Better Days

Journal Entry # 7

February 17, 2012

(Journal Entry #1 for Krisis Komix)

Dear Journal,

It has been a roller coaster year for me last year and with a possibility that I might quit komiks made so sad last year. But indeed, when you have passion it stays and keep lighted even in the storms of life. 2012 promises me a better year for me and Krisis! Komix, which is getting better and better everyday. Though very busy with my schedules and events, I find myself making concepts in my head and sometimes do a doodle in the most unexpected places.

Ang Bagong Kidlat is one of the things that I will make a great arc this season, also the comic strips will be back. Though very scarce in terms of equipments like a scanner, printer and a high speed PC, I still find ways to make the comics alive. And with support from friends and co-members in Indie Komiks Manila (IKM), affirmed me of my passion and will it lead us to the vision of bringing life back to the industry.

--FPJ Jr., writer and artist for Krisis! Komix

Type Away

Journal Entry # 6

02/17/12

Hallo Mi Journal

Comic Events are coming up this summer. Not only am I super excited, I am keeping myself busy getting ready for both old and new stuff that I will be selling this summer. One thing I'm happy to announce is that I'll be Launching "DRAGON KID Vol 1" this Summer Komikon which compiles Issue 1-5 of DRAGON KID plus extras and surprises. Right now I am currently typing away the script for DRAGON KID Issue 5. For me the hardest part when making my komiks is always typing.... drawing is one thing but writing is another story. After I finish doing other things, I start typing away on my laptop. So far, I have already created the outline and summary for this issue, but I need to make sure the story will fit 20-25 pgs. There are times at a certain part in the scene I either get a mental block or I get distracted by other things.... good thing Chibiheart (my mascot) gives me a good whack on the head in case I take far too long on my breaks (though I may sometimes want to use Chibiheart as a stressball hehehe).

This february I need to step up on my game... I want to start early so I am trying to finish this issue before the month ends. Another thing I am still stressing about is whether or not I add new merchandise for this summer Komikon as well.... AAARGH wala pa ako alam na place to make the merchandise I want or what merchandise to make. Aside from that I have other treats that I will be preparing this summer. But that's for another time and another journal entry....

I need to go (as my mascot is poking me on the head with a stck) I have to get back to both my script and other projects.

Till next entry, ciao ciao for now :3

-- Lady Storykeeper

Creator of DRAGON KID, REALM OF DREAMS, & ONE FLOOR UP

Artist Collaborator of ODDFELLOWS for Incubator Press

Mega plans

Journal Entry # 5

02/15/12

(Entry # 1 for Meganon)

Hola Chika Journal~!

It's my first time to write to you and I admit, I'm not used to this kind of thing. It's interesting to do though and since we're instant friends, I'll write to you anyway.

What? You want to know about our progress in MEGANON? Sure, I'll gladly tell you our behind-the-scenes. Where do I start? Hmmm... well, we're currently working on our materials for our next issues. Maika just finished writing the chapter 8 of Mark 9 verse 47 while I work on the cover of Maktan 1521. Dragfly? Well, our dear editor is waiting for something to burn in his/her new office. Since both authors are so busy with day to day work, we seldom update our comic work status so please bear with us. XD

Now, our plan for the year is to continue series. We will be releasing our Volume 2 of Mark 9verse 47 so you have to watch out for that, and I have big plans for Maktan 1521. YUP. BIG PLANS.

Until the next entry journal! Go dance the "Pearly Shells" while you wait.

--Tepai Pascual. MAKTAN 1521, MARK 9verse47, NoodleBoy (Neverheard Comics) [MEGANON COMICS group]

Starting over...

Journal Entry #4

2/10/2012

(Journal Entry #1 for Duyan ng mga Magigiting/Cradle of Heroes)

So this is it. A new beginning in my writing career. I'm not so sure it'll end up the way I wanted it to be. I'm still hoping (and I've been given assurances), that this will see the light, colored and Marvel sized. Anyways, the last few days have been helpful for me to reflect on my past mistakes and what I could've done in publishing this. This is my holy grail, the reason I live.

I'm rewriting the scripts of Duyan ng mga Magigiting and adding the "Ang Tagumpay ng Tondo" elements. People want to see Jejeman, Malikot and Majestika in the team already. I'm totally rebooting the story, to fit fit them in. I'm hoping my colorist could start now, while the Penciller is busy. I'm trying to multitask the Baguio Comics Congress event and the submissions of DnmM posters for Fate Spears and the Comicbook Connection Initiative. Wish me luck in Baguio! :D

--Amado U. Aparentado III/Writer-Publisher of Magiting Komiks

P.S. Enjoy the pics, even if it's crude, except for Alfredo Almencion's, who is talented artist who never got to pursue his dreams, helped create (as welll as many others, AnVill, Sabordz and Rd to be displayed much later) my characters.

Unshakeable

Journal Entry #3

02/08/12

I just started my journey as a komik creator. Matagal na sana…but there are things in life that really comes between you and your passion…kaya medyo delayed. These days, mahirap. I have two events coming up (regular job) and (5) collaborations with illustrators. Ang isa, malapit nang matapos….the (4) others…well…nakasampay pa sa sampayan. One of the 4 that are not yet near printing is “VLAD.” I wrote the script and at the same time did the illustrations on this piece. It was a spur of the moment idea actually when Jay Wong was visiting my place. We were talking about Komikon and how exciting it was last November 2011. Antagal mawala ng EXCITEMENT namin, noh? For us, sobrang ganda ng experience namin doon kasi we don’t have that here in Bacolod. Kaya grabe ang AFTERSHOCK namin.

Speaking of aftershocks, yesterday lumindol dito sa amin. Mabuti na lang, di masyado dito sa Negros Occidental. The sad part is...grabe ang effect sa Oriental. Several papers/ folders on my work station fell nang lumindol. Surprisingly, parang hindi ako that affected. I experienced earthquake sa Manila when I was still working there kasi. So it didn’t SHOCK me like it did sa nanay ko na biglang sumigaw…hahaha… Despite the busy days of being a normal person, natural disasters at marami pang ibang elements…it is indeed the enthusiasm that was shared to us through komikon 2011 that keeps us moving. I bet everyone these days are really busy with their manuscripts and their sketches. God bless sa atin! See you this summer!

-- Vivi Villegas (writer) | Until That Day (writer) Rook of the Rats (writer) | (Group) Ice Cream Indie

Scratchy 2nd

Journal Entry #2

02/07/12

Hello journal!

I've been nursing a swollen finger on my drawing hand. It shoots a bit of pain from time to time. Fortunately, it feels a bit better now, since I can hold my mech pencil again. I was finally able to work on studies for Cresci Prophecies: Arcen's last chapter. YAY! I'm expecting the next book to be a little difficult, since I have to do chapters 25-28 from scratch (with studies of course...but still around 120 pages long). Looking at the first page of chapter 25 was a bitter reminder of Ondoy (See the brown stains?). Good thing I was able to save the studies and use it for volume 4! ^o^

I gained my momentum this afternoon and finished 7 pages worth of studies (rough drafts/layouts), slashing my way through the manuscript. I missed doing that. It feels good to be able to work on CP again, after working on Curtains for Hire #2 last year. I'm really excited! Hopefully I can juggle my time between CP #4, Kanto Inc. #4's script (still waiting for hubby's outline), house chores, and a potential commission work. I really want to start doing the pencils and plans for Vol. 4 ...

I wonder if I can squeeze in a few plushies or hats? Wish me luck! *Goes to work*

-- Joanah Tinio-Calingo

Artist/writer for Cresci Prophecies & Curtains for Hire, writer for Kanto Inc., Point Zero

first scribble...

Journal Entry # 1

02/02/12

FIRST! Hello "Buhay Indie"! Now let's get into comic making!

My life as a comic creator is busier than ever. I'm producing daily comic strips as usual for "Callous" and writing the upcoming comic, "M.O.U.S.E.", all while in the middle of a move to a different house. The para-artist work online has been more tedious lately and I'm finding it hard to be as "social" as I usually am on social media. Fortunately, my cartooning setup has always been quite mobile so I'm able to work on "Callous" whenever I can. I do miss my drafting table and my work chair but ob la di ob la da, life goes on...

I've also begun finalizing the layout for the next Callous Comics compilation, this time of the "On Lighter Dreams" storyline. There's a lot of additional artwork to produce for the book in the effort to make a smoother reading experience. It's going to be tough to squeeze in the work for the book in time to get it to the printing press for Summer Komikon, but I'm sure it can be done.

Until the next update! I promise to be a bit more detailed in my next post! :)

-- Carlo Jose San Juan, MD

creator, writer, and illustrator of "Callous". Creator and writer of "M.O.U.S.E."