Komikon 2006 is just a day or so away! For those who haven't heard of what Komikon is, it's the annual Philippine Comics Convention, now on it's second year, and it's held at the UP Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. This year it's on October 21, doors open at 10am. I previously announced closing at 6:00 pm, but in fact, it's 8:00 pm.
The convention is unlike other professional conventions in the country. It is not simply a gathering of comics professionals and publishers, but a day of interaction between fans and those professionals and publishers who create those comics.
The con venue is arranged so that pros, publishers and sponsors can rent tables and booths to sell and promote their comics, and interact with their readers. Below is a plan of the venue:
Here's an updated rundown of the pros that will attend, if they have a booth or not, and if they have something to launch, promote, sell, etc.
Well, Komikero Publishing will of course be launching ELMER #2 at the con, the very first venue that it will be available at. In fact, I managed to finish putting together the issue at the very last minute so much so that the printer will be delivering the comic books on the day of the con itself. I have no definite time, but they did promise around lunchtime. So if you are interested in getting a copy, drop by sometime after lunch.
I will also be selling Original Comics Art of those comics I inked (from Superman: Birthright, Batman: Danger Girl, X-Force, New X-Men etc) at special Philippine prices.
Unfortunately, I think Fudge Magazine won't be having a booth this year. I did offer to carry issues of the latest issue so I can have Humanis Rex to promote and sell as well.
Jonas Diego has announced the finalists to his Lead Slingers contest at his site. He also has a video of his company (IAS) and their preparations.
Henry Anima II and his group will launch Paper Clip Komics. Photos at their blog.
Gilbert Monsanto will launch his own imprint Sacred Mountain with TWO comic books right off the bat entitled Tropa and Rambol Komiks!
KC Cordero and Ner Pedrina's Filipino Komiks will be launching their first issue and will include industry heavyweights like Karl Comendador, Jose Mari Lee, Randy Valiente, Romeo Tanghal, Nar Castro and many more!
Budjette Tan and Ka-Jo Baldisimo will be there to promote their terrific comic book TRESE.
Reno Maniquis will be manning the Mars Ravelo booth along with Askals' Bong Leal and Dodo Dayao. Reno will be selling sets of his Maskarado at 50% discount!
I'm assuming Visprint will be having a booth since three of their major talents will be on hand at the same booth: David Hontiveros, Manix Abrera and Carlo Vergara (ZsaZsa Zaturnnah).
Many comics professions, indie comics creators, and newspaper cartoonists will most likely be milling around the venue even without a booth. Those that I definintely know are coming include:
Leinil Francis Yu
Carlo Pagulayan
Wilson Tortosa
Jeff Huet
Edgar Tadeo
Karl Comendador
Orvy Jundis
Taga-Ilog
Ryan Orosco
Joanah Tinio
Ariel Atienza
Syeri Baet
Jon Zamar
Lyndon Gregorio
Nar Castro
Randy Valiente
And really, a lot more than I can possibly mention. I expect I'll be adding more names there right up to the very last minute. There's bound to be a lot of pros who will show up unannounced just to mingle and see what's up with komiks today.
I will be doing a Komikon report for Newsarama, so expect me to just go around taking pictures, videos and just generally making a pest of myself.
