Rurouni KenshinIn the late 90s, a local network showed this particular anime every Sunday evening on Philippine free TV. A few years later, an Asian Cable Channel showed it on weekdays.

It was a cartoon I got hooked on because of the fantastic story and awesome protagonist. The star of the show was a red-haired samurai sporting an X on his cheek. His name was Battousai the Slasher who lived during the Tokugawa era in Japan and was considered the best assassin in all of Japan.  Later, he mended his ways and swore never to kill again. He eventually lived his life as a wanderer.

Of course, I'm talking about Samurai X or, as purists would call it, Rurouni Kenshin. The anime series began as a manga created by Nobuhiro Watsuki in 1994. In 1996, it became an anime series that ran till 1998.

The anime was a big hit with its mix of action, drama and comedy. It wasn't just a success in Japan, it had a big following all over the world.

3 things to love

Fans of Rurouni Kenshin have reason to rejoice in 2012. A

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In 2011, comic book fans reeled when The Human Torch was extinguished and choked when Peter Parker was killed off in "Ultimate Spider-Man." In return, we got Miles Morales, an African-American and Latino character who became the new Spidey. We also saw the start of the brand new DC Universe but the jury is still out on that one.

Last year also gave us some unexpected awesomeness with Rick Remender's "Dark Angel Saga" in Uncanny X-Force, illustrated by Filipino artist Jerome Opeña. It was undoubtedly the story of 2011.

This year, fans of the comic book world have a lot of fantastic things to be excited about. The most popular (even for the non-comic book folk) would be the release of three of the biggest superhero films namely "The Dark Knight Rises," "Amazing Spider-Man" and, of course, "The Avengers."

What people should know is that apart from the three films, there are more interesting things that will happen inside the pages of comic books!

Saga

The return of Brian K. Vaughan
A lot of

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Harvey Tolibao is one Filipino artist I have been following ever since he got his big break at Marvel Comics. His work appeared in “Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Annual” #1, in November 2007.  

 
Christos Gage, who wrote the Iron Man annual, told Comic Book Resources that he found Harvey’s work “amazing…beautiful, lush and dynamic.”
 
Gage added, “This is his first work for Marvel, but I'd bet it's not his last!"
 
Since then, I’ve tracked his progress and he’s my prime example of someone who has constantly improved his art.  To his talent, he adds a positive outlook in life, discipline and lots of very hard work.
 

Odd jobs

Harvey Tolibao grew up in a family of artists in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.  His website says he began dreaming of becoming a comic book illustrator in 1991, when he was 10. He collected local komiks such as Pinoy Klasiks and ALIWAN Horror Komiks and was inspired by foreign comics such as Jim Lee's X-Men.

Although Harvey studied Information Technology and held down a Read More »

Image from KomikeroLocal comics conventions, also known as comicons (or in the case of local meets, komikons), have been growing in number over the past few years.

Fans have flocked these conventions to meet fellow comics geeks and in some cases, to launch their new comics.

Some of the key people who have contributed to the explosion of comics in recent years belong to the group Komikero. Consisting of comics heavyweights Gerry Alanguilan, Jonas Diego and Johnny Danganan, Komikero has been advocates of creating locally- published comics.

It can be argued that without them, there wouldn't be comics conventions in the country.

In fact, it was Komikero that organized a comicon in the artists' hometown of San Pablo, Laguna.  That was back in 2003.

With the last San Pablo City comicon occurring in 2009, Komikero is set to hold The 3rd San Pablo City Comics Festival on December 3.

The day-long event promises to celebrate the rich history and the bright promise of Philippine comics.

Activities planned for the

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An "Elmer"-ized iPad (left) and a "Trese"-fied iPad (right). (Photos by Jiggy Cruz)

Collecting artwork is a very very expensive hobby. However, serious collectors invest in art—particularly in one-of-a-kind pieces. But, of course, it's in a different league versus collecting toys or comic books. Moreover, art can always be rendered in so many mediums.

With the recent comic book launches of Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo's "Trese 4: Last Seen After Midnight" and the second edition of Gerry Alanguilan's Eisner-nominated "Elmer," National Book Store is giving away 2 Apple iPads with unique art in the back through a raffle! A "Trese"-fied iPad with art from Baldisimo and an "Elmer"-ized iPad with artwork from Alanguilan.

I've never seen anything like it before. I've seen these babies up close and the pictures shown don't give them justice. It's cool to own an Apple iPad but what makes it cooler is that you get artwork from Pinoy comic book artists!

How can you win the iPads?

It's easy

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AP Photo

I think gone are the days of the Nokia 5110 and Nokia 3210.

I remember before in 1999 how the Nokia 5110 was the "in thing." Text messaging and playing Snake was limited to a certain number of people.

With the emergence of the smartphone, people can't help but stay connected with their emails, twitters, facebooks and whathaveyous. You'd get emails from people and in the end it says "sent from my iPhone" or "sent from my BlackBerry." These days, you just have to stay connected!

If you were to get a smartphone, what would you get? Of course there are the pros and cons but what should you get? It all depends, really. I've talked to several people and this what Ive gathered.

BlackBerry

BlackBerry is getting popular nowadays in the Philippines because of the availability of their BBM or BlackBerry Messenger. My cousin uses one and he really thinks that BBM saves you a lot of money. But the most common thing I get from BlackBerry users is that it's the "business" phone and it's in real

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Image by Francis J. Manapul, sourced by Jiggy CruzThis week rounds up the last number one's for DC's New 52 and the one issue that you really have to get is FLASH #1 as this is written and drawn by none other than superstar Francis J. Manapul. Francis has been with DC and he's worked with the likes of Geoff Johns in Adventure Comics and the recent Flash issues.

But this time, he's handling the Scarlet Speedster as a writer and an artist. We in Yahoo! PH are thrilled that Francis took some of his precious time to give us an interview.  DC Comics FLASH #1 which is part of the New 52 is on sale September 29 and is available in Comic Odyssey and Druids Keep.

Congratulations on writing and drawing the Flash for The New 52! How are you feeling right now?
Thank you very much! I'm feeling nervous and excited all at the same time! This really is a dream come true for me, to go from a fan reading The Flash's adventures to now being in charge of his stories and art.

Who's your favorite Flash?
It's tough to say. I grew up with Wally West, so he's

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Photo from Marvel Comics, sourced by Jiggy Cruz

About a month and a half ago, Peter Parker was killed in the Ultimate Universe. Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley fittingly ended the masterpiece run of Ultimate Spider-Man. It was the only venue for Marvel to have such a powerful story.

This paved the way for a new Spider-Man. There was a lot of speculation that Ben Reilly or Miguel O' Hara would be the new Ultimate Spider-Man. No fan came close. An elementary grade schooler who's African-American/Latino by the name of Miles Morales is the new Ultimate Spider-Man. Reactions were mixed. It took the Internet by storm. Yes, there were a huge number of racial comments but in the end, it was explained that Miles Morales was the perfect character to represent the new Ultimate Universe in Marvel Comics.

Last September 14, an all-new "Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man" debuted in local comic book shops written by Bendis with art from Sara Pichelli and it would be the starting point of the origin of Miles Morales.

What's quite interesting is

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