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Mga tagpo ng kawindangan, kaligayahan, at kamatayan.
143 pages
First published January 1, 2009
4 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Manix Abrera
59 books391 followersManuel “Manix” Abrera graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines–Diliman. He is the author of the daily comic strip Kikomachine Komix in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and the weekly webcomic News Hardcore in GMA News Online. He has currently authored twenty books and has won the National Book Awards for his wordless graphic novel 14, comics compilation News Hardcore, and comics compilation Kikomachine Komix 14: Alaala ng Kinabukasan. More of his works can be found at https://www.manixabrera.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 25, 2012
Very innovative piece of art. It's graphics but there are absolutely no words. Composed of 12 edgy short stories and characters that I've never seen in reading the first 4 books of the KikoMachine komiks series by a Filipino writer and komiks illustrator, Manix Abrera. Then the characters and illustration styles vary from one story to another. However, the mood is the same across the 12: edgy, tragicomic and even downright sad. The unifying themes are either existentialism or our being part of the vast universe. Imagine how you could depict those themes if you would not use words.
My favorite story is that of the young girl and the balloon. The girl and her mother are walking on a street full of people. The girl asks her mother to buy her a balloon. The mother gives in. Then a horde of people rushes in and the girl loses her mother. So, for the girl to see her mother, she puts her eyes on the balloon. However, she loses grip on the balloon string so it goes up up in the air. The girl enjoys what she sees through her eyes on the balloon. Because her body is blind, she walks and walks until she stumbles on her dead mother on the street. But she does not know that her mother is already dead so she excitedly tells her mother about what she is seeing in outer space. I will not tell you the last frame of the comics strip as it is the most heartbreaking frame that I've seen in any comics strips.
However, that's only one or two stories that I liked. I laughed in the one about the girl who is in the laboratory dissecting a frog but it is not as well-thought off as the story of the girl and the balloon. All the others are just okay teetering on being quite predictable and pointless. However, since you can finish this book in 30 minutes or less, there is no room really for boredom.
Thanks for another nice work, Manix Abrera. Thanks immensely to DC for lending me this book. Mabuhay ka!
My favorite story is that of the young girl and the balloon. The girl and her mother are walking on a street full of people. The girl asks her mother to buy her a balloon. The mother gives in. Then a horde of people rushes in and the girl loses her mother. So, for the girl to see her mother, she puts her eyes on the balloon. However, she loses grip on the balloon string so it goes up up in the air. The girl enjoys what she sees through her eyes on the balloon. Because her body is blind, she walks and walks until she stumbles on her dead mother on the street. But she does not know that her mother is already dead so she excitedly tells her mother about what she is seeing in outer space. I will not tell you the last frame of the comics strip as it is the most heartbreaking frame that I've seen in any comics strips.
However, that's only one or two stories that I liked. I laughed in the one about the girl who is in the laboratory dissecting a frog but it is not as well-thought off as the story of the girl and the balloon. All the others are just okay teetering on being quite predictable and pointless. However, since you can finish this book in 30 minutes or less, there is no room really for boredom.
Thanks for another nice work, Manix Abrera. Thanks immensely to DC for lending me this book. Mabuhay ka!
July 22, 2011
ewan ko kung kasama ba ito sa kategoryang babasahin, pero masasabi kong isa ito sa pinaka magandang graphic novel na nabasa o nakita ko, pwede mo ring sabihing kompaylesyon ito ng mga maiikling kwento.
12 ang titulo, doseng ewan na istorya, at ang malupet, ikaw ang mabibigay interpretasyon sa nakikita mo, ikaw ang bubuo ng kwento . Ang ibig sabihin kanya kanyang depinisyon kanya kanyang pakiwari at opinyon :)
Tinatawag nila itong silent komiks, kasi walang dialogue pero damang dama mo ang mga nakadrowing sa mga panel nito at ikaw na rin ang susupply ng sinasabi ng kwento. Tsaka full colored ito kaya madali kong maiinterpreta ang lahat. :)
*P.S. Ito ang inabangan kong libro ni Manix nung Komikon 2009, at pinapirmahan ko pa, ang masaklap ang pangit ng pagkakabind ng first publish books,at matapos ang salinsingang hiraman ayun luray-luray na sya at puro dahon na lang, ahaha. (may anunsyo naman ang visprint ukol sa pangit at di matibay na pagkabind ng libro, at sinabi nila na papalitan daw nila ito basta dalhin sa main office nila, eh ang siste, may autograph ung akin, sabi nila babalik nila ung autographed page di bale nalang . hahahaha!)
12 ang titulo, doseng ewan na istorya, at ang malupet, ikaw ang mabibigay interpretasyon sa nakikita mo, ikaw ang bubuo ng kwento . Ang ibig sabihin kanya kanyang depinisyon kanya kanyang pakiwari at opinyon :)
Tinatawag nila itong silent komiks, kasi walang dialogue pero damang dama mo ang mga nakadrowing sa mga panel nito at ikaw na rin ang susupply ng sinasabi ng kwento. Tsaka full colored ito kaya madali kong maiinterpreta ang lahat. :)
*P.S. Ito ang inabangan kong libro ni Manix nung Komikon 2009, at pinapirmahan ko pa, ang masaklap ang pangit ng pagkakabind ng first publish books,at matapos ang salinsingang hiraman ayun luray-luray na sya at puro dahon na lang, ahaha. (may anunsyo naman ang visprint ukol sa pangit at di matibay na pagkabind ng libro, at sinabi nila na papalitan daw nila ito basta dalhin sa main office nila, eh ang siste, may autograph ung akin, sabi nila babalik nila ung autographed page di bale nalang . hahahaha!)
August 18, 2024
این 2009ترین چیزیه که دیدم. شاید یک زمانی سبک و داستان هاش جالب به حساب میومدن، اما الان فقط یادآوری چیزهایین که اقواممون توی فیس بوک میذاشتن تا حس کنن مثل بقیه ن، ولی نبودن.
September 30, 2010
Kahit walang nag-sasalita rito, damang-dama mo 'to, pramis! Tila ipapasakay sa roller coaster ang mga emosyon mo-- iiyak ka, tatawa ka, magagalit ka, gugulong-gulong at mag-oover-da-bakod pa!
Pero hindi lang ito mga kwento ng lungkot at saya; may mga isyu rin gaya ng pag-ibig, pag-hahanap ng sarili, at pagiging kuntento. Minsa'y may elemento rin ito ng pantasya at alamat, pero halos lahat nito'y nag-mistulang napakatotoo sa'kin.
Sarap ulit-ulitin.
Pero hindi lang ito mga kwento ng lungkot at saya; may mga isyu rin gaya ng pag-ibig, pag-hahanap ng sarili, at pagiging kuntento. Minsa'y may elemento rin ito ng pantasya at alamat, pero halos lahat nito'y nag-mistulang napakatotoo sa'kin.
Sarap ulit-ulitin.
December 7, 2016
12 Silent Comics is a collection of, yes, twelve stories told in illustration-only panels. It is drawn by the brilliant Manix Abrera, author of the widely successful Kikomachine Komix.
Although the idea of a silent comics has a great potential, the stories themselves are serviceable, which is IMHO not worth the 500 Pesos you have paid for the book. The stories are either an existential trip or one that has a twist, often a tragic one at the end.
Silent Comics is nonetheless entertaining, especially if you are familiar with Kikomachine Komix humor, a fun read that you can finish in a couple of minutes.
Although the idea of a silent comics has a great potential, the stories themselves are serviceable, which is IMHO not worth the 500 Pesos you have paid for the book. The stories are either an existential trip or one that has a twist, often a tragic one at the end.
Silent Comics is nonetheless entertaining, especially if you are familiar with Kikomachine Komix humor, a fun read that you can finish in a couple of minutes.
May 6, 2024
These are very good stories, clearly told without words. This particular volume is mostly about life lessons
June 1, 2012
12 --- PG-13 , Bawal Kj, Bawal pa-deep, at bawal ang hindi mag-enjoy.
Unang komiks na nabasa ko mula kay Manix. Mahusay, mahusay , mahusay at napakahusay. Isang obra maestrang maituturing ang librong ito ni Manix na may titulong 12. Koleksyon ng labindalawang malulungkot na kwento ng kahangalan. Mala children's book na di-pambata ang tema. Siguradong kukulot ang utak ng sinomang bata na magtatangkang buklatin ito. At siguradong sasang-ayon sakin ang sinomang may muang ang magbabasa nito.
Sa totoo lang , parang hindi naman pagbabasa ang ginawa ko. Tinitigan ko lang ang mga larawan at inintinding mabuti ang bawat kilos at emosyon ng mga karakter sa bawat kwento. Dahil nga Silent Comics kung tawagin ang libro, parang storyboard tuloy ang kinalabasan. Iginuhit ni Master Manix ang bawat mahahalagang kilos ng mga karakter na sigurado namang maiintindihan ng mga gustong intindihin. At kapag naintindihan mo na, siguradong mag-eenjoy ka. Pramis yan.
Sa loob ng 30 minutes na nakasalampak sa tabi ng Filipiana shelves sa Fullybooked - Bonifacio High Street branch, pinagtyagaan kong basahin ang 12. Wala akong biniling libro, tambay lang talaga. Nasita pa nga ako kasi nakaharang yung paa ko sa daan, pero pagkaalis nung naninita, Ok na, salampak ulit sa sahig. Medyo natagalan nga ako gumawa dahil binubuod ko pa ang bawat kwento. Pero mas minabuti ko na lang na hindi sabihin dito para may thrill.
Kung balak mo mang buklatin ang 12, kelangan mo lang ihanda ang malalim mong pag-iisip, matibay na sikmura at wagas na ngiti.
Unang komiks na nabasa ko mula kay Manix. Mahusay, mahusay , mahusay at napakahusay. Isang obra maestrang maituturing ang librong ito ni Manix na may titulong 12. Koleksyon ng labindalawang malulungkot na kwento ng kahangalan. Mala children's book na di-pambata ang tema. Siguradong kukulot ang utak ng sinomang bata na magtatangkang buklatin ito. At siguradong sasang-ayon sakin ang sinomang may muang ang magbabasa nito.
Sa totoo lang , parang hindi naman pagbabasa ang ginawa ko. Tinitigan ko lang ang mga larawan at inintinding mabuti ang bawat kilos at emosyon ng mga karakter sa bawat kwento. Dahil nga Silent Comics kung tawagin ang libro, parang storyboard tuloy ang kinalabasan. Iginuhit ni Master Manix ang bawat mahahalagang kilos ng mga karakter na sigurado namang maiintindihan ng mga gustong intindihin. At kapag naintindihan mo na, siguradong mag-eenjoy ka. Pramis yan.
Sa loob ng 30 minutes na nakasalampak sa tabi ng Filipiana shelves sa Fullybooked - Bonifacio High Street branch, pinagtyagaan kong basahin ang 12. Wala akong biniling libro, tambay lang talaga. Nasita pa nga ako kasi nakaharang yung paa ko sa daan, pero pagkaalis nung naninita, Ok na, salampak ulit sa sahig. Medyo natagalan nga ako gumawa dahil binubuod ko pa ang bawat kwento. Pero mas minabuti ko na lang na hindi sabihin dito para may thrill.
Kung balak mo mang buklatin ang 12, kelangan mo lang ihanda ang malalim mong pag-iisip, matibay na sikmura at wagas na ngiti.
September 6, 2012
12 is a collection of twelve wordless stories in comic book form. Since all you have are images, this is a book you can read in one sitting, and the kind you can share to a wider audience. The collection, like most short story collections, does not stick to a single genre, mood, or emotion (funny, sad, existential, horrifying, just plain weird); this makes the stories unpredictable. One of the stories here won the grand prize (but was disqualified for getting published before the results were announced) in the recently concluded 3rd Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards, sponsored by Neil Gaiman. It’s one of the most heartbreaking stories I’ve ever read, and there aren’t even any words. Brilliant.
June 5, 2019
It's amazing how Manix can tell a multitude of stories without using any words. 12 narrates the lives of 12 individuals as they go through their normal (and not so normal) routine.
August 24, 2024
Book 20 in 2024:
No words, but each story took me to different dimensions. Too many emotions/moods in one sitting: the book is hilarious, but also morose; magical and grotesque, but also hits you on a personal level. One story that spoke to me is about the solitary man who grew up deeply bored about his lonely life. Cue in Snow Patrol: “what if this is all the love you ever get?… What if it hurts like hell, then it'll hurt like hell”
No words, but each story took me to different dimensions. Too many emotions/moods in one sitting: the book is hilarious, but also morose; magical and grotesque, but also hits you on a personal level. One story that spoke to me is about the solitary man who grew up deeply bored about his lonely life. Cue in Snow Patrol: “what if this is all the love you ever get?… What if it hurts like hell, then it'll hurt like hell”
June 19, 2011
Is 'read' really the right verb for this? Maybe 'saw'.. haha XD
For me, letting the readers interpret each panel is fun and amusing.
For me, letting the readers interpret each panel is fun and amusing.
January 14, 2016
I enjoyed this wordless collection of 12 bizarre short stories, which I'm kind of at a loss to describe. The stories are told mostly in pages of nine panels, and Manix Abrera shows that he has a good grasp of visual story-telling. The art isn't super detailed, but the characters are cute, and Abrera manages to communicate a lot mostly through his cartoons' eyes/eyebrows and body language. Abrera has an odd, slightly morbid sense of humor, and several of these stories include death or weird protrusions or eyeballs where there aren't supposed to be eyeballs.
As a bonus, I thought the story in which the father and daughter each take off one chinela (slipper in Tagalog, since Manix Abrera is Filipino) to try to kill a bug, was pretty funny.
As a bonus, I thought the story in which the father and daughter each take off one chinela (slipper in Tagalog, since Manix Abrera is Filipino) to try to kill a bug, was pretty funny.
December 23, 2011
It took me a year before I got a copy of this. As usual, pa-deep, creepy, lots of dark humor and ill-fated love affairs at the right dose of everything. Just as expected from Manix Abrera. Absolutely nice!
May 20, 2013
KAHIT MAHAL TINIIS KO MABASA KO LANG TO. Worth reading! sosyal yung papel, may kulay pa! Rak en rol
April 7, 2025
Filipino comics artist Manix Abrera's 12 features (well, look at that) twelve wordless stories featuring his blobby, but expressive characters, all heading, it seems, towards a darkly comical ending. While some are merely bittersweet or ironic observations, most take a surreal turn, especially in the back half of the book, making the most of the medium's wide canvas. Nevertheless, one of my favorites is "1", an existentialist piece where a character is searching for an answer to his questions, and in finding one, only creates more questions for others. Illumination seems to be a personal process. The way Abrera uses comics language in that strip is magical, and only bettered by the "9"'s use of the thought bubble to manifest an imaginary boyfriend. The simplicity of the caricatures is misleading. This is a very complex and subtle work, even if some of the punchlines are brutally savage.
September 12, 2023
[12 - Manix Abrera → ☆☆☆.5]
Strisce tragicomiche che ritraggono momenti di quotidianità che hanno in comune personaggi stilizzati, entità e oggetti umanizzati e la totale assenza di dialoghi.
Ero curioso di leggere un fumetto filippino e in generale amo molto i racconti muti che fanno affidamento sulla sola componente grafica. Nel complesso una raccolta che funziona, con un livello di assurdità variabile da racconto a racconto ma sempre piacevole.
Strisce tragicomiche che ritraggono momenti di quotidianità che hanno in comune personaggi stilizzati, entità e oggetti umanizzati e la totale assenza di dialoghi.
Ero curioso di leggere un fumetto filippino e in generale amo molto i racconti muti che fanno affidamento sulla sola componente grafica. Nel complesso una raccolta che funziona, con un livello di assurdità variabile da racconto a racconto ma sempre piacevole.
July 31, 2019
Silent comics are interesting, and Manix made it an amazing experience.
It gives the readers the chance to say something about the material through their imaginations.
The Filipino context is so accurate that you can't help but laugh at its accuracy.
Silence gave greater depth to this work.
Manix Abrera is a great artist.
It gives the readers the chance to say something about the material through their imaginations.
The Filipino context is so accurate that you can't help but laugh at its accuracy.
Silence gave greater depth to this work.
Manix Abrera is a great artist.
October 20, 2025
Did I read it or see it? Twelve wordless, delightfully weird short stories. Simple art, strong visual storytelling, and a dark, morbid sense of humor. The format allows the readers to interpret each panel, creating a playful, engaging experience.
Actual rating: 3.5 odd stars!
Special thanks to Book Nook at The Podium.
Actual rating: 3.5 odd stars!
Special thanks to Book Nook at The Podium.
November 11, 2025
12 is a powerful collection of twelve wordless stories that explore life, death, love, and the strange beauty of everyday moments through hauntingly expressive art. It’s a quiet yet deeply emotional read that proves silence can speak louder than words. Full review to be posted on my blog: bongbongbooks.wordpress.com
May 11, 2024
Twelve perfectly serviceable silent comics but also twelve unremarkable ones. Nothing really stands out. Writing silent comics is way more difficult than it sounds as you only have your panel to panel art to tell the story.
July 22, 2019
3.5 odd stars!
February 6, 2023
Walang salita, pero ang daming emosyon.
March 8, 2023
Synopsis:
September 9, 2023
Sa wakas nabasa ko na rin ‘to!! Love to see this side of my favorite artist! Ang lupit, nakakagulat, at very tragic. Ang bitin lang kaya I’m so excited to open 14 wooooh!
September 28, 2023
So these ended up being mostly unpleasant. Not my kind of thing.
Want to read
December 14, 2023good
December 30, 2024
Creepy, grotesque and a little bit wonderful. I love it!
February 8, 2025
12 individual stories that are all ok but aren’t remarkable.
January 18, 2016
After "reading" and reviewing Light by Rob Cham, I started thinking about this book again, as well as 14. Because while I did enjoy Light, it didn't grip or impress me as much as these other two silent comics have. I wondered what exactly was it about them that amazed me, and I also realized that I didn't have a review for 12 yet, so I reread it. And here are some reasons I've concluded as to why I love it so much:
1. Novelty. I've never read any silent comics prior to this. Certainly there must have been similar stuff done before, but I believe this is the first major actual book of its kind made by a well-known author/artist in the Philippines, but I'm not too sure. Regardless, it's the first one I've heard of, so it was definitely new to me and I was easily impressed and fascinated by this style.
2. Manix Abrera. I guess the fact that I've been a fan of Kikomachine Komix, and Manix himself, for years is a major factor too. Everything I love about his work — pa-deep, philosophical, witty, creepy, bittersweet, weird humor — is all in here, and done without words.
3. Stories. I know some people prefer one big story rather than several short ones, but I think that collections like this offer more variety and leaves more things open for interpretation. If you didn't like a story, there are several others and surely at least one of them will be of some interest to you. I personally enjoy little vignettes like these that Manix does, so I enjoyed the many stories. I think he really excels in short format which is why his comic strips are such hits. Though I would still be interested to see him do some longer stories, like a full graphic novel, or series even. (Unless he already has and I'm just not aware of it.)
4. Execution. After reading Light, I really have a much better appreciation of the way Manix Abrera tells his stories visually. I'm not saying that Rob Cham didn't do a good job, because he did. I just personally like the way Manix does it more. With his incredibly simple art style (every person is just a silhouette with only small details to differentiate them from others, and there are a lot of blank backgrounds with subtle gradients & shadows), he still manages to convey emotions with distinct facial features, show the passing of time through repetition and alternation, and make the characters believable (even in unrealistic situations) with little nuances.
Lastly, I just want to share my personal favorite story from this collection. After rereading it, I realized that, though I love some more than others, there isn't a single story I didn't enjoy. But there is one story that really stands out and has stuck with me ever since the first time I read it about five or six years ago, and that is Story #8: the girl with the balloon. I still think about it every now and then.
I know that this is a long review and it sounds like I'm exaggerating or over-analyzing this, and maybe I am, but I just really wanted to share my appreciation for Manix Abrera and his craft. If you haven't read this yet, you should give it a try, though I hope I didn't overhype it for you!
1. Novelty. I've never read any silent comics prior to this. Certainly there must have been similar stuff done before, but I believe this is the first major actual book of its kind made by a well-known author/artist in the Philippines, but I'm not too sure. Regardless, it's the first one I've heard of, so it was definitely new to me and I was easily impressed and fascinated by this style.
2. Manix Abrera. I guess the fact that I've been a fan of Kikomachine Komix, and Manix himself, for years is a major factor too. Everything I love about his work — pa-deep, philosophical, witty, creepy, bittersweet, weird humor — is all in here, and done without words.
3. Stories. I know some people prefer one big story rather than several short ones, but I think that collections like this offer more variety and leaves more things open for interpretation. If you didn't like a story, there are several others and surely at least one of them will be of some interest to you. I personally enjoy little vignettes like these that Manix does, so I enjoyed the many stories. I think he really excels in short format which is why his comic strips are such hits. Though I would still be interested to see him do some longer stories, like a full graphic novel, or series even. (Unless he already has and I'm just not aware of it.)
4. Execution. After reading Light, I really have a much better appreciation of the way Manix Abrera tells his stories visually. I'm not saying that Rob Cham didn't do a good job, because he did. I just personally like the way Manix does it more. With his incredibly simple art style (every person is just a silhouette with only small details to differentiate them from others, and there are a lot of blank backgrounds with subtle gradients & shadows), he still manages to convey emotions with distinct facial features, show the passing of time through repetition and alternation, and make the characters believable (even in unrealistic situations) with little nuances.
Lastly, I just want to share my personal favorite story from this collection. After rereading it, I realized that, though I love some more than others, there isn't a single story I didn't enjoy. But there is one story that really stands out and has stuck with me ever since the first time I read it about five or six years ago, and that is Story #8: the girl with the balloon. I still think about it every now and then.
I know that this is a long review and it sounds like I'm exaggerating or over-analyzing this, and maybe I am, but I just really wanted to share my appreciation for Manix Abrera and his craft. If you haven't read this yet, you should give it a try, though I hope I didn't overhype it for you!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews