Filipino Comic Book Art

The work of many of the Filipino comic book artists is not new to me. Alex Nino, Alfredo Alcala, Rudy Nebres and all of those other guys who began working in the States back in the 70s opened up the world of the Filipino artists for me. But what has been new to me is the work of those great Filipino artists who did not do work in the States. So the last year or so has been a real education for me, as I've learned about guys like Francisco V. Coching and Federico Javinal. Coching's work, in particular, has really opened my eyes. There's a real fluidity and lushness in his work that you just don't run across often. My thanks to Gerry Alanguilan and Auggie Surtida, who have been wondeful founts of information for this newbie. Gerry runs a couple of message boards devoted to Filipino komiks, and you can also check out his excellent Philippine Comics Art Museum for information about his own fine work, as well as galleries of great Filipino komik artists, both past and present.