Windmills: Bearings

by Josel Nicolas

A compilation of the first six issues of Josel Nicolas' series "Windmills," which he describes as a “slice-of-life autobiographical literary furry komik.” It also happens to be the first-ever graphic novel published by the University of Sto. Tomas Publishing House.

300 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Marguerite de Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Windmills: Bearings' is a rarity in the Filipino comics scene – brutally earnest, this foray into a young artist's psyche goes deep. If you're into introspective writing and bold art, give this a read.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given Josel's relative age when he first created the comics in this compilation, one naturally expects things to be a little raw and perhaps even half-baked. What you may not expect as a reader coming in blind is just how REAL this book is and how much of himself was invested into every panel. The honesty of the writing is what makes this book so impactful and that's further empowered by his often near-lyrical tone to how the characters talk about life and philosophy and the striking visual treatment that really embraces the uniqueness of the comic book medium.

The book is a hard read not because of how our Bear-tagonist can go on long tangents and almost wax poetic as he tries to process his life (or even the world at least), but more because it's such visceral storytelling that you can't help but lose yourself in the feelings of things. And that's not a bad thing at all - if anything, any creative work should aspire to move people the way this book does. That's just powerful.

[River Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Windmills: Bearings perfectly captures the sensation of keeping up with an old high school classmate you've lost touch exclusively through sporadic and one-sided Facebook posts, voyeuristically keeping tabs of their many successes and failings at a distance. And yet Nicholas' prose and digital pencil strokes grip you and pull you so oxymoronically and intimately close to each snapshot of his complicated and yet painfully relatable young adulthood, you find yourself laughing, crying, and mentally yelling at every panel. Very rarely does a comic artist and writer allow you to bear witness to not only their gradual maturity as a person, but also their maturity as a creator with every progressing issue of the book vastly improving on the last in such a way that enriches what came before and excites what may come after.

[Yana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is neither your typical comic book nor memoir — it’s both things at once. Josel Nicolas neither turns to fictional characters nor fictional events to entertain his audience. He bears himself through a bear character (pun intended) and shares coming-of-age struggles that are sure to strike a chord with its readers.

This is best taken bit by bit — no rush. It doesn’t even have to be read chronologically. You can jump to a random portion and it would still make sense. It also helps that the black and white illustrations are really detailed and pretty.

[inah ☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars :>

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Windmills: Bearings is a baring account of being/bearing-in-the-world that as the reference suggests, may call to mind Heidegger, but will just as soon slap you in the face with an Adam Sandler reference mid navel-gaze (do bears have navels?) just to keep you on your toes (bears do have toes.). A fresh, frenetic addition to the Pinoy komix canon, these Windmills are electric.