KA-BLOG!

Another KOMIKON has come and gone... and it was a blast! It was a lot roomier this time around, the tables weren't packed so close to each other. I don't know if it's because there were less exhibitors or not.

From the time the doors opened until about lunchtime, there weren't that many people. Bong, Dodo and I were contemplating if it was a bad sign. But after 1pm, people started coming, and soon after the place was packed! I think it's safe to say that more people went this year than the last.

Sales (komiks-wise) were also better this time around. Maybe it's due to the fact that we were selling more titles than last year. Our bestseller, of course, was the MARVELOUS KOMIKS preview, followed by ASKALS. I sold more MASKARADO titles this time around, but I guess that was due to the discounted price. The Ravelos also sold some merchandising stuff like pins and shirts.

Our MARS RAVELO Character displays got a good reaction from the crowd, most of them asking when the titles are coming out. Hopefully next year! (Pressure, Dodo!) I guess we've fulfilled the purpose of joining the Komikon, and that's to get people excited about these classic characters again. I was amused by one person who asked why we copied the Captain Barbell costume used by GMA 7. We quickly pointed out that we were the original designers and not the other way around.

We were joking around that maybe we should do manga to attract young girls, since most people asking around our booth were mostly guys in their 30s. hehe.

One guy with his girlfriend was looking at the MASKARADO komiks I had on display,and asked if this was the same Maskarado that was published in Tempo before. It always makes me happy taht some people still remember Maskarado from his original incarnation.

Komiks creators who came to visit us were Gerry Alanguilan, Edgar Tadeo, Jonas Diego, Jac Ting Lim, Randy Valiente, Budjette Tan, Andrew Drilon, KC Cordero, Tobie Abad, Ner Pedrina, Gilbert Monsanto and so many others that it would be difficult for me to name them all. Komiks historian Orvy Jundis also dropped by for a bit. Thanks for the support, guys! Special thanks also go to Budjette for giving me free copies of TRESE and to KC for giving me a complimentary copy of FILIPINO KOMIKS. And to Tobie Abad, too, who gave me a CD copy of his DILIMAN. Much appreciated, guys!

As always, Ka-jo Baldisimo never ceases to amaze me. I was milling around their table and got to see him do a TRESE sketch with a brush pen. It was awesome, not to mention fast!

I got to do some sketches of my own, I did around five, I think. Two Maskarados and three Captain Barbells. Sketching on the spot is always difficult for me to do. Nakaka-conscious. I'm sorry if the sketches turned out scratchy, guys! Bong also did some sketches, too.

Another young creator who has impressed me is Josel Nicolas. Watch out for more things from this young man.

I don't have any pics, because I'm a bit lazy when it comes to taking photos. You can mill around the 'net for photos taken by other people, though.

All in all, a satisfying experience. Hopefully, next year will continue the trend set by the first two KOMIKONs.

Ugaliing magbasa ng Pinoy Komiks!