RUSSELL MOLINA is a Filipino children’s book author and graphic novelist.
Reflecting current Filipino realities and mirroring the local milieu and culture, his stories embrace a wide range of themes: From difficult issues like discrimination and apathy to real-life experiences like sibling rivalry and the reinvention of the family structure. With books like “Madyik Silya ni Titoy” (Titoy’s Magical Chair) and “Sampu Pataas, Sampu Pababa” (Ten Up, Ten Down), Molina has inspired children to conquer physical disabilities with a dose of creativity and imagination.
For his stories, he has won in numerous awards shows, including the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, The PBBY Salanga Writer’s Prize, The PBBY Alcala Illustrator’s Prize, the National Children’s Book Awards and the National Book Awards.
In 2022, he was awarded the lifetime achievement award, UMPIL’s Gawad Alagad ni Balagtas, in recognition of his contribution to children’s literature.
I admire Mikey Marchan's art style, especially in Sandali and Link. However, I felt that Sixty Six (Book 2) needed to have an art style that is quite closer to the first one, which includes distinguishable facial features and facial expressions. This second book, however, made it challenging for me to recognize the characters' faces despite how little the list of characters is. As for the story, I felt like it could've been longer, or perhaps some scenes could be stretched a bit longer since it only contained mostly fight scenes and a mini backstory.
Nagbalik si Mang Tino taglay ang sidhi ng paghihiganti sa ginawang pagpaslang ng mystery kids sa kaniyang aswang si Aura.
Napakalaki ng potensyal na maging liglig ng seryeng ito kung hindi binigay ang lahat ng kasagutan sa ikalawang libro.
Para sa akin, mas maganda kung pinatagal ang rebelasyon kung sino ang nasa likod ng sindikato, kung sino si Ella, at kung paano nagkaroon ng pambihirang kakayahan ang ating bida.
Pero ang lisensya sa aspetong iyon ay nararapat lang sa mga creator at iginagalang ko ang desisyon nila na paikutin sa panibagong axis ang istorya.
Mabilis pero may kirot pa rin ang pamamaalam ni Mang Tino. Nakakaexcite naman ang rebelasyon tungkol kay Ella.
Nakulangan pa rin ako sa book 2 na 'to ng Sixty Six. Parang ang kaunti ng nangyari. May mga nasagot na mga tanong na galing sa Book 1. Pero hindi pa rin malinaw ang lahat.
At saka parang hindi ko na alam kung saan patutungo ang kwento. Cliffhanger na naman ang ending pero hindi na ganong ka-impactful? Ah basta.
Ang pinakanagustuhan ko ay yung revelation, yung twist about sa isang karakter. Unpredictable 'yon. Naisalba nito para sa akin ang buong book 2. Okay rin ang paglalim ng conflict tungkol sa pamilya. Medyo intriguing na. Sana lang may mas lalim sa book 3.
Sa huli, kahit nagpalit ng illustrator, maganda pa rin naman ang mga guhit at ekspresyon ng mga karakter. May nabago lang sa itsura pero kuha pa rin naman ang kabuuan nila.
(Rating 3.5 rounded off to 4) Medyo nabitin ako sa kwento na parang minadali unlike sa Book 1. Maganda pa rin yung pagkakaguhit kagaya nung sa unang libro pero napansin ko lang na parang nag-iba yung hitsura nung kalaban?? In fact, parang pati yung bida nag-iba din.. mas mukha syang lolo sa naunang libro pero parang nasa 50s na lang sya dito sa ikalawa. Wala na din yung komedya pero baka sa susunod na mga libro ibalik din.. Plano ko pa ring ituloy ang pagbasa sa susunod na mga libro sa seryeng ito.
Ang ganda ng paggamit sa mga liham bilang aparato para magbukas at magsara ng mga foreshadowing.
Hihiramin ko ang linya ng kaibigan ko--may finality ang book 2. Puwedeng ito na ang wakas, puwede rin namang dugtungan pa.
Maganda rin ang pagtalakay sa serye sa usapin ng karalitaan, at bulok na sistema. Kung may maayos na trabaho sa Pilipinas para sa lahat, magiging OFW ba si Mang Tino?
May pagka-formulaic lang sa ilang bahagi gaya ng kapangyarihan na nakuha sa ibang dimensiyon. Karaniwang motif na ito sa fantasy fiction. May lungga sa "Alice Adventure's in Wonderland," sa ilalim din ng puno nagmula ang titan power sa "Attack on Titan."
Para akong nanunuod ng pelikula, lalo sa bahaging maaksyon. Sana ay maging pelikula ito.
I love the premise and the plot delivered! The vivid urban setting and nod to the past are on point (yes to the era of voice tapes, handwritten letters via airmail and party line). The comic art is perfect for both volumes. The twist had me gasping.
The underlying messages about aging, responsibility, loyalty and unconditional love are compelling and lingering. I would love to read more!
Left me with more questions instead of answers, which would've been great if there was a next book ready or in the works. Unfortunately, looking through the internet, the production seems to have gone quiet. Looking forward to it, though! Book 1 would still be a reco on my front.
I don't think the loop back around to his brother is necessary. But it's all good, super happy with it and really big sigh of sadness after i was done reading. What a precious superhero comic
Tulad ng naunang libro—maangas ang kuwento, magandang ilustrasyon, makatotohanang representasyon—pero ang pinagkaiba nito, mas solid ang mga tauhan. Mang Tino-Donat tandem, sakalam!
Book 2 had big revelations and it definitely had more action than the first book. It's gave more background on Mr. Tino's character, especially his love for his family. The chapter and story went by so fast but it is a good conclusion to ther story. I'm just not sure if there will be a thrid book since book 2 did leave on a cliffhanger.