Pinoy Komik Artists are alive and kicking Erwin Oliva INQ7.net
November 03, 2006
Having dabbled in comics in my elementary years, the only things that stayed with me are Sgt. Rock and Tarzan. I could barely remember the time I read a comic book as I walked into Komikon2006, the second Philippine Komiks Convention at the UP Bahay ng Alumni in Diliman, Quezon City.
Then I chanced upon Jake, a college friend whom I remembered as a fan of American comics. He was carrying a drawing pad and was surprised to see me there. I was not.
I discovered that he loved comics when we were apartment mates. He had these volumes of comics (mostly DC), and it was through him that I learned about the Death of Superman. Later I saw him drawing and knew that he was more than a fan or a collector. He was an artist.
Jake was among hundreds of Filipino artists, fans, and curious onlookers at Komikon. Organized by the Artists' Den and The Drawing Board, it was perhaps the only time independent Filipino comic artists could really strut their stuff.
Indie comics
"Bihira makabenta (We rarely sell) so I sell my comics through conventions, word of mouth, or online," said young Joanah Rose Tinio, an established indie Filipino comic book creator and artist.
Friends remarked that she’s one of the more notable and prolific local comic artists, with her "Cresci Prophecies" already on its 20th volume. She’s been doing the comic series for the past 10 years, a rare feat produced with the ever reliable photocopier. Recently the independent publisher Point Zero has decided to support her.
Tinio said she began making her own comics back in college while she was a Fine Arts student in UP Diliman. Today she has her own fans. "We really need more venues to show our work," she remarked, adding that she's currently doing freelance work.
Komikon program director Sherry Baet agreed. "Our objective is to give opportunity for indie comics. Also we want to bring in comic artists and companies and make this into a job fair too."
She said that through Komikon, companies like Storyboards.com (through its local subsidiary Interactive Art Services) have managed to recruit local artists for outsourced work for American firms. Storyboards.com is currently doing storyboards and animatrics (animated storyboard) for US advertising companies.
Interactive Art Services is recruiting more local artists this year, especially those who can do 3D animation, said Jonas San Diego, studio director for the Philippines.
"Due to Komikon, these companies have found local artists who can do the job for them," Baet said.
Comic artists as "rock stars"
Another company actively recruiting local comic artists is Glass House Graphics.
Its booth was crowded when I arrived at Komikon. Since I was in unfamiliar territory, I figured I should go where the people were. This is how I met David Campiti.
He loves comics so much that he formed his own company in the 1990s. Having edited, written, designed and published comics for the past 25 years, he decided a company was where he could train upcoming artists and find work for them. Seven years ago, he formed Glass House Graphics Asia to represent Filipino artists in the American comic book, manga, and advertising markets.
Campiti narrated how he has developed some local artists who are now well-known not only in local circles but the international market. Among the better known Filipino comic artists he has worked with are Carlo Pagulayan (Marvel's The Hulk), Wilson Tortosa (Battle of the Planets), Steven Segovia (Vamparila), and Harvey Tolibao (Star Wars comics).
"I've been able to affect the lives of so many artists and people. I had one artist who had a congenital heart disease. He used the money he earned from drawing to pay for his surgery. So I could say that comics literally saved his life," Campiti recalled.
The comics market was at its peak in 1996. Today it’s gradually recovering from a slump, he said. "A lot of comic books are not selling well but it is good enough for us to build careers for more than 100 artists."
About 50 percent of Glass House Graphics' business comes from the comics industry. The rest is from web design, photography and advertising.
Other known comic artists who have worked for Campiti are the Brazilian Mike Deodato, Ed Benes, Luke Ross, Al Rio, Joe Bennett, Ivan Reis, Cliff Richards, and Will Conrad.
Shy Filipino comic artists
This year local artists and onlookers crowded Campiti as he invited them to show their portfolios at Komikon. He said he had already found several potential contract artists he might sign up.
"A lot of Filipino artists seem hesitant or shy to show their work. In fact, some who attended my local seminars took years to gather enough courage to show their work. This is unique in the Philippines. But I think there is talent here," he observed.
Currently focusing on the American comic industry, Campiti requires his local artists to go through intensive training before he gives them contract jobs. He said he was bringing in work for at least 15 to 16 comic books to the Philippines.
"Artists really need to learn to communicate. Communication is as important as the lines and drawing in a page," he stressed.
There are four steps to becoming a professional comic artist, he advised. First, one should know how to draw. Next, one should learn how to tell a story in pictures. Third, one should develop a "saleable" commercial style. Finally, one should develop professionalism (e.g. follow-through communication). The last is often forgotten by most artists who end up working for tiny wages, he said. Some artists don't become successful because they don't want to follow what they're told," he added.
William Tortosa is a "perfect example” of a success among his local recruits, Campiti said. He discovered Tortosa during a seminar in Manila; he is now one of Campiti’s sought after local comic artists.
More opportunities
Komikon program director Baet observed that Filipino comic artists have more opportunities these days. Besides Glass House Graphics, Interactive Art Services and Seven Seas are also recruiting more local artists to do contract or full-time work now.
Baet herself is connected with Quantum Amusement, but spends her spare time doing comic strips for the Manila Bulletin. Komikon continues to attract more people every year, she said. Last year about 800 people came to the convention. This year the number surpassed 800, with more than 20 indie groups and individual publishers of Filipino comics joining the convention.
Capping the whole day affair were performances by indie bands, including comic artists who have formed their own bands.
"I've been in the Philippines for the past seven years. Back then, I was coming here every three months. Now I come here once a year. We now use this event (Komikon) and our seminars to reach out to more artists. I have artists working for me all over the world. But I have offices in Brazil and the Philippines," said Campiti.
He also recalled that it was the works of Alfredo Alcala, Alex Nino, and other local comic artists in the 1970s that attracted him to the Philippines.
