Gerry Alanguilan

The 5th Annual KOMIKON, the Filipino Komiks Convention is this Sunday, October 18, 2009, and it’s the culminating activity of the four-day Philippine International Cartoons, Comics, and Animation (PICCA) Festival, which begins on October 15 at the SM Megamall, and surrounding areas.

Komikero Publishing will have TWO new releases at the Komikon:

ELMER COLLECTED EDITION
by Gerry Alanguilan
144 pages, Colored Cover, Black & White Interiors, 6.5″x9″, Perfect Binding

I added exactly just ONE new story page just for the sake of continuity. I tried not to add any new material to it so those who have already bought the individual issues don’t feel they’re being compelled to buy it. There is an afterword, and a few pinups that have already appeared in the series.

The Elmer Collected Edition *will* be available at National Book Store, Powerbooks and Fully Booked (I don’t know exactly when), and will retail for P250. We will be having a special Komikon only sale of P220 per copy at the event.

WHERE BOLD STARS GO TO DIE
Written by Gerry Alanguilan, Illustrated by Arlanzandro C. Esmeña
56 pages. Black and Gold Cover, Black & White Interiors, 6.5″x9″, Perfect Binding

This book is my attempt to create bomba komiks that’s not cheap and lewd, and in fact approaches this genre with a measure of sensitivity and emotional maturity. This is Arlan’s first go at drawing comic books and I’m amazed how much potential he has. One of the gems of this issue is the pinup section which features some of the best illustrators in the industry. The final line-up includes: Francisco V. Coching, Tony De Zuniga, Brice Beckham, Carlo Vergara, Leinil Francis Yu, Carlo Pagulayan, Gilbert Monsanto, Edgar Tadeo, Arnold Arre, Philip Tan and Arlan himself.

Because we intentionally elevated the production values on this title, add to that the sensitive nature of the subject matter, we are offering this title at P150, and will NOT be sold to minors.

KOMIKON Releases that I’m involved in:

UNDERPASS

Press Release:

Set to launch this coming KOMIKON 2009 (October 18, Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall), Underpass is a graphic anthology featuring dark fantasy stories from some of today’s greatest Pinoy comics creators.

Sim by Gerry Alanguilan
Judas Kiss by David Hontiveros, Budjette Tan and Oliver Pulumbarit
Katumbas by David Hontiveros and Ian Sta. Maria
The Clinic by Budjette Tan and Ka-jo Baldisimo.

The full-color anthology, which is Summit Media’s first foray into Philippine-produced comics, will retail for P250. After the Komikon, Underpass will be available in major magazine shops.

SIM Cover Page

Strangely enough, of all the people working in this anthology, I’m the only one who doesn’t have a cellphone, and yet my story *is* about cellphones. I don’t want to give the story away, but it was sparked by my picking up a SIM card in a tricycle I was riding a few months ago. I wondered what was in it, and as soon as I plugged it into a cellphone well… I will not say if the story I told in SIM is true or not. Let’s just say I’m still alive today to tell the tale.

Although soft launched at the recent Book Fair, Francisco V. Coching’s EL INDIO will have a proper launching at the Komikon!

It is the culmination of five years of restoration work between myself and Zara Macandili, where we digitally cleaned each panel of Coching’s classic komiks series.

Colored Cover, Black and White interiors, P600

THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF PHILIPPINE KOMIKS and CARTOONS
by John A. Lent
Published by Yonzon Associates

I’m very excited about this one, and I have nothing but deep admiration and respect for Mr. Hugo Yonzon and wife Guia for their tireless, and often times unheralded support for Philippine Comics. My contribution to this book is marginal at best, providing material here and there, but this book will absolutely not be possible without the Yonzons. Hats off to you guys!

The coffee table book is hardbound and full color. P1,500

KOMIKERO COMICS #3
Created and Published by the Komikero Artists Group

My unpublished and unfinished story from 1997 (which I finished 10 years later), Timawa: Jumper will finally see print in the anthology from my own little Komikero group.

5.5″x8.5″ Photocopied comic book. P50

I’m breathless just talking about it!

There will also be auctions at the KOMIKON, to benefit flood victims. Two items already confirmed to be auctioned off include:

ELMER HARDCOVER SLIPCASE
Only 8 of these were made (7 of which were sold publicly). This is my personal copy. It will come in signed with an original sketch.

A SIGNED LEINIL YU SKETCHBOOK 2009
This is what a copy looks like.

Please bid, and bid high! It’s for the best cause. No pledges. No post dated checks. Sorry, but the need is IMMEDIATE. Cash preferred!

Oh yeah! Is it insane already, or what? And I’m only talking about releases that involve myself and/or Komikero Publishing. A lot of other people will also be launching their own stuff like TRESE BOOK 3 by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, a full color Kikomachine book by Manix Abrera, and a lot more!

WHEW!

Before Komikon, I’ll be giving a talk, along with Gilbert Monsanto and Mrs. Guia Yonzon on comic book publishing at Powerbooks Megamall, 1pm on October 15.

I wish I could be present for more PICCA activities, but work doesn’t stop and I have an issue of Ultimate Avengers to finish inking before Komikon! So in case I don’t update this before Sunday, I guess I’ll just see you guys there!