I get it.

I wasn't all too sure what the fuss was about when Jeph Loeb began his run on Hulk, except that he made a Red Hulk (now called Rulk, he he) and seemed to be playing a whodunit-type of plot, with a lot of violence and a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor. What I saw a lot of were comments from a lot of fans upset with the new approach, that it was lousy, sloppy, and below par when it came to the Hulk franchise.

Really? I like it.

It's actually a brilliant break from all the brooding, epic, semi-tragic plotlines we often get with the Hulk. Most see the Hulk as a character that's supposed to suffer, that the Hulk is supposed to be this perpetually persecuted character hobbled by idiocy and a conscience that literally is a separate entity. What I think Loeb is trying to do is inject some of the classic fun that comic books used to represent before everything got all dark and broody. The cute cartoons at the back reinforce that. They're poking fun at the hulk while at the same time paying tribute.

I've read the first 10 issues and it's actually quite fun to watch the action unfold. The whodunits, the humor, the art (which is wonderful), gives this book a look that insists that it is not Bill Bixby's hulk. Everything's too bright and well lit for it to be dramatic.

I think one of the reasons for the whole feeling of being let down was this Hulk seems to have gone back to the "hulk smash" hulk, which is just so, well, three decades ago. The Worldbreaker of Planet Hulk and World War Hulk was more like it, a grumpy monster with a mind of his own (interestingly, the Worldbreaker was also in some sort of agreement with Banner). But, with these later issues, it's clear Loeb is fully aware that there are several Hulks out there, and it seems like he's intersested in using every single one. Again, this sounds like fun to me.

The humor and hijinks of the first 10 issues are beginnings. Loeb obviously has some big idea brewing in the background. He actually reminds me of another author who turned the hulk into something different during his run. That hulk then was fun and funny. The name Peter David ring any bells?

I'm going to follow this because he's going somewhere with this. And while it may piss off the purists, I'm rooting for him. Because even the Hulk deserves a laugh.

Making Comics

I've written a couple of times about comics and it is pretty obvious that I am an avid reader. I've recently started writing some, in the hopes of it being published someday. I don't want to go into self-promotion here, especially since there's still nothing finished to talk about. I just want to talk about going through the process.

It's actually a lot of work, putting everything together. I have enormous respect for the sheer drive and energy comic book creators have in getting their stories out there. As someone who's just learning about it now, I am sometimes overwhelmed by the amount of things that need to be done. A comic book is a product of a hell of a lot of work. But, that said, it's also thrilling, to be creating something very different, something fun. And I guess that's part of what keeps some creators going, especially when the wall hits and you have nothing in you but a need to finish.

Hat's off to all of you out there.

Also, I just saw some of the script for Watchmen (which I've written about earlier). And, just for fun, here's the script for the first PANEL of the first page of the first issue.

Nuts, right? I used to think so until I started writing my own stuff. Sometimes, a panel will really just demand that much attention. And it helps if you're a crazy brilliant writer like Alan Moore.

I'm thrilled right now because my project seems to be pushing forward. I just saw the first draft of the concept character art and I'm just so thrilled to be seeing them come to life, beyond what I see in my imagination. They'll still be tweaked, of course, but just the idea of it becoming real boggles my mind.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

By the way, the dinosaur comic on top is from www.qwantz.com. Its called...Dinosaur Comics, what, you thought it would be anything else?

Martial Law Babies

Martial Law is something most people know only as an abstraction, a possibility. In the case of the Philippines, Martial Law is also a marker of an entire generation. Thanks to President Marcos, we had eleven years of Martial Law, enough time for an entire generation to be born and grow up.

I was one of those born during that period. And now, another one of my ilk, graphic novelist Arnold Arre, has written what can be seen as an anthem in honor of those born in those years. It's a poignant book, dealing with the pains and joys of growing up. And, upon reading it, I kept running into characters who were eerily close to people I know in real life.

For people born in later years, the whole thing can seem incomprehensible, with references to things they may have never heard of. To me, that's exactly why it works. What makes it particularly touching for me is that he sees growing up from my own point of view, as someone born during that time.

I recommend it, not only for the Voltes 5 generation, but for people wondering how our times shape us, and how we gain an identity not only as individuals, but as a generation.

What would younger readers find in the book? Perhaps a look into Gen X, grown up. What happened when the children of the Baby Boomers finally entered the real world? It is hilarious and sad, as is real life. Arnold's art in this one is in turns whimsical and touching, for some reason his characters can convey emotion very well, despite their decidedly cartoonish appearances.




Oh, no monsters, wizards, robots, or anything else like that in this one. Good stories rarely need gimmicks to make them a good read.



At P 500.00 for a really thick book, it's a bargain. You can check out www.martiallawbabies.com for more details on it and on how to get it.

And no, I didn't get paid to do this. It really is that good.

Trese

I'm very proud to say that, at some time in my life, my path crossed with Budgette Tan's, creator of horror/fantasy comic Trese. Sure, it was college and I'm not sure he still remembers me (why would he?) it is still a thrill to see someone finally succeed in what is a true passion. Needless to say, he deserves every piece of recognition he gets.

The comic, to say the least, is incredible. Budgette has definitely grown into his style. Budgette, together with Kajo Baldisimo's excellent art, has turned Manila into the place we all suspect it is, filled with magic and the supernatural. They both bring a cosmopolitan sophistication to what could easily a tired genre. Who hasn't read a horror story or watched a horror movie with manananggals, kapre, tikbalang, etc?

And yet, in their expert hands, these traditional, mythical creatures become new and exciting. They've moved out of their trees and shadows and insinuate themselves in almost every aspect of our lives. Tikbalang now influence the economy. Elementals run huge conglomerates. It begins to sound too ridiculous, and yet, Budgette and Kajo handle things so well, we never question it.

At a certain level, I tend to agree with their stories. Who among us Filipinos haven't heard of stories relating to duende and the like? To me, they aren't so far-fetched.

Darna - Trese style

I've known that Budgette has tried several times to start a serious comic industry in the Philippines. After all, we have shown a love of them; just think of Darna (who actually made a -sort of- appearance in one of his stories), Captain Barbell, and those fantaseryes that populate prime time viewing these days. It has not been easy, but I am so glad he persevered.

Congratulations, Budgette and Kajo. You deserve more readers.

The Goddamned Batman

I haven't written anything in a long time, partially because I didn't feel like there was a point to this blog. Honestly. To have a blog to just explore my more...literary inclinations seemed to be height of human hubris.

Hah. So, why am I writing now?

Batman. The Goddamned Batman, to be exact. The whole bruhaha that Mr. Miller has caused by writing All Star Batman and Robin.

It seems like so many people are complaining about how the caped crusader is portrayed by Mr. Miller, that it seems like such a departure from his version of Batman in the now-classic Dark Knight Returns. These same people probably have not read their copies in a while.

Miller's All-Star Batman is the same Batman as the Dark Knight. Exactly the same. Sadistic, slightly off his rocker, cocky as hell with his own ability. It's just more obvious when the guy is not pushing fifty and the weaknesses aren't as glaring. What do we really expect from a man who has trained obsessively since childhood and decides that a rodent costume is the perfect means by which he could scare criminals? He's nuts, and thank goodness.

It seems like few people actually understood Miller's vision of Batman when the earlier (now classic) books came out. Miller has remained true to his interpretation of the character, its our understanding of them that has changed. Decades of Batmen, reinvented, re-written, re-imagined, have been placed in between The Dark Knight and All Star Batman. And, apparently, it's colored the viewpoints of those who read (and even review) comics.

Personally, Miller's Batman was always the most interesting of the various versions out there. At least the guy enjoyed what he was doing.

Miller's hilarious send-up of common Bat-conventions and his decidedly skewed point of view of other heroes should be welcome in an industry that has suffered terribly from its own obsession with reinvention.

Thanks, Frank for a great set. Looking forward to more.