Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Just something i've been itching to write and voice out, you be the judge

Supporting the Filipino Comic Book Artist

Man what a way to steamroll the day, but here goes. save your flames for later. (sorry for the sp)
ok, here goes nothing....

Last week had a lunch with a fellow comic book artist, and our discussion went into comic books. but the most thing that hit with on the conversation was about supporting fellow artist. it was a given that a lot of komikeros as we call them now are so outspoken in trying to uplift the already so dead industry here. but what does really? i have thoughts/ideas/opinions. some you may agree with, some you may curse me with for speaking out.

ok let's get the ball rolling...

it's a known fact that a lot of komiks are being made now, published and photocopied. and there are lots of them, myself included. i had my share in "handicrap" comix (1997-98), 6 issues andreleased "legend of the zodiac" last december. sales was ok got a review or two. will also release something on december and if i get lucky something for the summer too. and i am soo happy a lot of other indies, as we call them now are slated for next year, and who knows what are the surprises that we will see on the coming con.

but the thing is, what can we do to help them? buy their books? that's a given. others buy almost everything that comes out while others buys what they like. does it stop there? i don't think so. what else can we do? anyone? ummm, somehow i'm running out of ideas this early, don't even know if a had good ones, hehehe.

a few months ago, i saw a post in alamat mailing list requesting fellow artist to help him with the 1st year anniversary of his title. and it's a good one too. reply's were positive, but the thing that made me think was that, so far only three persons, if i'm not mistaken answered his call. good or bad? i will say bad, it even sucks. there are almost a hundred artist, maybe more on that list alone and only three answered? why? maybe they are busy with work or maybe they just don't give a damn.

ok that was it then. then i made a similar post to test the waters again so to speak. announcing the 4th year celebration of sandugo online. asking for the same thing, skethces/drawings to commemorate the anniv. but as luck would have it, only one replied. what the heck! why? are my creations so bad/despised that only one eveb dared considered to draw them (thank you very much joel). i don't think so when i have art from other artist, some famous already like wilson, and lan and other indie artist like ryan orosco, manny abeleda, fritz
casas and dennis crisostomo. and the details they gave the drawing can be seen, these are not just sketches, they are full drawings. they spent their time on it. i have other known known artists who already gave their commitments and i'm am very much flattered they said yes, though only when their free. but still, just to be considered is enough for me.

so what does this tell me? are we only so outspoken and lacking in actions? please tell me, i really need to know this. why? answer: there's already a plan to established artist organization, that will be dedicated in the uplifting of the industry and support the komiks artist or maybe gather them in one umbrella just like what alamat did wayyyyy back then. but this one was to have committee members from various studios and officers. the target was also to have an award giving body much like famas. i said cool. but before things got off the ground and some debate on the matter, the decision was change on how the structure will be. why?

answer: it will be very hard to gather all artist in one umbrella because they will all banged their heads to each other, much like what happened with alamat. too many differences ans so many wants to be bida or the star of the show. so it was decided that the org will start small, and work it's way out. and if things goes the way as envisioned, then the invitation to other studios and artist will follow until the time new officers and committess will be selected by election. is the idea good or bad, you be the judge.

i know others have their gripes too, so voice them out. i think it's time already voice out our opinions and really see what we can do, and actually do something about it.

ok flames lock and loaded, shoot!

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