Comic Book Signing, March 15, 2014!

I’ll be having a comic book signing this coming Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Comic Odyssey, Robinson’s Galleria from 1-4pm. The signing is specially for the Philippine release of the SLG Edition of “Where Bold Stars Go To Die“, but please feel free to bring any or all comic books I’ve worked on and I’ll sign them all, no limits! I’ll sign it even if it’s already signed! I’ll sign it even if it’s by Rob Liefeld! (If you want).

I’m currently raising funds for the printing of my next book “Rodski Pototski: Ang Dalagang Baby” (for release at Summmer Komikon on April 12), so there will be a few things I will be offering for sale.

I won’t talk about the Wasted Box Set anymore because sorry guys, it’s all sold out! But thanks to everyone who reserved a box. It’s very much appreciated! As previously mentioned, 20 of those things will ever be made, and I’m saying right now not all of those 20 boxes will be available on March 15. We’re trying for 10 boxes. I will get in touch with you soon if you will get yours on March 15, or on Summer Komikon.

I’m also bringing original inked comic book art from Avengers, Indestructible Hulk, and various other books I’ve worked on. I will be offering a lot of the pages for less than the usual price. So I would only ask that no discounts are asked for anymore. To be honest, I’ve never liked discounts on artwork. I feel it devalues me and my work. And it develops hard feelings in me every time I see you. And if you never asked for a discount, you will have my goodwill forever! I’m just being honest. I could go on about it, but maybe another time. Look for my assistant Zara in the store. She’ll be handling all the original art sales. Thanks in advance!!

See you guys Saturday!

EVENT PAGE at FACEBOOK!

Bold Star, Elmer

“Where Bold Stars Go To Die“, a comic book I wrote that my late friend Arlan Esmeña illustrated was finally published in the US via SLG Publishing. If you’re in the US or anywhere outside the Philippines, you can just order it directly from the SLG website here. If you’re in the Philippines, this edition is being sold by Comic Odyssey. It will be available February 26. After February 26, you can just buy it from their stores in Robinson’s Galleria, Fully Booked at the Fort, Greenhills and Robinson’s Malate.

Since this is published by SLG Publishing, I don’t control the stocks of it so I myself don’t have copies to sell. You won’t be able to buy them directly from me. It will be a bit more expensive than the Komikero Publishing edition, which has since been sold out. Content wise, there’s very little difference. The new edition has a new pinup by Harvey Tolibao and an Arlan Esmeña tribute, but that’s it. Format wise, I actually have no idea yet how different it is with regards to printing and paper. I will know only when my complimentary copies arrive.

I will be having a Bold Star book signing at Comic Odyssey, Robinson’s Galleria on March 15. I will also bringing a lot of original artwork with me, plus a surprise release (more details soon). This is to raise funds for the printing of Rodski for Summer Komikon on April 12.

I will most likely reprint Bold Stars through Komikero Publishing later in the year. I’ve written a lot about the book on this blog.

Serge Ewenczyk, my French publisher of ELMER sent me this image:

Now I don’t know what it says, but it seems to be a feature/review of Elmer in a French chicken magazine. He seems to have found this very amusing for some reason.

On Inking, Bold Stars and Rodski

I’ve been inking comics professionally now for like well, since 1995. You would think I’d get tired of it, bit I’m honestly not. Admittedly, there was a time that I quit. This was back in 2005. That was not because I didn’t like to ink anymore, but because I wanted to expand my creativity to other things. In that break I did things like Humanis Rex, Timawa, and most specially ELMER. I’m really proud of Elmer. I still can’t believe I actually did that, and I still can’t believe all the doors that thing opened.

I’m back to inking but now I’ve made an extra effort to continue doing my own stuff. That’s why there’s “Where Bold Stars Go To Die” and there’s “Rodski Patotski: Ang Dalagang Baby”. It’s been very difficult juggling inking and the other things, but I can’t help it now. I just have to do it.

Speaking of “Bold Stars”, it was picked up by SLG Publishing, the same publishing company that published ELMER internationally. It can now be ordered here. If your local comics store ordered this when it was previewed in the Diamond Catalog last October, then your store will most likely have copies.

Arnold Arre continues to send in finished pages of “Rodski”, and he’s blowing my mind with each page. Maaaaaan. I’m really pleased how the art’s turning out. Arnold made a Rodski poster specially for Summer Komikon so be on the look out for that when Komikon starts to promote the event. That will be on April 12 by the way. So save the date! We will be launching the book right there and yes, Arnold will be on hand to sign books.

Both Arnold and Leinil Yu will be special guests at Summer Komikon, and they intend on positioning me right between them at the venue. I think it describes my position in the industry quite well. One foot in independent Filipino comics and another foot in American comics. I think it’s a great place to be in.

Speaking of inking, I rediscovered this piece online:

It’s unsigned, but it’s pencilled by Whilce Portacio and inked by me, sometime in 1998. This was a cover for Darkness, I think, for TOP COW. I still remember exactly the circumstances in which this was inked. The studio in Manila was located somewhere in Horseshoe Drive, QC. At the time I was no longer staying full time at the studio. After training with Whilce since 1995, he had let me go to stay and work from home. I dropped by that day for a visit. Whilce was working on this cover and he asked me to ink it. But I had to work on it at the studio because the deadline was tight. I thought that would be OK. At the time I think Edgar Tadeo was still staying at the studio, as well as Gilbert Monsanto. I didn’t have my tools with me so I went to nearby Cubao to buy a Rotring Technical 0.1. That’s the tool I used to ink most of this cover, plus maybe a quill or brush I must have borrowed from Edgar. I ended up staying overnight.