ROACHES' ROAD TO MCC: DAY 100=THE MAKING OF BOY IPIS part 1

Hi! Kamusta kayo? Today is APRIL 29, 2009, and this day marks the 100th day before the much-awaited and higly anticipated first MANILACOMICCON 2009. If you have no idea what that is, it's a hobbyist' convention/event organized by HOBBYLINK PRODUCTIONS, INC. It will be held on August 8 and 9, 2009; at the SM MEGATRADE HALLS 1 and 2, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. More info here.

Incidentaly, it will also be the venue where we will hopefully release the first spin-off title to come out from the BAYAN KNIGHTS banner of SACRED MOUNTAIN PUBLICATIONS, "ANG ASTIGING BOY IPIS # 1". The book will come out supposedly with 36 black and white interior pages, Back and front laminated and digitally colored covers, in a 5.75"x8.25" size format.
Highlighting a story by (Me) Paul Michael Ignacio, and art duties by Bayan Knights head, Mr. Gilbert Monsanto (Tropa, Rambol, Hellcop). Aaron Felizmenio (Gwapoman2000, Alas: Ang huling Baraha) will also provide additional inking help. The decision to release the title is in order to further more expand the Bayan Knights' universe (where the character "Boy Ipis" is a part of) to current readers.

These series of posts will serve as a countdown of sorts towards the Manilacomiccon event. Join me as I relay to you updates, previews, interviews, and other news regarding the creative process of the Astiging Boy Ipis comic book.

Being this post as the initial installment of the said topic, I suppose I need to tell you how I came up with the Boy Ipis character.

BOY IPIS ORIGINS PART 1

It all started with my passion for comic books, sentai and superhero cartoons. It was 1994. I was 14 years old. Inevitably, my desire for this so-called superhero icons led me to create my own original character. Sometimes, school, girls and peer pressure would make you think of things you would not normally think of. Boy Ipis (who was initially baptized as something else those days) was one of those abnormal thoughts..

Everybody loves Spider-man. And everybody wants to be Spider-man. 14 year old Me wasn't an exception. I told myself if I were to make a superhero character, It should at least resemble or have Spider-man's qualities such as his speed, agility, heightened senses, and etc., but I already thought I have to somehow... be original and not use a spider as my character's source of power, either way, i thought it should also be some type of insect. I first started conceptualizing with "cool" bugs like bees, grasshoppers, scarabs and even fireflies.. But I couldn't seem to get any "spark" or some sort of connection with all of them.


(Right) Claire Danes: Perpetually banned by former President Joseph Estrada to ever step foot in the Philippines, because of her once "unpleasant" remarks about our country...... Oh well, let's just enjoy this photo of her in a bikini.

CLAIRE DANES.

Later on, I don't know if any of you remember her. She's the "Juliet" of Leonardo DiCaprio's "Romeo" in... well Romeo + Juliet. She was pretty popular in the early nineties. Do you guys remember when she came to the Philippines to shoot for a movie? I can't seem to recall the flick's title.. but I remember she was interviewed by someone asking her to say something about her time in the Philippines.. and she got quoted about our country being festered with rats and cockroaches....YON. It was her. I was like, what if I turned something so negative into a positive? And that's when I turned my attention to cockroaches.

WHY COCKROACHES?

Cockroaches..Icky. "Are you sure about that?" I asked that question myself so many times. Who the hell would like cockroaches? They bring all sorts of diseases and something else. What was I thinking about? Would that be a good idea?

Honestly, when I first thought of the concept, I also have no concrete or should I say "logical" reason. All I thought was that cockroaches are agile, FAST and mysterious insects. Of course, you have seen how a cockroach scampers across the floor.. Wouldn't it be cool to also have that speed in normal human size?Also, I thought of cockroaches as something who is a part of our everyday lives. "Walang bahay na hindi nagkakaroon ng ipis." I thought that by having a character based on an animal or something that is usually and commonly found inside the house, it would be a good idea for "character recall". Just like the effect on me when I was still a kid, whenever I saw a spider in the ceiling, I would remember Spider-man.

BUT THE TRUTH IS.

I only "realized" the impact and importance of cockroaches in my life when I experienced my first heartbreak.. Cockroaches is quite a good symbolism or epitome for "Survival". Roaches have been here in our planet for a long time and will continue to do so in the future...the most impressive thing was, they were able to do it, not because of their indestructible hides and very simple body systems.. They were able to survive the last million years because THEY KNEW how to "adapt" in the world, or the way I mildly put it in relationship terms.. "Move on."

(Top) A cockroach..... Just an ordinary household pest? Or our constant reminder that we are not the exact "rulers" of this planet?

So basically, what I'm trying to say is, it took me more than 10 years to actually settle that I am actually going to create a superhero character based on a cockroach.

Now that you guys know why I chose the cockroach as the basis for my superhero character, and picked speed and agility as part of my hero's power sets, in the next edition (Part 2 of this post), I will tell how I fully conceptualized the Boy Ipis character's costume, personality and
universe.

See Ya!:)

BAYAN KNIGHTS#1 : AVAILABLE IN 37 STORES AND COUNTING!

Bayan Knights #1 Cover- Pencils:Gilbert Monsanto, Inks:Edgar Tadeo, Colors:Mark Anthony Taduran and Rain Beredo

Bayan Knights #1 - is now available at the following stores:

LUZON

1. National Bookstore - Recto
2. National Bookstore - Tutuban
3. National Bookstore - Rizal Avenue
4. National Bookstore - San Lazaro
5. National Bookstore - Sta Lucia East
6. National Bookstore - Trinoma
7. National Bookstore - SM City North
8. National Bookstore - Cyber One, Eastwood City
9. National Bookstore - Glorietta
10. National Bookstore - Market Market
11. National Bookstore - North Ave.
12. National Bookstore - Q Plaza
13. National Bookstore - Megamall
14. National Bookstore - Greenhills Missouri
15. National Bookstore - C. Raymundo
16. National Bookstore - Harrison Plaza
17. National Bookstore - Ermita
18. National Bookstore - SM Manila
19. National Bookstore - Metropoint
20. National Bookstore - Ever Gotesco Ortigas
21. National Bookstore - Robinson's Galleria Best Sellers
22. Comic Oddyssey - Robinson's place Ermita- Level 3 Pedro Gil Wing M.Adriantico st. Ermita Manila.
23. Comic Oddyssey - Robinson's Galleria - Level 3,Ext. Mall, Edsa corner Ortigas
24. Comic Oddyssey - Glorietta
25. Comic Oddyssey- Eastwood City - 2nd Floor, Space 125 Cyber and Fashion mall Eastwood City Cyberpark Q.C.
26. Comic Quest - SM North Edsa
27. Comic Quest - SM Megamall
28. Dynes Salon and Spa - Main branch
#21 Paso de Blas, Valenzuela City
tel.# 444-78785
29. Dynes Salon and Spa - Malabon branch
#34 Governor Pascua Ave. Acacia Malabon
tel.# 287-64354
30. Dynes Salon and Spa - Fatima branch
119 McArthur Hi-Way, Marulas, Valenzuela City
tel.# 445-8885
31. Carmen Philcoa newstand -near jeepney terminal to U.P.
32. Cartimar- stall C-40 Pasay city
33. SPUTNIK Cubao

VISAYAS

34. National Bookstore - SM Cebu
35. National Bookstore - Mango Plaza
36. National Bookstore - Ayala Cebu
37. National Bookstore - Bohol Island City Mall

*Visit our blog frequently for more updates about where you can grab your copies of Bayan Knights.

GET SMP TITLES THRU MAIL!

Getting our comics thru the mail:
Within the Philippines only for now.

Any issue price plus 20 pesos shipping.
Bayan Knights ---------------- P60+20= P80.00 pesos
Rambol Komiks--------------- P60+20= P80.00 pesos
Tropa--------------------------- P75+20= P95.00 pesos
(additional copies plus 10.00 on shipping rate)

Promo:
Complete set (BK1+ RK 1,2and 3+Tropa 1 and 2) 6 items= 400.00 minus 20%= 320.00
Add only 50 pesos for shipping
(regular price at P460.00), with the promo get them for ONLY P370.00 and save P90.00
plus get a free sketch.

* Deposit payment through any BPI branch to Sacred Mountain Publications, Account # 4033-04277-4. Kindly write your name on the deposit slip and fax a copy to 655-6780. You may also scan or take a clear photo of the deposit slip and email the image file with your contact details to smp_letters@yahoo.com.
* We also accept payments through Paypal, Kindly enter smp_letters@yahoo.com as the payee account.

We would be happy to answer questions sent to that email address as well.

GROWING UP WITH COMICS.

Hello! Never have I thought that I would be doing something like this... Yep. Blogging. I have read so many people's blogs and actually enjoyed some of them, but there never was an idea where I actually planned to create one, if not for the insistence of a good friend and fellow Bayan Knight member, Aaron Felizmenio (whom by the way, also has a blog... well, here... link is here somewhere..)

So what now? What should first time bloggers do? Introduce one's self? That may be a good idea since I am a nobody.

My name is PAUL MICHAEL IGNACIO, "Mike" for short. I am currently 29 years of age. I'm from Malabon and have been living there for almost 10 years with my Parents and younger brother. I'm a graduate of De La Salle University-College of Saint Benilde, with a bachelor's degree in Computer Applications last 2001. Since 2002, I have been working as an employee of a "Bank", whom I choose not to name for personal reasons. I have a girlfriend whom I plan to marry in the "near" future. I loved comic books ever since I was 6. (1986) Superhero Comic books to be exact.. When I was a small kid, I kind of get sick a lot. That means spending days and nights in the hospital guarded by my mother. I still remember the time my father brought me a pile of PILIPINO FUNNY KOMIKS to read in the hospital. It was a moment I will never forget. There was something about pictures and words going together. I remember reading all day long the antics of "Niknok", The craziness in "Planet op di eyps", the cleverly written "Bing, Bam, Bung", and my personal favorite "Superdog". I'm not sure. Did my love for comics somehow started there? Maybe because it gave me a sense of "being cared and loved by my family". It also made me realize how much I appreciate art because I began to doodle and tried to learn more about how I can develop my drawing skills much further..


(Left) Nightmask #4: This is the cover of the very first foreign comic book I read and owned (and actually liked!). It is the story of a Peter Parker-ish guy named Keith Remsen, who has this latent paranormal ability to manifest himself (in costume) inside people's dreams. (Cool power!) This issue was written by Archie Goodwin and was pencilled by Ron Wagner.




NIGHTMASK.

Lately, I was introduced to Marvel and DC Comics. I've already known Spider-man, Superman, and Batman way back then, but I have never read a single comic they were in. I got familiar with them inevitably because of toys or cartoons that were shown those days. The very first foreign comic book I read was NIGHTMASK. A character by Marvel Comics under their "New Universe" banner. He was my first favorite Marvel character. Back then, there weren't many comic shops in Metro Manila. I remember looking for back issues at Filbars and National Bookstores and failing. I think I only found 4 issues of Nightmask. Excitingly, it made me want to read and know more about the foreign comics universe.

X-MEN.

In Elementary, the early 90's, and thanks to the X-MEN CARTOON, Comics kind of gained popularity in the school I was in. I remember bringing some of my comics to school, to trade for some of my classmate's comics. (I just realized that I regret trading my SPIDER-MAN 2009#1 for a Jim Lee pencilled X-MEN#5. Whoo!). Needless to say, Comics was a very influential element in my growing years.

PETER PARKER.

In High School, Comics in my peers kind of took a break. With the emergence of Pinoy Rock and roll music, spearheaded by the Eraserheads, Francis M, Introvoyz and the like, having a band was the new "IN" thing. It was a time when I realized that there were other important things besides comics. A lot of things took most of my time and my mind.. Well, especially the GIRLS. Having crushes and actually liking someone from the opposite sex, proved kind of difficult to me those days. It's not just that I don't have the allowance to get me through those trying times. The confusion and depression of being turned down or being "Mabasted" is kind of new to me. I don't know how to react to setbacks like that. It's not like I would be able to "honestly" talk with my family and friends about it.. I keep asking myself "How do I deal with this?".... "There has to be someone who can understand me!" Then I suddenly remember my "old" comic books.. While browsing some of my already dust-filled comics, I remember reading about this guy named Peter Parker.. Ok, well I think you get the idea. EVERYBODY CAN RELATE TO PETER. He was just this ordinary guy in High school, who just wanted to graduate in college someday, find a decent job so he can be able to help his dear old aunt with the house bills. He also has these ever-growing "Girl Trouble/s" and colorful group of friends that help... well, "color" his life...... Oh yeah! He is secretly, SPIDER-MAN! Silly as it may seem, I found a "friend" in him. He taught me how to approach my life by being an example. His ideals were my upbringing. His problems were my worries, His ways were my methods. His stories were my life. Up until now, Spider-man is my all-time favorite Superhero. Spider-man and comics helped me cope with my problems.


(Right) Cover of Exodus: Revelations #1 - Pencils by Roy Allan Martinez with manual colors by Lui Antonio


PINOY KOMIKS.

When I was in College, Reality kicked in. I had to give up comics to concentrate on my studies (and girls). The Japanese invaded the country in the form of ANIME and MANGA. Not much a fan of it... Well, Ok... HENTAI rules.

This is also the first time I have learned of EXODUS and ALAMAT COMICS! I remember being excited because come on! Finally! FILIPINO COMICS! It was like a dream coming to life! Pinoy-made comic books going mainstream! In my heart and in my mind, "This could be the start of something big!" My instant faves were P-NOISE from ALAMAT. It was kind of like a "Pinoy X-men" with art chores I believe, by "THE" Edgar Tadeo. It was so cool even though it was just printed in black and white.. It's just sad that they were never able to finish it. Only 2 "bitin" issues were published.. The other ALAMAT title that RULED was TIMAWA. It was the first time I was introduced to Gerry "The Legend" Alanguilan's ultra-super detailed art. He serves as an inpiration to me until now. EXODUS comics on the other hand were able to complete their project! 2 holy issues in cool colors, and superb artwork by familiar artists ( "Future Bayan Knights Head" Gilbert Monsanto, Roy Allan Martinez, Lui Antonio, and many more!) was enough to make me fall in love with comics (specially Pinoy-made ones) once again!

NOW.

After I graduated and eventually found work, I can say that I never outgrew comics. Even though there are moments in my life that I'm supposed to or should/could forget it. It always comes back to my life one way or the other. To get away from work-related stress and actually having a budget for comics, my comic collection grew. (Mostly Marvel titles) In the process, I learned of other amazing talents all over the world. Amazing artists like Mark Bagley, John Romita Jr. , David Finch, Marc Sylvestri, and Frank Cho. I also learned to appreciate the significance of GOOD STORY TELLING in Comics with Alan Moore, Grant Morrison and my all-time favorite writer BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS. Mr. Bendis' works on THE NEW AVENGERS and THE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN made me realize that I'm going to be a Marvel fan and I'm going to be that for a very long a time.

BOY IPIS and the BAYAN KNIGHTS.

My love for comics (superhero comics to be exact) eventually made me create my own super hero character; Ang ASTIGING BOY IPIS. (More information about this character and the process of his creation in my future posts) Me and Boy Ipis is part of GILBERT MONSANTO's BAYAN KNIGHTS INITIATIVE, together with other like-minded individuals (who are promising talents in their own right) with their original superhero characters. Our main goal is to promote and "revitalize" the Pinoy Comics industry in our country. (I would make a separate BAYAN KNIGHTS blog entry here in the future.) In conclusion, Looks like comics IS and will still be a part of my life in the years to come.

Here's hoping that my initial blog post will actually going to make you come back here to check out the updates on my boring life, and my autistic views about "things" here in God's green Earth. Stay tuned also for "100 DAYS: THE ROAD TO MANILACOMIC-CON" (Ok, The title sucks but I'm going to think of a better one later), a not-so-daily update on the creation of ANG ASTIGING BOY IPIS#1. Including preview pages, Creator interviews, porn site links, and others I can think of. (Naks.)

Thanks to Wikipedia and Komiklopedia for the links, special thanks to AARON FELIZMENIO for convincing me to make a blog and for actually making me a stupenduos header/banner. Thanks also to IAN STA. MARIA for the cool art used in the header/banner, and REDGE VICENTE for the very cute profile pic.

ASTIG!