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Skyworld #1
Skyworld: Apocrypha
- GenresGraphic NovelsMythology
60 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 6, 2012
A Komikon 2011 special
What makes this an interesting reimagination of Filipino creature mythology is that it remains recognizable from our oral tradition of midnight stories; while infusing it with a dash of Western monster tales. I never thought that tikbalang, being a creature of mystic origin can be turned into a vampire. I’ve always thought them immune to its bite. Technically it is an aswang, but this creatures we thought of as aswang are basically vampires in this story, social, vicious and very infectious.
The art races at a breath-taking speed. The characters are always on the move. One feel the impact of a tikbalang’s spear penetrating your two shoulders. It would be short-sighted to call this manga influenced art. I’ve never seen manga rendered with such detail in every panel. It is fortunate that the artist did not ink his work which would have obscured his delicate line work and let stand as such. It give it a soft texture that belies the break neck pace the story runs.
I manage to score the entire run, which includes the first three volumes and a source book. So far, my enjoyment for the first book made me glad that I bought the complete set. I had it signed by the author too.
What makes this an interesting reimagination of Filipino creature mythology is that it remains recognizable from our oral tradition of midnight stories; while infusing it with a dash of Western monster tales. I never thought that tikbalang, being a creature of mystic origin can be turned into a vampire. I’ve always thought them immune to its bite. Technically it is an aswang, but this creatures we thought of as aswang are basically vampires in this story, social, vicious and very infectious.
The art races at a breath-taking speed. The characters are always on the move. One feel the impact of a tikbalang’s spear penetrating your two shoulders. It would be short-sighted to call this manga influenced art. I’ve never seen manga rendered with such detail in every panel. It is fortunate that the artist did not ink his work which would have obscured his delicate line work and let stand as such. It give it a soft texture that belies the break neck pace the story runs.
I manage to score the entire run, which includes the first three volumes and a source book. So far, my enjoyment for the first book made me glad that I bought the complete set. I had it signed by the author too.
November 24, 2011
Also posted at PINOYPETERPAN.
ONE WORD: BANGIS!
What a way to start a great epic story. I still can’t get over how good it felt to me, as a reader, the way the storytelling and the art seemed to compliment each other. Whenever “Makabo” narrates, it was like poetry being vividly described by the panels. I hope that you guys can hear me clap right now because Mervin Ignacio and Ian Sta. Maria deserves it.
THE STORY:
Quick fact here . . .I almost believed it! (The part about the Skyworld and how it was almost forgotten before the Spaniards came to our shore) Going back to the story now. The world building was loosely based on some Filipino folklore mainly the characters like the tikbalang and aswang. It was like a two-door closet style of telling a tale. When you open it, inside you can find the back story. Read it and you’ll get what I mean hehehe. The characters? Makabo; a kick-ass tikbalang, Rianka; a diabolical and deceitful aswang, and Kaptan; a winged-god would take you to a place like no other, Skyworld.
THE ART:
It’s really a challenge to be an artist of a Pinoy graphic novel. You have to be creative enough to express the story with what you got. Publishers are still wary to go all out (hardcover, glossy paper and colored). With that said, although it would have been nice to see Skyworld in full color, it didn’t hinder the artist to show how great a story Skyworld is. My fave part is when Rianka deceived Kaptan. They just let the panels tell you the story.
OVERALL:
Again, BANGIS! That sums it up.If you see a copy of this comics, you better grab it. I waited for Komikon just to have one. A perfect mix of Filipino folklore, lyrical storytelling and panel by panel action packed sequential art to satisfy your craving for Pinoy komiks.
ONE WORD: BANGIS!
What a way to start a great epic story. I still can’t get over how good it felt to me, as a reader, the way the storytelling and the art seemed to compliment each other. Whenever “Makabo” narrates, it was like poetry being vividly described by the panels. I hope that you guys can hear me clap right now because Mervin Ignacio and Ian Sta. Maria deserves it.
THE STORY:
Quick fact here . . .I almost believed it! (The part about the Skyworld and how it was almost forgotten before the Spaniards came to our shore) Going back to the story now. The world building was loosely based on some Filipino folklore mainly the characters like the tikbalang and aswang. It was like a two-door closet style of telling a tale. When you open it, inside you can find the back story. Read it and you’ll get what I mean hehehe. The characters? Makabo; a kick-ass tikbalang, Rianka; a diabolical and deceitful aswang, and Kaptan; a winged-god would take you to a place like no other, Skyworld.
THE ART:
It’s really a challenge to be an artist of a Pinoy graphic novel. You have to be creative enough to express the story with what you got. Publishers are still wary to go all out (hardcover, glossy paper and colored). With that said, although it would have been nice to see Skyworld in full color, it didn’t hinder the artist to show how great a story Skyworld is. My fave part is when Rianka deceived Kaptan. They just let the panels tell you the story.
OVERALL:
Again, BANGIS! That sums it up.If you see a copy of this comics, you better grab it. I waited for Komikon just to have one. A perfect mix of Filipino folklore, lyrical storytelling and panel by panel action packed sequential art to satisfy your craving for Pinoy komiks.
January 1, 2011
Mervin Ignacio and Ian Sta.Maria have created in Skyworld what I think is the most promising re-interpretation of Filipino myths since Mythology Class. Calling film production outfits! Once the seriesis complete, this work definitely deserves to be adapted as a movie!
RE de Leon
9:50 PM January 1, 2011
Agoo, La Union
RE de Leon
9:50 PM January 1, 2011
Agoo, La Union
July 5, 2021
one word: mmmakabo
January 17, 2014
sooo much fun :)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews