With the last among the commencement exercises done and over with last week, summer is really upon us officially. Not only has the heat become excruciating in this part of Negros, the phenomenon that is true only in this University Town of Dumaguete has manifested itself once again. There are the streets that are not littered with too many tricycles and private vehicles; there are the sari-sari stores in the immediate vicinity of schools that are unusually closed even during peak hours, as well as tricycle drivers that seem too willing to even give their left arm just so they can take you for a ride, literally speaking. Once you notice these things happening here, then summer, glorious summer is now making its presence felt.

While many of the ordinary denizens would prefer to bask in the cool waters of beaches, others would want to update their reading fare which, sadly, had been sorely taken for granted in the mad rush of school or office work, whichever side of the fence you find yourself in. And, only in this sweet summer season can one have the luxury of staying in bed the whole day – no, not necessarily to sleep, but to catch up on one’s reading fare.

Among the reading materials which have gained quite a numerous following in the Philippines since time immemorial are, aside from the novels and romance pocketbooks, the komiks magazines or simply komiks. An adaptation of the English term comic (or comics) as in comic strips and comic books, komiks are phenomenally successful and widely popular in the country. Tracing the history of komiks to the pictorial narrative of the Paleolithic era, we realize that comic books are nearly as old as man. Moreover, comics has evolved through the years to become not only a form of affordable entertainment for the ordinary Filipino, but also an avenue to inform and educate people about the harsh realities of life.

Two powerful works in comics form are Wasted by Gerry Alanguilan and ZsaZsa Zaturnnah by Carlo Vergara. While the reader gets entertained by these two works, the level of entertainment differs with each work. The reader, though, is able to empathize with the sad experiences of Eric in Wasted, as well as soar high with Ada/Zaturnnah as she saves their town from zombies and alines from another planet who want to take over their place. However, a look at the first few pages of graphic material of both works will immediately reveal a deep contrast of the nature of the novels. While Wasted will surely be regarded by many as highly violent and heavy on the emotions, ZsaZsa Zaturnnah may be read lightly and, in fact, with some amusement, especially with the dialogues of the characters.

It is interesting to note that Gerry Alanguilan is an architect by profession, but has opted to write and draw comic books instead. His profession should explain the powerful illustrations he had done for his other works. Aside from Wasted, he has produced other comics like Timawa, Crest Hut Butt Shop, and Dead Heart, aside from his newest creation, Elmer. The story, Wasted, was acclaimed by writers like Warren Ellis and Steven Grant. Not only is Alanguilan bringing success in his own country, but in America as well. For example, he has done contributions through his drawings in the US for such titles as X-Men Fantastic Four, Wolverine, X-Force, Darkness, Stone, and High Roads. In Wasted, he worked with two artists, Leinil Francis Yu and Whilce Portacio. Alanguilan is busy putting together Superman: Birthright for DC Comics, at the same time working on a collection of his sketches, illustrations, and comics which he has aptly titled, Komikero. Incidentally, Elmer, his latest work, tells about an almost human chicken trying to make it out in a world dominated by discriminating human beings.

Judging by the recent endeavors of Alanguilan, it comes as a mild surprise that when he wrote Wasted, it was one of his most depressing moments. Most people have gone through some very difficult times in their life, and each one has his/her own way of coping with such problems. In a way, writers or artists may even be luckier than some people who, during their lowest moments, may not have any outlet at all, thus, their resorting to drastic means of coping with their problems – like suicide. Not all is lost, however, to a “wasted” life if one looks at it from a different perspective, which is that of an experience to learn from.

On the other hand, Carlo Vergara, creator of the popular and highly successful comics-turned-movie ZsaZsa Zaturnnah, is likewise a multi-awarded writer. For one, his first grafiction work, One Night in Purgatory, was cited as the best comic book of 2001 by the Sarighaya yearbook of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, as well as being a finalist in the Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards. His illustrations have appeared in Ruin and Ab Ovo for Kestrel Studios, Isaw atbp. for Quest Ventures, Angel Ace and Pantheon for Alamat Comics, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, as well as other publications.

It is quite easy to understand where Vergara is coming from, especially with ZsaZsa Zaturnnah, because he is a graphic designer by profession. Vergara’s talent does not stop there because not all graphic designers can also become brilliant illustrators-story tellers. Knowing, therefore, Vergara’s background as a professional theater actor and university classroom teacher will help us appreciate his satirical, but entertaining, theme in ZsaZsa Zaturnnah. Vergara’s use of popular names, like ZsaZsa, Nora, Vilma, Sharon, and Dina helps the reader identify with the characters because even without being told who are supposed to be, the reader automatically identifies them with the crop of celebrities and entertainment personalities with the same namesake. Even if Nora Aunor today is already considered a has-been, the mere mention of a Nora would immediately connote the Superstar Nora Aunor.

The two graphic novels provide a study in contrast. Alanguilan’s Wasted lets us into the life of Eric, an otherwise kind and gentle person whose sad experience brought out the worst in him. His relationship with his girlfriend Jenny, which started out fine and well, did not end up as he had expected. He was the more serious partner in his relationship with his girlfriend, which is quite a revelation because typically, most men simply take their relationships for granted. Oftentimes, such relationships were one-sided, and it usually came from the woman. But, not with Eric. When Jenny fell out of love and instead, chose Bill, an office mate, over Eric, it seemed that it was the end of the world for Eric. This started his violent tendencies, causing hurt and damage to people and properties. Bringing it on farther, anyone who would come his way would experience his anger because he would take it out on them. The story, thus, would have blood splattered on the comics pages, rendered more graphic with the consistently angry illustrations of Alanguilan. Even an American bystander was not spared by Eric’s fury, hence Alanguilan warned those readers who may love Americans to beware lest they be offended.

If one comes out with a heavy heart after reading Wasted, Zaturnnah was definitely enjoyable and light. Its contemporary setting combined with the super-hero angle makes for entertaining reading. With the Filipino’s pastime of watching movies and sitcoms on television, the story somehow has a familiar ring to it. This is because the movie was shown (although we were unable to watch it) before we got the chance to read the comics. The plot is very familiar, especially among the local fans who love to follow the adventures of our super-heroes, like Darna and Wonder Woman and other clones. Ada is a beautician who is gay – his name is really Adrian, as his dead father remembers. Ada has a big heart and it must be because of this quality that she was “chosen” to find, and eventually, swallow the magic stone that would give her/him super powers. True enough, Ada was transformed, or transmorphed as Vergara termed it, into Zaturnnah, a sexy heroine even Father Bernie would fantasize about.

We would have to say that Vergara’s Zaturnnah borders on the feminist angle because of its theme of women grappling with the male-form as depicted by the Amazonistas in the story. The character of Ada, a beautician who is gay, is a triumph of the transgender as a hero. That Ada was accepted by Dodong was also a triumph of acceptance of one’s true being. In a way, it made the graphic novel unpredictable because of this acceptance. It is a fact in society that gays and lesbians are not yet completely accepted in certain places, except in Europe and the United States. The story of Vergara, therefore, is an eye-opener, without the usual dramatic moments of gays not being accepted in society. The only time, perhaps, that Ada felt unaccepted was through the statement of her/his father who said that he does not have a daughter, but a son, and that in this case, Ada is a curse to society.

On the other hand, Wasted by Alanguilan is a good combination of his work as well as other illustrators. It may not always hold true in Philippine society because generally, Filipinos.are soft-hearted, gentle, and loving. One way to appreciate Alanguilan’s work would be his powerful illustrations, as well as the graphic interpretation of his theme. Reading his work will transport the reader into the inner depths of Eric’s soul. His deep-seated hatred of Bill is evident not just in his statements, but even in the expression of his eyes. The story is made more powerful because of the combination of these elements.

All in all, the two graphic novels are two of the more interesting, readable stories done by our Filipino writers. While one is highly entertaining and enjoyable, the other is compelling because of the intensity of its subject matter. While you come out with a light heart with the other, you come out with a heavy heart after reading the other. Both novels portray prevailing situations in society today, occurrences that we oftentimes take for granted. The sad thing is that when it happens to us, then that is when reality strikes us hard. There are many situations that are left unattended because of people’s other priorities. Through the two novels, acceptance and appreciation of what life offers should be our guiding principles.