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!