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MythSpace: Ignition
Ignition is a graphic novel collection of six stories exploring a universe where the old tales of monsters and folklore creatures from the Philippines – Tikbalangs, Kapres, Manananggals – were inspired by actual alien civilizations. From a young man’s journey into myth, to a Kapre war, to a Manananggal coming of age, these stories (now depicted in full color) will take readers on an unforgettable journey both strange and familiar.
The collection was written and co-created by Paolo Chikiamco and features art from a cadre of acclaimed Filipino illustrators including Koi Carreon, C.R. Chua, Borg Sinaban, Jules Gregorio, Paul Quiroga, and Mico Dimagiba.
Black Mark with Paul Quiroga
A story which gives readers a glimpse into the fractious society of the crafty Nuno, where political zealots (who tint their skins to signify their party loyalties) have the government in a persistent state of gridlock. Yet, legend has it that there exists a faction that transcends the legendary Black, a task force that is authorized to go to extreme measures to safeguard Nuno society. Helmless Mang, a pariah on his home planet, is about to find out that the Black are both more powerful and more terrible than that the stories would have you believe... Art by Paul Quiroga and story by Paolo Chikiamco.
Devourers of Light with Jules Gregorio
The reasons behind the centuries-long hatred between the Kapre and the Laho unfolds in this tale. At a turning point in history, the Laho lead an inter-species alliance to punish the Kapre for violating a galaxy-wide taboo... but when Supreme Apex Barkarilkarilmon loses his patience with the other races, the Laho take independent action ― with disastrous consequences for the Kapre race. Art by Jules Gregorio and story by Paolo Chikiamco.
Uncommon Ground with Mico Dimagiba
It’s tough being a detective on a planet of shapeshifters. But Inquest Haskra’s life takes a turn for the worse when he’s hired by a Laho to find a missing jewel to prevent the onset of civil war. But does Haskra really want to help a member of the race that destroyed his home planet? Art by Mico Dimagiba and story by Paolo Chikiamco.
Humanity with C.R. Chua
In a galaxy where humans have no rights, Danny and Marta work as slaves in the mines of the Kataw. But when they are miraculously rescued by something out of legend, they must decide what freedom means to each of them, and what they are willing to pay for it. Art by Cristina Chua and story by Paolo Chikiamco.
Unfurling of Wings with Borg Sinaban
Ri-En, Books, and Zu are orphans who eke out a living in the slums of an aging space station, under the protection of their mentor, Ka-Ang. But Ka-Ang’s health is deteriorating, and the three friends hatch a desperate plan to save him ― one which places them on a collision course with the station’s worst criminal gang, as well as one of the dreaded and immortal “Sixths”. Art by Borg Sinaban and story by Paolo Chikiamco.
The collection was written and co-created by Paolo Chikiamco and features art from a cadre of acclaimed Filipino illustrators including Koi Carreon, C.R. Chua, Borg Sinaban, Jules Gregorio, Paul Quiroga, and Mico Dimagiba.
Black Mark with Paul Quiroga
A story which gives readers a glimpse into the fractious society of the crafty Nuno, where political zealots (who tint their skins to signify their party loyalties) have the government in a persistent state of gridlock. Yet, legend has it that there exists a faction that transcends the legendary Black, a task force that is authorized to go to extreme measures to safeguard Nuno society. Helmless Mang, a pariah on his home planet, is about to find out that the Black are both more powerful and more terrible than that the stories would have you believe... Art by Paul Quiroga and story by Paolo Chikiamco.
Devourers of Light with Jules Gregorio
The reasons behind the centuries-long hatred between the Kapre and the Laho unfolds in this tale. At a turning point in history, the Laho lead an inter-species alliance to punish the Kapre for violating a galaxy-wide taboo... but when Supreme Apex Barkarilkarilmon loses his patience with the other races, the Laho take independent action ― with disastrous consequences for the Kapre race. Art by Jules Gregorio and story by Paolo Chikiamco.
Uncommon Ground with Mico Dimagiba
It’s tough being a detective on a planet of shapeshifters. But Inquest Haskra’s life takes a turn for the worse when he’s hired by a Laho to find a missing jewel to prevent the onset of civil war. But does Haskra really want to help a member of the race that destroyed his home planet? Art by Mico Dimagiba and story by Paolo Chikiamco.
Humanity with C.R. Chua
In a galaxy where humans have no rights, Danny and Marta work as slaves in the mines of the Kataw. But when they are miraculously rescued by something out of legend, they must decide what freedom means to each of them, and what they are willing to pay for it. Art by Cristina Chua and story by Paolo Chikiamco.
Unfurling of Wings with Borg Sinaban
Ri-En, Books, and Zu are orphans who eke out a living in the slums of an aging space station, under the protection of their mentor, Ka-Ang. But Ka-Ang’s health is deteriorating, and the three friends hatch a desperate plan to save him ― one which places them on a collision course with the station’s worst criminal gang, as well as one of the dreaded and immortal “Sixths”. Art by Borg Sinaban and story by Paolo Chikiamco.
248 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2023
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Paolo Chikiamco
34 books56 followersA lawyer by training and a writer by inclination, in 2009 Paolo resigned from one of the top law firms in the country to establish Eight Ray Sun Publishing Inc., driven to take advantage of the burgeoning ebook market to allow Filipino Speculative Fiction authors a chance, not only to reach an international audience, but to eventually make a living from writing.
Paolo’s articles have appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Online Chronicles, and Code RED Magazine. His stories have appeared in the Digest of Philippine Genre Stories, A Time for Dragons, and the Farthest Shore. He won third place in the 2009 Carlos Palanca Awards in the Short Story for Children (English) category. His greatest escapade was sneaking in to watch Total Recall when he was 12 years old. It was totally not worth it.
Paolo’s articles have appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Online Chronicles, and Code RED Magazine. His stories have appeared in the Digest of Philippine Genre Stories, A Time for Dragons, and the Farthest Shore. He won third place in the 2009 Carlos Palanca Awards in the Short Story for Children (English) category. His greatest escapade was sneaking in to watch Total Recall when he was 12 years old. It was totally not worth it.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 8, 2023
Through this compilation of stories, we get to explore Philippine mythology with a sci-fi touch that kind of pulled me from the beginning.
There are a bunch of talented artists and story tellers creating each chapter but basically we get to know this sci-fi world through their different lenses. Most of the chapters are action-packed and though I would have liked to have a bit more information or context to fully understand it, I did enjoy it for the most part.
I received an e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review via Diamond Comic Distributors.
There are a bunch of talented artists and story tellers creating each chapter but basically we get to know this sci-fi world through their different lenses. Most of the chapters are action-packed and though I would have liked to have a bit more information or context to fully understand it, I did enjoy it for the most part.
I received an e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review via Diamond Comic Distributors.
March 25, 2023
What I gather was a successful Kickstarter has allowed a bunch of Filipino creatives the chance to have a do-over on their 2014 effort, Mythspace, and what we get as a result is the first full-colour re-presentation of the whole shebang. But just as the story of Mythspace might have felt like it finished in 2014, with nothing coming our way since, so the stories here feel desperately under-finished.
The opener, for sure, is an origins tale – how a human boy was snatched from Earth by bounty-hunting aliens to be a kind of gift of prestige and/or a gimmick for some alien bigwig, and turned into a resurrected hero on the trail of his missing parents. If we had the full story it would be perfectly OK, even if the artwork is poor and the colouring is incredibly incoherent.
The pattern is set there to be followed by the rest – semi-interesting snatches of narrative, and apart from recurring species there is little to even link them. There is no effort to circle round, to add a sequel to something, to boon us with Easter eggs. So when we get to the jaw-dropping art from Jules Gregorio, we're still on wobbly ground, unevenly finding our way through this universe without the firm ground of a beginning-to-end narrative under our feet. Don't get me wrong, it's not just verbiage with no plot at all – a look at human slave miners certainly has that, but still ends up frustrating with the book's whole 'a window here, a window there' ethos.
In the end it proves it's worth being added to the shelf of Filipino comics, for the way they all seem to insist on showing the land's beasties and myths and legends in new lights, but once again isn't exactly outstanding. Three and a half stars shows it is good for a look, at least – just don't come here with any sense of dislike for the incomplete.
The opener, for sure, is an origins tale – how a human boy was snatched from Earth by bounty-hunting aliens to be a kind of gift of prestige and/or a gimmick for some alien bigwig, and turned into a resurrected hero on the trail of his missing parents. If we had the full story it would be perfectly OK, even if the artwork is poor and the colouring is incredibly incoherent.
The pattern is set there to be followed by the rest – semi-interesting snatches of narrative, and apart from recurring species there is little to even link them. There is no effort to circle round, to add a sequel to something, to boon us with Easter eggs. So when we get to the jaw-dropping art from Jules Gregorio, we're still on wobbly ground, unevenly finding our way through this universe without the firm ground of a beginning-to-end narrative under our feet. Don't get me wrong, it's not just verbiage with no plot at all – a look at human slave miners certainly has that, but still ends up frustrating with the book's whole 'a window here, a window there' ethos.
In the end it proves it's worth being added to the shelf of Filipino comics, for the way they all seem to insist on showing the land's beasties and myths and legends in new lights, but once again isn't exactly outstanding. Three and a half stars shows it is good for a look, at least – just don't come here with any sense of dislike for the incomplete.
March 11, 2024
I was excited to read some new comics using Filipino mythology. However, changing the creatures to different races set in space kind of ruined it. Now it's just your standard space adventure instead of a supernatural story. The 6 stories seem barely connected too. The art is pretty good for most of these. It's just that the stories themselves I couldn't make heads or tales of. I might as well have been reading a foreign language.
April 20, 2023
Even though this wasn't for me, I could appreciate the fresh take on Philippine mythology. These six stories reimagine old lore into a futuristic intergalactic setting with anime-style illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews