Local Comic Book Artists To Look Out For At ComicCon Asia 2018

ComicCon Asia 2018 is fast approaching, and it’s easy to get hyped for the foreign artists, publishers, and cosplayers coming to show their work. The event promises to be one of the largest gatherings in the country for lovers of all things comics, and it’s the perfect opportunity to expand your collection of graphic novels or to get to know about new titles and artists.

This year, as part of the activities happening at the SMX Convention Center, there will be workshops and exhibits featuring some of the most prominent Filipino artists and writers. Each have their own published works available in many places in the world.

Check out three of our favorites in the list below, and get to know the titles they’ve created before you head to the convention this weekend!

Ian Sta. Maria

Workshop topic: Comic Illustration and Character Design

Date: March 24, 2018 (Saturday)

Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Photo courtesy of Ian Sta. Maria via Facebook

Sta. Maria started out drawing for his school friends as a young grade schooler, and his experience illustrating small commissions made him realize that art was his calling.
His keen eye for detail has allowed him to create some of the most striking and beautifully-designed characters, vehicles, and environments in local comics.

Photo courtesy of Inatoy via DeviantArt

Now years into his career as an illustrator, he has several titles under his belt, often co-created with other Filipino writers. His Skyworld series has spanned an entire decade.

Sta. Maria’s most recent work was for the graphic novel Sixty Six, whose illustrations he completed just before taking work in Denmark for LEGO.

John Paul Bonoan

Workshop topic: Stop-motion Animation

Date: March 25, 2018 (Sunday)

Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Photo courtesy of JP Bonoan via Facebook

Bonoan has received much acclaim throughout his career for his work in stop-motion animation. In 2013, he won an award from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde for his work on the film The Ditch, which showed his excellent work ethic in animation.

He is also a storyboard writer and artist, who has gone on to work with LEGO as an animator for a series of web videos.

BRICK BY BRICK from JP Bonoan on Vimeo.

Bonoan will teach experimental animation and flash animation at ComicCon Asia 2018 alongside filmmaker Ricky Orellana, also from the College of St. Benilde.

Carlo Pagulayan

Workshop topic: Storytelling in Comics

Date: March 24, 2018 (Saturday)

Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Photo from Wikipedia

Pagulayan has been contributing as a freelance artist to some of the biggest global titles in comic books. He started with Dark Horse comics, as an artist for a series created to support the victims of the September 11 World Trade Center attacks.

He has contributed to both DC and Marvel, illustrating popular characters like The Hulk, Batman, Elektra, and The Avengers. His list of accomplishments alone makes this Pinoy artist a must-see this weekend at the convention!