For the past seven years KOMIKON (The Annual Philippine Komiks Convention) has been the premiere event for the local comic book industry. This is where the depth and width of Filipino talent in creating various worlds and stories, from the golden age to the here and now are showcased. KOMIKON promotes the rich medium that is the comic book, which can be seen through the myriad of local works drawing from influences not only locally but from our foreign counterparts as well.
KOMIKON is the celebration of the great art form endearingly called by Pinoys from all walks of life as Komiks. This was the medium that once served as our “national past time” particularly during its golden age from the 70s to the early 80s. It was an industry that gave birth to superstar illustrators and writers. Komiks opened a window for this unique breed of artists to break into the international scene. Their Komiks stories led to adaptations into other media such as film, television and radio making them part of an unforgettable part of our local tradition of excellence in art and literature. KOMIKON aims to gather its supporters and creators in one place to commemorate komiks as it deserve to be distinguished.
Come this November 19, 2011 at the Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound in Pasig City, The 7th Philippine Annual Komiks Convention proudly brings you another exciting day of comics! Join us and gather with Filipino comic book artists and fans from all over the country.
The event, which starts at 10am, will headline guests such as Tony DeZuniga (Jonah Hex),Gerry Alanguilan (Elmer), and Carlo Vergara (Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah). This November’s event highlights the awarding of the winners of the 3rd KOMIKON Readers’ Choice Awards. It will also introduce Komikon’s first ever KOMIKALYE(Artists’ Alley).
The KOMIKALYE will allow fans to bring home artworks by internationally renowned local artists Carlo Pagulayan (Planet Hulk), Stephen Segovia (Ultimate Avengers VS Ultimates), Heubert Khan Michael (Vampirella), Edgar Tadeo (X-Men) and Wilson Tortosa (Battle of the Planets) for a small fee. The KOMIKALYE will be open from 2pm to 4pm only. At it’s center Komikon boasts of the sheer number of local creators that will be offering new books. It will be a grand day for Komiks.
This event is presented to you by KOMIKON, Inc. in cooperation with National Bookstore and Hero TV, in partnership with The Animation Council of the Philippines and sponsored by PSICOM Publishing, Vibal Foundation, College of St. Benilde, Hero Sausages, Studio Studio’s Angel Crush, and Comic Odyssey with media partner Inquirer Bandera.
Special Guest:
Tony DeZuniga
Mr. Tony DeZuniga is one of the early Filipino artists that invaded the U.S. comic scene along with artists Alfredo Alcala, Alex Nino, and Nestor Redondo. He co-created Jonah Hex with writer John Albano.
Tony says that comics have changed drastically with the aid of computers. “The kids nowadays who’re working for big publishers are so lucky. They get paid well and with computers they don’t need to move to New York City to work.” Tony says he is welcome to teach artists on developing their portfolio, drawing techniques and how to get into the business.
Gerry Alanguilan
Gerry Alanguilan is has made a name for himself in the international comics scene starting by inking comics such as X-Men, Superman: Birthright, Wolverine, Silent Dragon and so much more. Now his own locally independent published book, Elmer, is making history by garnering international nominations and awards from the Prix Asie-ACBD, Eisner Awards, and French festivals Quai des Bulles (http://www.quaidesbulles.com/ ) and Les Utopiales(http://www.utopiales.org/index.php/fr).
Gerry first came up with the idea for Elmer in 2004 after contemplating on what their neighborhood chickens could be thinking about. “I started imagining what they would say if they could talk and what they would feel, considering their history with humans.”, Gerry said, “That pretty much started the process of coming up with the story for Elmer. At first I thought I’d do it as a comedy thing, but I went for the serious approach, wondering what would happen if I actually did treat it seriously.”
And despite all the success Gerry has received for Elmer, his outlook on chickens never changed. “Yes. I still think they’re pretty tasty.”
Carlo Vergara
Carlo Vergara’s Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah won a National Book Award in 2002, andwas adapted into a musical and a feature film in 2006. What more can a comic book artist ask for?
Carlo is doing the 2nd book, Zaturnnah in Manila, and he says, “I’ve accepted that the first Zaturnnah book cannot be equaled. So I released myself from the task of trying to match the kind of storytelling I did there. I went into the sequel with pretty much a clean slate where anything was possible. But I did have some ideas I wanted to put in there, and then built a story around it. Suffice to say, “Zaturnnah in Manila” will be a different book.”
