Unreal

I was able to watch the CG-fantasy flick Beowulf a couple of days ago, and I must say I'm glad I caught it in a theater. This sort of spectacle needs to be seen on as big a screen as possible. What can I say? I was certainly amazed and enthralled at the visual artistry of the film, much more so than Robert Zemeckis' previous CG cartoon effort, The Polar Express. The characters onscreen still, slightly have that 'uncanny valley' sort of thing; you KNOW they're not real, but after a while it doesn't matter. After a while, you're just watching performers onscreen, not thinking all the time they're just pixels made to look like Anthony Hopkins or John Malkovich. Strangely enough, the one actor who doesn't look the same onscreen and offscreen is Ray Winstone, who plays the titular hero. Apparently he was cast for his voice and his age, perhaps, since a great part of the story happens in the warrior's more senior years.

But as fabulous as most of the CG graphics are, I have to say there are things that still aren't gotten quite right; mainly WOMEN. Barring Angelina Jolie's succubus-like Demon Mother, the other female characters tend to all look like Glenn Close at the start. I can't figure it out. There's still something about the female form that the CG artists behind this flick just haven't gotten yet. Oh well.

All that aside, I have to say that this was a pretty slick fantasy epic, well worth watching and seeing. The best thing about it for me is how solid everything felt, like the world it was set in, the texture of stuff from wooden walls and gold-painted skin to the disgusting pus-laden flesh of Grendel's scummy skin. Also incredible, the way the camera moves everywhere, like it was attached to a fly, following everything from the path of a gold coin thrown from a king's hand to the bloody swath Beowulf's sword cuts through the gullet of a monstrous sea monster. ASTOUNDING.

I'll be picking up the DVD I guess, since this does seem to be a keeper.

Scummy iPhone

As if to remind me of its POWER after I have been doting recently on my new PSP Slim, my iPhone just got itself quite a bit of gaming prowess. SCUMMVM, the game system that powered all those classic Point-and-Click videogames like Day of the Tentacle, Secret of Monkey Island and Maniac Mansion, has been ported over to the iPhone platform. With an interface perfect for the touchscreen-master device, the SCUMMVM games not only play great but look great on Apple's mobile.

The trick is, of course, getting both the emulator program (freeware) AND the game files (bahala na si Batman how you get them) onto the iPhone. It requires an openline, unlocked phone and several apps, WiFi and a bit of fiddling with 1P addresses. But it's easier than it seems, and I got it working fine. So now, my iPhone's not so much the boring, non-gaming device I whined about yesterday.

Doesn't mean I'll be throwing away my PSP though. Not while Tekken and DOA are there. Heh.

New Toy!


Slim and Lite!

I got myself a brand new PSP Slim last weekend, and I'm having a ball with it. Yeah, I know, I know... I HAD a PSP several months ago, and I really didn't have it for very long. In fact, my first PSP was with me for all of less than three months, and I was really only able to play about three games for any length of time. The portable was a bit more expensive then, and all the games I had were originals, so I was paying for each title through the nose- even the crappy ones (and I did buy a couple of crappy ones). Sad to say, lugging around the PSP with delicate UMDs wasn't the most convenient or comforable thing to do, and the fun wasn't there for me then. So, I eventually bade goodbye to it.

Well, things have changed a bit since then. All over the place now is the new model PSP Slim and Lite aka PSP2000, which is unsurprisingly slimmer and lighter than the previous model 1000s. But never mind the specs about how the thing is 20% lighter and thinner- the nicest thing about local PSPs is that they all pretty much come with homebrew firmwares, large-capacity Memory Sticks and ISO games. What does this mean? Well, it means that you don't need to get those crappy, easy-to-get-scratched-and-ruined UMDs... games are little more than files that you load into your Memory Stick, and play from there. So you can pretty much bring a whole arcade's worth of titles in your PSP, and not a single UMD in sight- thus, Light on the weight but HEAVY on the gaming!
Add to that the niceness that the usual PSP package costs even less than the previous offers did months ago AND gives you tons of games from the get-go, can you say... SOLD?

So now I have my new Piano-Black PSP Slim (I passed on the Ice Silver, Florentine Blue and Rose Pink variants...), loaded to the rafters with games like the indispensable Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection (to tide me over until Tekken 6), Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (really, the game that got me interested in the PSP again), Puzzle Quest (a hilarious mix of Bejeweled and Fantasy RPGs), Jeanne D' Arc (Anime-themed RPG set in the War between France and England), Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops (which I sinfully didn't get to play on my previous PSP) and Sid Meier's Pirates (classic). Heck, I even have Dead or Alive PSX loaded in my PSP as well- running at a lovely 60 frames per second at BLAZING fast speed, it's like a whole new game with upped challenge thanks to the copy being the PAL version (which contains several extras unseen in the NTSC games). Plus, it's the closest thing to Virtua Fighter anyone can get on the PSP. Except with swimsuits.

So now, I have the perfect companion to my iPhone, which despite all it's loveliness and multimedia power, is pretty CRAPPY when it comes to games (Tic-Tac-Toe, anyone?), and another way to fight boredom whenever it rears its sleepy head.

Anyways, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment to keep in Ivalice...

Now Sneaking Into Your Favorite Bookstores



Mangaholix Presents #3 is now available in National Bookstore and other places where magazines and comics are sold. This third issue of the locally-produced manga-zine is full to the brim with awesome art, cool stories and characters and tons of content to enjoy.
The stories include the latest installments of MHP's mainstay stories. Midknighters: Fistfight Manifesto, the Ocean's Eleven-meets-Fight Club action adventure takes a break from all the beat 'em up action and takes a look at the softer side of one of the macho heroes. Aporia continues the comedic fantasy adventure of Kapres and Tikbalangs as Apo, the exiled Kapre, confronts his pursuer. Meanwhile, action heats up in the realm of Engkantos as secret dealings continue to play out. In the musical sci-fi fantasy Pulis Pangkalawakan, the band meets a new ally in their battle against the Parapaps... and maybe a new love interest?
Also in Issue 3, a cool feature entitled Musical Icons Manganized where some of the hottest local bands (Sandwich, Itchyworms, Urbandub) get re-imagined by the awesome artists of Mangaholix. And finally, game and gear reviews aplenty as well as in-depth reports on the recently-concluded San Diego Comic Con round out this overstuffed issue!

Oh and of course, Issue 3 contains the debut episode of Ninja Girl KO!, brought to you by yours truly and awesome artist Kriss Sison. Martial arts hi-jinx and light-hearted adventure begin when hapless student Anton Alcazaren crosses paths with the Philippines' cutest and deadliest war straggler- the lovely kunoichi Michiko Yamashita!



Get your copy of Issue 3 (and 1 and 2 if you don't already have 'em) NOW NOW NOW! WAHOOO!!!

WRATH OF KON (a.k.a. a MADman's Komikon 2007 Report)

Another year, another KOMIKON! For starters, I'd like to congratulate and thank Azrael and the members of Artists' Den who worked hard to make this, The 3rd Filipino Komiks Convention, an awesome and cool reality. I've been to all three Kons so far, and they just get better and better each time. A great personal thanks comes from me as well to Groundbreakers Inc., the grand crew behind the hottest new local mangazine (shameless plug!) Mangaholix Presents, for making the day particularly cool, exciting and rewarding for me.

One can only lament that we, the local indie komiks/komics/comics creators/artists/producers/fans/enthusiasts only get one day in the whole year to really call OUR OWN. But then, at the end of the several hours, we're all probably too tired and spent (both in body and in spendable cash) to go another day like this. So yeah- we only get one day, but what a day it is. Crowded, chaotic, creative, completely crazy and cool.

Really, the Komikon is like every other convention out there- get a bunch of people who like the same thing, and get them all together in one place to swap stuff, stories and laughs. At the Komikon, it's always a fun time. The only things I see more of other than comics, toys and fun stuff are giddy smiles and expressions of glee and wonderment (or puzzlement from the odd man/woman out who just wandered into the area by mistake thinking it was some tiangge). The local indie comics community, which also extends to local gaming and hobby interests, apparently, is particularly friendly, close-knit, courteous and pleasant to be around with. It's great to just wander around, meet people in the field you've worked with/crossed paths/swords with/heard of/idolized/been envious of, and just talk shop, swap war stories, give solicited advice and what have you.

There were the usual suspects- seasoned indie professionals who have been around and made their names in the local community. Then there are the youngsters- kids in college or just out ready to storm the world with their hot-off-the-copier ashcans. The next generation, right there. I have to say, it's great to see the Indie Tiangge table filled with tons of new stuff, fresh and ripe to be read and appreciated. I'm a little sad that I wasn't able to scoop up every issue on offer- I blame the ATM for giving me 1000s in bills and the ever-present problem of change. Oh well.

It's wonderful to meet fans and readers of your work, and it never ceases to amaze me how people still keep your stuff to heart years after first release. I was given copies of the original Angel Ace to sign, as well as Angel Ace Again and Next, Siglo and even a couple of copies of Cherry Blossom High. Man, it was great! I have to apologize right now to those fans and readers who approached me and then I can't remember their names- my memory is horrid (but I often remember faces better), but I love you guys and appreciate your support for Angel, Kai and all my other comics to no end.

HECK, you guys and gals are the reason I keep doing this thing.

My main place was at the table of Jonas San Diego, who graciously and generously allowed guys like me, Elbert Or (who selflessly allowed himself to be my cashier... El, I am gonna treat you to lunch or dinner next time we meet. Seriously), Carl Vergara and Dave Hontiveros to squat and peddle our wares. Me? I just brought ten copies each of all the Angel Ace Again! releases (including NEXT!), and five copies of K.I.A. which I had laying around The Sanctum. Nicely, I sold most of them during the day, and gave a couple of sets away to some special people. Not bad!

A few feet away, Budjette Tan and the 'New Alamat' crew of Ian Sta. Maria and Mervin Ignacio displayed their cool new releases- Budj of course had the latest Trese, but his boys had their first major release- Skyworld, a fantasy action-adventure with distinct Pinoy flavor and awesome Tikbalang versus Aswang action. Great stuff!

A stone's throw away, Gerry Alanguilan would be selling the latest issue of his critical and popular indie success, Elmer... unfortunately a mishap in directions almost caused the stocks to get delivered all the way to San Pablo, Laguna. Yikes! Luckily, the comics eventually arrived to the delight of the fans.

Vin Simbulan (Isaw At Iba Pa, Kid Continuum) and Andrew Drilon (Karaboy, Kare-Kare Komiks)were by for a while, but had to leave shortly for another engagement at the other side of the world. Like a tag-team, another couple of good friends came by- Arnold and Cynthia Arre were along to get into the fun and spend a nice lunch with me. On a table nearer to the main stage, the Seven Seas crew was gathered, and I met Taga-Ilog(Pasig) and Michael David (Kubori Kikiam) and got their latest stuff... FINALLY!!!! MORE MINA AND DANTE!!! AAAAH!!! Really, seeing you guys made the day all the brighter.

Of course, my main joy for the day was the release of Mangaholix Presents Issue 3. At the Groundbreakers Inc. table, Head Honchos Ian Cang and Emmanuel Javier presided over their hardworking artists who were scribbling away awesome sketches by the minute. Where was Issue 3? It was a bit late, but literally arrived HOT OFF THE PRESSES in the afternoon. The copies were, thankfully, excellent (if still a bit damp from ink) thanks to production from the Culture Crash guru himself, James Palabay. Great to see ya again, James! Reactions to the new ish, and to a certain new title, Ninja Girl KO! looks great. Hopefully, it's all great from here.

And of course, it was great for me to finally meet in the flesh not only Ian, but Kriss Sison as well! Incredibly enough, the two of us managed to fashion a pretty slick, 10-page manga episode without ever seeing each other eye-to-eye. WAHOO! Gotta love the internet. Anyways, it was awesome meeting you, Kriss, and I hope this results in more, more, more great pages from both of us to the readers.

Other stuff. Fun stuff as well. Met Oliver Pulumbarit (Lex, Nancy and Argus) and had a group pic of him with me and Arnold together- Lourdes School alma mater unite! Met Fero Benedict too...and got reminded I owed him a review and never delivered. OOPS! Sorry, Fero!

Some cool guys and gals from Tale Craft, a locally-produced card-based storytelling game, got me, Carl and El to judge their storytelling contest. It was fun, albeit very difficult to hear the stories due to the overly LOUD emceeing from the central stage. SILENCE!!! STORIES BEING TOLD!!! Oh, and congratulations, Evil Dex!

In pleasant contrast to the last Kon, it was great to have adequate food and drink stations around this time, instead of having to crowd around that ONE Smokey's Stand last year. Thankfully, the venue also wasn't as hot as the last Kon as well, thanks to the many cooling fans set up all around. Unfortunately, it would invariably lead to people crowding and hanging out in front of the fans and blocking the coolness. Oh well.

At the end of the day, people were tired but triumphant. Tired but smiling. Tired but glowing with new purchases or flushed with sales. Me, El and Joel Chua winded the day down with dinner at Katipunan and a long chat about the past day and other funny stuff. Oh, and a long-winded review of mine about those crappy Shake, Rattle and Roll sequels.

The great thing about the Kon for me is that I always end it afterwards with my Comic-Making Spirit reinvigorated with new energy. Enough energy, hopefully, to last me till the next Kon. HOHO! Have to get back on to work on the next Ninja Girl KO! script. Have to keep plugging away at getting the next K.I.A. book off the ground. And how about the Angel Ace graphic novel I seem to be eternally planning? And what else may there be up my sleeve? With luck, we'll see some stuff in the near future. Before the next Kon. Or by the next Kon.

Seeya all next time, people! Till then... Support your local Indies! Support the REAL Filipino Komiks!!!


Elbert Or, Carlo Vergara and David Hontiveros.


Me and Andrew Drilon visit Taga-Ilog and Michael David at the Seven Seas table.


Vinnie Simbulan and Budjette Tan give the Kon a thumbs up!


Everyone gathers at Jonas Diego's table.


Manga Team KO! Finally, I meet the incredible Kriss Sison.


Arnold and Cynthia Arre are in the house!


Busy, busy, busy at the Groundbreakers Table!

More, more, more pics here!

WTF

The local news once again got me wishing my Vanishing Ray was real. A day ago, a man went into a Court building in Las Pinas and gunned down his own wife, whom he had some altercation with, and her female lawyer who tried to get in his way. The bastard was caught in his own house today, showing apparently no remorse at all for his deed.

The Supreme Court washed their hands of the matter, saying that it wasn't their fault since they're not given enough budget to provide adequate security in court buildings.

So what... anyone can walk into the courtroom and gun down anyone who files a case against them now? I mean, no death penalty anyway so why not?

What an amazing country we have. Government officials zip around in multiple luxury cars and own vast mansions, and we can't even afford proper protection for our courts.

WHAT THE FUCK. Fucking broken shit this country is. FEH.

KOMIKON 2007: Malapit NA!

It's just a day or so away, the one day in the year when Indie Komiks and Comics can meet and match. Lots of familiar faces will make their appearance, but we're all hoping lots of new people come and see what the local komikeros, manga-kas and comic book creators have up their sleeves. I'll most probably be hovering around the Groundbreakers Inc. place where they'll be selling Mangaholix Presents Issue 3, but I'll be sure to drift around and grab myself a copy of whatever catches my eye. I hope you guys all come and grab a copy of Mangaholix!

Seeya all there at UP's Bahay Alumni on Saturday! Later!

Where It Counts

So here I am, watching cable. On one channel is Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace. On another, there's Serenity, the movie sequel to the short but sweet Firefly sci-fi western series by Joss Whedon.

Easy to see how superior writing, characters and direction make the smaller sci-fi epic far, far, far superior to the overblown, woodenly-acted, horribly scripted and directed big-timer. I'll fly with the Serenity over any Pod Racer anytime. Hahaha.

Back to work then.

Slammin' Artworks


The gang's all here.

The last time I bought a book from Udon, the rockin' band of artists who made Streetfighter and other Capcom franchises cool in US comics, it was the Eternal Challenge: Streetfighter Art Book which I love immensely. And so, even though this newest volume from them- Udon: Art of Capcom- costs a whoppin' 3K, I got it without batting an eye. Okay, I shed a tear of blood, but that was it. In any case, the hefty volume full of lovely full-color, videogame-inspired, action-packed art is just right up my alley- and also that of quite a few other guys since this volume is promptly selling out at Comic Quest.

For the most part, the book is composed mostly of Street Fighter, which is great since that's my favorite of Capcom's properties. Aside from the images of Chun Li and company, there's a bit of Darkstalkers, the supernaturally-themed brawler, a bit of the Feudal Japan adventure Onimusha, a bit of Resident Evil (No Milla Jovovich though), quite a bit of Rival Schools and some other cool odds and ends. Thankfully, aside from the tons of cover art for Udon's comics, there are gobs and gobs of stuff never seen outside of the book, so I consider this a good purchase. Certainly, it's great reference material for hot, butt-kicking babes and that alone is worth the price of admission.

Great stuff! Now, back to cranking out the comic pages...

Mangaholix Presents Issue 3


Coming on the Kon.

Here's the cover for the third issue of Mangaholix Presents, and this is extra-special for me since it contains the first episode of Ninja Girl KO!, written by Yours Truly with art by Kriss Sison. It's not yet available in stores, but you can grab the hot-off-the-press copies on the day of the 4th Komik Convention at the UP Bahay Alumni in UP Diliman, on November 17. Gloriously, I'll finally be at a Komikon again with something I did, instead of just walking around just buying stuff. Now I'll be there hanging out with the Groundbreakers and signing copies.

Aside from MP3, things look good on the little something I'm whipping up specially for the Kon- it's a one-shot K.I.A. story entitled The Prize that I'll be putting out in a special Komikon-only Ashcan edition. It'll be at least 12 pages but could be as long as 22 depending on how things go. Basically, it's one long fight scene, and brings back a familiar character to anyone who got the K.I.A. anthology comic.

Things look cool! Can't wait for the Kon! See you all there on the 17th!

Empowered 2


Emp and friends return!

A pleasant surprise greeted me when I came home tonight... my copy of Adam Warren's Empowered 2 arrived today! Like the first issue of this black-and-white graphic novel anthology, I had to order it from Amazon since local comic stores were unable to acquire it for me. The second compilation of short stories about the misadventures of Empowered or Emp for short, a C-grade superheroine with self-esteem issues and an extremely destructible and exposing super-suit brings more R-rated bondage and cheesecake, along with pages and pages of Warren's luscious pencil art. The sophomore volume also supposedly delves deeper into the other members of the cast aside from Emp herself, including her thuggish but unerringly chivalrous and supportive boyfriend/mercenary Thugboy, her hard-drinking gal pal Ninjette and the guys and gals of Emp's super-team, the Super Homeys.

I wonder how many people in this country have this book? I'm pretty sure there are lots of Adam Warren fans around, and it's certainly his best work so far. It just takes a lot more effort to grab this book, making it one of my more valuable comics as yet. I'll be sure to give it a read-through as soon as possible and bump it up to the head of my horrendously long overdue list of unread comics... Sigh.

Creepy Fun

As I've always said, I love spooky shows. This past Halloween, I have to say I was kinda disappointed that I wasn't able to watch a lot of Ghost Specials on local TV (I missed the Magandang Gabi, Bayan Halloween episode, I think) save for the one from the daytime show Noypi, which featured some footage of some supposedly 'dancing little shadow people' on a foray in a cemetery (I couldn't discern anything). Good thing though I got my creepy fix anyways- six hours of Ghost Hunters in their Halloween 'Live' special.

Basically, the Live show, which started off with an episode last year, has the TAPS Team (The Atlanta Paranormal Society) taking viewers online and on TV along for the ride on a real-time ghost hunt. Last year, it was at the Stanley Hotel (the place that inspired Stephen King's The Shining). This year, TAPS returns to the Waverly Sanatorium in Kentucky, a now-decrepit and abandoned tuberculosis hospital where thousands are known to have passed away from the illness. The place is made infamous mostly by the presence of a 'Death Tunnel', a long downward passageway or body chute where corpses are literally slid down for cremation. YEESH.

The Ghost Hunters had quite an active investigation the last time they were in Waverly, with a mysterious running form showing up on camera, and various creepy sounds all over the place. This year, the team, along with ECW superstar Elijah Burke contended with more sounds and creepy paranormal phenomena. The six-hour special wasn't as eventful for home viewers as the previous year, but it was still weirdly engrossing to watch even though like 80 percent is just the hunters and their guests chatting and walking in dark corridors. The best parts of the special were the previews of the Fourth Season of Ghost Hunters, and of Ghost Hunters International.
Ghost Hunters International (GHI)is a spinoff show that features familiar faces from the TAPS team, including Brian Harnois and Donna La Croix. They'll be going all over Europe and other countries investigating haunted spots and applying the tried-and-tested TAPS methods of debunking and evidence-gathering... it looks pretty creepy cool, so that's double ghost hunting fun to be had. GHI is set to debut in January 2008.

There's no shortage of ghost hunting hi-jinks in the near future. Now if only there was a second season to the anime Ghost Hunt, I'd be really happy. And scared.

Starting from Zero

The really irritating thing about having your PC zapped by some virus or corruption is that you have to start from scratch almost every time. That is, unless you're careful. Well, I wasn't that careful the last time, so when my computer suddenly conked out, I got scrubbed with all the data in my 200 GB Hard Drive wiped clean. Even more irritating, I lost my Internet settings and information. DAMN!

Well, a week after I was able to scrounge things back together with a little help from my friends. The PC's back working, though there are still some kinks. The main HD has now been partitioned, so data will be safe even if the system gets Kayoed again. Thankfully, my internet connection was restored as well, even though it seems to have gotten a bit slower now. Well, what's important is that I'm back online and back working. At least, until the next big kablooie, and that's probably inevitable. DAAAAMN!

Happy Ending

Just a little delayed factoid I got from surfing online. Remember Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End? Well, spoilers be damned... we all know of course that the movie eventually has Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) taking the place of Davy Jones on the Flying Dutchman. This kinda felt like a terrible fate to befall the hero, since if we are to believe he follows Davy Jones' fate (only able to spend one day on land every ten years).
Well, it turns out that it's not as terrible as I thought. According to the filmmakers (and explained in a deleted scene from the film), the duty of being Captain of the Flying Dutchman only holds for ten years, normally. Davy Jones was left hanging by his lover, Calypso, and therefore continued to prowl the seas and eventually became a monster. In Will's case, since Elizabeth remained true to him (as evidenced by the final scene of the movie after the credits), he is freed from his servitude after the ten years and therefore can spend the rest of his life on land with Elizabeth and their son. Nice, that.

Just a little tidbit. Haven't found anything on what happened afterwards to Jack Sparrow though. Maybe a Pirates 4, hmm? We'll see...

Scare-holic

For all my life, I've always been a sucker for scary stuff. I love watching ghost specials, Halloween episodes and shows about the supernatural. But I've never seen anything you can consider paranormal- aside perhaps from a coke can moving in a half-circle on my desktop for no visible reason (I think it was just the liquid inside sloshing around working with the wet surface).

No third eye regardless, my favorite shows include cheezy programs like Ghost Hunters, Most Haunted and even the now-defunct Scariest Places on Earth (at least, until it became like a Family Fear Factor masochist-fest in the later episodes). I even enjoy reading those Pinoy Ghost Stories books, although I've never bought one.

Maybe it's genetic, or cultural. Filipinos eat up scary stuff like candy- from the way we all perk up when local shows turn Halloweeny, or how weird headlines on our tabloids announce manananggals are on the loose or possessions are at an all-time hight always grab our attention. Even in the modern age of internet and cellphones, the supernatural is still always in the back of our minds. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

So I guess I'm just gonna curl up in The Sanctum tonight with a bunch of sweet treats, turn up a scary show or creepy DVD and just get scared out for the fun of it. Happy Halloween, everybody!

Resting in Peace

The next few days give way to Halloween and our very own Todos Los Santos holiday. This year's celebration/commemoration of Undas is particularly long (almost a week), so quite a few people are probably going away for a proper vacation (if they haven't gone already). Me? As always, homebody me is content with just staying at home and enjoying The Simple Life. As long as that life includes a stable broadband internet connection, next-gen gaming consoles, airconditioning, cable TV, fast food delivery and strong water pressure in the shower. Five-star amenities, right there. Heh. I just thank the Powers Be that I was able to get back my PC and internet working again before the holidays kicked in. That was cutting it close.

Anyways, I plan to finish whatever stuff I have that's slated for this year's Komikon, scheduled mid-November at UP's Bahay ng Alumni yet again. I have to admit, I actually kinda-sorta backed out of my previously-announced K.I.A. Unkillable story since it is so similar in flavor to the upcoming videogame, Jericho (for the Xbox360). I'm thinking up something else for Kai to chew on. In the meantime, something cool may come up for the Komikon from my end, and that's not just my stuff with Mangaholix.

In any case, long breaks like this don't come too often, so let's all just enjoy it. With the crap that we all have had to deal with in the days prior, we all need a little breather.

Avatar Blowout

Christmas sure kinda came early this year, in terms of Avatar: The Last Airbender. This past weekend, I received not one, but FOUR new episodes. It's like this- apparently Book of Fire has progressed up to episode 9 in the UK, and thanks to the universality of the web, it wasn't long before I got to watch them as well.

The Avatar and the Firelord, episode six, takes up not the present-day Avatar Aang and his nemesis Fire Lord Ozai, but their predecessors- Avatar Roku and Fire Lord Sozin. Roku, of course, was the Avatar before Aang and a Firebender, while Sozin was the one for whom the upcoming Sozin's Comet is named- the man who started the Fire Nation's expansion in the first place. Incredibly enough, it is revealed that the two were once best friends, at least in their childhood to early adulthood. Conflict however soon came when Sozin revealed his plans for expanding the borders of his country to Roku, something that the Avatar could not allow, friend or no. What happens next is an expected betrayal and an Avatar's demise, and a surprise revelation that once again rocks the house of one scarred crown prince.
This episode was a ballsy installment, for it focuses not on the established cast but on characters so far only heard of in the world's history, or as side characters. Avatar though pulls it off well with a story that continues to reveal more of the plots and threads which make this series so compelling.

The Runaway, episode seven, involves (finally) a story centered on the girls, Toph and Katara. Once again, the rivalry between the two master benders comes to the fore, involving Toph's spate of money-making schemes and scams that fast gains Katara's ire and creates a rift between the two, leading to potential danger... Danger further made complicated by the return of the Combustion Man.
First of all, the Toph vs Katara fight at the start of the episode basically makes this episode AWESOME (I just wish it went on longer- Aang is such a Killjoy). The character interaction afterwards is very much welcome, and just goes to show why these characters are so loveable. My only complaint is that maybe the Gaang should just stand and fight the CB instead of running from him all the time- Aang doesn't have a very good showing in this ep, particularly, getting knocked out and having to be bailed out by the others. Aside from the CB's continued harrying of the heroes, this is mostly character building for Toph and Katara, which is never bad but kinda feels like filler at this point. At the very least, Katara's newly-discovered 'sweatbending' is pretty cool and really shows how the creators are really getting into the thick of their world's powers.

Deeper waterbending secrets continue in episode eight, The Puppetmaster. This is easily one of the most unique episodes in the whole series, both for the pronounced 'horror' or fright elements (this IS a Halloween special, I gather) and the presence of somewhat more mature elements. The Gaang encounters a seemingly kind old woman named Hamma, who takes them into her inn. They eventually discover that Hamma is a waterbender- the only other waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe aside from Katara. But not all is what it seems as a spate of mysterious disappearances has been striking the nearby village. Hamma soon reveals that she has a secret waterbending technique for Katara- something that the young master may not want to learn.
A very exceptional episode for many reasons, if only for the new and somewhat macabre aspect of waterbending revealed- BLOODBENDING- which allows a waterbender to control a living being like a puppet. My biggest gripe in the episode involve's Katara's unwillingness to use the technique. Certainly controlling a living thing against its will is something the just and heroic Katara wouldn't be easy with, but it's a very powerful and viable technique, obviously. In a more adult anime or series, the Bloodbending could perhaps either harm or kill it's victims... here, it doesn't seem to have any other effects than the possession. The lack of harmful effects lessens the believability of Katara's aversion to using the power and the inevitable duel with Hamma. I understand that given that this is a kid's show, they can't really go too far. But still, this was a pretty ballsy and relatively mature episode that features some impressive bending and combat animations.

Finally, episode nine, Nightmares and Daydreams takes a WILD turn as it has Aang suffering a period of total anxiety as he and the Gaang arrives at the Invasion Force rendezvous point ahead of schedule. The spare time gives Aang time to reflect on his coming destiny- and it scares the pants (literally) off him. What follows is an often hilarious series of dream/nightmare vignettes which have everything from cameos to singing and dancing sheep, references to anime and even a very teenage kissing scene which will have Avatar shippers giggling with glee. On the other side of the coin, Zuko appears to be adjusting well to his royal life- he's got a loving (if eternally bored) ninja girlfriend, the respect and adoration of his subjects and the attention of his father, the Fire Lord. But why is he STILL not happy?

The episode ends with Aang finally coming to grips with his fears, setting the stage for the long-awaited INVASION next episode. But with the series just at the Mid-point, it's quite obvious that it's a long way still before this battle is over- which is fine by me. Hopefully from here on in, there won't be any more fillers or sidetracks anymore. There's just one more episode left before the series goes on a little break (I think), then it's ten episodes to the end of the Avatar saga. Darn, on one hand I wish it would never end, on the other I can't freakin' wait. This is going to be HOT.

Perhaps the most incredible part of seeing all these Season 3 episodes is the realization of how the series has developed since the happy-go-lucky, bright and cheerful episodes from Season One and Two. Certainly it's a lot darker, more mature (though still not as jarringly mature as how the Harry Potter books did eventually). It's come a long way, and darn, just keeps on making me love this series all the more. This show has me to the end and beyond.

More Killing to Come

Afro Samurai, the GONZO-made anime featured on Spike TV about a revenge-driven warrior voiced by actor Samuel Jackson, will be having a second season. The further adventures of Afro, according to creator Takashi Okazaki, will have the current Number One Warrior 'losing his way' and 'getting tired of killing'. Events will eventually wake Afro up to the true destiny and meaning of being the world's top warrior and bearer of the Number One Headband he shed so much blood for last season. Also mentioned, Afro's adversary this time will be an 'alluring' female warrior- since, according to Okazaki, seduction and violence are musts for the US audience.

Well. I certainly didn't expect this. While I found Afro Samurai watchable, I didn't find it particularly likeable. On the other hand, with a hot enemy babe on the horizon instead of scabby old men, this may just be the season where the makers get things RIGHT. Also, giving Afro more of a meaning to his exploits rather than just self-serving revenge may make him a more appealing hero. We'll see... the next season of Afro Samurai is set for sometime in 2008.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Double Episode Review

Two more episodes of Avatar, for a grand total of five so far. Five more to go before we get to the dreaded halfway point and season hiatus!

I KNOW SWORD-FU!

Sokka's Master is a pretty refreshing installment, finally addressing 'Boomerang Guy' Sokka's final realization that he has to improve himself to become more useful to the gang. After having to sit back (again) while the others defeat a crisis with their bending powers, Sokka resolves to get stronger. On a suggestion from Katara that they go shopping to cheer him up, Sokka eventually decides on finding a teacher to help him learn battle skills- a nice way by the by to reveal where Toph actually got her mad bending knowledge...
Anyways, the local swordmaster, Piandao, soon accepts this strange youth as his student despite having no references or offerings, and we go through a pretty hilarious and sped-up training segment with Sokka showing off as much resourcefulness as he does actual sword-fu. In the end though, Sokka's admiration and gratitude for his teacher is so much that he can't avoid not telling the truth about his true identity...

A very cool episode, if only for the fact that from here on in, Sokka should KICK arse, given as how he's been taught combat from a guy who apparently beat 100 soldiers single-handedly (according to the Nick website). The action and animation throughout this ep is pretty slick and cool, and the climactic swordfight between Sokka and Piandao is quite awesome- certainly right up there with the series' best action scenes.
Other than that- once again, cool humor from the rest of the troop, with a focus on the fact that Sokka is actually the comedian of the group, and no one else. Toph's little crush on Sokka gets a li'l bit more prodding, and finally we see a big development on General Iroh's side as well- intriguing, to say the least. All in all, a pretty good episode and my favorite so far in the season.

BAD GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

The Beach has been the talk of the Avatar fandom world ever since word of it came out from the last San Diego Comic Con. A 'fan service' episode focusing mainly on the Ozai Angels (Azula, Mai and Ty Lee) and Zuko as they go on a short vacation. Just having the evil (but admittedly hot) Azula and the limber Ty Lee in swimsuits is worth the price of admission, but well, this episode is surprisingly entertaining and insightful as we see new sides to our resident antagonists. Azula, for example, has been so far unbeatable in battle and the most formidable female villain in US cartoons in recent memory, but this comes at a price- NORMALCY. On the other hand, the perplexing romance between ever-angsty Zuko and the indifferent kunoichi Mai continues and heads into some rocks. I don't know about some fans' opinions out there, but I think they make a perfect couple. Ty Lee is, as always, a chirpy glow in the midst of all the negativity from her comrades, and even gets to have not one, but two crying scenes. There's a bit more of Zuko anger, and he finally vocalizes what has been brewing inside him without a doubt since the start of the season- perhaps a bit too much spoon-feeding, but perhaps it needed to be said.

In the end, 'The Beach' reveals stuff about our villains- just enough to make us kinda-sorta like them a little bit more if you didn't already, but not enough to make it hurt when they inevitably get a beatdown from the Avatar and friends. It's a bit of a twisted little vignette that comes complete with a Fire Nation-type happy ending, that is simply unique. Great stuff, and certainly a cool installment along the lines and flavor of the similar 'Tales of Ba Sing Se'.

On the Avatar's end, the Gaang gets the short end of the stick this ep, as Aang's carelessness leads to him getting spotted by some Fire Nation sentries. However, it seems that the group's general incognito status won't be changing anytime soon as the only one who gets the message is the new character known as The Combustion Man (from the Nick website), the tattooed assassin hired by Zuko. Armed with a unique style of firebending, CM looks to be a formidable opponent. However, I found it cool that Aang isn't shown to be overly weak or kicked around too much; he's actually showing more expertise in the use of earthbending as well in the short but sweet segment between him and the assassin. Hopefully this bodes cooler action in future installments.

That's that for this week! Next episode: The Avatar and the Fire Lord!

Destruction, Distraction?

Today, Makati was rocked by what was at first thought to be a gas explosion (it is now being suspected as a high explosive bomb). The incident happened all the way over at Glorietta, quite a way off from our perch at the other end of Ayala. As you'd expect, first reactions to the news of an explosion ranged from morbid curiosity to attempts at humor (which were, admittedly, a good way of coping with fear). It was only some time later as we saw footage of the damage on TV or on the Internet that the gravity of the situation weighed in.

The stricken part of the mall was a place I was very familiar with- the restaurant, Luk Yuen, which was supposedly where the explosion originated, was a place I had eaten in countless times. It was horrible to see the place, or at least the wide area around it- in ruins. It was like footage you'd see on CNN of some bombed-out buildings in some war-torn demilitarized zone. I never thought this would happens in Glorietta, of all places. I GO there.

The atmosphere in Makati was mixed- places where I went to- a production house near Pasong Tamo- had people crowded around TVs, commenting or wondering about the cause of this latest act of terrorism. People wanted to go home to the presumed safety of their homes, to be with their families. I was one of them.

Was this a terrorist attack? Or could it, as many are now wondering, just our own government exercising a measure to draw away attention from the latest scandal in Malacanang? Let's just say I would not put it past our politicians.

My God. Enough is enough. This is madness.

As of right now, 8 are dead, 113 wounded and 5 missing in this terrible event.