After five years of exhibiting at the Philippine Komiks Conventions (Komikon), Meganon Comics, a group of young independent artists and writers self-published their works and took a leap of faith to bridge their indie comics to more readers.
Meganon Comics aims to help build a more suitable indie comics community by assisting comics creators to publish their own material while keeping their creator-owned rights, and help distribute their works to a wider market. The four indie comics creators behind this new independent publishing house are Tepai Pascual, Maika Ezawa, Paolo Herras, and Brent Sabas.
Pascual is a Fine Arts graduate from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Her thesis is “MAKTAN1521,” a graphic novel re-imagining the historical battle of national hero Lapu-lapu and the Spanish invaders. Since then, she has worked as an art director in a top advertising agency, and produced three more comic book series: “Mark 9verse47” with Ezawa; “Noodle Boy” and “Buhay Habangbuhay” (Life Afterlife) with Herras. She also has a strip in Adobo Magazine called Krokis.
An Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, Ezawa is the resident techie of the group. She makes it a point to lurk around the metro meddling with soon-to-be-released gadgets. She generates story ideas in MRT lines, food courts, and toilets. She plans to open her own gaming studio. “Mark 9verse47” is her first comic book series.
Herras is a filmmaker and comic book writer. He is a Comparative Literature graduate from the University of the Philippines and a thesis shy of his master’s degree in Philippine Studies Major in Film. His films competed in international film festivals in Japan, Italy, India and the Philippines. “Noodle Boy” is his first adventure into comics and then he adapted his screenplay of “Buhay Habangbuhay” into comics. He enjoys working with artists he respects, and collaborated with Sabas for “Sumpa” and Carlorozy Clemente for “Strange Natives: The Boy with Capiz Eyes.”
Sabas is an art director in a top ad agency, loves graphic design and he also sings, too. He is also a children’s book illustrator, and a member of the Ilustrador ng Kabataan (INK). “May Lakad Kami Ni Tatay” is his first children’s book, and “Sumpa” is his first comic book. He looks forward to pursuing his dream of being a full-time artist and illustrator. His works have been featured in Esquire Philippines.
The group will also grace the 10th Annual Philippine Komiks Convention for book signing at the Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound in Pasig City on November 15, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Meganon Comics is also available at all Fully Booked branches, FILBAR’s stores, and for delivery at Lazada.com.ph.
