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Toymaker uses discarded flipflops to make Voltes V, robot toys

Toymaker uses discarded flipflops to make Voltes V, robot toys

by rick olivares

One of the unconventional hits and attractions during the Retro Con last weekend, March 22-24 at Ali Mall at the Araneta Center, were these toy robots of Voltes V, Mekanda Robo, and Mobile Suit Gundam.

Except they are all made out of discarded flip flops. 

“Wala ako mga laruan nung bata ako so natuto ako gumawa ng sarili ko,” related toymaker Elmer Padilla who hails from Imus, Cavite. 

Padilla wasn’t born yet when Voltes V was first shown on Philippine television during the summer of 1978. When he saw it the second time around he was hooked. “Grabe kasi yung mga kuwento,” described the now 41-year old of his love for this classic Japanese anime. “Yung mga struggle nila, at yung mga issues sa isa’t isa, parang totoong buhay. Siyempre, yung action ibang klase. Na-hook ako.”

Unable to afford the shiny and expensive mech toys from Japan, Padilla began to make his own.

“Nung first time ko gumawa ng sariling kong laruan na Voltes V, inabot ako ng dalawang araw at marami akong nasirang mga tsinelas,” he chuckled at the memory. 

Nowadays, making them is second nature. Although unconventional in the material used, Padilla says, his versions of these beloved robots have been steady sellers. They sell for as much as PhP1,000 for the two-foot creations. 

“Hindi lang naman para sa sariling entertainment ko yung pagawa ko ng mga ito. Gusto ko rin ipahiwatig sa mga bata na kaya rin nila gumawa ng sarili nilang laruan ko hindi nila ma-afford yung mga mamahaling laruang banyaga.”

When he doesn’t make these mall appearances, Elmer sells his homemade toys on his Facebook page (Elmer Padilla). “Nagulat din ako kasi meron din mga Voltes V collectors na bumibili ng gawa ko. Unique daw. Nakakataba ng puso.”

When asked if he hopes this will also attract the attention of foreign toymakers as well as the Voltes V creators, Elmer simply smiled that would be a dream opportunity. However, right now, he is happy making toys for poor kids with dreams of owning some cool toys such as Voltes V. Even if they are only made of slippers.

New Marvel Comics superhero Wave is from Cebu

New Marvel Comics superhero Wave is from Cebu

by rick olivares

American film director and comic book writer Greg Pak Tweeted today, March 9, the creation of a Filipina superhero in the Marvel Universe who will make her debut in the upcoming series War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas.

We spoke with artist Leinil Francis Yu who designed the character and the superstar artist spilled the beans on the heroine.

“Wave (the name of the character) was conceived by Greg Pak and Marvel and I came in with the design with their initial notes,” said Yu who recently wrapped up a stint on Captain America. 

“The character is from Cebu,” bared the artist. “Her name is tentatively, ‘Pearl Pangan’ and her powers are water and tech based.”

Yu was ecstatic that her got to be a part of comic book history. “It was great and something I’ve always wanted but had a hard time getting in terms of good timing. It is a good thing this opportunity arose.”

War of the Realms will be released this coming May and will introduce Asian heroes to the Marvel Comics universe. The crossover event will be penned by Pak and drawn by Gang Hyuk-Lim.

In the series, Wave will play a pivotal role in defending Asia from Thor villain, Malekith.

Previously, the Filipino superheroes in American comics were “Stone” and “Grail” who were created by Fil-American writer-artist Whilce Portacio for Image Comics during the late 1990s. Stone brought Filipino folklore creatures to a Western audience while Grail was a member of a super-powered commando team in a book titled, Wetworks.

5 Komiks you must pick up from the November Komikon

5 Komiks you must pick up from the November Komikon

by rick olivares

The November Komikon, a two-day celebration of the burgeoning independent comic book scene – from November 17 and 18 at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City -- has come and gone. And as always, we selected our favorites from the dozens of new titles that were made available over the weekend.

We picked up quite a lot of local product – 45 to be exact. And I took two whole days to read and even re-read them. I made my notes and mind you there were good ones. But these choices in my opinion, are the best and what I recommend.

Melag (Anino Comics) by Bong Redila

The beauty of comics is that is takes the reader into flights of fantasy where you suspend your disbelief and come away with wonder. With Melag, Bong Redila tells you that you do not need to go far from home to experience this. One of the most beautiful books you will read.

Sikami Volume 6 (Pangalatoon Productions)

I will be honest, I got this for Bong Redila’s beautiful “Ang Bahay Ampunan sa Mahamog.” A 30-page short story that is moving and sensitive. Just when you think you know where this is going then there’s a curve ball right back at you.

To sum it up, it feels like a Tim Burton film made into the comic book page.

I’d say that Redila is one of those few gifted storytellers. Long may he live to do more.

Liryo (Anino Comics) by Magtira Paolo

It is said that during turbulent times, some of the best songs and art are produced. Of the two books in this list (and perhaps among the entire new batch of releases for the November Komikon), only two books touched on the extra-judicial killings or EJK. Stay does partially and Liryo. The story is nothing extraordinary or one that provides something new. Not at all. But this has balls.

It is about broken dreams and well, the harsh times we live in. Bravo for making this.

DI-13 Commemorative Edition (Triple D Publishing) by Damy Velasquez and Jesse F. Santos.

It is nice to see that the late Francisco Coching isn’t the only komiks legend who is having his old works re-produced. One of the first ever Filipino komiks series – DI-13 or Department of Investigations- Agent 13 is getting not only re-printed but also modernized for a younger audience.

One thing I love about this compilation is going through each and every panel to see how everything is so detailed and yet with the perfect balance of white space and black ink. Many of today’s artists are heavy on blacks that most are hard to decipher what they are trying to convey. Learn from the masters about storytelling.

The Dead Heart (Komikero Publishing) by Gerry Alanguilan

Technically, a reprint. First published via photocopy in 1996, it finally gets reprinted and I am happy (after having lost my original copy to Ondoy).

The Dead Heart is a story about loss and dealing with that depression. A heart wrenching short story by the living legend himself, Gerry Alanguilan.

November Komikon Must-Reads: Bong Redila’s Melag

November Komikon Must-Reads: Bong Redila’s Melag

by rick olivares

In the first few panels to his short comic book story, “Perya,” Bong Redila writes, “Ang kaligayahan ay matatagpuan kung saan-saan. Noong bata pa ako, papel at tasadong lapis lang ay masaya na ako.”

These two lines sum up the wonder and amazing read that is Melag; a wonderful trove of nine short comics written and drawn by Bong Redila. The 126-page trade paperback, published by Anino Comics, was made available at the Komikon last November 17 and 18 at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City. It will surely also be available at local comic book specialty shops after this.

Each story about this familiar yet magical town of Melag introduces you to different and nameless people. There is no need for names for most characters, but they are all too real and familiar. And most certainly, they – and the stories they are wrapped in -- will put a smile on your lips as you recall your own youthful days when even a simple walk home would find you daydreaming with the world around you terraforming and serving as one adventure.

The prose is sparse. Redila deftly makes use of words only when he needs too. For the most part, the art – alternatingly simple, intricate, and lovingly detailed to the point you spend quite a few minutes lost in each panel – tells the story. And you know what they say about what a picture is worth…

And it is his simple, yet beautiful and expressive art – that reminds me of Jeremy Bastian of Cursed Pirate Girl fame, of Mexican artist Tony Sandoval whose Doomboy is an emotive rock and roll fable, and David Petersen who crafts the most excellent Mouse Guard series of comics.

The first story, “PNR 24” reminds me of Walter Mitty. “Liwaliw” harkens back in some way to Pixar’s animated film “Up.”

“Tanawin Ni Aida” has that Calvin & Hobbes feel. “Hiling” for the life of me reminds of a Hayao Miyazaki tale.

I love the art of “Ang Sayaw” that reminds me of the art of the aforementioned Petersen while “Perya” has Gaimanesque feel.

For the last two short pieces, “Arapaap” and “Bago Pumatak ang Ulan,” remind me of the art styles of those old English fairy tales and fables. Glimpses of childhood; pleasant memories worth revisiting.

In Melag, Redila perfectly captures one’s inner child; a Ratatouille moment even for the most jaded of comic book readers.

Melag is a thoroughly enjoyable read and I found myself wracking my brain to figure out when was the last time I read a local comic book that evoked such wonder and amazement (and I read a lot)? Was it Arnold Arre’s Mythology Class?

I could be wrong, but that is what comes to mind. So this is not faint praise. You don’t need to take a train to some magic castle in the English countryside to experience something magical. Melag is close to home and this is where this comic book anthology gets its heart.

Filipino creators working on Immortal Wings sequel for international release

Filipino creators working on Immortal Wings sequel for international release

by rick olivares

It is common today to find Filipino creators working on American comic books. But usually, they work on other people’s plots, scripts, and characters. There have been Filipino-Americans such as While Portacio (Wetworks and Stone) and Jonathan and Joshua Luna (Ultra, Girls, and The Sword, and Alex + Ada) who have had their original works published abroad. But an entire creative team of homegrown comic book creators getting published abroad is a rarity.

In February 2016, Antarctic Press, the San Antonio, Texas-based comic book publishing company, released Immortal Wings, a four-issue limited science-fiction fantasy series about a space bounty hunter hired by the Galactic Shogunate to eliminate a threat to their rule.

Written by Carlo San Juan and drawn by Eisner-nominated artist Rod Espinosa, the four-issue series of Immortal Wings was a must-have for local fans.

Now, more than two years after the first series, a second one is being planned once more for international publication. “There will be a sequel,” bared San Juan during the recent Indieket comics convention. “I cannot fully divulge the plot or even how many issues will be produced. We’ve pitched it once more to Antarctic Press and we’re waiting for their thoughts about the proposal. And I hope that Rod will work on it again, but if his tight schedule doesn’t permit it, there is also a possibility that someone else will illustrate it.”

Espinosa isn’t the only one with a hectic schedule. San Juan is very busy himself as he is a practicing medical doctor. He is also responsible for the popular Callous comic strip that appears in the pages of a major newspaper. Espinosa has written and illustrated many independent books in the American market including The Courageous Princess and Neotopia for Antarctic Press.

Some of the more popular titles published by Antarctic Press include Hepcats, Ninja High School, Strangers in Paradise, and Warrior Nun Areala. The publishing company was formed by Taiwanese-American creator Ben Dunn to put out books that featured manga-inspired artwork.

“Immortal Wings was conceived to be an ongoing series,” revealed San Juan. “But Antarctic was of the idea of putting it out as a limited series and taking it from there. There is an entire universe of characters for Immortal Wings, and for the sequel, I want to focus on a soldier from the Galactic Shogunate and how he deals with his place in the world after a particular battle he took part in. You can say that he is trying to find his significance in the universe.”

Before I conceived of Immortal Wings, I wanted to read a story that had all the awesome stuff that I loved as a kid samurai films, spaghetti westerns, space operas, fantasy games, and cartoons all in one story. I didn’t find anything so I told myself, why don’t I create one myself? It was a challenge to write and I enjoyed putting it together.”

San Juan was introduced to Rod Espinosa during a comic book event. “I saw all his large body of work and he is quite a storied artist. And he was a perfect fit for what I wanted to do,” related the writer or the fortuitous meeting with the artist that led to their eventual collaboration.

“Right now, the proposal is on the desk of the editors of Antarctic Press. Hopefully, it will get the green light soon so we can have it out by early next year; three years after the first series.”

For those looking for copies of Immortal Wings, check out Comic Odyssey and Carlo San Juan’s Facebook Page.