REVIEW: Four stories in ‘Yugto Komiks Ankthology’ that have potential

I like watching trailers. But you can’t really make a decision on the quality of the film or game by its trailer. However, you do get this instinct of what you would like to watch. This works by putting together the best scenes and moments of a movie together in a way that would entice you to want more without giving it away. This is different from a preview, where you see the first 10 minutes of the movie, or the first 30 minutes of a game. In a preview, you instantly get a feeling of how the film or game will be in your first moments with it. The introduction sets up what the whole plot is, dropping hints that will give you that moment of realization at the ending. But how these hints are dropped will tell us if we would enjoy a movie or game. There will always be exceptions, slow start often gives great pay offs, so it stands to sit through a film or a game regardless of our feelings about the first few minutes. And so it is with komiks previews.

[CHECK OUT… Yugto Komiks Anthology preview in Komiks Dito! Komiks Doon! New Komiks of August 2016]

Yugto Komiks Anthology is a preview of four komiks with differing styles and stories. Given the nature of the compilation, we’ll talk about what us there and leave the conclusion to you.

The first is Sugo ni Bathala by Mae Asiñero. This piece starts off with a competition that we are not privy to, the prize of which is a bracelet that marks one as the warden that will resolve the peace between the people of heaven, Earth, and the underworld. All is well untill we realize that it fell to Earth, before Elay, after which we are treated to a slice of her life. The art style has a nice Saturday morning cartoon vibe though with some awkward bubbles, poses and details. We are not treated to much of the story, however, Elay starts off as likeable enough. The problem with the layout though is it feels crowded, without a moment to appreciate each panel, though this adds to the feeling of Elay as she is hastened to do household chores just as she had just returned from school.

Mga Mangangayam by Joseph Timothy S. Bago opens with the stresses of the greatest fear of parents with their son who took up joining the military as their career. We go through the dread of seeing a person you love as a vegetable and us all being helpless. We are then jolted to the soldier’s last memory, six months ago with his comrades. The art style is well done and gives the feeling of the severity of the situation. The bubbles, though, felt off and broke the experience a bit. The pace is well done and each page gives you a moment to appreciate and contemplate on the emotion before easing you to the next scene.

01:43 by Lynne Cruz gets the feeling of romanticism at its most damaging, projecting a feeling to someone you barely know, as if every aspect of that person is perfect in our minds. Though this time, with gadgets. The way it looks starts off well, with the layout giving that additional feeling of loneliness. The illustration has potential with a bit more work to really look like a sketchbook style comic, which would be a fresh art expression.

Saluno Lipas by Jean Estella opens with a conversation about life and existence beyond the stars. We are treated to a conversation between friends which feels detached from us, as if eavesdropping on two people without any idea what is going on, adding to the idea of how alien life can be, how much more beyond the stars. The art is pleasing and different, albeit not free from the awkward poses that litter the panels here and there. It was good to run through until you see some detail that feels a bit strange, taking away from the flow of the conversation.

Yugto Komiks Anthology is an initial compilation of a couple of good pieces. It has potential with a bit more work and discipline in the craft. Show, don’t tell, somewhat holds a lesson in the thread around this short work.