'VERSE UPDATE 2020 (2)

Aaaaaaand here we go!

Two new releases and a good mix of previously released issues, some of which are being made available to order online for the first time:

DAKILA: Siyudad Issue 1 (of 4)
David Hontiveros / Pyotr Mutuc
B&W / Wraparound cover / 24 pages / 5.5 x 8.5 inches / 100 pesos
 
The oikoumene is the physical plane we all live in.
But just beyond the Veil, there’s the Darkside, the diabul, where creatures from folklore and myth, entities divine and infernal, creatures undead and spectral, reside.
And Dakila’s about to enter the diabul--on Halloween, of all nights--to help young Maleck de los Santos with a personal quest.
What could go wrong?

DAKILA: Siyudad Issue 2 (of 4) [New Release]
David Hontiveros / Pyotr Mutuc
B&W / Wraparound cover / 24 pages / 6.5 x 10 inches / 160 pesos
 
Where Makati stands today used to be a swamp, a long time ago.
In the diabul, something’s about to rise from that swamp…
And it isn’t in a very good mood…

KADASIG: Walanghanggan Issue 1 (of 3) [New Release]
David Hontiveros / Romnick Magbanua
B&W / Colored cover / 36 pages / 6.5 x 10 inches / 230 pesos
 
There is a sentient horror movie, a diabolic film that constantly hungers to completely draw its audience into its narrative.
Literally.
And Kadasig is about to become its star attraction…

MASKARADO / DAKILA: Silver Like Dust
David Hontiveros / Reno Maniquis
B&W / Full color cardstock cover / 28 pages / 5.5 x 8.5 inches / 200 pesos
 
Maskarado: “Manila’s Masked Marvel.”
Dakila: his world’s “cosmic champion.”
These two heroes from different dimensions are about to face an enemy driven by madness and greed.
An enemy who wants all the power in the world for himself.
Including theirs.
 
And, for Brandon Ramirez, all the skintight spandex craziness starts here, in the 3-issue introductory arc…
 
DAKILA: Kapalaran

Issue 1
David Hontiveros / Bibo Reyes
B&W / Full color cover / 24 pages / 5.5 x 8.5 inches / 130 pesos
 
In which Dakila meets some corporate angels and the Devil…

Issue 2
David Hontiveros / Romnick Magbanua
B&W / 44 pages / 5.5 x 8.5 inches / 160 pesos
 
In which Dakila gets some training, we find out what’s up with his MIA mom, we discover which trusted ally is lying straight to his face, and the Devil does SPOILER!

Issue 3
David Hontiveros / Enel Lawrence Villegas
B&W / 32 pages / 6.5 x 10 inches / 190 pesos
 
In which we witness some cosplay, and Brandon’s official public debut as a superhero.
 
So there we go.
 
Please click on over to the Indies section of the Avenida website for more details (and preview pages), and, you know, to do the ordering…
 
Meanwhile, please stay safe and sane, people!

you can't drink just six,

Dave

POST-KOMIKON GRANDE 2019 POST

Before I enter my post-Kon Deep Recovery Mode, let me take this opportunity to thank all you mighty fine folk who dropped by on Saturday to completely hoover up stocks meant for both Kon days in 4 hours and 43 minutes...

Marvin, Budjette, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed the first adventure of our Divinely Dynamic Duo, Dakila and Fr. Matt.
And if you did, please spread the word and the love because there's certainly more where that came from.

I'd also like to thank all you mighty fine folk who picked up the latest DAKILA release

as well as those of you who inquired as to the best starting point for any new DAKILA readers.
I hope all of you enjoyed the issues you went home with, and again, if you did, please spread the word and the love.

And for everyone who dropped by to have their books and comics signed, thanx so much as well.

Special shout-out to Alexander, who proudly proclaimed his Dakila fandom by giving his vocal recommendations for which issues would be good reads.

And to the Visprint Crew, thanx for the hospitality.

Thanx so much, one and all.

And while I enter Deep Recovery Mode, please keep in mind, if you've got any questions (for Iunctura in particular, and Dakila and the 'Verse in general), then please feel free to leave them in the Comments section.
So long as the questions aren't too spoiler-y or too personal, I'll do my best to answer them in a future Addendum piece.
Or, you can also email us (at the address listed in any 'Verse release) with any thoughts and questions and comments.
We'd love to hear from you.

Parting Shot:

In addition, these issues of DAKILA are available to order online here, at the Indie Komiks Market section of mervstore.com.

Click on over there if something strikes your fancy...

you can’t drink just six,

Dave

TRESE DEVIATIONS: IUNCTURA 
ADDENDUM (1)

As I mentioned in the Iunctura announcement here, this is the Addendum to the text page in the comic.
Despite all you mighty fine folk not having read the comic (or the main text page) yet--since Iunctura launches at Komikon Grande 2019 some 10 days away--I think this post is still nonetheless readable, because it addresses the fundamental question...

“BUT IS IT CANON?”

It’s a question I anticipate will be asked about Iunctura, so I’ll do my best to answer it here.

Obviously, I can only answer that question with authority in regards to Dakila and the ‘Verse, and my answer: YES.

So all you mighty fine folk who’ve been following Dakila’s adventures in his own title, yes, this is the same Dakila.

For the record (and as I explained to Budjette during our conversations before I agreed to take on writing Fr. Matt), there is only one ‘Verse timeline.* No Elseworlds or What If’s.

In staying true to my belief that every story counts, not just from a narrative standpoint, but a character one as well, there is one single Dakila, and in every story that features him and that’s written by me, rest assured, it’s Brandon Ramirez underneath that mask, and not some alterna-Brandon.

It’s Brandon wearing that mask, and in the same way each of us learns a little (or a large) something from every encounter we have, every challenge we’re confronted with, every day we live through, there’s a single Dakila, with a single emotional throughline, a single character arc, learning a little something here, a large something there, as he goes along.

So yeah, Iunctura is canon, as far as Dakila and the ‘Verse are concerned.

And as far as Fr. Matt, who will be appearing in both Trese Deviations team-ups as well as his own “solo” stories: as I mentioned in the Iunctura text page, both kinds of stories work in tandem to build out the world that includes the Hilasterion and the Malevari.

We’ll meet the other members of the Mercy Seat; we’ll see the manner in which they operate and conduct their ongoing struggle against the Forsaken; we’ll learn what other kinds of Malevari are out there, as well as the origins of the entire demonic race.

All of these and more, secrets and revelations, to be found in either type of story, so the Big Picture can only be seen, the proverbial puzzle solved, from pieces gathered from each and every Fr. Matt story…

So we fervently hope you’ve strapped yourselves in, ‘cause we aim to treat you to a wild and wonderfully horrific ride as we take you into the midst of the Hilasterion/Malevari conflict…

* Note though that not all characters who appear under the ‘Verse banner are singular like Dakila.

I’ve addressed this in the past, but I’ll repeat it here since it seems to be germane to what we’re discussing: the Kadasig who appears in Skyworld is not the same Kadasig who appears in the ‘Verse title that goes by his name, in the same way as the Alexandra Trese who appears in Skyworld is not the same Alexandra who appears in the comic that she headlines.

You can choose to look at it this way: while Skyworld may now be retroactively considered a “Deviation” for Alexandra, it’s always been canon to Skyworld…

Because--and I’m brutally paraphrasing good old JC* here--“You should always have the right to refuse to be someone else’s alternate timeline.”

“OH, AND BY THE WAY…”

Because there wasn’t any space for this in the comic:

IUNCTURA Baumusik

Blondie, Depeche Mode, Dubstar, The Essence, The Fall, Grandaddy, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, The Pale Fountains, Pulp, The Railway Children, Ruby, and X-Mal Deutschland

-- dave (AKA The “Writing Machine,” as Budjette refers to me)

* No, not that JC! I mean John bloody Constantine!

So there we are.

TRESE DEVIATIONS: IUNCTURA

[Featuring Dakila & Fr. Trese]

By: David Hontiveros and Marvin del Mundo

Page Count: 36 pages
Cover Price: P 160.00

Launching at Komikon Grande 2019

November 23 & 24

Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound, 8008 Pioneer St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Now, while there may be more BTS insights of this sort in the near future, what I'd also like to do here in this space is to open the floor to any questions you may have.
So long as the questions aren't too spoiler-y or too personal, please feel free to leave them in the Comments section of this post, and I'll do my best to answer them in a future Addendum piece.

So, once more, save the dates: November 23 & 24, Saturday and Sunday.

Hope to see all you mighty fine folk at the Bayanihan Center for Komikon Grande 2019!
Look for me at the Visprint booth, where copies of Trese Deviations: Iunctura and Dakila: Kapalaran 3 will be available.

Parting Shot:
In addition, these issues of DAKILA are also available to order online here, at the Indie Komiks Market section of mervstore.com.

So for any Trese fans who are as of yet unaware of who Dakila is exactly, please feel free to click on over to mervstore and check these issues out.

you can’t drink just six,

Dave

KOMIKON GRANDE 2019
'VERSE ANNOUNCEMENT (2)

We're less than two weeks out from this year's Komikon Grande (AKA Good Old NovKon).
I've already announced one 'Verse release here.
At long last, I can officially announce this release as well.

As DAKILA, Brandon Ramirez is the Baita’s first--and potentially most powerful--superhero. He is his world’s “cosmic champion,” and, allied with the angels of the divine corporation, TierCell, he defends the innocent and powerless, and punches Evil in the Face, 25/8.

He’s also an eighteen-year-old geek who may have been reading about superheroes for as long as he can remember, but has only been in the cape and mask for just over seven months.

In that time though, he’s already teamed up with more experienced superheroes from other dimensions, and learned a lot from them.

Today, February 1, 2011, he’s about to meet a priest.

MATTHIAS TRESE is that priest.

The 27-year-old son of occult investigator Anton Trese, Matthias is referred to in some circles as “The Third Son of the Sixth Son.”

Having had a long and rebellious adolescence, he eventually landed in (some would say, “was sentenced to”) a seminary.

It was there though that Matthias found his calling, and soon, he was inducted into the Hilasterion, an organization that was founded to defend mankind against the malevolent forces of the Enemy.

As a clericus of the St. George Division, he faces the demonic Malevari alongside the other members of his Trinity, Fr. Wilfredo Fuentes and Fr. Alessio Bronze.

Take one “champion of God” superhero and one priest who kicks a$$ for the Lord, drop them in a demonic convocation known as “the Tiangge” during election season in the Baita’s Seven Lodges of Hell, and watch the divine and infernal fireworks clash and go BOOM.

TRESE DEVIATIONS: IUNCTURA

[Featuring Dakila & Fr. Trese]

By: David Hontiveros and Marvin del Mundo

Page Count: 36 pages
Cover Price: P 160.00

Launching at Komikon Grande 2019

November 23 & 24

Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound, 8008 Pioneer St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Now, while there is a text page in Iunctura where Budjette and I share some BTS insights, space is always at a premium in a comic, so I'll be posting an addendum of sorts here at the Iguana, which will address a question both Budjette and I foresee will be frequently asked regarding Iunctura in particular, and the Deviations title in general.

That should go up here at the Iguana on Wednesday or thereabouts, so click on down here later in the week if you wanna check that out.

So there you go.

Save the dates: November 23 & 24, Saturday and Sunday.

Hope to see all you mighty fine folk at the Bayanihan Center for Komikon Grande 2019!
Look for me at the Visprint booth, where copies of Trese Deviations: Iunctura and Dakila: Kapalaran 3 will be available.

Parting Shot:
In addition, these issues of DAKILA are also available to order online here, at the Indie Komiks Market section of mervstore.com.

So for any Trese fans who are as of yet unaware of who Dakila is exactly, please feel free to click on over to mervstore and check these issues out.

you can’t drink just six,

Dave

2018 NOVEMBER KOMIKON ANNOUNCEMENT #4

It's the 30th of October, which means tomorrow is the 31st.
So, here's hoping all you mighty fine folk have a Happy (and safe) Halloween!

It also means that we're eighteen days out from this year's November Komikon (November 17 & 18), and look!
Announcement number four!

NEW 'VERSE COMIC RELEASE

DAKILA: Legado 
Issue 2A (of 3)

David Hontiveros / Michael Urbano

Your name is Brandon Ramirez and you’ve been a geek your whole life: comics, movies, RPGs, cosplay.

And now you’re officially the world’s first superhero, as evidenced by the cape, the mask, the totally ripped physique, and those crazy-awesome powers.

Higher agencies seem to have conspired to steer you right into that skintight outfit.

We have only one question:

How’s that working out for you?

A reunion between fellow reprobated angels Raguel and Adimus turns contentious when Adimus' new "mission" is revealed.
Naturally, Dakila arrives just in time for the fisticuffs...

Dakila.

18 years old.
Cosmic champion.

All of a sudden, acne and getting a driver’s license are so not a big deal anymore.

So, yeah! Freebies!
Discounts!
And new releases!

And speaking of discounts...
Aside from the 'Verse packs (all completed story arcs available at a discounted price), we'll also be introducing 'Verse packets at NovKon.
Packets will consist of issues from unfinished story arcs that nonetheless still feature complete stories.
Like a group of one-and-dones (Dakila: Kapalaran issue 1 & Dakila: Buwan issue 1; art by Bibo Reyes and Jason Confesor, respectively)

and a complete two-parter (Dakila: Lumilim issues 1 & 2; art by Elmer Cantada).

So, discounts on compilations, discounts on packs, discounts on packets.
Discounts all around.

There you go.

Set the dates: November 17 & 18, at the Bayanihan Center on Pioneer.
Look for me (and the freebies and the discounts and the new comic book releases) at the Visprint booth!
And don't forget the ARTIST ALERT.

This post will also be, in all likelihood, the final post before NovKon. (Unless there's like a stealth ninja release that I am totally unaware of at the moment, which, as far as I know, there isn't.)
But please feel free to come back to the Iguana in these last 18 days before NovKon, just in case...

And please also feel free to spread a link to this post around, so we can get the word out.

#komikonph

Hope to see all you mighty fine folk at NovKon!

you can’t drink just six,

Dave

PIMP MY STUFF
AUGUST 10 2013 INDIEKET

With August 10 four days away, I'd just like to announce the third new title for the Indieket:

BATHALA: Apokalypsis (6A of 7)
By David Hontiveros and Ace Enriquez

The mighty Bathala has been laid low by his enemies, leaving the Apocalypse to rage on.
Long live Bathala, fallen but not forgotten.
Long live Bathala; Bathala is dead.

Or is he?

Also available at the Indieket will be the two other new titles, both set in the shared setting of The 'Verse:

DAKILA: Kapalaran (1 of 3)

By David Hontiveros and Bibo Reyes

Your name is Brandon Ramirez and you’ve been a lifelong geek: comics, movies, RPGs, cosplay.

And now, at 17, you’re officially the world’s first superhero, as evidenced by the cape, the mask, the totally ripped physique, and those crazy-awesome powers.

Higher agencies seem to have conspired to steer you right into that skintight outfit.

We have only one question:

How’s that working out for you?

For those of you out there who’ve read Parman and liked what you saw in there, you might want to check DAKILA: Kapalaran out…

Just saying…

URIEL: Hekhalot (1 of 4)

By David Hontiveros and Michael Urbano

Angels were not always warriors.

In the beginning, the arelim were messengers, their role, to bring Word and News from the lips of the glorious Hari ta mga Magbabaya, to the ears of all who would hear them.

But when Men were Created, it soon became clear that the vile Mangilala was deeply interested in their misery.

Thus, Magbabaya decreed that all Men must have a nathra, a watchman, a guardian, to defend them against Mangilala’s dark and cruel whims.

Uriel is one such nathra, and 7-year-old Maleck de los Santos, his mortal charge.

So, there you go.

The first issues of DAKILA: Kapalaran and URIEL: Hekhalot, and BATHALA: Apokalypsis 6A, at the Indieket on August 10, at the Bayanihan Center on Pioneer.
Naturally, the previous 'Verse and Bathala issues will also be available.

Most of these titles are now also available at the Filbar's branches in Megamall and Festival Mall, so you can pick them up there, too. (However, the previous issues of BATHALA: Apokalypsis are not stocked at Filbar's yet, though they should be made available on Filbar's shelves sometime after the Indieket...)

For all you mighty fine folk attending the Indieket this coming Saturday, see you there!

you can't drink just six,

Dave