It was good feeling getting to see a filled up and buzzing Bayanihan Center on October 27 for the 2012 Komikon. From outside the main hall to its four corners—you had stacks, shelves and tables full of comics—independent ones, ones put out by local publishers and big time established titles. There were creators, artists, inkers, writers, publishers and fans wall to wall, all celebrating their love for comics.

Komikon is just one of many local comic events held every year in Manila for the fans and creators. Though Iloilo will have its first Comic Con a month from now.

I wandered happily through the rows and rows of comics. I saw titles like Boy Ipis,Zombinoy,Ambush and Cube and Bouncy.And found old staples and favorites like Gerry Alanguilan’s Elmer, and Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldismo’s award winning Trese. I was glad to see David Hontiveros still at it with his newest title, A Vision of Dust. Apol Sta. Maria of Alamat ng Panget also came out with his limited edition comics.

I was able to score a copy of Trese 5 prior to its National Bookstore launch on November 10. Fans of the series will like it as it offers something a bit different—instead of a collection of ‘one of’ episodes, Trese 5 collects chapters in a story arc involving characters from the past. Maliksi the Tikbalang and his clan make are return, and by the looks of it, you can expect him back in Trese 6.

Also, Trese encounters an adversary who may not so easily defeated with spells and quick calls to her otherworldly allies.

Needles to say, Budjette and Kajo have done an amazing job again.

As I’m typing this, news and reports about Frankenstorm a.k.a. Sandy has ended up taking up a backseat to the story of Mickey Mouse going shopping and buying Lucasfilm to the merry tune of 4.05 billion dollars. Disney is set on producing Star Wars 7, 8, 9 and beyond. Star Wars 7 is supposedly scheduled for 2015. Industrial Light and Magic, Skywalker Sound and the Indiana Jones franchise are also part of the deal. The Mouse (a.k.a. Disney) also recently bought Marvel for 4 billion dollars as well. Forget SHIELD, it’s Mickey who’s the real boss of The Avengers.

So Leia is now a Disney Princess, you can now sing, when you wish upon a Death Star, Mickey and Darth rule the galaxy and I think even if we wanted to, we can’t escape. That’s quite a tractor beam Disney has.

To think he already owns Jack Sparrow. Oh to shop like that mouse.

Again, lots of films opening this week but the one I want to see really badly is Skyfall (new James Bond film). Six Degrees of Lilia Cuntapay sounds interesting. I feel bad I have not gotten around to Looper or Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles.

Belated Happy Halloween everyone!