Alter Ego: Top 5 Komiks Creators Leading Double Lives

My photographer

Ask any journalism graduate if this is true and they will say yes---they have written essays in the past using Clark Kent and Peter Parker as their inspirations in pursuing a job in the media industry. Journalism professors' favorite quote in ethics classes is Uncle Ben's “With great power comes great responsibility.” But even so, I never dared mix comics and journalism, the same way I do not eat chocolates with onion, until I wrote an indie last year and covered comic-related events in my free time.

But as it turns out, there are a lot of komiks creators who also lead double lives and have hectic schedules that can match those of Wolverine and Spiderman. Here's my top five:

5. Paolo Fabregas

Alter Ego: Simon Williams

“Bridesmaid ka lang” may be the line that would be forever be tagged to Paolo Fabregas, the creator of Filipino Heroes League. Apart from appearing in television commercials and soap operas, Fabregas also did some acting in theatre before writing copies for an ad agency. If he ever gets the chance to work for Marvel Comics after being shortlisted in a talent search last weekend, he can perhaps try out for Broadway or Hollywood too.

Paolo Fabregas
Photo from Inquirer.net

Dream Komiks Project: A semi-autobiographical comic on his shift from acting to advertising. What was it like when people say “you're that guy on TV” or “what are you doing here?” or “Sample! Sample!”

4. Hazel Manzano

Alter Ego: Barbara Gordon
 (Not the librarian side,
the pseudo-call center agent-boss side) 

Need a job? Callworks creator Hazel Manzano is a call center work force manager. Boom. She's the boss.

Hazel Manzano

Dream Komiks Project: She has already written about call center agents and satanism so let's mash these up. After working in the graveyard shift, call center agents prepare to go to their homes. But upon exiting the building, they see Ayala Avenue overrun by demons. This also happens in Ortigas, Alabang and UP Techno Hub. Everyone who were sleeping while the call center agents were working died in the apocalypse. The call center agents are the last surviving humans at this side of the planet. Still believe this is a dead end job?




3. Teddy Pavon

Alter Ego: (Future) Matt Murdock 

Teddy Pavon, artist of  last year's Komikon Awards' Best Webcomic, “Work in Progress,” is a graduating law student. First thing that comes to mind is that law students are brainy. This means this multimedia arts graduate fully utilizes the two sides of his brain. Second thing that comes to mind---law school equates to zero social life. You can see his dedication in creating comics whenever there's a new Wip comic up on a Wednesday.

Teddy Pavon
Photo by Michael Butnag

Dream Komiks Project: A blind lawyer with radar sense protects Tondo. Scratch that. A gamma-irradiated lawyer defends superhumans in Sandiganbayan. Hmm. Someone already did that.

Just let Teddy do some superhero story! A giant emo teddy bear or something. What, someone already drew bears??




2. Heubert Khan Michael

Alter Ego: Doc Samson
(Actually, he's a psychiatrist,
not a psychologist)

Vampirella artist and Unstoppable creator Heubert Khan Michael was a school guidance counselor before he drew comic pages full-time. He also has a masters' degree in psychology. I believe his background suits the medium because a lot of introspection happens in comics. I wonder what he thinks of Fredric Wertham's “Seduction of the Innocent,” the book that said  comics are psychologically harmful to kids, and if mainstream comic writers accurately depict the mentally ill as villainous.

Heubert Khan Michael
 (Photo from Comicvine.com)

Dream Komiks Project: In the “Bayan Knights” universe, a psychologist claims that so-called superheroes suffer delusions, hence explaining the proliferation of costumed vigilantes.The heroes find themselves inside an asylum after a long storyline. “Superpowers don't exist,” the antagonist says. “It's all in the mind.” (Actually, I hope to pitch this to Sir Gilbert Monsanto.Wishful thinking.[Pun Intended]).

1. Dr. Carlo San Juan

Alter Ego: Donald Blake 

You don't need to worry when someone passes out in conventions if Dr. Carlo San Juan, creator of “Callous” web comics, is present. I believe it would be cool if instead of registering for a slot in the Komikon Indie Tiangge, he gets his own nook that also works as a first aid station. Ok, scratch that one. I think when I saw him wearing scrubs in a convention, it gave me the idea to wear a tie and slacks on my first Komikon to attract buyers. Even without the Hippocratic Oath, Doc was kind enough to help me find my table.

Dr. Carlo San Juan and his new angel. 

Dream Komiks Project: Tired of seeing patients die, a doctor uses “arbularyo” medicine to save lives but this comes with a price. The ducks must die.

Jerald Uy

34 Filipino artists on C.B. Cebulski's shortlist

National Bookstore has released the names of 34 artists who have been shortlisted by C.B. Cebulski for the "Be The Next Comic Marvel"  talent search. Among them are Kajo Baldisimo (Trese), Paolo Jaime Fabregas (Filipino Heroes League), AJ Bernardo (Crime-fighting Call Center Agents) and Nixon Na (Cadre: First Born Sons). 

1. Jethro Morales
2. Noah Salonga
3. Raymund Ariel Lee
4. John Brian Casacop
5. Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
6. Mikhail Angelo Jacinto
7. Noel Rodriguez
8. Julius Gopez
9. Joaquin Bilbao
10. Cristina Rose Chua
11. Paolo Jaime Fabregas
12. Jun Joe Monares
13. Jerico Ray Marte
14. Joseph Olesco
15. Kevin Rusty Macaraeg
16. Nixon Na
17. Ariel Rey Padilla
18. Maria Christina Francisco
19. Kajo Baldisimo
20. Jean Paul Catacutan
21. Brian Joseph Valeza
22. Renato Mapa
23. Raymund Bermudez
24. Adrian Biblanias
25. Aaron Kim Jacinto
26. Christian John Sabarre
27. Francis Nuguit
28. Mel Joy San Juan
29. Bryan Sevilla
30. Kathryn Layno
31. Angelo Bernardo
32. Michael Punsalan
33. Mark Taduran
34. Ernesto Jocson

C.B. Cebulski gives Pinoys a "Crash Course on the Comic Biz"

C.B. Cebulski, The Fantastic Man
(photo from his twitter)

Huge Turnout

“Wow, this is the hotbed in Asia where superstars are going to come from,” said Marvel senior vice president of creative and creator development C. B. Cebulski, apparently overwhelmed of the 244 Filipino aspiring artists who want to take a shot at the comicbook industry.

Marvel's top talent scout is in Manila not only to recruit pencilers, inkers, colorists and cover artists for Marvel Comics, but also to find concept designers, storyboard artists and animators for their in-house videogame and animation outfit, and their parent company, Walt Disney. Mr. Cebulski said the Mickey Mouse company has adapted Marvel Comics' proactive approach in hiring new employees.

“When I do recruiting, I'm not just recruiting for Marvel. Licensing and merchandising people at Disney will also look at your work,” Mr. Cebulski told comic enthusiasts at National Book Store's Bestsellers.

Fuji Xerox warns illegal use of "Xerox"

Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd. published a notice on Businessworld today to remind the public that Xerox is "not just another work for copy." "Xerox is a globally recognized registered trademark protected by law," it added.

"XEROX is a globally recognized registered trademark, and its unauthorized use without permission of the trademark holder, whether as a trademark or a trade name, or as part of a trademark or trade name, is expressly forbidden by law. As a registered trademark, XEROX is also not a verb or common noun, and should therefore not be used to described copying or copy services in general. So please don't use the word "XEROX" as another word for "Copy."

Two weeks ago, small press publishers including self-published comic creators held a two-day event titled "Better Living Through Xeroxography." Some comic creators also used the term in television interviews amid the emergence of photocopied comics.

Jerald Uy

C.B. Cebulski set to hold crash course on the comic biz March 17

From National Bookstore:

"Marvel Comics’ top international scout C.B. Cebulski will hold a talk and book signing, A Crash Course On The Comic Biz, on March 17, 3 pm at Bestsellers, Robinsons Galleria. Learn how to break into the comic book business and more! "

Jerald Uy

David Finch Visit re-scheduled this weekend

From Fully Booked:

"David Finch in Manila has been rescheduled to THIS WEEKEND! :-) We are very happy to announce this and will be releasing the details as soon as we can. Kindly stay tuned and help spread the word to the rest of his fans! :-)"

Update from Comic Odyssey:

Yes, both days at Bonifacio High Street for the David Finch in Manila event. 
Saturday, March 17 3 pm – 4pm – talk by David Finch in U-View (limited to 60 slots)4 pm – onwards – book signing 
Sunday, March 18 3 pm – 4 pm – talk by David Finch in U-View (limited to 60 slots)4 pm – onwards – book signing
For those interested in the talk, please make your reservations with Fully Booked ASAP as the slots are limited to only 60 people. 
We will be setting up at 10am on both days, and YES, any purchase you make with us on both days counts as a Fully Booked purchase.  

Jerald Uy 

David Finch Event Postponed

Fully Booked has informed bloggers that the David Finch's visit set tomorrow has been postponed due to "unforseen circumstances." "David Finch will still definitely come at a later date, " according to the bookstore's message sent this Saturday afternoon.

Here is the rest of the email from Fullybooked

To our dearest blogger friends,  

Thank you all for your enthusiasm for David Finch's visit! I never anticipated that the Bloggers' Challenge would gain so much support from your end, and it was a joy to read each and every one of your emails and entries! :)  

We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, his visit to Manila this March 11-13 will no longer push through. We share your disappointment at this turn of events. Likewise, David is also regretful as he is very much excited to meet his fans here. 

We apologize for any and all inconveniences this may have caused you, and hope for your support as we work towards a rescheduling of events. We will still choose a winner for the challenge, and the winning feature in our Fully Booked Zine and gift certificates will be awarded as planned!  

At the same time, David Finch will definitely still come to Manila, but at a later date. Please stay tuned for details.

We appreciate all the support and will be in touch! :-)  

All the best,
Lucy and the entire Fully Booked Family :-) 

Jerald Uy

Crime-Fighting Call Center Agents now work for Segovia Solutions

This post appeared in Buhay Indie blog.

Uy!

Our first online comic store consignment.

Got your attention with the misleading title, right? Sorry about that, the BuhayIndie blog needs all the traffic it could get. It is not that off-topic though as I have found myself interacting with the creators of the wacky crime-fighting call center agents, the yin to the yang of our socially relevant call center. (Sorry, AJ, I had to borrow your favorite adjective.) More on that later. Anyway, as you may have already read from several comic group pages, Segovia Solutions # 1 is now available on Comicxhub, the country's largest comic online store. Being a newbie in this field, I got excited with our first consignment and shared and tweeted the links to the site. Luckily, I have well-known retweeters. If you don't have any idea on who they are, maybe it is time to watch the news or read the papers.

the retweeters

So you see, I was tweeting. Tweet here. Tweet there. Tweet everywhere. Then suddenly, a tweet from Noel Pascual, writer of Crime-Fighting Call Center Agents, halted my tweeting streak. I would like to call it a psst rather than a tweet because as I learned, I was using twitter the wrong way.

WIP Comics' Teddy Pavon cameos. 

But where does the great AJ Bernardo, artist of CFCCA fit in all of these? While Noel taught me something about the proper use of twitter, AJ creatively gave me a piece of advice on how to deal with online haters, who either hate mediamen or call center agents working for so-called capitalists.

Uy, ka rin!

See you when I see you!

Jerald Uy, writer Uy! Comics [Segovia Solutions, Amy Batong Bakal]

Quarter-Life Crisis (Not a DC event)

To reiterate, the comic is actually named after one of my closest friends GMA reporter Julius Segovia, the non-creator often asked to sign copies of our comics.

Uy! Kamusta!

I almost got myself working as a marketing officer in a comics store had I not said “yes” a day earlier to a reportorial position in business paper. You might say, “What the? He applied a job in a comics store?” The things twentysomethings do amid a quarter-life crisis, the time when we may have to choose one dream over the other. That includes creating a comic series ---Segovia Solutions--- which pretty sums up my experiences as a journalist and a call center agent and my hunger for solutions to our country's cyclical problems.

Rainmaker, the country's defender against storms. Artwork by Tin Manasan. Made in Singapore.

Over the weekend, my issue number 2 artist Tin Manasan sent some of her killer sketches from Singapore. I don't  know if as an OFW, she is facing the same crisis as I am. What I am certain though is that she, along with my issue 1 artist Jether Amar, issue 3 artist Val Calma and upcoming Amy Batong Bakal artist Adrian Herbuela, is helping me fulfill one of my lifetime dreams.

Hmmm...at least I don't have a crisis of creative supply. Uy!

SS in Comicxhub!

Now available on the country's largest online comic store Comicxhub! Order a copy of the first issue of our comic Segovia Solutions and have it shipped to ANYWHERE in the Philippines! (Click the Comicxhub logo to order your copy.)

The Movie that Kicks Ass

Review: Kick-Ass (2010)

Big Daddy. Hit-Girl. Red Mist. Kick-Ass. Don't get fooled by the catchy codenames. This is not a superhero movie for kids.

In fact, Kick-Ass opens up with a costumed winged man atop a building. And just when you would think he is going to fly, he plunges onto a car.

Set in a real world without superpowers, Kick-Ass is about an ordinary teenager Dave (Aaron Johnson) who created a superhero persona which eventually becomes a Youtube hit, inspiring others to become costumed vigilantes. But the allies he find---the father-daughter duo of Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and Hit-Girl (Chloe Grace Moretz)---are much more skilled in crime-fighting and resort to violence in dealing with criminals. To make matters worse, the crime kingpin thinks it is Kick-Ass who is killing his men.

The dark comedy is entertaining but this is not for people with weak hearts. The eleven-year old Hit-Girl clobbers, shoots, stabs and cusses. I commend Moretz for having the maturity to portray a homicidal bad-mouthed girl but her character definitely is not a role model for kids.

The film though suffers from the required “chick flick” element for the mass audience. The subplot about Kick-Ass's attempts to win over his dream girl does not really add to the story. In Spider-man films, the existence of Peter Parker's love interest Mary Jane Watson affects the protagonist's powers and decisions. Here, Kick-Ass's love interest does not offer anything to the story.

I also scratched my head when Kick-Ass flew using a jet pack fitted with gattling guns to save Hit-Girl. Yes, it was a fantastic scene that I enjoyed but I then realized the filmmakers violated the concept of a real life superhero they wanted to pull off.

For a guy though who enjoys superhero stuff, Kick-Ass is a refreshing take on the spandex-clad heroes. This definitely deserves a sequel.

Jerald Uy

All-New All-Different X-Men

Review: X-Men: First Class (2011)

You are living under a rock if you don't know the X-Men, the super-powered mutants hated by ordinary humans they have sworn to protect. But when X-Men:First Class hit the big screen last year, a lot of fans threw most of what they knew about the mutants outside the window.

Picture this: the shapeshifting Mystique is Professor X's foster sister, Cyclops's younger brother Havok appears in the 1960s, years before a young Cyclops is recruited in the first Wolverine film. Same goes to the diamond-skinned telepath Emma Frost. Frost appeared as a teenager in the Wolverine film but popped as a voluptuous grown-up White Queen in X-Men:First Class decades earlier.

Apparently, X-Men: First Class is not just a prequel but a reboot of the X-Men film franchise. Not only did the film deviate from the comicbook source material, it showed inconsistencies between its plot and the other X-Men films---A risk that was worth taking.

Sure, it may have taken some liberties but the core of what X-men is about remains. It talks of the “other” as a hero, people who we avoid because they are different from us.

The film aptly opens in a German concentration camp in World War II at a time when Jews were being murdered by the Nazis. Here, the young Magneto witnessed what humans can do to people who are different. The film eventually takes the viewers to the historic Cuban Missile Crisis, dramatizing the tension between the Soviet Union and the United States. A twist that I really enjoyed was when the Soviets and the Americans learned of the existence of the strange mutants, the two warring fleets sent missiles to the mutants. It still showed how humans blindly attack people different from them because of irrational fear..

We know that in the end, Professor X gets crippled and starts a school while Magneto will choose the path of a mutant messiah with an iron fist. But the script is so coherent, events are not forced and the change of the status quo makes sense.

Another reason that this is not a kid's movie: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) cameos and profanely refuses to join the original X-Men. Now that's a treat.

Amy Batong Bakal!

 Amy Batong Bakal loves the 70's Manila Sound but loathes the Martial Law. Artwork by Adrian Herbuela.

When 18-year old Adrian Herbuela came up to me to ask if we could collaborate, I gave him my Tagalog script for “Amy Batong Bakal,” our upcoming indie set during Martial Law. I still have some rough edges in terms of writing that I feel blessed that there are artists who would want to work with me.