will be my second day of teaching kids about comics creation. I'm still a bit nervous, truth be told. The first day wasn't a complete disaster, I just had a hard time having the kids open up and tell me about the stuff they like. They're good kids, albeit a bit shy. They don't even talk to each other. As Charlie Brown would say, "Good grief!"I could tell that some of them had a hard time

2011-04-12T09:46:00.003+08:00

The April issue of Previews has the solicitation for Captain Action King Size Special #1, and I am very excited. I never thought I'd see the day when a comic I drew would have a cover by one of my childhood idols, John Byrne.The stories in this issue were supposed to be Captain Action Season 2 issues 4 and 5, but to give readers more bang for their buck Moonstone collected two issues into one big

2011-04-08T17:32:00.002+08:00

A Jam-Packed MRT Moment...Woman: (Raised voice) Aray ko! Dahan-dahan naman po!Elderly Man: Masikip eh, maraming nagtutulakan.Woman: (Raised voice again) Eh bakit naman kasing hindi magdahan-dahan!Elderly Man: (Now raising his voice too) Eh masikip nga di maiwasan maitulak!Woman: (Still with raised voice) Kayo pa ang galit kayo na nga nakasakit! Nakakahiya, pumapatol sa babae!Elderly Man: Mas

2011-04-07T11:33:00.004+08:00

Summer Komikon will be on April 16 2011, Saturday at the Bayanihan Center, Pioneer Street, Pasig City. It's at the Unliab compound if you're familiar with that. If not, coming from EDSA, you can get off at Boni Avenue then take a tricycle from Robinsons Forum. At the tricycle stop just walk a few steps further and you're there. More info at this link.Also, the Bayan Knights will be having

2011-04-05T10:16:00.003+08:00

Comics Creation at Discovery Summer CampChannel your creativity and sharpen your eye for detail. Find out how fun it is to draw just like in comic books. Learn from one of the country’s top comics illustrator. The lessons will cover basic anatomy, perspective and composition, storytelling and a lot more.• Instructor: Reno Maniquis• Age group: 11 -14 years old• Course length: Five, two-hour

2011-01-05T17:08:00.005+08:00

2011 will bring Captain Barbell to the TV screen for the second time on GMA. I was tasked to do the costume design once more, and also some artwork for merchandising and stuff like that. Here's the model sheet I did...I was a bit reluctant to do a re-design, since the previous one was fairly recent. But the Ravelos wanted a sleeker look this time around, and this became the final design (after

2010-12-15T22:54:00.002+08:00

I've just been interviewed over at the Comic Book Catacombs. It's all about my work for the upcoming Captain Action Winter Special slated for release this January. Click here to read the entire thing.Thanks to Chuck Wells!

2010-11-28T10:17:00.003+08:00

The guys of Sketch Pad Studios (which includes me) will be at National Book Store Power Plant Mall on December 5, 2010 starting at 2pm. Hope you guys drop by!Oh, and there's this obscure comics artist named Leinil Yu who's gonna be there too. :)

2010-11-11T12:46:00.003+08:00

KOMIKON 2010The 6th Komikon will be on November 13, Saturday at the STARMALL Trade Hall in Mandaluyong (corner of EDSA and Shaw Blvd.). I'll be slumming with Ariel Atienza and Lyndon Gregorio at their table, so thanks guys for letting me join you.I'll be selling some stuff, so for those interested here's a list of what will be available from me:Phantom Captain Action issues 1 and 2 (Moonstone

2010-07-13T11:14:00.002+08:00

Employment Opportunities...Anyone out there needs a job? See below for some jobs you might be qualified for:A. Graphic Artist:1. Preferably male but female applicants are okay2. Accepting fresh graduates as long as he/she knows how to do FA (final art)for offset printing3. Proficient in the use of Adobe Illustrator (very important)B. Technical Assistant:1. Female with pleasing personality2.

2010-07-04T19:43:00.002+08:00

Phantom Captain Action #2 Review from comicsbulletin...Reviewed by Ray Tate..."Reno Maniquis, Keith Williams and Bob Pedroza contribute illustrations that lends visual impact to Lady Action's burst of color on the scene. Their Captain Action is a stalwart figure but one prone to youthful body language, especially when faced with defeat.Maniquis, Williams and Pedroza present the Phantom as

2010-06-15T03:35:00.003+08:00

AL WILLIAMSON, March 21, 1931 – June 13, 2010Thank you for being such a great inspiration to me.

2010-06-11T12:18:00.003+08:00

Phantom/Captain Action #2 Preview!Head on over to bzzurkk.com for an 8-page preview. Release date is on June 23, 2010!The two timeless titans collide in their first crossover. Captain Action and Diana have tracked down the Phantom's kidnappers, but when the bullets start flying, and their plan is shot full of holes, the entire world may come crashing down around them before their mission is

2010-05-25T17:54:00.002+08:00

So, I'm a bit late in reading stuff and just got around to reading the "death of Ryan Choi" recently. I think it was done as both shock value and to garner a strong reaction from comic fans (which it did to great effect).I didn't follow Ryan Choi's career as the All-New Atom, mostly because I found the Silver-Age Atom Ray Palmer boring as hell (same way I feel about Barry Allen). The only time I

2010-05-11T17:44:00.002+08:00

I don't get the hoopla surrounding the killing of Prometheus by Green Arrow. He certainly has done it before, as far back as Mike Grell's excellent LONGBOW HUNTERS, even. So why are the other heroes giving him so much grief over this? Prometheus certainly deserved it.Was the Mike Grell Green Arrow retconned? But it was during that series that Ollie got killed, and certainly his relationship with

2010-04-16T17:01:00.002+08:00

Came across this nice review for Phantom/Captain Action #1 over at brokenfrontier.com. What really struck me was this particular statement..."Artist Reno Maniquis never strays from the grid format during talk portions of the story and rarely ever stays within panel borders during a brawl. This pattern he sets focuses the reader’s attention on the many action scenes. It gives the sense that

2010-04-01T19:34:00.002+08:00

Phantom/Captain Action #1 will now be out in April instead of this week.But you can still see the preview pages here. :)

2010-03-28T16:40:00.002+08:00

Dick Giordano has passed away. As a kid growing up in the 1980s, it's hard not to have known about him, especially if you read mostly DC Comics like me. He was a good artist, not spectacular, but a good one nonetheless. But for me, I'll always remember the enjoyment I got every time I read his "Meanwhile..." columns in the pages of the DC titles that I read. That might sound weird to some people,

2010-03-27T15:44:00.004+08:00

PHANTOM/CAPTAIN ACTION #1 will be available in comic stores next week, March 31, 2010!For a sneak peek, head on over to comixology.com for a 12-page preview! Thanks a lot to Moonstone Books' editor-in-chief Joe Gentile and writer/editor Mike Bullock for giving me the opportunity to work on this. Also thanks go out to Captain Action Enterprises' Joe Ahearn and Ed Catto for their support.Working

2010-02-27T21:00:00.004+08:00

SUMMER KOMIKON 2010April 17, 2010, Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman

2010-02-12T12:46:00.003+08:00

Inglourious BasterdsJust saw this film recently (yes, I'm way behind when in comes to movies), and I'm really wondering why so many people are so "bravo!", "excellent!", and all that about this movie. Me... not so much.Okay, so from here I'll be assuming you've seen the film so you'll know what I'm talking about.Some parts were brilliant, especially the opening scene. Very tense, and you can

2010-02-04T20:03:00.003+08:00

Phantom/Captain Action is PREVIEW's STAFF PICK for January 10! From the PREVIEWS website:Those of us who are old enough to remember the Captain Action toys of the 1960s will recall that one of the coolest facets of the action figure was the ability to change from the Captain persona into one of a host of popular superhero characters. This alone made the toy extremely valuable to kids because

2010-01-29T21:07:00.002+08:00

I find it kind of funny when, in popular fiction, a guy who has mad fighting skills holds off multiple attackers, and the attackers just keep on coming. Much like when a superhero fights a bunch of henchmen, these henchmen just keep on attacking and in the end they get their butts kicked.I mean, seriously, if I was one of those henchmen and I saw this guy disposing my comrades left and right, I

2010-01-20T15:37:00.003+08:00

A new year, a new direction for me. January has been very hectic, but in a good way. For those who don't know yet, I've started freelancing full-time this month. Workload-wise, it's been very fruitful. Jobs keep coming in, and hopefully the trend will continue throughout the year.Working at home has it's benefits... I save up on train and jeepney fare since I don't have to go anywhere (except on

2009-12-24T15:58:00.003+08:00

Merry Christmas to all!

2009-12-18T16:42:00.003+08:00

Press release: December 17, 2009 -- The popular Paranormal Podcast will be closing its 2009 season with a BANG -- featuring a special roundtable discussion centering on 2012.2012 has received immense coverage in bookstores, newsprint, television, the Internet and most recently in theaters with Sony's epic 2012 film by director Roland Emmerich and starring John Cusack.People around the globe

2009-12-02T23:04:00.005+08:00

Hey guys! Remember this post a while back?I'm happy to announce that it all came into fruition. Watch out for this in March, 2010:PHANTOM-CAPTAIN ACTION #1 (of 2)Story: Mike Bullock, Art: Reno ManiquisCover A: Art Thibert, Cover B: Mark Sparacio, Cover C:Michael Gilbert32pgs, color, $3.99 Together again for the first time! The Phantom and Captain Action were forever united in the 1960s when

2009-10-30T11:24:00.003+08:00

SUPER SUITI just finished reading Tom de Haven's IT'S SUPERMAN! novel, and I'm currently reading Geoff Johns' and Gary Frank's SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN. It got me to thinking about the origins of Superman's costume (or uniform, if you like).SECRET ORIGIN brings back the original explanation of the super suit... it was Kryptonian cloth that was as indestructible as Superman. It's okay, but there

2009-10-29T08:50:00.003+08:00

OBLIVIOUSThere are two very different reasons why men and women have car accidents.Most men are just plain reckless. It's simple stupidity.Women, in my analysis, are just oblivious to their surroundings. And it's not just while driving.Case in point: One morning while walking to the train station, two women walking from behind me bumped me on both of my sides, making a momentary "me" sandwich. At

2009-10-20T17:55:00.003+08:00

2012: FINAL PRAYERThe world ends on 11.15.09 - that's when award-winning indie comic publisher Heske Horror (www.coldbloodedchillers.com) releases its anticipated doomsday anthology "2012: Final Prayer." Just like Armageddon, this release promises to be a "global event" with cataclysmic graphic tales, short stories and brief essays from creators from around the world: US, UK, Australia, Brazil,

2009-10-08T14:18:00.005+08:00

May 2010 is the target date for the release of the all-new Western Classics: Graphic Classics Volume Nineteen. The lead story will be an adaptation of Zane Grey's grand western prototype, “Riders of the Purple Sage”, illustrated by GC newcomer Cynthia Martin. Also included will be Bret Harte's “The Right Eye of the Commander”, by David Hontiveros and Reno Maniquis, Gertrude Atherton’s “La Perdida

2009-09-30T10:09:00.004+08:00

Muelmar Magallanes: HeroJust read about this on Budjette's blog. After reading all about costumed heroes since the early days of my childhood, not one of their fictional feats can measure up to the heroism of this man...(story from BBC News)'Heroic rescuer'Reports have also emerged of acts of heroism by members of the public during the floods, including Muelmar Magallanes, who rescued more than

2009-09-26T18:54:00.003+08:00

Bayan Knights Sketchbook: BagwisHere's a member of the Bayan Knights Powerhouse division, created by Santiago "Santy" Panes... Bagwis!

2009-09-21T22:23:00.003+08:00

Bayan Knights Sketchbook: Pag-AsaHere's the latest in a series of sketches based on the Bayan Knights. This time around, Erico Calimlim's Pag-Asa gets sketched...

2009-09-16T21:13:00.004+08:00

Bayan Knights Sketchbook: Boy IpisHere's a popular member of Bayan Knights... Ang astiging Boy Ipis!BTW, I really enjoyed the first issue. It COULD HAVE BEEN an all-ages book, but the names and treatment of the villains, though hilarious, aren't really suitable for children. Enjoyable, though. :)

2009-09-15T10:04:00.004+08:00

(image from rockedradio.com)Don't you just find it annoying when cab drivers ask for "a little bit more" right after you get inside their vehicle?Kuki brought this up this morning, relating her experience recently while riding a taxi. It's just plain not right to ask for more money or a tip. We're the kind of people who almost always give tips, but this kind of behavior is really not proper.

2009-09-12T11:39:00.003+08:00

Bayan Knights Sketch: Phantom CatI had promised Amely Grace Vidal that I'd draw her creation many moons ago... Back when it was still known as "Panty Cat." Well, better late than never...Okay, still have deadlines to finish!

2009-09-10T19:48:00.004+08:00

I was thinking of doing a Bayan Knights sketchbook, to be released in limited copies around the latter part of next year (maybe), and proceeds would go to funding the Bayan Knights comic book. Bayan Knights head honcho Gilbert Monsanto thought it was a good idea, so I'm posting the first sketch I did here, just to give a preview of how the illustrations would look like. And the first character

2009-09-01T13:14:00.004+08:00

The Franchise: Wall of Angels Now Available At Amazon! The Franchise: Wall Of Angels Volume One is now available at Amazon.com! This volume collects the first six issues of Wall Of Angels with 20 new pages not published in the original comic book. A tale of deceit, love and courage woven against a tapestry of legends. From Roswell to the ancient land of Atlantis, a group of unlikely companions

2009-08-28T15:53:00.003+08:00

DOMINO LADY #4 out in DecemberDOMINO LADY #4Story: Nancy HolderArt: Reno ManiquisCovers: Michael J. Williams, Matt Larson32pgs, color, mature $3.99, matureJoin Buffy novelist and four time Bram Stoker Award winner Nancy Holder, as she uncovers the sexy noir thriller secrets of “The Catalina Caper”! Hollywood has come to the island, and the Domino Lady’s alter ego will make her big screen debut!

2009-08-25T18:07:00.002+08:00

PASIG POST OFFICE SUCKS!!!Ever since we moved to Pasig, I have had 3 packages I was expecting from the US not reach me. I didn't have this kind of a problem when we lived in San Juan. One package getting lost in the mail, I can understand... But three consecutive packages not delivered one after the other? I don't even get a notice to pick up the packages at the post office. I don't think it's

2009-08-21T10:14:00.002+08:00

The Adventures of Jade & Kermit: Magkaisa

2009-08-14T14:34:00.004+08:00

A statement from the heirs of Mars Ravelo...CJC: The Man That He Is Not Revered Right now, the late Cory Aquino is the most revered person in our nation. Opposite this, Carlo Caparas probably is the most ridiculed and reviled. Even before this National Artist brouhaha, as children of the late Mars Ravelo, we’ve long been observing the moves of this man in silence.

2009-08-11T09:41:00.006+08:00

National Artist Hoopla!A lot of people are protesting the awarding of the title of National Artist to Carlo J. Caparas and Cecile Guidote-Alvarez by President Arroyo. A lot of people are also coming to their defense. But I think a lot of these pro-CJC, CGA and GMA people have been missing the point... These two persons are simply INELIGIBLE to be given the title (in Caparas' case, at least one of

2009-08-04T10:08:00.003+08:00

METRO COMIC CON, August 8-9, 2009... That's this coming Saturday and Sunday at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall.I was almost not going to be able to make it to the con, but schedules got shifted and it freed up my weekend. Yay!I'll most likely be there Saturday afternoon, roaming around. I was also invited to join the Indie Comic Panel by Heubert Khan Michael, so I'll be joining him, Budjette Tan,

2009-08-01T15:23:00.003+08:00

Just wanted to take the time to say thank you to Tita Cory, President Corazon Aquino... You have been the best president I have ever had in my lifetime, and I'm sure a lot of Filipinos feel the same way. Rest In Peace, and I hope somewhere down the line we, the Filipinos, will make you and Ninoy proud.Again, thank you from me and my family.

2009-07-07T15:58:00.004+08:00

The Franchise: Wall of Angels Volume 1 TPBWall of Angels' first storyarc is now available in trade paperback from Lulu.com!Story: Anthony GarciaArt: Jim Jimenez/ Reno ManiquisPrice: $15.99WALL OF ANGELS is a series of inter-related story arcs that explores the boundaries between technology and mythology, science and superstition, good and evil, angels and demons, human and inhuman. In THE

2009-06-08T11:45:00.005+08:00

Just a quick announcement...BONE CHILLER - the award-winning trade paperback - is now available on Amazon and HeavyInk! Click the links below to order...Bone Chiller at Amazon (free shipping on orders of $25+)Bone Chiller at HeavyInk (20% discount, $0.99 shipping)Buy it! Thanks! :)

2009-05-01T19:33:00.002+08:00

Just got back from the hospital. But it wasn't me who was hospitalized this time, it was Kuki. She had to have her gallbladder removed since it had stones in it. I'm glad to tell everyone that she's doing fine, and thanks to everyone who helped and kept us in their prayers, especially my mom who looked after Jade during the three days we were away.That's it for now. Kuki still has difficulty

2009-04-24T01:15:00.005+08:00

Just stumbled upon this on the web... an early solicitation for DOMINO LADY #2, pencilled by yours truly. They put my real name on the credits list though, and it's a bit misspelled (it's supposed to be Carlo, not Carlos) but I think in the comic book itself I'll be credited as Reno Maniquis (hopefully).Oh, and in case you're a bit lazy to click on the link, the solicitation reads...Title: Domino

2009-03-26T15:24:00.003+08:00

Just came back from the doctor. Around two or three weeks ago, my heart started palpitating continuously, which prompted me to get checked up. After weeks of tests (lab or otherwise) the doctor found... Nothing.My heart is in normal health. Except for a lab finding of my HDL (good cholesterol) being a bit lower than normal, I'm perfectly fine. I can increase my HDL by exercising (which I have

2009-03-25T11:30:00.005+08:00

KOMIKS CONVENTIONSI think a Komiks Convention bug has hit the Philippines. What with the Komikon now holding a summer convention (the Komikon Summer Fiesta this May), in addition to the one later this year, and the Manila Comic Con in August. Not to mention other "geek-oriented" conventions which comics have always been a part of (like the Philippine ToyCon). Is there a comprehensive listing

2009-03-13T10:12:00.002+08:00

Two Things...First off, Watchmen the movie. I liked it. Very faithful to the source material. I don't get why some fans of the book rant about things omitted or things changed. A motion picture is a different entity, so get over it already.Anyway, random thoughts about it (might have some spoilers, but I'll try to avoid them when I can)...- It was strange to find myself being sympathetic to the

2009-03-03T20:35:00.004+08:00

A very flattering review and a plug for BONE CHILLER...In my bored moments I sometimes google my name and see what comes up. That's how I discovered this review for Cold Blooded Chillers #3 from Broken Frontier, which gave me goosebumps when reviewer Dave Baxter said this about my art...Filipino sensation Reno Maniquis steps in for the mirror-image sister-story "Transcendence", and this guy's

2009-02-26T11:17:00.002+08:00

Aarrrghhhh!My Mac is on the fritz again. I've blogged about my Mac before and how the LCD was damaged and it would cost me PhP30,000 to get it repaired and all that hassle, which I managed to remedy by getting an external monitor (costs a lot less than 30 grand). Now months later it's acting up on me again. When I boot it up, the screen has some noise, and then the desktop will appear. But once I

2009-02-01T21:56:00.003+08:00

COLD BLOODED CHILLERS issue 3 review from www.comicbits.online.com:"And Reno Maniquis provides some really pro-quality art and it really is eye-catching. Turtles, jellyfish, seahorse and sharks drawn wonderfully."Read the entire review here.Purchase the book online by clicking the links below...ComixpressIndyPlanet

2009-01-24T15:53:00.005+08:00

FLASH BOMBA coming to ABS-CBN!Mars Ravelo's Flash Bomba is finally coming to ABS-CBN this February, starring Luis Manzano. The Ravelos commissioned me some years back to re-design Flash Bomba's costume for modern times, and I'm glad to see that ABS-CBN has been very faithful to the design I did. See below...I thought that they would have trouble bringing the enlarged hands and feet to live-action

2009-01-19T10:14:00.002+08:00

Mystery solved!Thanks to an anonymous poster, who left a link in the comments section, confirming that Greg Larocque is half-Filipino, and has a Filipino wife. Link below...The Secret Identities Interview: Greg LarocqueThe link is from an excerpt of an interview, from the upcoming book SECRET IDENTITIES: THE ASIAN AMERICAN SUPERHERO ANTHOLOGY. That's a mouthful, huh?Thank you, Anonymous. Now

2009-01-16T16:05:00.002+08:00

Is Greg Larocque Filipino?This thought has been bugging me forever. Well, ever since his latter days as artist of The Flash. Specifically during the Return of Barry Allen storyline. I remember one splash page of Wally West holding Jay Garrick's helmet, and in the background was a Jollibee restaurant. Plus, at the very last page of the story arc, Wally was wearing a jacket with the Philippine flag

2009-01-05T17:48:00.002+08:00

First day of the new work year, and I got stuck at the LTO.Yep, the whole LTO computer database went offline nationwide today, which meant no papers nor licenses could be issued until they fixed the problem.I was at the LTO branch at the Ayala MRT station a little past 9am, and it was already packed with people wanting to renew their licenses. A lot of them were supposed to have renewed last

2008-12-31T17:13:00.003+08:00

Updated CAPSULEZONE website!A happy, safe and peaceful new year to all! It'll be 2009 in a few hours, so I thought I'd update my old CapsuleZone website to make it easier to use (for me, at least. Hehehe). It's now parked at capsulezone.wordpress.com, but the www.capsulezone.tk address still works. I won't be updating the old geocities site anymore (Lord knows I haven't updated it for more than a

2008-12-28T12:08:00.004+08:00

Sick and twisted: Mayor beats up 56-year old man and 14-year old kidRead here for the story. Please spread the word so that people like these won't get away with doing acts like this.GMA 7 and ABS-CBN have also reported on this incident. Click on the respective links...GMA newsABS-CBN newsHe's a government peace negotiatior. It would be kinda funny if it wasn't so tragic.

2008-12-19T10:16:00.009+08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYBODY!I'm greeting everyone this early because I might not get to blog by the time Christmas vacation comes around.Anyway, I'll just blog away about some random stuff...First off, my good friend, writer, and editor at Twenty To Six, Anthony Garcia, has put up some pages for what he's been dubbing our "mystery project." So as not to spoil things, I'll just re-post a couple

2008-11-22T13:26:00.008+08:00

IT'S KOMIKON TODAY!As I type this, the 4th KOMIKON Philippines Komiks Convention is currently underway at U.P. Diliman. It's also the first time I won't be able to attend, since we're moving to a brand new house of our own, and everything has to be packed and moved before the month ends. I'm a bit disappointed that I won't be going, but that's okay since I'm also excited about moving into our new

2008-10-31T13:04:00.002+08:00

From E-Dispatches from the Great White North... a review of Wall of Angels #5..."Anthony Garcia's writing is superb with great story-telling and excellent dialogue that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The story is equally matched by Reno Maniquis' stunning artwork that not only is a delight to look at but also is top notch in its visual presentation of the story. This is a

2008-10-26T11:48:00.002+08:00

IT'S MY TURN!My turn to be interviewed, that is. JAZMA ONLINE also interviewed me about my work for WALL OF ANGELS, and also some other stuff about me.Click here to read the interview.Thanks to Allen Klingelhoets for the interview!

2008-10-15T09:47:00.003+08:00

WALL OF ANGELS publisher, writer and editor Anthony Garcia has an interview up at JAZMA ONLINE.Click here to read the interview.

2008-10-12T11:52:00.004+08:00

FOR THOSE WHO CAME IN LATE...I really, really like the Phantom. I think he's the most durable character in comics, right? He pre-dated Batman and even Superman. Plus, he still has new comic strips going. Tarzan and Flash Gordon only come out in reprints nowadays. He's matched in that aspect only by Prince Valiant, but then again Prince Valiant only comes out in Sunday strips, while the Phantom

2008-09-28T10:26:00.003+08:00

WALL OF ANGELS no. 6 is now available on WOWIO! Click the link below... It's free to read online, or download a pdf file for only $0.99. As of this writing, it has been viewed 535 times. That's a lot, right? :)Also, Graphic Classics Volume 6: Ambrose Bierce - 2nd Edition is available. I've worked on an adaptation of "The Damned Thing" with writer Rod Lott. Also features work from fellow Filipino

2008-09-23T08:44:00.004+08:00

I was on my way to work this morning, as usual catching the train to work. In my zeal to board the train before the doors close, I bumped a couple of people.The woman that I bumped let loose an angry tirade of words, and I responded in kind. The man I bumped jumped to her defense, saying I bumped him, too. Hotheadedness prevailed and I let loose a few angry words at him, too. Then I told them it

2008-09-17T08:57:00.002+08:00

I've added a link to BAYAN KNIGHTS right there on my link list. I hope you guys can check it out. :)Here's the teaser trailer...

2008-09-06T15:53:00.002+08:00

REALLY not meant to be...As you can see, White Wolf and Maskarado are still up there, though the character who's different is VAMPIOLO by Garro. It was decided to move around the characters, so Sandata and Sanduguan got moved to a strictly superhero title with some of Gilbert Monsanto's characters. The comic that was supposed to feature Maskarado and White Wolf became a dark, noir-ish title, so

2008-09-04T13:49:00.003+08:00

Not meant to be...Colors by Ner PedrinaThis was supposed to be a monthly anthology, with three continuing stories. After plenty of talks and some starts and stops, it got stopped permanently. It actually evolved into another thing, but that, too, didn't push through. I'll show what it evolved into on my next post.I won't go into details on how or why the project didn't materialize. I just wanted

2008-09-02T15:08:00.002+08:00

MOONTRACKERThe above piece of art was done for Dario Carrasco Jr. I was supposed to do the book for him, but some other stuff prevented me from doing so.Moontracker is written by C.W. Russette and illustrated by Dario Carrasco Jr. Coming soon from Arcana Studio!

2008-08-29T13:59:00.003+08:00

As far as food products go, I have to give kudos to this kani crab manufacturer for their honesty...The brand name says it all... ROBO CRAB. Yep, you can't make fake crab any faker than that. :)

2008-08-12T09:46:00.004+08:00

Aaarrghh! Just got tagged by Gilbert. Oh well, just to prove how boring a person I am, here are my answers...1. What do you want for your birthday? - Nothing really. Just to get to spend some time to relax.2. Who will be your next kiss?-I guess it would either be Jade or Kuki. Most definitely a hug will come with the kiss if it's from Jade.3. When was the last time you went to the mall?-

2008-08-08T09:24:00.001+08:00

San Diego Comic Con 2008....My first and only trip to SDCC was in 1998. In fact, I think that was my last trip to the USA. Who'd have thought 10 years later, my artwork would be displayed in its hallowed walls of geekdom? :)My publisher, TwentyToSix Books, was an exhibitor there, and writer/editor/publisher Anthony Garcia sent me these pics. Form what he told me, a great time was had by all, even

2008-08-04T09:13:00.004+08:00

Here's Jade's absolutlest, mostest favorite song (at least for the moment)..."Mercy" by Duffy.Jade was singing one day, and the lyrics went "I was begging you for mercy, mercy... why won't you release me." Me and Kuki were intrigued, since we haven't heard a song like that before. Jade said she heard it playing on her school bus' radio.A quick Google of the lyrics later, I found the song,

2008-07-24T09:54:00.002+08:00

Anyone reading this blog going to the San Diego Comic Con?If you are, please take the time to visit the TwentyToSix and say hi to my publisher/writer Anthony Garcia. While you're at it, pick up a few of their titles, especially Wall of Angels. Issue 5 is the latest, and I think preview copies of issue 6 will also be available.Here's the colored cover of Wall of Angels #6, colors by HiFi Design...

2008-07-23T09:35:00.000+08:00

Random art posting...This was originally supposed to accompany an article about Filipino Komiks characters, but I think the publisher decided not to run the story.Included in the pic are: Palos, Zuma, The Hands, Darna, Panday, Hagibis (or is it Gat Sibasib? Can't remember), One Day Isang Diwa, Angel Ace, God Machine X, Kubori Kikiam, Wasted, Batch 72, and Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah.

2008-07-22T11:46:00.002+08:00

Here are some pics of my niece, Kristine Angela Tolentino, also known as Kitten or Kit to her friends and family...Why am I posting these? Well, I just wanted to embarrass her. Hehe.

2008-07-12T16:45:00.003+08:00

Remember my post about the death of Martian Manhunter?Well, after reading FINAL CRISIS: REQUIEM, I have to thank Peter Tomasi, Doug Mahnke and Chritstian Alamy & Rodney Ramos for giving back some dignity to J'onn. The last page with Batman placing an Oreo on J'onn's coffin had me all choked up. I remember reading an old JLI issue where Batman, being the loner that he is, really considers J'onn

2008-06-26T10:56:00.001+08:00

OPEN FOR BUSINESS!A savory bowl of soup is made up of a host of ingredients – from the familiar to the unfamiliar. When cooked, a hearty and delicious concoction is made, perfect when served fresh and hot.Graphic Soup is a bowlful of talented individuals who came together to create with the familiar and experiment with the unfamiliar. End result, we yield fresh and hot ideas. Graphic Soup is

2008-06-06T14:39:00.003+08:00

Thanks to Budjette, here's Invincible Iron Man writer Matt Fraction's reaction to comments about the Triumph Division...(Taken from the Jinxworld Forums)SPOILERS, for people that haven't read the issue,and might want to avoid a small spoiler for IIM #4:Respectfully, I disagree. It wasn't poorly researched; I promise-- but it was written for a predominantly American comics audience, which resulted

2008-06-06T09:13:00.006+08:00

The death of J'onn J'onzz... what a waste, eh?Anyone who's read Final Crisis will know what I'm talking about. Here's a scan of the death scene...Man, such an ignoble way to die. Hunted down and slaughtered just like that. Who'd have thought it would be so easy?Wait a minute... it shouldn't be so easy. since Martian Manhunter is almost at the same power class as Superman, and has been at the hero

2008-06-05T10:35:00.006+08:00

Ooookaayyy... can someone explain this to me?In the latest issue of Invincible Iron Man (#2, to be exact), a super-team from the Philippines is introduced called the Triumph Division...A bunch of cool-looking heroes, right? What's got me confused is this...What the heck are Buddhist monks doing in Manila??!?! The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, and we also have a sizeable amount

2008-05-27T13:57:00.002+08:00

Just a little teaser...

2008-05-04T12:54:00.002+08:00

It was Free Comic Book Day yesterday, and for the first time I missed it. I was at a business meeting the whole morning until about 1:00 in the afternoon that I was just so doggone tired and just wanted to go home. Plus, I missed Kuki and Jade that I decided just to forego FCBD and stay with my family. My only regret was that I wasn't able to get a copy of the free comic from Graphic

2008-05-01T15:05:00.004+08:00

Could this be the next big budget blockbuster movie!!?!?!Well, one can only dream. right? :)I was just fooling around during my lunch break and quickly cobbled up this faux movie poster with some images I got off the internet (so please don't sue me!). Rhian Ramos was the first actress who popped in my head when I was thinking of a lead actress so there she is. And, yes, that's me in the

2008-04-30T09:33:00.005+08:00

As a regular MRT rider, I couldn't help but notice the small stickers plastered on the train walls with the title of KFC Cruelty. Upon inspection of their website, it looks like a PETA-backed campaign which encourages everyone to boycott KFC, since they (according to PETA) subject their chickens to physical abuse. To quote the site:"KFC suppliers cram birds into huge waste-filled factories, breed

2008-03-31T16:41:00.000+08:00

Newsarama review for Sequential Suicide 2008 TPB: Slop...Writer(s): A heap of ‘emArtist(s): A mass of ‘emFrom: 803 StudiosReview By: JeffI’m not a fan of anthologies. I find them to be as aggravatingly similar to buying music on CD: you get one or two tracks of brilliance, and then thirteen more of space-filling caterwauling. They are the epitome of Forrest’s box of chocolates analogy (

2008-03-30T10:43:00.002+08:00

The "T" IN TITANS...Image from en.dcdatabaseproject.comJade was watching TEEN TITANS on TV this morning, and she asked me "Why do the Titans live in a T?"I said "Because Titans start with the letter T, right?" To which she immediately replied "We should live in a P because we're people!" :)

2008-03-28T14:12:00.004+08:00

WALL OF ANGELS #5 NOW AVAILABLE!Cover colors by Brian Miller and HiFi Design.Go to www.twentytosix.com for more info on how to purchase this comic book. or, if you live in the USA, it's free for download at wowio.com. Click on the icon below to go directly to the book's wowio page... Can't wait to get my comp copy! :)