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Trese #1-3
Trese: Book of Murders
Presenting the collector's edition of the first 13 cases with digitally-updated art.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published October 26, 2013
8 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Budjette Tan
81 books382 followersBudjette Tan is the writer of the award-winning comic book TRESE, which he co-created with his partner/illustrator Kajo Baldisimo.
TRESE has been adapted into an anime series by Netflix.
He was a founding member of ALAMAT COMICS in the 1990s.
He's also the writer and co-creator of THE DEMON DUNGEON / DARK COLONY books, which he made with Bow Guerrero and JB Tapia.
He was also the co-editor of the KWENTILLION scifi/fantasy comics magazine (published by Summit), the UNDERPASS horror anthology (Summit), and SOUND: A Comic Anthology (published by Difference Engine).
TRESE has been adapted into an anime series by Netflix.
He was a founding member of ALAMAT COMICS in the 1990s.
He's also the writer and co-creator of THE DEMON DUNGEON / DARK COLONY books, which he made with Bow Guerrero and JB Tapia.
He was also the co-editor of the KWENTILLION scifi/fantasy comics magazine (published by Summit), the UNDERPASS horror anthology (Summit), and SOUND: A Comic Anthology (published by Difference Engine).
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 11, 2017
THIS IS GREAT!
I cannot say it enough. This is amazing. I love seeing most of the local Philippine folklore I know are on here and it introduced me to new ones too.
The illustrations were amazing. They were done in black and white which is great touch as our main character, Alex Trese, is dealing with both the dark and light side.
Full review to follow.
I cannot say it enough. This is amazing. I love seeing most of the local Philippine folklore I know are on here and it introduced me to new ones too.
The illustrations were amazing. They were done in black and white which is great touch as our main character, Alex Trese, is dealing with both the dark and light side.
Full review to follow.
March 16, 2021
I already have the original books but I gladly double-dipped for this collector's edition hardcover collecting the first thirteen cases of the supernatural consultant Alexandra Trese. Granted, it was not as I envisioned; I wanted to have it bound in black faux leather and with an attached strip of black ribbon as a book mark but this will do.
The creators did not just do an ordinary reprint. The artist, KaJo Baldisimo remastered his art with digital inks to add detail to the art. The writer, Budjetter Tan also added short prose pieces at the end of every chapter which had a feel of a journal or encyclopedia entry as a bonus. I am glad that they did not print this in slick paper, but used textured paper that captured well the art of Baldisimo.
I am looking forward to the next hardcover that will collect the next six books in this format and holding out hope for a colored version as well.
March 16, 2021
Trese has a fervent fanbase of mostly Filipino readers excited for the upcoming Netflix anime. Here's a primer on the character and the graphic novel series.
The creators did not just do an ordinary reprint. The artist, KaJo Baldisimo remastered his art with digital inks to add detail to the art. The writer, Budjetter Tan also added short prose pieces at the end of every chapter which had a feel of a journal or encyclopedia entry as a bonus. I am glad that they did not print this in slick paper, but used textured paper that captured well the art of Baldisimo.
I am looking forward to the next hardcover that will collect the next six books in this format and holding out hope for a colored version as well.
March 16, 2021
Trese has a fervent fanbase of mostly Filipino readers excited for the upcoming Netflix anime. Here's a primer on the character and the graphic novel series.
October 15, 2020
Why did I give this 5 stars considering that it's just a compilation of the first three Trese volumes?
First, I was blown away by the awesomeness of the digitally updated art. They looked so much more detailed that I noticed the improvements right away!
Second, I enjoyed the excerpts from the journal of Prof. Alex Trese. They provided interesting backstories for the supernatural creatures we have met and the Treses. I find myself wishing that someday, Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo will consider sharing the entire journal. I would love to learn more about the Trese clan.
First, I was blown away by the awesomeness of the digitally updated art. They looked so much more detailed that I noticed the improvements right away!
Second, I enjoyed the excerpts from the journal of Prof. Alex Trese. They provided interesting backstories for the supernatural creatures we have met and the Treses. I find myself wishing that someday, Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo will consider sharing the entire journal. I would love to learn more about the Trese clan.
October 23, 2015
TRESE is an occult-crime-noir Filipino comic book starring Alexandra Trese. I have read the original books and I liked them.
As always, Budjette's writing is great. With the right blend of mystery and action, the stories suck you in Trese's world right away. (I love the references to real people and places.) But this hardcover collection's main feature is Kajo's digitally-updated art. A lot of details were added or improved in most of the scenes and especially in the character designs. The excerpts from the journal of Trese's grandfather were also nice, although I found typos in some of them.
The binding is good; you can spread the book out and see the drawings that are near the book's center clearly. And I love the quality of the paper they used (not too glossy and not too coarse) which enhances the look of Kajo's black and white art.
The original books were what sparked my interest in Philippine mythology, comics/komiks and Filipino speculative fiction. So if you're looking for an introduction to one of them, this is a pretty good place to start.
June 13, 2014
This was interesting and punny (Magna Mall and Robertson Mall especially made me giggle), but I felt that things were too easy for Trese. I never worried about Trese's safety or whether or not she was going to crack the case; and although I love the whole play on Philippine mythology, the mediocre writing was off-putting.
May 22, 2022
I've known it before but reading this collector's edition reinforced my belief: I will never get tired of reading about Trese's adventures.
I was first introduced to this classic when I was in college, borrowing from our library multiple times. I then re-read it more times over when I got my own copies, and even more when I got my second copies of the new editions.
Now on my nth reading and the excitement felt as if I'm discovering it for the first time. In a way, I am, given the bonus content at the end of every case in the form of Prof. Alex Trese's journal entries detailing the mythological creatures being featured. I hope we do get a full supplementary book of these journal excerpts!
Overall, it has the same stories as the individual prints but I can say that it is super worth having especially for hardcore fans of the comics. The quality is simply top-tier - from the digitally remastered art from KaJo to the premium hardcover and binding (which is a big deal for me after really bad experiences with my graphic novels that fell apart after reading 🙃)
Definitely more re-reads to come while waiting for the next installments - and S2 of the Netflix adaptation, hopefully!
I was first introduced to this classic when I was in college, borrowing from our library multiple times. I then re-read it more times over when I got my own copies, and even more when I got my second copies of the new editions.
Now on my nth reading and the excitement felt as if I'm discovering it for the first time. In a way, I am, given the bonus content at the end of every case in the form of Prof. Alex Trese's journal entries detailing the mythological creatures being featured. I hope we do get a full supplementary book of these journal excerpts!
Overall, it has the same stories as the individual prints but I can say that it is super worth having especially for hardcore fans of the comics. The quality is simply top-tier - from the digitally remastered art from KaJo to the premium hardcover and binding (which is a big deal for me after really bad experiences with my graphic novels that fell apart after reading 🙃)
Definitely more re-reads to come while waiting for the next installments - and S2 of the Netflix adaptation, hopefully!
November 17, 2024
This reread takes me back to memory lane, remembering how I first reacted to each case that Alexandra Trese works on. Trese became my gateway to Philippine comics.
I saw how rich in storytelling our stories have here in the country and with Trese, it set a high standard of storytelling thanks to Budjette Tan told through beautifully illustrated pages in monochrome by Kajo Baldisimo.
Looking forward to seeing the main series complete by Volume 13!
I saw how rich in storytelling our stories have here in the country and with Trese, it set a high standard of storytelling thanks to Budjette Tan told through beautifully illustrated pages in monochrome by Kajo Baldisimo.
Looking forward to seeing the main series complete by Volume 13!
February 4, 2019
No words. Just wow.
October 31, 2014
Appropriate that I should read this on Halloween. Fun read. But the truth is, I was rather disappointed. There was just something irksome with the plot of each story that made it burdensome for me to move any further.
For one, Trese was never uneasy, never conflicted, never wrong, which made her enemies look extremely weak (which I don't think should have been the case because there are actually many elements from the underworld that could have been utilized to propel greater twists). Had there been a few moments that showed vulnerability on Trese's part, they were not strongly executed.
I understand that the main character was supposed to be a badass. But this portrayal of "badassness" made it difficult for me to root for Trese. If anything, it made it even more difficult for me to care about any of the other characters as they were portrayed as black-and-white/good-or-evil matter that I easily predicted how each of the 13 stories would end.
What kept the entire book alive for me was the fight with Talagbusao complete with the backstory of the Kambal. Now I would love to read THAT story. It was the only thing in the book, really, that tickled my heart, if only for a short while. MAKE IT HAPPEN.
But as I said, fun read.
For one, Trese was never uneasy, never conflicted, never wrong, which made her enemies look extremely weak (which I don't think should have been the case because there are actually many elements from the underworld that could have been utilized to propel greater twists). Had there been a few moments that showed vulnerability on Trese's part, they were not strongly executed.
I understand that the main character was supposed to be a badass. But this portrayal of "badassness" made it difficult for me to root for Trese. If anything, it made it even more difficult for me to care about any of the other characters as they were portrayed as black-and-white/good-or-evil matter that I easily predicted how each of the 13 stories would end.
What kept the entire book alive for me was the fight with Talagbusao complete with the backstory of the Kambal. Now I would love to read THAT story. It was the only thing in the book, really, that tickled my heart, if only for a short while. MAKE IT HAPPEN.
But as I said, fun read.
May 31, 2014
Modern twist on old legends, both rural and urban. Chapters feel short though, but refreshing overall.
August 14, 2021
“Pinoy Pride!”
Very dark and the story gives a good representation of Filipino mythical creatures.
Very dark and the story gives a good representation of Filipino mythical creatures.
May 18, 2023
A MASTERPIECE!!
January 3, 2025
Wrote this review in 2014:
Fan-girling material! I can't wait to read the next books in the series. This komiks series is unique, compelling and easy to read.
Fan-girling material! I can't wait to read the next books in the series. This komiks series is unique, compelling and easy to read.
January 13, 2026
Way more effective now that I'm reading this as a much older person, and not a thirteen-year-old who liked to gloss some of the pages to get to The Good Stuff. Ate Alex is a treasure for ages to come.
September 15, 2015
Devoted fans of all things supernatural are, I'm sure, quite bored with the tedious reiterations of vampire, werewolf, ghost, and zombie stories. Every so often, we are treated to a few new creatures, often from European myths and legends, but it is rare to find material that deals with folklore from the East, let alone from places like the Philippines. Needless to say, when I discovered this comic, I was beside myself with excitement.
Admittedly, it was slow going at first. The initial stories seemed a little heavy-handed and unnecessarily flowery in their narration. The characters also seemed rather flat. The major driving force was really the mystery plot and the introduction of new and unfamiliar supernatural creatures. However, character development and narrative complexity started to build towards the middle of the volume with the flashback to Alexandra Trese's, the main character's, past. In many ways, the volume operates like any procedural on television. The initial stories are episodic and tie up nicely in twenty pages or so. Then, a significant antagonist is introduced that targets the protagonist personally, and the rest of the season follows this personal struggle. While the latter half really gives you a glimpse into the main character, the former half allows the reader a view of the world in which the character operates. It sets the stage and introduces us to the many minor characters that will play a pivotal role in the latter half. It is, for all intents and purposes, extravagant scene setting. And like a procedural, the stories are strangely addicting. I devoured this comic in 3 days.
In any case, while I entered the story excited but wary, I leave with nothing but rave reviews. For anyone with a taste for the supernatural and looking for something new, look no further. I guarantee an informative and thrilling look at a mythological world rarely seen outside its own culture. And quite a good procedural as well.
Admittedly, it was slow going at first. The initial stories seemed a little heavy-handed and unnecessarily flowery in their narration. The characters also seemed rather flat. The major driving force was really the mystery plot and the introduction of new and unfamiliar supernatural creatures. However, character development and narrative complexity started to build towards the middle of the volume with the flashback to Alexandra Trese's, the main character's, past. In many ways, the volume operates like any procedural on television. The initial stories are episodic and tie up nicely in twenty pages or so. Then, a significant antagonist is introduced that targets the protagonist personally, and the rest of the season follows this personal struggle. While the latter half really gives you a glimpse into the main character, the former half allows the reader a view of the world in which the character operates. It sets the stage and introduces us to the many minor characters that will play a pivotal role in the latter half. It is, for all intents and purposes, extravagant scene setting. And like a procedural, the stories are strangely addicting. I devoured this comic in 3 days.
In any case, while I entered the story excited but wary, I leave with nothing but rave reviews. For anyone with a taste for the supernatural and looking for something new, look no further. I guarantee an informative and thrilling look at a mythological world rarely seen outside its own culture. And quite a good procedural as well.
January 6, 2014
Fan-girling material! I can't wait to read the next books in the series. This komiks series is unique, compelling and easy to read.
October 11, 2015
Fucking awesome.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews