PINOY KOMIKS R:EVOLUTION

PINOY KOMIKS R:EVOLUTION

Pinoy Komiks was a form of entertainment back in the old days when televisions and the internet were still under development. Televisions were hard to get, costs are high, and the internet was not yet fully integrated into society, not before Microsoft launched its PC. 

Pinoy komiks were easily accessible and cheap. Filipinos grew to love the characters portrayed in every panel. It indeed was comparative to Japanese Manga, Korean Manhwa, and America’s comics. But unlike its counterparts, Pinoy Komiks eventually lacked the audience support, especially from its locality, the Philippines.

Yet, the industry did not falter. Publications are still being made. Pinoy artists doing comics (komikeros) are still active. As new comics creators came in the scene, bringing life back in the industry, a big great wall was erected. No one was aware of it, and no one seemed to care.

The more conflict rises when online platforms emerged

Everyone got access to all sorts of multimedia when going “online” became normal. With online access becoming easier and faster, manga, manhwas, webtoons, comics of different genres and styles, anime, k-pop, Korean dramas, Netflix, online games, video streams, social media; they were now the norm. The internet opened up new sources, new art styles, and new perspectives. As new Pinoy Komiks creators grew to love the new concepts, new technology, new canvass, their works shifted away from what was traditional. It begs now to question the concept of “Pinoy Komiks”.

Kenkoy was a Pinoy Komiks character trying to imitate American Society and was hilarious in doing so. It was a hit back in the old days. Characters like Panday, Lastikman, Darna, Captain Barbel, all came from Pinoy Komiks. Some characters were visualized even today in our telenovelas and movies. Our folklore of aswangs, maligno, engkanto, manananggal, diwata, babaylan, were also all present on komiks publications. 

But does it mean that even today, we should still have them on Pinoy Komiks? Do artists need to base their illustrations on what is inside the Philippines’ mythology and culture? Do artists need to always make rhetorical humor about the government, about society, about life, just so we can call them Pinoy Komiks?

The current Pinoy Komiks perception needs amending

It is hard to make a living from doing komiks alone. Now that the Pinoy Komiks industry faces many challenges, artists (komikeros) and publishers alike are greatly affected. But some artists thrive through just by their passion alone. They want to share their stories with people, hoping to be noticed. Sadly, some of their artworks and illustrations do not fall under the concept of “Pinoy Komiks”. It was labeled or depicted as just another form of fan art from another wannabe manga or webtoon artist trying to make it on the industry.

Pinoy Komiks as a whole should be our own. But unfortunately, the Filipino community is preoccupied with what is foreign. It is sarcastic, that even though Filipinos have their own Komiks, they would rather support what is foreign. What was then the point of sticking to traditional concepts? If Filipinos would rather love foreign works, what’s the sense of keeping the tradition of a “Bahay Kubo” in the panel background?

There’s a visible wall of conflict between the traditional way of doing comics and the new way of making them. The old komiks referenced its style on American comics, it was well accepted by the community as a great source. Why now that when the new way of drawing inclined more on a Japanese manga, it is not recognized? What’s the BIG difference? And now, more artists followed webtoon formats of Korea. They are recognized internationally, why not locally within the Philippines? There is now a variety of “Pinoy Komiks” and this is how the industry found its new roots.

The revolution starts with you !!!

The industry needs to evolve its concept. Stop comparing traditional over the new. Stop comparing foreign over local. In the end, Pinoy Komiks needs every Filipino’s support. Just being aware that Pinoy artists and their Komiks exist (whatever form it may be), gives a lot of value for the industry. 

There are still a lot of unsung heroes and untold stories not yet known to everyone, princess, and goddess in need of saving. 

Adventures are waiting to be explored, dramas in need of tears, and a lot of actions in need of fans cheering. 

We got a lot of lists here in WebKom and we hope more will come. 

Just reading and sharing them is enough. 

Comments and suggestions too are more than welcome.