Pinoy komikeros are building an online home at Penlab

Once in a while, a platform changes how we enjoy media.

Remember Limewire and Kazaa? On top of setting off a sort of computer virus pandemic and being the peak of music piracy, it’s hard to believe there was actually a time when we downloaded our favorite songs instead of streaming them.

Speaking of streaming, was “streaming” even a word back then?

And long before Netflix turned the film industry on its head, “video-on-demand” might have just been a fancy name for our suking Kuya DVD.

Recent years have seen a comeback in Pinoy comics—fondly spelled “komiks” by both creators and readers. Since 2005, annual local comic conventions like Komikon and Komiket just haul in more and more people.

Although amazing developments in their own right, these conventions usually take place only in the big cities. Opportunities are there to reach out even further.

“While Pinoy komiks have definitely built a steady niche and a strong community amongst regular attendees of Komikon and Komiket, a strong online presence could cater to those who can’t access these spaces and events,” said Bernie Mercado, co-creator of hit komik title “Katipunera Warrior.” 

Enter Penlab.ink, a website exclusively for Pinoy komiks. Founded by creative content group Kalabaw Kolektib just this September, Penlab is a non-profit community initiative done in collaboration with many other local komiks creators.

Penlab is a labor of love—we immediately knew this the first time we visited the site.

A creamy white palette warmly greets you at the Penlab homepage. Then the interface takes you in smoothly. “Pinoy komiks in one place,” you see written beside “Penlab girl,” the platform’s de facto mascot. Holding a smartphone filled with komiks, Penlab girl looks on to an unseen horizon.

Visit worlds old and new

Scrolling down the homepage shows the worlds to be discovered. Pinoy komiks fill the screen with every color.

Classic komiks series “Kenkoy” by Tony Velasquez, the Father of Philippine Comics, is here.

But the bulk of titles at Penlab are gems of the new generations. 

Komiks para sa lahat?

Makikita na online ang napakaraming komiks na gawang Pinoy! Isang grupo ng mga komikero ang nagsama-sama para gumawa ng isang makabagong website—at wala itong ibang laman kundi Pinoy komiks!

Alamin ang mga detalye tungkol sa site (@penlab_ink) sa video. pic.twitter.com/VAhq71X9Zg

— GMA News (@gmanews) December 18, 2020

To name a few, you’re set to enjoy award-winning fantasy from “The Mythology Class” by Arnold Arre, top-of-the-shelf storytelling from “Sagala” by Tori Tadiar, and gun-slinging action “PASIG: Unbound” by Taga-ilog.

Neatly framed in rounded squares, the library of komik titles are segregated by genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Drama, Suspense, and Indie. Finding it hard to decide on one? Start with the “Hot Ink” section for the platform’s most-read titles.

Mercado, who is also the managing editor of Penlab, said the platform aims to be an open and inclusive digital space for both komiks creators and enthusiasts.

“Readers now have the opportunity to find their favorites and discover new ones—all for free,” Mercado shared.

Through Penlab, Mercado said that Filipino komiks creators have a new opportunity to share their works with a larger audience, by publishing web komiks on the site free of charge. Looking to the future, Mercado shared that the platform intends to also help creators sell physical copies of their komiks.

“Our website hopes to develop a space where the entire community can do what we do best: Create, read, and share komiks,” he added.

Komiks creators assemble

Ever since Penlab’s launch in September, some have likened it to Webtoon, a more established reader platform originating from South Korea which publishes content from all over the world.

Although taking inspiration from the latter, we feel that Penlab has already carved out its stake early on: it’s a special place for Pinoy komiks by the Pinoy komikeros themselves.

“What Penlab has done for us is that they’ve created this platform to which we could reach out to more people with our titles,” said Ydunn Lopez from Warehouse 6 Productions, makers of Dapit Hapon komiks.

For Marian Hukom, a graphic artist and illustrator in Las Piñas, Penlab has brought new interest in her works.

“My komik ‘Nagmamahal, Maria Clara’ was released in print a long time ago. And I didn’t think people would pick it up now, digitally. But they did! You’ll never know. It became one of the top hits unexpectedly,” Marian shared.

“Yeah, it was great. It helped reached komiks hit the mainstream. Ang saya. Thank you Penlab!”

Interested to check out Penlab? Visit the site at penlab.ink.

Liked what you saw? Consider helping their growing endeavors for the Pinoy komiks community through penlab.ink/donate. – RC, GMA News