DC Comics: New 52

I’ve been excited for about two months now because of this. DC Comics  would re-launch 52 of their titles back to issue #1. For a new comic collector, this is good news. I would have to admit that before, I would prefer buying a graphic novel than grab a copy of one of those on-going monthlies (Oh good, I got The Flash #163! Now I have to look for #01-162). 

Check out the trailer of DC’s New 52:

Source: Comics66channel

If you wanted a complete list of all the titles that DC would re-launch, comicbookresources.com got it covered. Click here . 😉

As for me, I’m planning to collect the following comics listed below. So from time to time, I might post some reviews or comments about the said comics. 🙂

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jim Lee & Scott Williams
Cover by Jim Lee & Scott Williams

 

 

 

THE FLASH #1
Written by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Cover by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

 

 

 

GREEN LANTERN #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke & Christiam Almy
Cover by Ivan Reis & Joe Prado

 

 

 

SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF TOMORROW #1
Written by George Perez
Art by Jesus Merino
Cover by George Perez

 

 

 

BATMAN #1
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Greg Capullo
Cover by Greg Capullo

 

 

 

BATMAN & ROBIN #1
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Pat Gleason
Cover by Pat Gleason

 

 

 

AQUAMAN #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis
Cover by Ivan Reis & Joe Prado

 

 

 

HE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1
Written by Tony S. Daniel
Art by Philip Tan
Cover by Philip Tan

 

 

 

GREEN ARROW #1
Written by JT Krul
Art by Dan Jurgens
Cover by Brett Booth

 

 

 

TEEN TITANS #1
Written by Scott Lobdell
Art by Brett Booth & Norm Rapmund
Cover by Brett Booth & Norm Rapmund

 

 

That’s it. I hope that the DC’s new titles I’m planning to collect would not be just another sales idea gone bad. I already got a copy of the Justice League #1, and I’m planning to write something about it this weekend. Cheers! 🙂

Not an Artist, not a Writer but a Reader . . .

“. . . Exploring our pasts will help us uncover the themes of our lives.” *

I remember way back elementary that I am so fond of those cartoons with characters having powers. They help to save earth from all those aliens and bad guys (i.e. Captain Planet). Then the Uncanny X-men animated series became a hit. One of my classmate (I can’t remember his name, sorry dude :P) told me that it was from a comics before they turned it to cartoons. That’s when I discover the world of comics. I started going to Filbar’s and other comic shops to browse and look at the cool pages of it (just to take a peak, too pricey). I was so sure that I’m gonna be one of those artists that draw this stuff. What a dreamer, right? Hahaha 😛

I was gonna submit this for the comic strip series I was planning in my head when I was in high school. (Geeky, right? hahaha)
This is the scariest villain I could think of way back high school, when I thought I could make it to the big league. But I ‘ve seen some of my classmates that could draw way better than me. I STOP DREAMING. hahaha
Things I used to draw (or copy, hehehe).

(I know I’ve posted all of it before. No new materials, sorry. I can’t find them. hahaha)

High School. That’s when I discover the beauty of prose, I think I was obsessed with writing first before becoming an addict reader. I’m an essay writer and a comic strip contributor of our school organ (well, I’m not really sure if I contributed anything, hahaha). Every writer reads. I am very sure of that. You have to love reading before you actually know that you wanted to write. I think that’s where it all started for me. I LOVE READING. Grabbing everything that I could read to further develop my writing skills (if I got one :P).

After graduating high school, life makes it a bit harder for me. It makes me forget about drawings and writings. The only thing that I could think of is finishing school and finding a good job after. But READING never left me. It became my escape whenever I wanted to forget something. I get lost in whatever it is I’m reading and I’m fine. I’m so out of it sometimes that I never know what’s happening around me because all I could think of are the characters and the situations they’re in at whatever I’m currently reading. Yes, I admit I became an addict reader and I’m proud. 😀

So, there goes the theme of my life: I’m not an artist, not a writer but I’m very PROUD of being a READER.  Hehehe 😛

*from Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner

Intro: PinoyReaderCon’s Filipino Friday meme

One good thing about almost being late to everything is that people around you are tired of asking why. So, with that said, I’m now posting what I should have already posted for PinoyReaderCon’s intro to Filipino Friday meme. 😛

Books and comics are a part of my life since I was young. The only difference that I could think of between then and now is that I could now buy what I really wanted to read (well, as long as my budget allow it :P). I remember during high school and college, I would read whatever book I could get my hands on and comics was never an option (pricey stuff, I tell you. Even now,  whenever I’m purchasing a graphic novel I would hold it for about 20 mins. before deciding what the heck right? I like them comic books). But because of that, I think it broadens my choices of what to read. I’ve spent reading F. Sionil Jose’s Rosales Saga (Po-on, The Pretenders, My Brother, My Executioner, Mass and Tree) during my class breaks at my college library (nerd alert! hehehe). The authors that I like then are John Grisham, Mitch Albom and Anne Rice. Now, I prefer reading YA contemporary lit, sci-fi/fantasy and of course graphic novels. There are books from authors/artists that I would automatically pick-up and buy whenever I’m at a bookstore (I know every book lovers could definitely relate to that). Jim Butcher, Rick Riordan, Barry Lyga, Steve Feasey, Frank Portman, Michael Grant, John Green, Michael Scott, Michael Carroll, Brent Crawford, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian K. Vaughan, Geoff Johns, Francis Manapul, Budjette Tan and Paolo Fabregas are some of the names I look for whenever I’m at a bookstore or when I’m surfing the web to check if they got some new books/GN.

The book that I really like right now is Jordan Sonnenblick’s Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. The book series that I’m currently following are Gone series (Michael Grant), The Secrets of Immortal Nicholas Flamel series (Michael Scott), The Lost Hero series (Rick Riordan), Runaways series (Brian K. Vaughan), Dresden Files series (Jim Butcher), Ultimate Comics Spider-Man and Powers series (Brian Michael Bendis).

These are my online accounts: tumblr, wordpress, goodreads and twitter. That’s where you could contact me or whatever 😛

FHL: The New Breed of Pinoy Super Heroes

Move over Captain Barbel, Lastikman and Darna, Pinoy Graphic Novels got a new group of heroes Filipino comic readers would surely love. I am not saying that this new one would surpass what those pinoy comic heroes (well some of them I just knew because of the movies and/or pantaserye made base on their original comic series) accomplished so far, but they just might. A group of “super” connected to the government to eradicate crimes and save lives. But unlike the characters of DC and Marvel young kids are familiar with nowadays, this group got some pinoy twist in them. Think about it, a mutant story in a Filipino setting. Heads up to Paolo Fabregas, what a promising start. A lot of loose ends and a cliffhanger ending to book one that would make you wish that the next would not be too far from its release. To sidetrack me from spoiling you, I’ll just introduce the members of Filipino Heroes League:

 

Flashlight – The current leader of FHL. He’s doing this gig for the chicks ;). A bit of a badass if you ask me, but he is a true leader at heart.

Power: He could create/shoot/blast a ball of fire using his hands.

 

 

Invisiboy – Big boned (not fat). Described by his brother (slick, will tell more about him later) as a law-abiding-rule-loving-boy-scout-altar-boy. He’s like the goody two-shoes of the gang.

 Power: Invisibility.

 

 

Kidlat Kid – When he’s not doing heroic things, this guy is the fastest pedicab driver alive. A sort-of kanto boy who wears a tsinelas while fighting crimes.

 Power: A speedster.

 

 

Maria Constantino – No code name yet. She is the granddaughter of “The Teacher”. A Charmaine Riviera look-alike. You’ll know who Charmaine is if you would read FHL, rightVis? 😀

 Power: Telepathy

 

 

Slick – The brother of invisiboy. He joins the FHL to help his brother and for a reason only Maria knows. A small time crook who takes advantage of others by using his powers for personal gains. Too shady for FHL but I think it is too early to judge him.

 Power: He can make any surface slippery.

 

 

The Maker – A small boy with a big attitude. He knows way too much profanity for a boy. A bit too young to join the FHL but they really need all the help they can get.

 Power: Can invent anything out of trash.

 

This is a very promising PGN (pinoy graphic novel). A round of applause for Visprint for being brave enough to publish artists/writers like Paolo Fabregas, Manix Abrera and Budjette Tan. They open up a arena that others thought was already closed. A success to those people like me who believe that we could revive the comic industry in thePhilippines.

To view some of the pages of the PGN, click HERE!

DANGEROUS PIE!

DANGEROUS NOVEL PIE!

WARNING: This book should not be read in public because it has a tendency to make you laugh and cry at the same time. It is very addictive to the point that you may not be able to put it down from start to finish.

I love the book and would definitely look for other Sonnenblick books. It is a tear-jerker and a funny novel. That is how I would describe it in few words. One minute you’re laughing so hard and then with just one phrase or sentence, ,a tear could possibly fall it could make you sad in an instant. Sure, I like to give five stars to almost all the graphic novels and superhuman stories that I’ve read but this one is on a different level. A lot of books nowadays are so thick. But if you ask me, the writer could have told that story in one paragraph. Authors sometimes could not get enough explaining things to readers that he/she ended up writing about it in four chapters. But you’ve got to love this book. Yes, there are hard to understand words (mostly medical stuff) but with a quick look at the dictionary and you’re fine. Every sentence you read out of it would not be a waste of your time. Sonnenblick does not focus too much on explaining things to you. He would rather capture the emotions of the character on that instant and make you feel it. It would touch your heart. Make you laugh and cry sad at the same time. I would not give any spoilers or details as to how the story goes. You don’t have to be of certain age, or sex to like it. Even if you only read specific genres like dystopian or high fantasy, you would definitely be grabbed by it simply because it could be real for all of us.

The Quantum Prophecy Series: A must read for those who are superhumans at heart

What an ending??!!! **** flailing hands while running then smashes my head to the wall (not really :P) ****

Most of my friends at goodreads knows that I’ve been slacking A LOT when it comes to reading and reviewing a novel. BUT I have to say that this series is so good that I’ll drop my hiatus state and tell why I like this book. I have to give credit to Aaron who recommended the book to me. Thanks dude (I know he hates it when I call him that. hahaha).

One word: “AWESOME”. The series would take you in a roller coaster ride of being a teenager to becoming a superhuman then into a world of super-villains vs heroes in the brink of a war that would almost end the world! *** stops and gasping for air ***. The three main characters would make you like them unknowingly. Action-packed and a lot of twists way better than a ride at the amusement park (although some of them are a bit predictable but nevertheless great). Well, many would say that “just tell him it’s about humans with powers and his sold.” That is true I guess, I won’t deny that. BUT the book itself is not just about superhumans. The situations they are in could also happen to us. Maybe not like “its the end of the world” thing but there are similarities there somewhere with the likes of us (confusing myself and whoever gives a damn to read this). hahaha. I guess what I’m really trying to say here is that Michael Caroll wrote a great series and everybody should read it. 😛

X-Men: First Class

I just got home from watching X-Men: First Class and let me just tell you, prepare your mind to be blown. The movie was a blast! I sincerely regret that I almost believe some of the people bad-mouthing the movie. If Professor X and Magneto are not enough reasons to watch it, Mystique and Beast could erase whatever reservations you got on not wanting to watch it.

Lines like “Mutant and Proud” and “I would do anything to be NORMAL” were dropped like bombs to be stuck on your head like it’s on repeat. That’s what I like about X-Men (comics and the movies) in general, it got me. Sure, it’s unrealistic, the powers and mutations on the story would distract you but the bottom line is it hits you where it matters. Everyone of us feels like an outsider sometimes. Different. But it doesn’t mean that it makes us less than those we perceive as someone better. Things might not be what you wanted but acceptance is the key.

The movie would explain (to those who are just watching this now and did not watch the cartoons or read the comics) why Charles and Erik became who they are, as Magneto and Professor-X . Why in so many ways they are the same in principles and beliefs (that men should know about mutants and mutants should use their powers)  but are still very different (powers should be use to aid men while the other’s for supremacy).

It would be a loss not to watch this movie if you’re a fan of X-Men and if you’re not, I think this is the best movie for a start.