Beyond is a comic that stretches the frontiers of imagination and production

Beyond is a comic that stretches the frontiers of imagination and production

by rick olivares

During the last AsiaPop Comicon, BEYOND, a comic book anthology was launched featuring three of the biggest names in the Philippine comic book industry who made use of an Apple iPad Pro in the creation of their individual stories.

The brainchild of Charlie Yaw who owns Beyond the Box Apple Store in One Rockwell, BEYOND is all about embracing the tools of tomorrow while crafting top notch stories. Yaw invited comic book professionals Manix Abrera, Mervin Malonzo, and Harvey Tolibao to create their own stories using the new iPad Pro and the resulting comic book anthology is gorgeous!

Abrera is the creator of the popular "Kiko Machine” strip while Malonzo came to prominence with the horror series, “Tabi Po”. Tolibao on the other hand, has made a name for himself internationally for his illustrating a variety of top titles from the American publishing giants Dark Horse, DC, IDW, Image, and Marvel! 

“I’ve been using computers for my work for a few years now,” said Tolibao. “I think it’s a great tool. While I try to draw using the traditional method every now and then, technology makes it quicker. But the iPad Pro was different. I had to learn to use something outside my comfort zone. But I enjoyed the experience.”

And the product IN BEYOND is a feast for the eyes and the mind.

“Terrorium" is written by Adam David and drawn by Malonzo and tells a story about a post-apocalyptic world devastated not by nuclear holocaust but due to the violent outgrowths of carnivorous flowers. In order to survive, man has gone underground. The creative team introduces us to two humans who break to the surface to decipher what has happened to a scientific expedition that has been missing for two months. Their discovery is a cliffhanger and has repercussions for the rest of humanity.

The feel of the story is akin to M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening” where trees take revenge on humanity by releasing a neurotoxin that causes people to commit suicide as well as Alan Moore’s “Swamp Thing” #53 where the muck creature invades Gotham City. The art, almost drastically different from the sketchy expressionistic style Malonzo used in “Tabi Po” reminds me of Brian Wood’s post-apocalytipic water world, “The Massive”. Yet the colors are more vibrant. Just what you expect from a high-definition and top-of-the-line gadget. 

Abrera’s “Tunguhin” picks up from his silent graphic novel “14” and documents an anonymous character’s voyage through a black and white abstract world. Unlike “14” that pretty much tells a series of horror stories that you pretty much understand, “Tunguhin” provides a canvas for everyone to interpret the story in their own way. 

For me, it resembles life and the choices we make and the people we meet along the way. And it’s a short and poignant 

"Grimmer Trance" is action-paced adventure about a mysterious woman who hires agents to investigate an island infested with beings dubbed, “the Afflicted.” What I love about Tolibao’s style is the detail and energy that reminds me of Geoff Darrow. And “Grimmer Trance” is like reading a sequel to his Danger Girl mini-series, “The Chase” as written by its original writer, Andy Hartnell. 

If you’re a comic book fan, BEYOND is a must-have. If this is your introduction to the medium as well as to the amazing tool that is the iPad Pro, then prepare to be inspired and go beyond your borders. 

BEYOND comes with three different variant covers each with art done by Manix Abrera, Mervin Malonzo, and Harvey Tolibao and is available for Php 350 at Beyond the Box outlets.

With Mervin Malonzo and Harvey Tolibao

It's so cool when the great Mike Zeck posts a photo of him signing your comics on his FB page

Stuff I got signed from AsiaPop Comicon 2016

My Mike Zeck signed stuff!

My Ken Lashley signed stuff!

My Billy Tan signed stuff (have the singles of the Rise and Fall of the Shiar Empire along with the hardcover).

Became a fan of Riddle after watching Heroes of Cosplay. So glad to meet her and get some signed prints.

My last two unsigned (not anymore) comics done by Whilce Portacio. 

My local comic haul from AsiaPop!

APCC Comicon Day 3

With Vintendo of the Philippine Wrestling Revolution

Millie Bobby Brown of Stranger Things talking to the press 

With Myrtle Sarrosa in her awesome Captain Marvel outfit.

With Tokidoki creator Simone Legno 

With the creative team of Pedro Penduko

With Eman Casallos

AsiaPop Comicon 2016 Day 2

Man, this lady is positively pretty! 

With Myrtle Sarrosa

With Billy Tan

Billy Tan signed and sketched Daredevil on my Daredevil: Shadowland hardcover.

Billy Tan signed and sketched on my Uncanny X-Men: The Rise and the Fall of the Shiar Empire hardcover. 

With Mervin Malonzo and Harvey Tolibao at the signing of their iPad created comic

With Gerard Sison who channeled his inner Christopher Reeve! Jane Seymour.... man, classic beauty.

With one of my fave Cosplayers -- Riddle wearing her Snow White costume.

AsiaPop Comicon 2016 Day 1

With Billy Tan who drew one of my fave X-Men story arcs in the Rise and Fall of the Shiar Empire

With a Cosplayer for Magic: The Gathering

These Stormtroopers didn't believe that I wanted to join the Empire. A rogue Jedi looks on as did this evil Jawas.

With the beautiful Riddle.

With Ken Lashley who is doing an amazing Uncanny X-Men now. But he also drew Black Panther!

With the great Mike Zeck who sketched Cap for me.

With Jon Zamar! Got a print of Starfire!

Comic book artist Ken Lashley in Manila for AsiaPop 2016

Comic book artist Ken Lashley in Manila for AsiaPop 2016

by rick olivares

Canadian comic book illustrator Ken Lashley is one of the few to successfully transition from the 1990s all the way into the second decade of the new millennium. 

Lashley, who has drawn over 320 comic books in his career, is in Manila for the second staging of the AsiaPop Comicon that will be held from August 26-28 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

“I’m excited to be here,” said Lashley during the press conference that kicked off the festivities of the country’s biggest pop culture event last Wednesday, August 24, at the Conrad Hotel. “I’ve heard so much about the passionate fan base for comics and pop culture here so it’s good for me to see it myself and experience it."

Lashley broke into the comic book industry following a legend. “I followed the legendary Alan Davis on Excalibur,” he reminisced with a smile. Exaclibur is one of the successful spin-offs from the then hugely popular X-Men line of comics published by Marvel. "It was my first job and a tough one at that. I was young and learning the chops. At that time, Image had broken into the business and everyone was clamoring for that kind of dynamic style that Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri, Todd McFarlane, While Portacio, and Rob Liefeld espoused. I was caught in between my influences who were John Byrne — who is my all-time favorite artist and not only because he is Canadian but also because he drew my absolute all-time favorite comic book in Uncanny X-Men, George Perez, John Buscema, and Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez among others, and the new guys making waves. I was learning on the job.”

“Apparently, a lot of people love those books and they still ask me to sign them. So I am grateful for that although I won’t say it is far from my best work,” Lashley added.

Since then, the big man has gone on to illustrate comics from other companies including DC and Image such as Justice League of America, Superman, Flash, The Darkness, and Tomb Raider among many others. “What started out as a passion and a hobby became my life. And it’s so much fun to be able to draw comics and attend conventions like AsiaPop in Manila and meet new people.”

Aside from comics, Lashley has also made the transition to design where he has worked on products from toymaker Hasbro (G.I. Joe, Transformers, Marvel, Star Wars to name some) and Lucas Digital. He’s also currently pencilling Uncanny X-Men which he has attacked with a lot of fervor. “I know that the comic isn’t as big or popular as it once was,” he noted. “Growing up, this was the book for me and many others. That is why I pour in my heart and soul into the work. I want to help bring it back to where it was. And I guess, it has paid off because I have been asked to work on a new arc."

Lashley also hinted about working on an animated series that was massively popular during the 1970s and is slated for a big comeback. Voltron, one of those Japanese animated series from also the same time was recently brought back and updated for a modern audience by Netflix and Dreamworks. “There’s another one in the works,” was all Lashley said. 

When pressed if it is "Battle of the Planets” Lashley refused to comment. “Let’s all just have fun this AsiaPop and when it comes out, let’s celebrate.”

Fans can meet Ken Lashley and other comic book artists like Mike Zeck, Billy Tan, While Portacio, and others during AsiaPop Comicon.

AsiaPop Comicon 2016: Mike Zeck reflects on the Punisher, Cap & Spidey

AsiaPop Comicon 2016: Mike Zeck reflects on the Punisher, Cap & Spidey

by rick olivares

For American comic book illustrator Mike Zeck, attending the AsiaPop Comicon 2016 in Manila was another chance to come back to the country.

Even when he was one of the hottest and most in demand comic book artists back in the 1980s and early 1990s, Zeck would routinely visit Asia and the Philippines in particular. “I always wanted to see the world and in Asia, I chose to go to the Philippines first because people spoke English here and it wouldn’t be difficult to get around. Cebu was the first place I went to outside Manila.”

Now back for the umpteenth time, this will be the first time that Zeck will be attending a major comic book convention in the Philippines. “I’ve always been aware that the Philippines was a hotbed of talent. We’ve seen that with Tony DeZuniga, Alfredo Alcala, and many others through the years then you have Whilce Portacio who opened the door for many other Filipinos to draw American comic books. This gives me that opportunity to interact with the Filipino fan base that is one of the most passionate in the world.”

Zeck has been removed from mainstream comic book illustration for over a decade now as he has transitioned into product and toy design that is still related to the genre. Yet in spite of not being actively busy in today’s four-colored fanfare, the 66-year old native of Pennsylvania is known for illustrating some of the most memorable stories in the whole of comicdom.

In the 1980s, he scored what is the equivalent of a film director’s three consecutive blockbuster and critically acclaimed movies when he drew Secret Wars, Punisher: Circle of Blood, and Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt in succession. 

“I’ve only got one word to describe that — lucky," beamed Zeck during the AsiaPop Comicon press conference held at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City last Wednesday, August 24. "There’s no way I can ever plan to make three successful comic book stories in a row. And all three are still in print today, 35 years later, and that is extremely gratifying.”

"Secret Wars (published May 1984-April 1985) was the first ever comic book limited series that was a massive crossover event. I think I earned that because of my work on Captain America,” reflected Zeck. “For the Punisher, timing was an incredible thing. (Writer) Steven Grant was showing Marvel that story that he had in mind but they didn’t think that the Punisher was a character that would sell and that he couldn’t support his own title. Eventually, they reluctantly agreed and the rest is history. As for ‘Kraven’s Last Hunt’, Marc DeMatteis was trying to get this story punished. It was first done for a Wonder Man story that was rejected. He took it to DC for a Batman proposal and it too was rejected. When he brought it back to Marvel, Marc re-wrote it for Spider-Man and Kraevn the Hunter and now it was approved. I think it took about eight years for that story to see the light of day but it took a life of its own and was published at the right time. The fact that it is considered one of the greatest Spider-Man stories is a blessing for me.”

Zeck points to "Kraven’s Last Hunt” as his favorite work for its depth and tone as a psychological thriller. In that story, Kraven, long a foil for Spider-Man, finally defeats his nemesis and takes his place hoping to prove that he is his superior. When accomplishing that goal, Kraven commits suicide. “I think that story contributed to the Spider-Man mythos. When you think about the character, he’s had a lot of ground-breaking stories — from the death of a major character (Gwen Stacy) to the use of drugs in a comic book (Harry Osborne who later became the Green Goblin). ‘Kraven’s Last Hunt’ isn’t simply a story about suicide and how it affects people but also the relationships between people. When I received the plot, I knew it was going to be one of the best Spider-Man stories. The questions for me were, can i do this justice and, will the fans see what i saw in this story?"

Even if he doesn’t draw comics anymore, Zeck still enjoys the genre especially their success in film. “When I was drawing Captain America, it was an incredible fun time for me. (The late) Mark Gruenwald was my editor and John Beatty was inking. All three of us were Captain America fans growing up. We all got together and as professionals, to be in that office and putting out the comic was really fun. I did three years of that comic and stayed on doing covers. The film versions — I love them. They nailed the essence of Cap perfectly. I wish Mark Gruenwald were still alive to see them."

“For me, I have been in a lot of comics conventions in my life. And it sure is nice to be doing one here in the Philippines,” summed up Zeck. “And I sure can’t wait to meet the Filipino fans.”

AsiaPop Comicon 2016 will be held from August 26-28 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Alodia Gosiengfiao one of headline Cosplayers for AsiaPop 2016

Alodia Gosiengfiao one of headline Cosplayers for AsiaPop 2016

by rick olivares

Alodia Gosiengfiao, who is one of the more popular Cosplayers not only in the Philippines but all over the world is once more one of the main guests for AsiaPop Comicon 2016. The Cosplay darling will also be one of the judges for the Cosplay Authority Global Challenge during the event that saw a winner from last year’s staging take home $10,000 as the grand prize. 

“I love the fact that Cosplay (costume play) has elevated from a hobby to an art form and a worldwide event,” said the 28-year old who first got into role playing game when she was in high school.  "When I started out, it was a hobby. Now, it still is a hobby but it is also work. I took up Information Design in Ateneo and cosplay has helped my career tremendously. When I was still in school, my parents thought that my hobby was getting too expensive and they told me to do something more practical. I would save my allowance just to buy materials for cosplay. But they see where it has taken me and they are very much supportive now.”

Gosiengfiao has used her success in cosplay to professionally host, model, sing, and act! She is also appearing in the new Resident Evil film, “The Final Chapter.” It will be her second international film after “Crossroads” a Japanese drama that was released last year.

“It’s incredible, isn’t it?” she wondered during the press conference for AsiaPop Comicon held last Wednesday, August 24, at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City. “I still have to pinch myself just to see if I am dreaming up all of this. I am very honored and very lucky to be recognized for this craft. I never expected to be where I am. I am just doing something that I love."

“I'm still thinking of ways to improve the community. I hope just as cosplay has been good for me, it inspires more people to succeed,” she added pointing out to the CAGE event that will open more doors for its participants. Who knows what this will lead to?”

For this event, Gosiengfiao will be donning a costume of DC Comics’ anti-hero Harley Quinn. “Not the film version,” she said of the make over the character was given in the recent film, Suicide Squad, where the character was played by actress Margot Robbie. She cited her cosplay of Go Go Tomago from the film, “Big Hero 6” as the one that fans love the most. “Especially kids! I love the way their eyes light up when I wear Go Go’s costume!" 

AsiaPop Comicon 2016, the second staging of the country’s biggest pop culture event will be held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from August 26-28.

Holland Roden to grace AsiaPop Manila

Holland Roden to grace AsiaPop Manila

by rick olivares

Holland Roden who plays Lydia Martin in the supernatural drama television series, Teen Wolf, was named last Tuesday, August 9, as one of the celebrity guests of the 2016 AsiaPop Comicon. The second staging of the country’s biggest pop culture event will be held from August 26-28, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The 29-year old actress from Dallas, Texas has been a main cast member of the series that has been airing on MTV since 2011. Roden has also played supporting roles in other noted television dramas such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Lost, Criminal Minds, and Grey’s Anatomy.

The announcement of Roden’s appearance comes on the heels of the stunning pullout of Agent Carter star Hayley Atwell from the comics convention due to a scheduling conflict with her new television show, Conviction.

This second staging of AsiaPop is sorely lacking in star power unlike last year where they had actor Paul Bettany who plays the Vision in the Avengers and Game of Thrones’ Nathalie Emmanuel who plays Missandei in the widely-popular fantasy series. Among comic book artists, they had renowned comic painter David Mack and Filipino-American artist While Portacio. 

This year, the convention features comic book artists Mike Zeck, Ken Lashley, Billy Tan, and Portacio again. Yet all these artists' heyday was either in the 1980s or the 1990s. 

AsiaPop Organizers have intimated that there will be new announcements over the next few days including a cast member from the science fiction horror series, Stranger Things that was recently shown on Netflix. Filmmaker Steven Steilberg called Stranger Things as "the best show of the year."