Since then, everyone has become dependent on the media. From gathering news on print, radio, and television to watching their favorite films and series, listening to various music, and reading their favorite books, they have a wide range of interests.
Let’s stick to comic books for now. Who hasn’t heard of Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Captain America, and the rest of Stan Lee’s well-known creations? Of course, everyone on the planet is aware of the situation. Let us now focus more on our local comics. How many Filipino teenagers know who created their all-time favorite Filipino comic heroes like Darna and Panday? Mars Ravelo and Carlo J. Caparas’ comics paved the way until the first half of the twentieth century.
Local comics, as well as all forms of media, have suffered greatly since the Philippines went under military control. It had an impact on the creativity and imaginative abilities of Filipino writers. Some choose to work abroad. It was the start of the end for local comic books. The good news is that some writers and graphic artists have rediscovered their courage to create and publish local comics.
Let us read and appreciate some of today’s local comic book publishers.
1. Avenida Books
Books written by Filipinos for the world. Avenida Books is an independent book publisher best known for publishing Trese by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, a popular local comic turned Netflix anime series. In addition to comics, they publish novels such as Bob Ong’s Si and 56. Avenida Books is a publisher of fiction, nonfiction, creative nonfiction, comics, and graphic novels.
You can buy all of their new releases on their website, myavenida.com, or on their Facebook page for more information.
2. Adarna House
Education and language promotion in the Philippines. This is one of Adarna House’s few missions to ensure that they are committed to developing such works for Filipinos. Their published works are suitable for both adults and children, as their products and services are aimed at children, parents, teachers, and day care workers.
Adarna House publishes board books, picture books, children’s and teachers’ reference books, coloring books, activity books, young adult novels, and comic books. Anino Comics is another imprint that they have.
The Si Janus Silang Series by Edgar Calabia Samar is published by Adarna House.
You can purchase their other published books and comics by visiting their website at adarna.com.ph and binge-reading the works of Pinoy local comic creators.
3. Pelikomiks Studios
Pelikomiks Studios published independently created horror, fantasy, and dark comedy comics in both Filipino and English. Pelikomiks is primarily made up of advertising industry artists and writers who share a common love of comics and a common dream: to preserve the cultural significance of local comics with the help of other local comic book creators. They need our support in resurrecting the local art form of comics.
Antingeros and Zombinoy are two of their best comic book series.
“To the young reader, please, support locally independent comic books, the writers, artists, illustrators and creators. That one act of picking up an issue and reading means you are already a part of us,” said Geonard Yleana, the founder of Pelikomiks Studios.
They currently have 16 issues of comics for PHP 1,000. To purchase their published works, go to their official Facebook page.
4. Nautilus Comics
Cast and Siglo are two comic books published by Nautilus Comics. They create and market graphic novels and comic books. One of their published comics is Arnold Arre’s graphic novel Halina Filipina.
They have a wide selection of comics to choose from that you will undoubtedly enjoy. You can see it for yourself by visiting their official Facebook page!
5. Chamber Shell Publishing
If you want to buy books and graphic novels by your favorite Filipino creators, you should consider purchasing them from Chamber Shell Publishing. Andong Agimat, After Eden, and Kalipay are some of the great releases from this publishing house, which aims to support local creators.
Simply go to their Facebook page and ask about their best comic releases!
6. Silaw Publishing
A small, creator-friendly independent publisher. When you read some of Silaw Publishing’s comic releases, it will undoubtedly brighten your day. They are the creators of the books Nang Mainlove Ako Sa Isang Sakristan, Cosmic Reaction, and You’re Doing Just Fine.
If you want to learn more about their published works, simply go to their Facebook page and look it up for yourself.
Quality takes precedence over quantity. It is past time for Filipino youths to recognize and appreciate our local comics. Now is also the time for publishers to focus more on publishing books that will influence and expose young people to the realism of Philippine society.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/myavenidaph/, https://www.facebook.com/adarnahouse/, https://www.facebook.com/pelikomiks/, https://www.facebook.com/NautilusComics/, https://www.facebook.com/chambershell/, https://www.facebook.com/silawpublishing/
