PINOY KOMIKS

AND CREATORS
Pinoy Komiks
• Pinoy Komiks was popularized throughout the country from the
1920s to the present.
• Komiks were partially inspired by American mainstream comic
strips and comic books during the early 20th century.
• Particularly after World War II, the medium became widely
popular, though its mainstream appeal has subsided somewhat
with the advent of other mass-media forms such as telenovelas
• Webcomics produced by independent Filipino web-based artists
have caught the attention of local and foreign readers.
Pinoy Komiks
• As though Jose Rizal’s “the Tortoise and the Monkey” (1885)
was known to have used illustrations, it wasn’t considered to
be the origin of the mainstream komiks industry for he did
not use speech balloons.
• In the 1920s, Liwayway magazine began running comic strips
under the direction of Romualdo Ramos and Tony Velasquez,
such as the still-running Mga Kabalbalan ni Kenkoy (The
Misadventures of Kenkoy). Velasquez is considered the father
of Filipino comics.
Pinoy Komiks
• Pinoy Komiks was originally inspired by the American comic
strips and books which were left by the American soldiers
during the WWII.
• After the war, Filipino publishers began publishing material in
the serialized comic book format.
• In the 1950s, the medium has diverged that artists used Filipino
Literature (komedya) and Philippine mythology as inspirations.
• There are also komiks that are heavily inspired by specific
American Comics and some that are not.
Pinoy Komiks
• Francisco V. Coching, the National Artist for
Visual Arts and known as the “Dean of Filipino
Illustrators,” ushered the golden age of Filipino
comics as he produced 63 titles with 51 film
adaptations throughout his career. One of his most
popular works is Pedro Penduko which revolves
around Philippine mythology.
Pinoy Komiks
• Meanwhile, Mars Ravelo created a number of
Filipino superheroes, several of which had been
adapted to multiple films and television series. His
characters like Darna and Captain Barbell became
sources of escapism and hope post-war. Ravelo
also created Bondying and like Kenkoy, the word
"bondying" has entered the Filipino language.
Pinoy Komiks
• Pablo S. Gomez wrote for Pilipino Komiks and
Tagalog Klasiks before founding PSG in 1963.
Most of his works were adapted into films and
television series, some of which are Inday Bote,
Machete and Bunsong Kerubin.
Pinoy Komiks
• In the late 1960s, Filipino artist Tony De Zuniga broke into the
American comics industry. In 1971, DC Comics editor Joe Orlando and
publisher Carmine Infantino traveled to the Philippines on a recruiting
trip.
• DeZuniga became a regular contributor at DC. With writer John
Albano, he co-created the long-running western character Jonah Hex,
and with Sheldon Mayer the first Black Orchid.
• Alfredo Alcala, Mar Amongo, Ernie Chan, Alex Niño, Nestor Redondo,
and Gerry Talaoc were some of the Filipino komik artists who went on
to work for DC and Marvel, particularly in the 1970s and '80s.
Pinoy Komiks

• Weird Western Tales #14 (DC, Nov

1972). Cover art by DeZuniga
Pinoy Komiks
• A similar trip by Pendulum Press editor Vincent Fago led to a great
number of Filipino artists working on the Pendulum Now Age Classics
series, black-and-white comic book adaptations of literary classics which
were published from 1973–1980. Visiting the Philippines in 1970, Fago
teamed with Nestor Redondo to recruit Flipino artists for Pendulum.
• In addition to the work of Redondo, who illustrated more than 20
books in the series, the Pendulum Illustrated Classics featured the
artwork of Alex Niño, Gerry Talaoc, Vicatan, Rudy Nebres, Jun
Lofamia, Nestor Leonidez, and E. R. Cruz. (Redondo's brothers Virgilio
and Frank also illustrated books in the series.)
Pinoy Komiks
• From 1973–1979, Redondo illustrated many stories in the
Pendulum Illustrated Classics line, including Dracula and Dr. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde adaptations reprinted by Marvel Comics three years
later as Marvel Classics Comics.
• Other adaptations illustrated by Redondo for Pendulum included
The Great Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, some Edgar Allan Poe
stories, The Odyssey, and Romeo and Juliet. In addition, Redondo
illustrated a Pendulum comic-book history of the American Civil
War, and biographies of Madame Curie, Albert Einstein, and
Abraham Lincoln.
Pinoy Komiks
Pinoy Komiks
• Beginning in 1978 and lasting until about 1983, the
black-and-white comics magazine publisher Warren
Publishing also utilized the talents of a number of
Filipino artists, including Niño, Nebres, and Alcala.
At Marvel Comics, Steve Gan became highly
regarded for his artwork on both Conan titles
Conan the Barbarian and Savage Sword of Conan
from 1974-1979.
Pinoy Komiks
• A number of Filipino comic book artists worked for several
American fantasy and horror titles published by DC Comics,
Marvel Comics and Warren Publishing.
• From the mid-1980s on, fewer Filipino artists found work in
the American comics industry, the exceptions being DeZuniga
(co-creator of Jonah Hex), Chan, Alcala (who drew and inked
for Swamp Thing and He-Man and who had the distinction of
having his original comics, Voltar, published internationally),
and Talaoc.
Pinoy Komiks
Pinoy Komiks
• In 1994, 55 Balete Drive in Quezon City housed the studio, Starfire
Visuals, built by the co-founder of Image Comics Whilce Portacio
together with, Gerry Alanguilan, Leinil Yu, Jay Anacleto, Roy Allan
Martinez, Gilbert Monsanto and Edgar Tadeo. Besides comics, the
team also did multimedia projects for local musicians such as Ryan
Cayabyab and other artists like director Chito S. Roño. The men
behind the studio opened the local network of comic book artists to
the international market in the 90s. The biggest project of the studio
was Stone, a comic book about Filipino folkloric creatures. Stone was
the bestselling independent book in the 90s with 88,000 in units sold.
 Pinoy Komiks

• Cover to X-Factor #68 (vol. 1, July,

1991), by Whilce Portacio
Pinoy Komiks
• At one point, between 33 and 40 percent of Filipinos read komiks, but this
number has since dwindled somewhat due to competition from other
media forms. More recently, comic artists have begun producing what is
often called "Pinoy Manga,“ inspired largely by Japanese anime and
manga, which have been widely available in the Philippines since the
1970s.
• PhilPost released a series of national stamps based on komiks on
November 15, 2004. Among those featured were Gilbert Monsanto's
Mango Comics Darna #3, Nestor Redondo's Darna, Francisco Reyes'
Kulafu, Francisco V. Coching's Lapu-Lapu, and Federico Javinal and
Coching's El Vibora.
Pinoy Komiks
Pinoy Komiks
• Up until today, characters and stories by Coching,
Ravelo and Gomez are still being adapted into
films and television series.
Pinoy Komiks
PINOY KOMIKS
CREATORS
Tony Velasquez
• Tony Velasquez' career as a comic
artist spanned the birth,
development, and triumph of the
comics industry in the Philippines.
Born in Paco, Manila, Tony
Velasquez created the first
serialized Filipino cartoon strip,
'Mga Kabalbalan ni Kenkoy'
('Kenkoy's Antics') in 1928. It first
appeared on 11 January 1929.
Tony Velasquez
• Arguably the most influential comic strip in the Philippines, 'Mga
Kabalbalan ni Kenkoy' opened the floodgates that started the
tradition of cartoon strips in the Philippines.
• During his years as a comic artist, Velasquez created more than 300
cartoon characters some of whom became household names in
Filipino homes, such as 'Kenkoy', 'Tsikiting Gubat', 'Talakitok',
'Talimusak', 'Ponyang Halobaybay', etc.
Tony Velasquez
• In 1947, Velasquez founded Pilipino Komiks, the comic book that
started the comics industry in the Philippines. Under the Ace
Publications, Velasquez founded the Tagalog Klasiks, the Hiwaga
Komiks and the Espesyal Komiks, all of which became bestselling
comic books.
• In 1962, Velasquez founded the Graphic Arts Service Inc., or GASI,
which published popular local comic books such as Pinoy Komiks,
Pinoy Klasiks, Aliwan Komiks, Holiday Komiks, Teens Weekly
Komiks, and Pioneer Komiks.
Tony Velasquez
• As a pioneer and innovator of the Filipino comics industry, the
influence and contribution of Velasquez to Philippine comics
culture can hardly be exaggerated. Upon his death in 1997,
Velasquez was already recognized as the "Father of the Philippine
Komiks".
Tony Velasquez
Pablo S. Gomez
• Pablo S. Gomez is one of the
Philippines' greatest komiks
writers. A prolific writer, he has
written innumerable komiks short
stories and holds the record for the
most komiks-nobelas written by a
single author: more than 200
nobelas. (Mars Ravelo once held
the record, but he died earlier and
Pablo still writes to this day)
Pablo S. Gomez
• Pablo is the last of the great komiks-writers from the Golden Age of
Philippine Komiks, an era when komiks writing reached its
pinnacle because of Gomez' and his contemporary (Clodualdo del
Mundo, Francisco Coching, Mars Ravelo, and Tony Velasquez)
writings.
• Gomez' more famous komiks-nobelas were Kurdapya, Eva Fonda,
Pitong Gatang, MN, Kamay ni Hilda, Recuerdo, Susanang Daldal,
Taong Buwaya, Batang Bangkusay, Pagbabalik ng Lawin, and of
course, Kampanerang Kuba.
Pablo S. Gomez
Francisco V. Coching
• a Filipino comic books illustrator
and writer and is regarded as one
of the “pillars of the Philippine
Komiks Industry”. He served as
both illustrator and writer for his
comic book stories, Coching is
referred to as the "King of
Komiks", and as the "Dean of
Philippine Comics".
Francisco V. Coching
• In 2014, he was posthumously conferred as a National Artist for
Visual Arts, the highest honor for artists in the Philippines.
• Coching was unable to finish his studies in order to be an illustrator
for Liwayway under the apprenticeship of Tony Velasquez. In 1934,
at the age of fifteen, Coching created Bing Bigotilyo (Silahis
Magazine). Coching had been influenced by Francisco Reyes,
another pioneer in the Filipino comic book industry.
Francisco V. Coching
• In 1935, he created Marabini (an amazon warrior in
Bahaghari Magazine). World War II interrupted
Coching’s career in comics. He became a guerrillero
(guerilla) for the Kamagong Unit of the Hunters-ROTC
resistance organization.
• After the Second World War, Coching created Hagibis, a
Tarzan-like and Kulafu-like character in Liwayway
Magazine.
Francisco V. Coching
• Other creations by Coching were Sabas, ang Barbaro (Sabas, the
Barbarian, wherein the storyline was set during the Filipino
revolution against Spain), Pedro Penduko, El Indio, Bertong
Balutan, Don Cobarde, Ang Kaluluwa ni Dante (Dante's Soul),
Pagano (Pagan), Haring Ulupong, Dumagit, Lapu-Lapu, Bulalakaw,
Waldas, Talipandas, Palasig, Movie Fan, Anak ni Hagibis (a sequel
to Hagibis), Gat Sibasib (another sequel to Hagibis), Satur,
Dimasalang, Bella Bandida, El Vibora, Sa Ngalan ng Batas, and El
Negro. El Negro (1974) was his last komiks novel.
Francisco V. Coching
• After 39 years in the komiks industry, Coching retired in
1973 at the age of 54. Coching was able to produce 53
komiks novels overall.
Francisco V. Coching
Mars Ravelo
• Mars Ravelo was one of the most
successful Filipino comic artists. He
was the creator of the famous
superheroine 'Darna', and the highest
paid comic artist of his time.
• After World War II, Ravelo realized
the Filipinos were in need of a
superhero. He created the heroic
superheroine 'Varga' in Bulaklak
magazine in 1947.
Mars Ravelo
• Ravelo left the magazine two years later, and had to leave his
character behind. So, upon joining Pilipino Komiks in 1949, he
rebuilt 'Varga' to 'Darna'. The character soon appeared in Kenkoy,
Liwayway and Kampeon Comics and eventually got her own title as
well as a series of movie and TV adaptations.
• Among Ravelo's other creations are 'Rita', 'Buhay Pilipino',
'Kaptain Barbel', 'Lastikman', 'Bondying' and the mermaid
'Dysebel'. Ravelo was also a novelist, and later the editor-in-chief for
two major publishing houses and film companies.
Mars Ravelo
• In his writings, he didn't avoid taboo issues like incest, child abuse
and homosexuality. At the peak of his success, he founded his own
company RAR. He created such graphic novels as 'Hiwaga',
'Maruja', 'Roberta' and 'Jack and Jill'.
Mars Ravelo
Carlo J. Caparas
• a Filipino comic strip creator and
writer-turned film director and
producer. He is best known for
creating such Filipino superheroes and
comic book characters as Panday,
Bakekang, Totoy Bato, Joaquin
Bordado, Kamagong, Kamandag, Elias
Paniki, Tasya Fantasya, Gagambino,
Pieta and Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa
Aking Tadyang, among others.
Carlo J. Caparas
• Caparas was awarded the 2008 Sagisag Balagtas Award.
Carlo J. Caparas
Whilce Portacio
• American comic book artist
originally from the Philippines.
• Portacio started out as an inker at
Marvel Comics in 1985. Over time,
he was given assignments as a
penciller as well.
• Portacio became noted for his work
on such titles as The Punisher, X-
Factor, and the Uncanny X-Men.
Whilce Portacio
• In 1992, Portacio left Marvel to co-found Image Comics with six
other high-profile artists. But, Portacio quickly withdrew from his
partnership in this enterprise due to his sister's bout with lupus,
eventually publishing his title Wetworks through Jim Lee's
Wildstorm imprint.
• Other notable series that Portacio has worked on include Stone and
Marvel's controversial Heroes Reborn storyline with Iron Man.
• As of 2006, Portacio is returning to his artistic duties at Wildstorm
on Wetworks vol.2, which is being written by Mike Carey.
 Whilce Portacio

• Cover to X-Factor #68 (vol. 1, July,

1991), by Whilce Portacio
Pol Medina, Jr.
• a Filipino cartoonist best
known for creating Pugad
Baboy, a black-and-white
comic strip first published
in the Philippine Daily
Inquirer on May 18, 1988.
Pol Medina, Jr.
• In 1986, he started scripting and drawing characters for a new cartoon
about a community of fatsos and a dog named Polgas. In 1987, he
worked as an architect for a firm in San Juan, Metro Manila.
• In September 1992, he co-founded Pugad Baboy, Inc. with seven other
people. The company adopted Ad Astra Per Aspera for its motto,
inspired by Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a
Mockingbird. Three years later, the company folded when Pol Medina
left in order to pursue a career in the advertising industry. Currently
he has another company, Pol Medina Jr. Novelties, dedicated to
merchandise based on the strip, including compilations.
Pol Medina, Jr.
Manix Abrera
• Manuel “Manix” Abrera graduated
with a degree in Fine Arts from
the University of the Philippines
Diliman. His comic strip
Kikomachine runs from Monday
to Saturday in the Philippine Daily
Inquirer, and currently appears in
twelve book compilations
published by Visprint.
Manix Abrera
• His webcomic News Hardcore! appears weekly on GMA News Online.
He also has wordless graphic novels titled “12” and “14”. He has won
the National Book Awards for his books “14” (2015) and News
Hardcore: Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan! (2016).
Manix Abrera
Gerry Alanguilan
• also known in the Philippines by his alias
Komikero, was a Filipino comic book artist,
writer, and architect from San Pablo, Laguna.
• He was an important figure in the Philippine
comics renaissance of the 1990s and early
2000s, and is known internationally for his
graphic novels Wasted and Elmer, and for his
inking on American superhero comics such
as Wetworks, X-Men, Superman: Birthright,
Wolverine, and Fantastic Four.
Gerry Alanguilan
• Many of Alanguilan's titles take place in the Philippines or feature
Filipino characters, such as Elmer, Johnny Balbona, Humanis Rex!,
and Timawa.
• He incorporated elements of social commentary in his work, especially
Elmer, which satirizes racism. The protagonist of Whilce Portacio and
Brian Haberlin's comic series Stone, Gerry Alan, is named for him.
Gerry Alanguilan
Gilbert Monsanto
• After six years of working as a comic artist
in the Philippines, Gilbert Monsanto
founded Exodus with some colleagues.
• When Whilce Portacio came to Manila,
Gilbert was among the few to be trained
in his studio, and for a time served as
chief instructor for Portacio's comic art
school.
• His body of work included layouts and
pencils for such titles as 'Hazard', 'Loner',
'Tales of Darkness' #1 and 'STONE'.
Gilbert Monsanto
• Monsanto got his break when he penciled Avalon Comics' 'Hellcop' in
October 1998.
• He is the art director for the 2003 revival of the 'Darna' (Mango
Comics), and has penciled, inked and colored various issues. He is also
the colorist on 'The Philippine Legends.'
Gilbert Monsanto
References
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil
ippine_comics
• https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid
=64615
• https://www.lambiek.net/artists/
• http://pilipinokomiks.blogspot.co
m/2005/12/pablo-s-gomez-komik
s-writer.html