Wikipedia

Gerry Alanguilan

Doroteo Gerardo N. Alanguilan Jr.(20 January 1968 – 21 December 2019),[1][2][3][4]also known in the Philippines by his aliasKomikero,was aFilipinocomic book artist,writer, and architect fromSan Pablo, Laguna.He was an important figure in thePhilippine comicsrenaissance of the 1990s and early 2000s,[5][6]and is known internationally for his graphic novelsWastedandElmer,[7]and for his inking on American superhero comics such asWetworks,X-Men,Superman: Birthright,Wolverine,andFantastic Four.

Gerry Alanguilan
Alanguilan
Born(1968-01-20)January 20, 1968
San Pablo City, Laguna,Philippines
DiedDecember 21, 2019(2019-12-21)(aged 51)
San Pablo City, Laguna,Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Notable works
Wasted
Elmer
Wetworks
X-Men
Superman: Birthright
Wolverine
Fantastic Four
Supercrooks
"Hey, Baby" video
komikero.com

Many of Alanguilan's titles take place in the Philippines or feature Filipino characters, such asElmer,Johnny Balbona,Humanis Rex!,andTimawa.He incorporated elements of social commentary in his work, especiallyElmer,which satirizes racism.[8]The protagonist ofWhilce PortacioandBrian Haberlin's comic seriesStone,Gerry Alan, is named for him.[9]

Early life and education

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Childhood in San Pablo

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Gerry Alanguilan was born in the city ofSan Pablo, Lagunain the Philippines. According to family lore, their surname was originally San Gabriel and they trace their origins to the barrio/barangay of Sta. Catalina, now part of San Pablo City and known as "Sandig" before the Spanish conquest. Their surname was changed supposedly because a witch placed a curse that would make them destitute for seven generations. Alanguilan would later use this tale as the basis for his storySan Dig 1944in theSiglo: Freedomanthology.[10]The word "alanguilan" is itself the Tagalog name ofCananga odorata,a flowering tree now better known by the Spanish variant of its name, "Ylang-ylang."[11]

As a child, he owned a chicken named Solano, which would later become the inspiration for his graphic novelElmer.

Education

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Alanguilan entered theUniversity of Santo Tomasin 1984, earning a Bachelor of Science in architecture from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts in 1989 and passing the board exams to become a Licensed Architect by 1990.[12]

Creative influences

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Alanguilan has citedBarry Windsor-Smith,Alfredo Alcala,Frank Miller,Katsuhiro Otomo[13]andAlan Mooreas creative influences, in particular Moore's 1980s reinterpretation ofMarvelman.[14]

Comics career

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Early submissions

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Alanguilan first made submissions to Marvel Comics around 1986, while he was still in school. While these early submissions were met with rejections, Alanguilan was nevertheless encouraged by the fact that the rejection letters showed that at the very least, the executives at Marvel knew him and his work. This early period of sending submissions and receiving rejection letters lasted about seven years, during which Alanguilan sent submissions both to Marvel and DC Comics.[15][16]

Alanguilan temporarily gave up on comics from 1993 to 1994. In his own blogpost, as reported by GMA News Online's Victor Rosero,[15]he recounted: "From 1993 to 1994 I never drew anything. I went back to Architecture and worked as a draftsman and construction supervisor. I thought comics and I were done. But if comics is in your blood there’s no discouragement strong enough to keep you from drawing. And I eventually went back."[15]

Wasted

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Main article:Wasted (comics)

Alanguilan studied to become an architect, but turned his hobby of comic book illustration into a career to be with his then-girlfriend. At first, much of Alanguilan's work in comics was on conventional Americansuperherotitles. His first self-written comic wasWasted,originally intended for only his friends to read, and was later embarrassed by the large amounts of violence and profanity in it.[17]

He publishedWastedin the Philippines from July 1994 through July 1996, and from there its popularity spread to the United States, where it was praised by Warren Ellis,[17][18]and established him as anindependent comicscreator.[19]

Work with Image, Marvel, and DC

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In the mid-1990s, Alanguilan began to be known as an inker forAmerican comic booktitles likeWetworks,X-Men,Superman: Birthright,Wolverine,High Roads,Fantastic Four,andSilent Dragon,sometimes working alongside fellow Filipino comic book creatorsLeinil Francis YuandWhilce Portacio.

His first break in a major US comics publishing house was with Image Comics,[20]for whose Wildstorm imprint he began inking several titles – includingWetworks,Hazard, andGrifter– in 1996.

Alanguilan then got his first opportunity to work for Marvel Comics in 1997, inkingLeinil Francis Yu's pencils on Wolverine Volume 2 No. 121, written byWarren Ellis.[20]

Alanguilan's first work for DC Comics was when he inkedSuperman: Birthright,whose first issue came out in September 2003, with Mark Waid and Leinil Yu.[15]

After a long sabbatical from mainstream comics, Alanguilan, partnered again with Leinil Yu in 2012 on the art forMark Millar'sSupercrooks.

Elmer

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Main article:Elmer (comics)

In 2006, Alanguilan self-published a four-issue miniseries titled "Elmer," depicting a world in which chickens suddenly gain intelligence and the ability to speak like humans. It was collected and released as a trade paperback in 2009. In 2010, it was published in France by Editions Ca Et La and North America by Slave Labor Graphics. It eventually won the FrenchACBDPrix Asie (Asia Prize for Criticism) Award and the Prix Quai des Bulles Award in 2011. It was also nominated for the 2011 Best New Graphic AlbumEisner Award.[21][22][23]

In 2020, It was listed 100 in thetop 100 of the best graphic novel of the XXIst centuryby The Angoulême BD Festival.

TIMAWA

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From 2007 to 2009, Alanguilan's adventure graphic novel TIMAWA was serialized in Buzz Magazine, earning a nomination as 2009 comic book series of the year at the 2009 Komikon Awards.[24]

Darna Lives!

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See also:Darna

In 2011 Alanguilan partnered withArnold Arreto write a 9-page concept piece called "Darna Lives!", which reimagined the life of the iconic Philippine Komiks characterDarna.Alanguilan wrote the story and Arre providing the art for the piece, which portrayed Darna's alter-ego Narda having forgotten her superhero identity and moved on to a life of obscurity and poverty, until fate intervenes to bring back. Although short, it was notable for its significantly different portrayal of the character, since it was the first time the Narda alter-ego was portrayed as anything but a demure young woman.[25]

Commenting on the work in a Philippine Daily Inquirer interview, Alanguilan explained his motivations for coming out with the story: "I think Arnold and I were able to show that Darna, as a character, can stand to be interpreted differently to allow her to remain appealing and relevant to a new audience. I hope 'Darna Lives' can push for this kind of change. I think Filipinos, as we have seen, are open too it, and comics creators and filmmakers do not need to keep relying on old tricks and gimmicks that have worked before. I hope it can push our storytellers in other media, especially TV and movies to be bolder. 'Di mage-gets ng masa yan' ('The masses won't understand that') is a stupid, cowardly statement that ensures nothing but stagnancy."[25]

Rodski Patotski

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In 2014, Alanguilan collaborated withArnold Arreagain to release the graphic novel Rodski Patotski: Ang Dalagang Baby.[26]Written by Alanguilan and illustrated by Arre, the Philippines'National Book Development Boardawarded Rodski Patotskiwith that year's National Book Award under the category of Best Book of Graphic Literature in English.[27]

Bakokak

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In 2017, Alanguilan and Kevin Ray Valentino publishedBakokak,a 92-page graphic novel in which a giant frog, mutated by theFukushima Daiichi nuclear disasterin Japan, arrives and threatens the Philippines. Alanguilan wrote the story, and did the inks and colors for the cover.[28]

Other works

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Alanguilan also created several other titles which were published in various Filipino publications, such asJohnny Balbonafor Mango Comics' humor publication "Mwahaha", andHumanis Rex!in Fudge Magazine. He collaborated with architect Arlan Esmeña to publish the graphic novelWhere Bold Stars go to Die.[29][30]He also contributed to local landmark anthologiesSiglo: Freedom,Siglo: PassionandFilipino Komiks.In 2007, he created an autobiographical slice-of-lifewebcomiccalledCrest Hut Butt Shop,based on an earlier minicomic of the same name.

Critical and industry reception

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His self-created titles attracted fans including comic creatorsNeil Gaiman[31]and Warren Ellis.

Komiks advocacy

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See also:Francisco Coching,National Artist of the Philippines,and2009 National Artist of the Philippines controversy

Alanguilan worked hard to promote Komiks as an art form appreciated by Filipinos, notably playing an important part in re-familiarizing the public with the work ofFrancisco Coching,leading to Coching's posthumous elevation toNational Artist of the Philippinesin 2014. He was also one of the leading voices in the protest against the conferment of the award toCarlo J. Caparasin 2009, which was finallyvoided by the Philippine Supreme court in 2013.[32]

Komikero Artists Group

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In 2002, Alanguilan organized an informal group of artists based in Laguna Province to create the Laguna Artists Group, which was soon renamed as the Komikero Artists Group. This group began simply as a group that would meet on the shores of Sampaloc lake to discuss komiks, but would later organize the San Pablo City Comics Festivals, which became a precursor of many later comics conventions in the Philippines.[4]The influential group includeJonas Diegoand Johnny Danganan, who would later serve as the visual inspiration for the titular character in Alanguilan's Johnny Balbona.[33]

San Pablo City Comics Festivals

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In 2003, the Komikero Artists Group organized the San Pablo City Comics Festival, at the Mariño Residence along Sampalok Lake in San Pablo City, with the aim of showcasing original komiks art works past and present.[34]Alanguilan noted that "mini-comics conventions" had been happening in the Philippines as early as 1994. But the San Pablo City Comics Festival marked the first time such a convention happened outside Manila.[4]It also became the precursor to the annualKomikonComics Convention, which had its first run in the Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman a year later, in 2004.[4]

Alanguilan played an active role in organizing the second San Pablo City Comics Festival, which took place at the San Pablo City Lion's Club along Sampalok Lake in 2009.[34]The third run of the festival saw the Komikero Artists Group collaborating with the UPLB Graphic Literature Guild and holding the festival at the Ultimart Shopping Center, which is at the center of San Pablo City.[34]The Fourth San Pablo City Comics Festival was held on 20 January 2019 – less than a year before Alanguilan died.[35]

Komikero Komiks Museum

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See also:San Pablo, Laguna

In 2016, Alanguilan founded the Komikero Komiks Museum, a brick-and-mortar museum in his hometown of San Pablo City, which he said was meant "to show our countrymen our rich history in the medium as well as to showcase the talent that we have."[36]It featured original art from early Philippine comic book industry leaders includingAlfredo Alcala,Francisco Coching,Alex Niño,Steve Gan,Nestor Redondo,Tony Velasquez, and Hal Santiago. Alanguilan curated the museum until his death in 2019.[37]

"Hey, Baby" meme

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In 2009, he made a one-minute video titled "Hey, Baby", which consists mainly of him making comically lecherous facial expressions at his webcam.[38]This video became popular on YouTube, and was featured on 25 January 2011 episode of American television showTosh.0.Clips from the video were used in several episodes ofRussell Howard's Good News,often in response to the host asking questions like "What kind of creepy weirdo would come up with that?"[39]In October 2010, Alanguilan was declared "The Greatest Man on the Internet" by video bloggerRay William Johnson.[citation needed]His creepy smiling face was also a popular meme in Indonesia, known asAyo sini sama om( "come here to uncle" ), usually used for comedic effect combined with other memes.[citation needed]As of 2019, the video had been viewed over 6 million times.[38]

Other works

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Alanguilan co-produced the 2012 documentaryIllustrated By: Filipino Invasion of US Comics.The project began as a short film featuring Gerry Alanguilan's career and passion for comics. It evolved into a full-length film featuring notableFilipinocomics artistswho worked broke into the US mainstream.[40]

He also played the role of a human trafficker inTin-tin,15,a short film created in 2010 to increase awareness of child trafficking in the Philippines.[41]

Death

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Alanguilan died on 21 December 2019, at the age of 51 in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines. In the weeks leading up to his death, he wrote posts on his blog about his struggles with participating in conventions and living with disability. Despite this, he continued to work on his comics until his death.[42]

Legacy

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Alanguilan is considered a vanguard of what has been called the "new wave" or "renaissance" ofPhilippine comicsin the 1990s and 2000s.[5][43][44]By that time, Philippine publishing industry had gone into decline, resulting in Philippine-made comic books disappearing from newsstands. But the rise of independent publications like Alanguilan's "Wasted" eventually gave rise to a growing culture of "indie" comics.[45][20]

Awards

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References

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  1. ^"Gerry Alanguilan Dies at Age 51".Newsarama.Retrieved20 December2019.
  2. ^Rappler.com (21 December 2019)."Filipino comic book legend Gerry Alanguilan dies".Rappler.Retrieved26 December2019.
  3. ^"Filipino comic book artist Gerry Alanguilan passes away".Sunstar.21 December 2019.Retrieved26 December2019.
  4. ^abcdAlanguilan, Gerry (16 November 2012)."Who says Pinoy 'komiks' are dead?".ThePhilippine Daily Inquirer.Archivedfrom the original on 20 November 2012.Retrieved8 January2020.
  5. ^abLent, John A. (17 January 2014).Southeast Asian cartoon art: history, trends and problems.Jefferson, North Carolina. p. 62.ISBN978-0-7864-7557-5.OCLC864676696.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^Vera, Denise Angela De; Arong, Marie Rose (2 January 2019). "Cracking the Filipino sequence: two factors that shaped contemporary Philippine komiks".Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics.10(1): 106–121.doi:10.1080/21504857.2017.1419981.ISSN2150-4857.S2CID194813530.
  7. ^De Vera, Ruel S. (7 June 2013)."Why 'Wasted' matters".ThePhilippine Daily Inquirer.Archivedfrom the original on 10 June 2013.Retrieved23 December2019.
  8. ^Valenciano, Jonette. "FILIPINO CREATORS THE WORLD KNOWS: The Will Eisner Comic Book Industry Winners and Nominees".Bookwatch: The Philippine Graphic Literature Issue(PDF).National Book Development Board.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 4 November 2021.Retrieved16 January2020.
  9. ^Arcilla, Jan (22 December 2019)."Filipino writer, comic book legend Gerry Alanguilan, 51".Retrieved14 January2020.
  10. ^"100 Araw ng Komiks: Siglo Freedom".Archived fromthe originalon 20 April 2012.Retrieved10 January2012.
  11. ^I.M. Turner, I.M.; Veldkamp, J.F. (2009). "A History of Cananga (Annonaceae)".Gardens' Bulletin Singapore.61(1): 189–204.S2CID82174768.
  12. ^Santos, Tomas U."He drew his own destiny".The Varsitarian(in Japanese).Archivedfrom the original on 15 January 2020.Retrieved15 January2020.
  13. ^"The Filipino Comics Artist and Manga".Archived fromthe originalon 19 January 2012.Retrieved10 January2012.
  14. ^"DARNA LIVES! Fan Fiction".Archived fromthe originalon 15 September 2011.Retrieved12 August2011.
  15. ^abcdRosero, Earl Victor L. (4 June 2019). Andrews, C. F. (ed.)."Comics artist Gerry Alanguilan: Beyond the doubts, rejection and tears".GMA News Online.Routledge. pp. 61–78.ISBN978-0-429-02811-3.Retrieved2 January2020.
  16. ^"10 Questions for Gerry Alanguilan".Archivedfrom the original on 2 February 2009.Retrieved15 January2020.
  17. ^ab"Gerry Alanguilan, writer, Artist and Inker, Dead at 51".Multiversity Comics.20 December 2019.Retrieved21 December2019.
  18. ^"WASTED REVIEW – From the Desk Of Warren Ellis".Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2011.Retrieved12 August2011.
  19. ^"100 Araw ng Komiks: WASTED, The Comic Book That Saved My Life".Archived fromthe originalon 10 September 2011.Retrieved12 August2011.
  20. ^abc"Remembering Gerry Alanguilan, 1968–2019".Marvel Entertainment.Archivedfrom the original on 2 January 2020.Retrieved15 January2020.
  21. ^Rumpus, Ron (18 July 2011), "RonReads Interview: Gerry Alanguilan,"Ron Reads. Retrieved 13 January 2017
  22. ^Tano, Duy (June 2011), "Comics Cube Revies Eisner Nominated Elmer,"Comics Cube. Retrieved 13 January 2017
  23. ^"Prix Quai des Bulles,"Quaidesbulles (French). Retrieved 24 January 2017.English translation
  24. ^Chikiamco, Paolo."Komikon Awards 2009: Nominees and Voting".Rocket Kapre – Fantastic Filipino Speculative Fiction.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2009.Retrieved6 January2020.
  25. ^abYang, Tatin (12 March 2011)."A Day in Darna's Life".Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  26. ^"Rodski Patotski is a Level 60".The Philippine STAR.
  27. ^"RODSKI PATOTSKI: ANG DALAGANG BABY | National Book Development Board".
  28. ^Olivares, Rick."New Alanguilan title whets your kaiju fix before 'Pacific Rim' sequel".Archivedfrom the original on 4 February 2018.Retrieved16 January2020.
  29. ^"Gerry Alanguilan romanticizes dead bold stars".8 January 2010.
  30. ^"Tales of cancer".28 October 2010.
  31. ^"Neil Gaiman Review".Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2011.Retrieved12 August2011.
  32. ^Marcelo, Sam L. (13 April 2016)."Favorite Things: The Art of Komiks".BusinessWorld.Archivedfrom the original on 20 July 2019.Retrieved6 January2020.
  33. ^Komikero Video Blog #3.komikero. 7 August 2006. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022.Retrieved8 January2020.{{cite AV media}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  34. ^abcToledo, Ryan (25 November 2011)."The 3rd San Pablo City Comics Festival".FlipGeeks.Archivedfrom the original on 10 March 2012.Retrieved8 January2020.
  35. ^"4th San Pablo City Comics Festival".The Alternative Magazine.18 January 2019. Archived fromthe originalon 31 January 2019.Retrieved8 January2020.
  36. ^Olivares, Rick (21 December 2019)."Gerry Alanguilan: World-class illustrator who never forgot his roots".ABS CBN News and Public Affairs.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2019.Retrieved6 January2020.
  37. ^Rappler.com."Who is Gerry Alanguilan, Filipino comic book legend?".Rappler.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2019.Retrieved6 January2020.
  38. ^abHey, Baby! (Original Upload) by Komikero,archivedfrom the original on 22 December 2021,retrieved20 December2019
  39. ^"Video of Russell Howard's Good News'" Creepy Weirdo "segment".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 22 December 2021.Retrieved29 June2020.
  40. ^See how Pinoys invaded US comics in the docu 'Illustrated By',23 February 2012,retrieved11 October2023
  41. ^Tin-Tin, 15 Screening at Mogwai, Cubao X,archivedfrom the original on 22 December 2021,retrieved21 December2019
  42. ^"KOMIKERO DOT COM".Archived fromthe originalon 8 June 2020.Retrieved29 June2020.
  43. ^De Vera, Ruel S. (28 December 2019)."How Gerry Alanguilan changed Philippine comics".Retrieved2 January2020.
  44. ^"Filipino comic artists unite to raise disaster funds".13 November 2013.
  45. ^"Philippine Comics: Struggling or Not?".agimat.net.Archivedfrom the original on 23 June 2011.Retrieved23 December2019.
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