Inquirer article: The Rise of Manix

By Ruel S. De Vera
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: December 19, 2009


IT appears to be just another graphic novel, its matte black cover peppered with what seem to be teardrops, each of them containing a falling humanoid figure – save one. The biggest drop carries the book’s title: “12.” There is no author’s name; there isn’t anything else except the darkness. And it gets weirder from that point on.

As the pages flip past, the reader is greeted by exactly 12 tales featuring these tiny figures, ranging from bizarre love to existentialism to metahumanity to cosmic awareness to, well, just plain oddness. All these unfold on colored, glossy pages but without a single word. It’s unlike any Filipino comic book ever made.

Welcome to the brave new world of Filipino comics, courtesy of Manuel Luis “Manix” Abrera, a world where the panels are constantly shifting and the universe is continually swirling. Manix is the unusual brain trust behind “12” – Manix being one who used to be better known as the son of venerable artist Jesus “Jess” Abrera, Inquirer editorial cartoonist and creator of the “A.Lipin” comic strip. Then Manix was known as the creator of the rollicking, street smart comic strip “Kikomachine” and the band Kiko Machine, later the best-selling author of five “Kikomachine Komix” compilations.

Now, just like his new project, the 27-year-old Manix is something else altogether, or as he likes to say emphatically, “Rakenrol!”

To a certain extent, it’s the same old story, though. Inspired by his father, Manix made his own comics as a kid, joined the Philippine Collegian and graduated in 2003 with a Fine Arts degree major in Visual Communications from the University of the Philippines Diliman. It was there that he perfected his take on student life in “Kikomachine,” which would later appear in the Inquirer funny pages. Those strips built quite a following, with the latest volume “Kikomachine Komix Blg. 5: Alab ng Puso, Sa Dibdib Mo’y Buhay” as the latest incarnation. “Super OK yung ‘Kikomachine Komix,’” he says.

But his journey to wordlessness began with a silent comics entry for Fully Booked’s Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards, which landed in second place. “After that, I thought about trying to continue making silent comics because it requires a different discipline and it has the nifty effect of offering different interpretations and readings,” Manix says in his enthusiastic Filipino. Plus, he felt that “Kikomachine” had become too text-heavy; so he went to the opposite extreme. Along the way, he realized how unique the project could be.

When the time came to find a publisher bold enough to take on such a different publication, Manix found himself with maverick publisher Visual Print Enterprises – Visprint for short – drawn by the publisher’s work with such comic books as Carlo Vergara’s “Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah.” An exploratory e-mail led to a “Super OK” relationship.

The crucial moment was when Manix made a presentation for what would become “12” for VisPrint’s gatekeeper Nida Ramirez, complete with a formal outfit and sample pages. Ramirez laughed at the outfit but was impressed by the samples, so soon VisPrint took the quiet plunge. A point of constant discussion was the price: at one point, “12” was going to cost P800 a copy; VisPrint eventually got it down to P500. “It was a tiring and scary stage but really fun,” says Manix, who literally hugged the first copy of “12” that came off the press.

The reaction to “12” has been nothing short of rhapsodic. Manix says it’s heartening to see that the concept of silent comics works. “Sobrang saya at nakakaiyak din (Overjoyed and also tearful),” he says is how he feels about “12” as a finished product. Now he’s determined to pursue this new, if very, very quiet direction.

Meanwhile, he hasn’t forgotten the other hardcore aspects of his life. The original Kiko Machine band has disbanded, but he now rocks in a new band called Gorgoro which, well, has a puppet for a vocalist. “May video at links sa Gorgoro.com,” says Manix, who currently subsists on a “Rakenrol” diet of Metallica and Weezer but admits to preferring old Pinoy ballads when he’s drawing at odd hours. He remains part of the UP Dragonboat team and the UP Marine Biological Society. Manix has even managed to find time to cautiously work his way towards an MFA at UP. He is now hard at work at the sixth “Kikomachine Komix” compilation due out next year.

Right now, he is savoring the silent success of “12,” a project that took a good two years of his life, on and off from 2006 and 2008, aimed at “creative collaboration with the reader.”

Serendipity played its patent part. Finishing with 12 strips was completely unexpected, so in typical Manix style, he chose that number to be the book’s title.

In the end, it is all about “12.” It is a comic book that boasts no right or wrong way of reading. “Sumisigaw na katahimikan at kawirduhan” (screaming silence and weirdness) is what “12” is all about. It is the soundless map which celebrates and exemplifies just how Manix Abrera has colored way, way outside all the imagined lines. •

“12” is available in leading bookstores. For information, visit www.visprint.net.


[original source here]

BO Quotes

Link

Warning ni BO: "Huwag ipasa. Nakamamatay."

Narito na ang sagot sa lahat ng mga nagkalat na text, forwarded email, blog articles, facebook apps, at kung anu-ano pa! Click na!

Publishing Proposals update

Our Submission Guidelines can be found under the "Writing Resources" on the right side bar of this page. Please click the "Frequently Asked Questions".

As of today, we have already completed our list of releases until 2011. All incoming proposals will be considered for 2012.

Stock Update: "12", "Trese 3: Mass Murders" and "Crash"

Stocks are now available in all branches of:

Pandayan Bookshop
and
Powerbooks

We'll be available in National Bookstore and Fully Booked branches within the next 2 weeks.

*Best to call up your nearest branch and reserve your copy, just to be sure your book order is ready on your visit :)

Stock Update: Tragic Theater and Ligo na U

As of yesterday, 28 October 2009, stocks for both books have already been delivered:

All Pandayan Bookshop outlets

All Powerbooks branches: Trinoma, Glorietta, Shangri-la, SM MOA, Alabang, SM Mega, Greenbelt 4, Festival Mall, Rob Ermita

Fully Booked: Trinoma, Greenhills Promenade, The Block, The Fort, Shangri-la, Gateway Mall, Powerplant, SM MOA, Greenbelt 5

National Bookstore: Abanao Baguio, SM Marikina, Bestseller (SM Annex), Superbranch Cubao, SM North, Antipolo, SM Mega, Rob Ermita, Recto, Olongapo, Glorietta 1, Victory Central Mall, Ali Mall, Petron Bel-Aire, Metropoint, Tutuban, Northridge, Trinoma, Grand Central, Cash and Carry, SM Fairview

Grab your copies now!

October Visprint titles

12 COMICS
Creator: Manix Abrera
ISBN: 971-94569-2-2
Full color comic book
SRP: P500.00



MASS MURDERS TRESE Cases 9-13
Creators: Budjette Tan & Kajo Baldisimo
ISBN: 971-94569-0-6
B&W comic book
SRP: P200.00



CRASH
the Not Quite Unreal sequel
Author: Carlos Malvar
ISBN: 971-94569-1-4
Paperback fiction
SRP: P200.00


Available in Pandayan Bookshop (as of 10.26.2009)
and in your favorite bookstores VERY SOON! ;)

PRE-ORDERS Update

Please be informed that all pre-orders for TRESE 3 and Manix Abrera's 12 have been sent out today. You should receive your copy anytime tomorrow :)

In case your copy does not arrive until Friday 10:00 AM, immediately e-mail us at: book_inquiry[at]visprint.net

Crash will be sent out this Friday.



**UPDATE: All CRASH pre-orders have been sent out today (10.16.2009). Expect your orders to arrive tomorrow :)

KOMIKON 2009

YOU just have to be at this year's KOMIKON!

OFFICIAL RELEASE of:
Manix Abrera's "12"
and
Trese Book #3: "MASS MURDERS"

Don't miss it!


Meet and greet creators:
Carlo Vergara, Manix Abrera, Freely Abrigo, Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo!

October 18, 2009
10 AM - 9 pM
Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall

Manila Intl. Book Fair photos

Just minutes before the opening :)

More photos here courtesy of Alan Navarra.


Big thanks to everyone for making our first time in the MIBF a very memorable one.

Re-sched: Ideas Alive

The Ideas Alive event with Budjette Tan and Jomike Tejdio was cancelled because of Typhoon Ondoy. It will be moved to this Saturday, October 10, 3-5 p.m in Powerbooks Megamall.

See you there!

MIBF authors/creators schedule

Wednesday = Siege Malvar
Thursday = Eros Atalia (10:30 - 3:00PM); Bart Coronel (3:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Friday = Manix Abrera and Freely Abrigo
Saturday = Klaro, David Hontiveros, Carlo Vergara, Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo
Sunday = Alan Navarra (and Freely Abrigo?)

*VISPRINT is at booth nos. 169 and 191 (aisle G)

Come and see the Visprint booth at this year's MIBF!

You are cordially invited to visit our booth, meet and greet your favorite authors/creators, buy your favorite Visprint titles, get a chance to be one of the firsts to grab a hold of our latest books, pre-order our most-awaited upcoming titles, finally buy your For Official Use Only shirts, and avail of lots of suprises and freebies!

The fastest way to get to the Visprint spot is to take Entrance Hall #2, go straight ahead (that's aisle G). Go on. A little bit more. Then stop before you hit the wall :) We'll be on your left (the restrooms' on your right).

See you there!!!

Book Launch Day at the MIBF

It's BOOK LAUNCH DAY on september 17 at the Visprint booth in the MIBF.

Visprint presents:

"TRAGIC THEATER" by G. M. Coronel
and
"LIGO NA U, LAPIT NA ME" by Eros Atalia

Meet and greet Bart and Eros and have your copy signed!

Advanced Order Promo! - Manila International Book Fair

Pre-order any of the upcoming Visprint books:
- CRASH, a Not Quite Unreal sequel, by Carlos Malvar
- TRESE 3: Mass Murders, by Budjette Tan & Kajo Baldisimo
- 12, by Manix Abrera

Enjoy your very own SIGNED copy, delivered to you free of charge*, 1 week before the book's commercial release!

MECHANICS:
1. Promo applies to Metro Manila addresses only*.
2. Advanced order and payments should be made during the MIBF.
3. Promo forms available at the Visprint booth.

Coming this September!