REVIEW: Kikomachine Komix Blg. 12: Mandirigima ng Tadhana
Artist extraordinaire Manix Abrera continues and/or unleashes his quest of the existential meaning of nothingness (whatever that actually means, but who cares anyway) in comic form in the latest compilation of the increasingly popular (if not influential) KIKOMACHINE KOMIX BLG. 12: MANDIRIGMA NG TADHANA (Warrior of Destiny, astig!). Longtime readers and/or fans already know […]
Artist extraordinaire Manix Abrera continues and/or unleashes his quest of the existential meaning of nothingness (whatever that actually means, but who cares anyway) in comic form in the latest compilation of the increasingly popular (if not influential) KIKOMACHINE KOMIX BLG. 12: MANDIRIGMA NG TADHANA (Warrior of Destiny, astig!).
Longtime readers and/or fans already know the drill of enjoying the snippets of everyday life Manix likes to target/scrutinize/articulate. At the same level of enjoyment, the artist-creator philosophizes the existing forms of existence of laughter and seriousness in the most absurd way possible without being so pretentious or so sarcastic to both his loyal and even new readers alike. If I’m going to stretch a little bit further, he may expose us the various branches of philosophy in such a way he utilizes various characters to put emphasis the points during the punchlines that he already masters through the years. I may be a bias here but the most illuminating example here is the artist’s application of paradoxes, ironies and contradictions in the persona of BERTONG BADTRIP because this character illustrates how life is really full of contradictions, paradoxes and ironies, and rolled into one hell of experience, particularly the aspect/concept of love that is both heavenly good and at the same time, ruthless.
[CHECK OUT… Exclusive KOMIKS PREVIEW: Kikomachine Komix Blg. 12: Mandirigima ng Tadhana ]
In the book’s blurbs alone, the statement “I Love You, but I Choose Darkness” is both existentially absurd but at the greater degree, enlightening for we must essentially decide the path we want to pursue, whoever we love/cherish/care. His wickedly simple yet intricate and sophisticated drawings and the absence of background only heighten the already sublime and powerfully poetic, if not lyrical, script and/or dialogues Manix puts in. If only this awesome compilation has colors in it (unless one does a service and make the whole series a coloring book instead, astig!).
I would love to have a copy pero wala pa sa mga bookstores!