Pinoy Komiks: Skyworld

Skyworld: Volume Two by Mervin Ignacio
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

It's supposed to be BANGIS! but...

The Print! Why is it that the prints are misplaced? What about these lost pages? This will not give justice to the illustrator and to the writer of the comic book! URGH!

Huhuhuh, the lost pages will remain lost forever, I cannot figure now the other scenes from these lost panels. But if you think positively, these lost pages are like Yamashita Treasure, like legends meant to be hidden.

Like the creators tell us - Every legend tells a lie.

Skyworld is like the flagship project of Mervin Ignacio and Ian Sta. Maria that took ten years to complete. Faced with challenges of lost files, pencil sketches, boring office floors and creative minds - they crafted a mythology so twisted that you will be amazed on its references with history, with old Pinoy folklore, and with the realism of the Philippine Society.

I was in awe for the graphic novels became at par with those others citing folklore and old tales. I remember myself reading a manga (made by my favorite japanese artist CLAMP) named xxxHOLIC and asked why we Pinoys do not have this kind of goodread yet. And when Skyworld was introduced to the readers of this generation - WOW.

The current generation should have a copy of this book. Especially those who grew up with smartphones and internet in their hands, those who do not know the stories behind the Balete Tree, those tales behind the scientific explanation of Lunar Eclipse.

Story
This graphic novel is divided into four books, Apocrypha - with narration told in the perspective of the Prince-Tikbalang named Makabo; Testament - includes sentiments by Rianka, the Asuang-Queen; and Prodigal and Requiem - with all the actions and kidism entries made by the teenage protagonist named Andoy, who we believed possessed the bloodline of the great Skygod named Kaptan.

I am not to splurge spoilers for it messes up the enthusiasm of the future readers, but how the story evolved is like a typical protagonist-antagonist approach: told from tales before time and with a span of past to present, the antagonist escapes and is on a hunt for an immortal god-like-life. And the protagonist from the time before is different from the protagonist to be introduced in our time. After all, the protagonist is not a mythical being, but a mortal one. The guy who is crippled by fate and prays in the Quiapo church, hoping for a miracle.

How the story ended will give substance how legends live. And you will see how the creators made mention of how Budjette's black-and-white-comic-book awaken their inspiration to create such great plot. After all, it is the legend that brings out something to believe in.

Characters
The artists made a point to refer to some aid - some form of crossover, who will help the kid save the world. Note how these artists are greatly indebted with the living pinoy komiks legend Budjette Tan and they even asked for the assistance of Babaylan-mandirigma Alexandra Trese (WOOOOHHHOOOOOOO~! RAK EN ROL DUUUUUUDDDDE!); they even mentioned Kadasig - the guy in spartan slippers who does the karate moves and has an armory hidden in his body.

They even mentioned National Heroes in this book! YEYEYEYEYEYEY!!! :D

Sentiments
Except for the lost pages (Dear Alamat Komiks, may I have a copy of those lost pages? huhuhuh *CREYS*), the book is definitely an EXCELLENT READ.

True Rating: 5 Stars.

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