World Comic Book Review

18th March 2024

Doorkeeper (Review)

Doorkeeper Summit Books, November 2017 Writers: Ethan Chua, Scott Lee Chua This is an interesting fantasy comic written by Ethan Chua and Scott Lee Chua, both from the Philippines. Any reader who is familiar with Neil Gaiman’s influential and groundbreaking Sandman comic book series (1989-1993) will look at the Doorkeeper and see similarities between the … Read more

Zsazsa Zaturnnah’s Marvelous Adventure (Review)

Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah
Self-Published (2002)/Visual Print Enterprises, 2004 (Graphic Novel)
Author: Carlo Vergara

Carlo Vergara’s “Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah” (in English, “Zsazsa Zaturnnah’s Marvelous Adventure”) was originally released as a two-part, independently-published miniseries in 2002, before being picked up later by Philippine book publisher Visual Print Enterprises and re-released as a trade paperback graphic novel to a much wider audience. The comic attracted attention from mainstream media and built a big enough fanbase to warrant a live-action film and theater adaptation.

“Zsazsa Zaturnnah” is a spoof of a classic Filipino superhero named “Darna”. A blatant amalgamation of influences from Fawcett Comics’ Captain Marvel (this character is the subject of litigation for ten years in the 1940s and 1950s over allegations that it was a copy of Superman) and DC’s Wonder Woman, “Darna” is a poverty-stricken, crippled young woman who, upon swallowing a small stone that fell from outer space, turns into an adult superheroine with inhuman strength, speed, powers of flight, and metal cuff bracelets that can deflect bullets or energy projectiles.

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Forged from the Heavens: Ang Panday

Ang Panday
Atlas Publishing, March 13, 1979
Writer: Carlo J. Caparas

“Ang Panday” (lit. “The Blacksmith”), which first appeared as one of the serials in the Filipino weekly comic book anthology “Pilipino Komiks” in 1979, is the definitive Filipino comic book hero. The property has become a household name among Filipinos – even those who have not read the original comic – owing to a series of film adaptations that starred the late Fernando Poe Jr. (Mr Poe Jr was an influential actor whose popularity was enough to almost win the 2004 Philippines Presidential elections.)

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Swine Before Pearls: Pugad Baboy

Pugad Baboy
May 15, 1988 – Jun 4, 2013
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Author: Pol Medina, Jr.

Pol Medina Jr.’s “Pugad Baboy” (lit. “Pig’s Nest”) is one of the most successful comic strips in the Philippines in terms of revenue and influence. The series started in one of the country’s established daily broadsheets, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, on May 18, 1988. It gained enough popularity to warrant a successful line of merchandise, yearly compilations, full-sized comic book spin-offs, and even a star-studded live action TV series (which, unfortunately, failed to see commercial success).

The comic strip is set in a fictional Filipino community, with focus revolving around several families:

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