Comic Review –Skyworld

Skyworld, the Philippine graphic novel by Mervin Ignacio and Ian Sta. Maria was relaunched in Summer Komikon 2012 as a two- volume trade paperback collection from National Bookstore. It was originally released into four volumes, namely Apocrypha, Testament, Prodigal and Requiem. Now that you can buy the book in just two volumes at all National Bookstore outlets, the book is now accessible and easy to collect. Pinoy Komik fans no longer have any excuses not to buy the book.

So why even bother to buy the book?

Well, Skyworld is hailed as one of the top modern Pinoy komik books today. Its primary character Makabo is even placed on 10th place on Spot.Ph’s Top 10 New Pinoy Komiks Characters. The comic continues the concept that The Mythology Class introduced and that is placing Philippine Mythology on a modern setting.

Though Mythology class was the pioneer for the concept, I would say it is Skyworld that fully develops the concept of making Philippine mythology modern.

Such twists like placing together Lapu- lapu with Tikbalangs, higantes and duwendes to defend Mactan and using the Bakunawa as a new threat to haunt present day Manila was just phenomenal. Skyworld not only succeeded in creating modern mythology but also connected stories from folklore and Philippine History.

Ever wondered whatever happened to Lapu- lapu after Mactan? You will know the answer through this comic.

Ever wondered the real mission of Gen. Yamashita? You will know the answer through this comic.

Mervin Ignacio and Ian Sta. Maria surely weaved together an awesome comic book that will leave you thirsting, hungering, wanting for more.

Though I regret buying the comic book late, I also wonder it must have been hard for buyers at the comics 1st release to wait for the whole graphic novel to be completed. But who cares about who bought it first or last, right? As long as you bought the comic book then all is well.

So if you have finished reading The Mythology Class, then be sure to read Skyworld next. You will be proud to be a Filipino.

About the author: N.M. CABANGBANG or “BANGBANG” has been writing about events, art and culture for MetroCebuNews since June 2014.

He is a graduate of Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Painting at the University of the Philippines Cebu and was the chairperson for two major student organizations, namely Fine Arts Student Organization (1997-1998) and Nagkahiusang Kusug sa Estudyante political party (1998-1999).

Since 2010, he has been an ART teacher at B.R.I.G.H.T. Academy and is also the football coach for the school’s women’s team. He is also the singer/songwriter of the rock & roll band PALTIK which has released their self-produced album, “Here Come the Guns of the South”.

He is happily married to his beautiful and talented wife, Rizza Del Castillo –Cabangbang and lives with their three beloved dogs: Choknut, Cream-O and Moby.