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By Kayla Mariz Jurado, Special to The Manila
Times
Without him we would have no Panday, Joaquin
Bordado, Kamandag, Bakekang, Totoy Bato, Andres de Saya and Angela
Markado. He has given us a blacksmith-turned-swashbuckling hero, a
comical henpecked husband, an oppressed ugly
duckling-cum-triumphant-stage-mother and so much more. His comic
books have become movies, television series. His works are
masterpieces of Pinoy pop literature, without which our culture
would be much less.
Sagisag Balagtas Awardee Carlo J. Caparas, once
derided as the “Massacre Director” for his formulaic films
during the 1980s, returns to the medium where he is most sublime—Komiks.
Just as Hollywood’s most compelling films in
recent years have been based on comic book characters ,so too have
our the Philippine’s most inspired fantasy television derived
their narrative from graphic novelists such as Caparas. Now, the man
is once again churning fresh new material from which our pop culture
can source exciting new stories.
Komiks has made its way again to catch the
attention of readers, of all ages. Komiks have different published
works daily: Klasik Komiks comes every Monday and Friday. Super
Funny Komiks will make your Wednesdays go crazy. Thursday brings a
thrilling action-packed Gwapo Komiks.
Each issue has six or more stories inside. The
front cover shows the main story of the day and serves as a teaser
for the readers to read more. Not all stories are by Caparas. The
man has pooled similarly-inspired writers to provide freshness and
variety. Similarly, a talented collection of artists lovingly
illustrate their stories.
Like the telenovelas and soap operas they
inspire, komiks possess compelling stories with cliffhanger endings.
You can’t help but buy the next issue to find out what happens
next.
An original of Caparas is Hiwaga ng Cadena de
Amor with Beth Rivera as his guest writer. The story is about the
mysterious man who shows himself in the balcony every night to the
woman of the house or to lady visitors only.
Since most of the stories tackle serious
conflicts, the issues have icebreakers at the middle part of the
comic book, funny interludes that provide a refreshing change in
pace.
Another story is Iknok written by Danny Ocampo.
It is about a boy named Iknok, a naughty, but witty boy who lives
with his grandparents. He gets out of any trouble, and thinks fast
of what he should do and how to do things. In publication for over a
dozen, it never failes to make its readers laugh.
In Andres de Saya, the man of the house is
browbeaten by his wife and yet loves her nonetheless.
Most of the stories are on a family setting. In
Pagkislap ng mga Tala, a daughter criess with loneliness, having
been separated from her mother after father takes up with another
woman and her family.
Other stories are more fantastic. Elastika and
Tintona are original Filipino superheroes. Caparas’ monster Kroko
predates Godzilla.
From action, to fantasy to drama to comedy,
there’s something for everyone in Komiks. Read them and know what
happens next to the future of Pinoy pop literature.
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