Pinoy comics artists draw fans in Singapore

There was a time when only one or two Filipino artists attended international comic conventions. But at the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention last month, there were five. Marvel Comics talents Harvey Tolibao, Mico Suayan, Carlo Pagulayan, Stephen Segovia, and Leinil Yu were flown in from Manila in town for the pop culture-loaded event last August 20-21. “It’s some of the best in the world," says Marvel Comics talent scout C.B. Cebulski about Filipino talent coming into Marvel. "The guys that have been coming up have been so impressive." Yu, a last-minute addition to the lineup, says that the influx of Filipinos in the US comics industry is a good sign not only for the Philippines but for Asia as well. “It gives them hope [that] it’s attainable," he adds. All five artists are based in Manila and have worked on numerous Marvel Comics titles like Secret Invasion, Planet Hulk, Rage of Thor, Wolverine: Origins, and The Mighty Avengers, among others. “Parang magkakabarkada kami [na] magkasama dito," says Pagulayan.

They spent most of their time at the convention doing sketches and signing autographs for fans. Long queues were formed for all five, especially for Tolibao. “Nagkamali lang sila ng pila," he jokes. Tolibao belongs to a new breed of Filipinos currently breaking into the US comics industry, and is best known for illustrating several issues of the Star Wars comic book series. Despite the success, he is quick to point out that it’s not all about dominance in one’s field. “Kasi yun palagi ang nasa isip natin e kaya yung crab mentality ng Pilipinas di nawawala," he says. “Ang nangyayari sa atin, ‘pag nakapunta ka na ng States, ay ikaw sobra mong galing na Pinoy nakapunta ka doon, parang tayo ang nangunguna doon. Minsan tanggalin natin sa isip yun," Tolibao says. “Drawing is not about, nagdrowing ako para sumikat ako. Nagdrowing ako para makapag-share ako ng skill ko, makapag-inspire ako sa mga bata," he adds. Marvel’s Cebulski credits Whilce Portacio, a US-based veteran Filipino comics artist best known for his work on X-Men during the ‘90s, for paving the way for other artists such as Yu, whom he took under his wing. Portacio is one of the co-founders of the US comic book company Image Comics. “Whilce inspired a whole new generation," says Cebulski. “The history of teaching the next generation, mentoring and helping them get on their feet, is such a wonderful tradition. “It gives every artist the hope that [if] ‘these guys can do it, I can do it, too,’" and that’s what it needs. In the Philippines it’s been second to none in the international comic community of nurturing their talent," Cebulski adds. Pagulayan agrees that Filipinos have an edge in the US comics industry. “Madali tayong mag-adjust sa mga styles… flexibility," he points out. “They grow up on Marvel Comics…and you’re pulling influences, not just from superhero comics and manga but a lot of the stuff you guys do in your domestic industry and [bringing] a rich culture to that as well," Cebulski notes. “There’s a heritage there that’s implicit in the art. And there’s a storytelling sense that transcends the style," he concludes. – YA, GMA News