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Where Bold Stars Go To Die
Where Bold Stars Go To Die tells the story of Daniel, a young man manacled by his obsession for a faded 80's bold star, and the journey he takes in search of desire, lust, and love.
It is a journey that will take him to a place beyond imagination, beyond understanding, and beyond life itself.
It is a journey that will take him to a place beyond imagination, beyond understanding, and beyond life itself.
70 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Gerry Alanguilan
125 books87 followersGERRY ALANGUILAN is a licensed architect and is a member of the San Pablo Chapter of the United Architects of the Philippines. He is also a board member of the Philippine International Cartoons, Comics, and Animation (PICCA), as well as member of the Asia-Pacific Animation and Cartoon Association. He gave up a career in architecture and started working as a professional comic book creator in 1992, beginning with “Dracula's Wives” and “Props” for Mass Media Publishing. Ever since then, Gerry has consistently freelanced for various companies in the Philippines and abroad, even publishing his own comics from his own Komikero Publishing.
(Taken here.)
(Taken here.)
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 20, 2011
A Komikon 2011 special.
Where Bolds Stars Go To Die is a love letter, by the writer Gerry Alanguilan to the bold stars of the Eighties, the nymphets that drew Filipino men to the cinemas, where they teased and titillated on the screen.
This is Alanguilan’s effort at an erotic story, similar to those done in Europe in graphic albums done by Manara. It celebrates the female form, so understandably this work is for mature readers who can appreciate the detail and nuance they poured into the many screen nymphets who roam an elysian field of dreams for those who’ve always appreciated soft porn Filipino movies.
In a way it reminds me of Alanguilan’s advocacy, that of preserving the Philippines graphic heritage. A lot of the komiks artists who have regaled a public with their sequential art are now almost forgotten. Much of their work was done on cheap newsprint which does not lend itself well to preservation. Similarly, much of the bold stars work catered to lustful men who wish to lose themselves to an hour of sex fantasy in a cold, air conditioned movie house. Producing it was cheaper than the drama and action star vehicles as well. It exists now in scratchy Betamax or VHS tapes or even only in the memory of the most ardent collector.
A tragedy it is that this is Arlanzandro Esmeña’s first and only sequential work. He showed so much promise in these pages. He drew nude starlets so well.
Where Bolds Stars Go To Die is a love letter, by the writer Gerry Alanguilan to the bold stars of the Eighties, the nymphets that drew Filipino men to the cinemas, where they teased and titillated on the screen.
This is Alanguilan’s effort at an erotic story, similar to those done in Europe in graphic albums done by Manara. It celebrates the female form, so understandably this work is for mature readers who can appreciate the detail and nuance they poured into the many screen nymphets who roam an elysian field of dreams for those who’ve always appreciated soft porn Filipino movies.
In a way it reminds me of Alanguilan’s advocacy, that of preserving the Philippines graphic heritage. A lot of the komiks artists who have regaled a public with their sequential art are now almost forgotten. Much of their work was done on cheap newsprint which does not lend itself well to preservation. Similarly, much of the bold stars work catered to lustful men who wish to lose themselves to an hour of sex fantasy in a cold, air conditioned movie house. Producing it was cheaper than the drama and action star vehicles as well. It exists now in scratchy Betamax or VHS tapes or even only in the memory of the most ardent collector.
A tragedy it is that this is Arlanzandro Esmeña’s first and only sequential work. He showed so much promise in these pages. He drew nude starlets so well.
March 3, 2014
Where Bold Stars Go to Die is a "chasing the dragon"-esque story which explores the carnal obsession of a young man with a bold star. He desperately longs for her, as manifested by his excessive masturbation until this sad overindulgence takes him to bold star heaven. Albeit being straightforward and a bit absurd, this short graphic novel ends with a rather poignant tone, a trademark Alanguilan considering his Elmer and Wasted.
The edition I got has a pin-up gallery at the end plus a "Remembering Arlan" segment.
The edition I got has a pin-up gallery at the end plus a "Remembering Arlan" segment.
December 12, 2009
This collaborative effort by Gerry Alanguilan (the man behind Wasted and Elmer) and first-time illustrator Arlan Esmeña evokes a strong sense of nostalgia. There are visual references to Philippine screen stars of the past, many of which I couldn't place. The art reminds me of the illustrations we used to (or still do? I don't know anymore) see in local magazines like Liwayway. It complements the narrative beautifully.
Bold Stars is humorous because the book's premise is that jacking off turns the main character into a hero. But it's also sad because the only way women can survive is if they're sexualized.
The latter fourth of the book is a treasure trove of pinups by great artists such as Francisco V. Coching, Carlo Vergara, and Leinil Francis Yu. Where Bold Stars Go To Die is available at these fine stores.
Bold Stars is humorous because the book's premise is that jacking off turns the main character into a hero. But it's also sad because the only way women can survive is if they're sexualized.
The latter fourth of the book is a treasure trove of pinups by great artists such as Francisco V. Coching, Carlo Vergara, and Leinil Francis Yu. Where Bold Stars Go To Die is available at these fine stores.
April 14, 2013
Hindi na nga intense ang lalab
Malalaman mo pang huwad na pag-aalab
Ang nangyari sa isang lalaki
Tila hindi mo pa mawari
Kung hanap mo ay pagniniig na tunay
O sex scenes na nakakagulay
Halika, manood muna tayo ng hentai
At kung hindi ka makapaghintay
Magpunta sa pader at ikiskis hanggang mamatay
Sa totoo lang, akin rin ninais
Ang lalab na ubod ng dalisay at tamis
Ngunit ang sabi nila'y hangga't kayang tiisin
Iwaksi muna sa isip, ang pagkakatao'y darating din.
-Intense, ni matronang mambabasa
Malalaman mo pang huwad na pag-aalab
Ang nangyari sa isang lalaki
Tila hindi mo pa mawari
Kung hanap mo ay pagniniig na tunay
O sex scenes na nakakagulay
Halika, manood muna tayo ng hentai
At kung hindi ka makapaghintay
Magpunta sa pader at ikiskis hanggang mamatay
Sa totoo lang, akin rin ninais
Ang lalab na ubod ng dalisay at tamis
Ngunit ang sabi nila'y hangga't kayang tiisin
Iwaksi muna sa isip, ang pagkakatao'y darating din.
-Intense, ni matronang mambabasa
September 23, 2025
I know this story -- I've seen other people do it before re: a man's fantasy girl and that girl sustained by fantasy. This is probably the best version of that story-- they really figured something out here re honestly representing male desire. For me this made the nudity (despite being more graphic than I've seen in other versions -- albeit this graphic nudity is v well done) also honest (not particularity degrading in my book). The ideas and things are figured out at the level of page breakdown which is perhaps where everything real materializes and works itself out. This is crazy good.
This is also what I mean that stories about heterosexuality do not have to be bad, and can be amazing if writers they really grapple with what's going on (which most writers often do not do).
This is also what I mean that stories about heterosexuality do not have to be bad, and can be amazing if writers they really grapple with what's going on (which most writers often do not do).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2018
Ugh. Only misogynists will think this is “art.”
I’m a big fan of erotic comics, but this is literally about a boy obsessing about a porn star and men’s fantasies giving women a sustained “happy” life. Raped or murdered women? Nope, they get suffering and disappear into nothingness. Anna, the porn star, remains just an object for the MC’s desires—and she thanks him for it! No commentary here, just gross male fantasy and entitlement to women’s bodies and lives.
I’m a big fan of erotic comics, but this is literally about a boy obsessing about a porn star and men’s fantasies giving women a sustained “happy” life. Raped or murdered women? Nope, they get suffering and disappear into nothingness. Anna, the porn star, remains just an object for the MC’s desires—and she thanks him for it! No commentary here, just gross male fantasy and entitlement to women’s bodies and lives.
May 31, 2019
There are only 32 pages of story followed by "pin-up" nudes by famous Filipino artists then a tribute story about the artist who died shortly after the completion of the book.
BIZZARGE!
I would have skipped this if I had known what I was getting into. Masturbation fantasy obsession desperation is the entirety of this quick and uncomfortably awkward read.
BIZZARGE!
I would have skipped this if I had known what I was getting into. Masturbation fantasy obsession desperation is the entirety of this quick and uncomfortably awkward read.
March 16, 2016
First off: for mature readers.
The story is as the title goes, where bold stars go die. Where do they go? heaven? hell? They don't go either. Instead, Alanguilan writes for this one that they head on to a certain 'paradise' where they live when men jerk off from the idea of them; and these women fade away until no one jerks off for them. Not necessarily heaven or hell for me-- more like purgatory then.
Of course I'll give this a five stars because of the story and the art. With Dan losing his sanity over a bold star he stumbled and later on obsessed upon;but later regaining his humanity as he accepts the reality that he won't see the bold tar again.
Also, Human (female) anatomy is pretty tricky for an artist like me. Of course, the pin up gallery at the end of the book is also nice, since it gave me a perspective on how men view nude females.
But I'll be honest, I am still in some state of shock for this book. Other than tackling a taboo topic, I found The idea of having to jerk off for survival rather unsettling. But I guess that's just me, as a female. It just made me think, what if it was the other way round? Women had to masterbate so that male porn stars could last in their 'purgatory'? Would guys feel unnerved as I do? I guess not.
Where would I like to go when Id die?
The story is as the title goes, where bold stars go die. Where do they go? heaven? hell? They don't go either. Instead, Alanguilan writes for this one that they head on to a certain 'paradise' where they live when men jerk off from the idea of them; and these women fade away until no one jerks off for them. Not necessarily heaven or hell for me-- more like purgatory then.
Of course I'll give this a five stars because of the story and the art. With Dan losing his sanity over a bold star he stumbled and later on obsessed upon;but later regaining his humanity as he accepts the reality that he won't see the bold tar again.
Also, Human (female) anatomy is pretty tricky for an artist like me. Of course, the pin up gallery at the end of the book is also nice, since it gave me a perspective on how men view nude females.
But I'll be honest, I am still in some state of shock for this book. Other than tackling a taboo topic, I found The idea of having to jerk off for survival rather unsettling. But I guess that's just me, as a female. It just made me think, what if it was the other way round? Women had to masterbate so that male porn stars could last in their 'purgatory'? Would guys feel unnerved as I do? I guess not.
Where would I like to go when Id die?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2012
I've got nothing but respect for Gerry Alanguilan because of Elmer, but this book was...sheesh. I got it for my hubby for Christmas, but ended up not wrapping it because it was too bad to give as a gift.
I like erotic comics, but only when they are self-aware enough to have something going for them besides titillation. I was hoping this would be along the lines of Sex Criminals, Vol. 1: One Weird Trick. But, nope, it was just about a guy masturbating to his favorite porn star, and then dreaming of a heaven for porn stars of bygone eras where his favorite porn star thanks him for keeping her memory alive with his wonderful penis.
I know that the author was pretty young when he wrote this, and it was not intended to be a finished product, and it shows. I'm not impressed with the idea that women are sustained by men's sexual desire for them; and reading someone posit that, even in a goofy fantasy comic, felt gross.
I like erotic comics, but only when they are self-aware enough to have something going for them besides titillation. I was hoping this would be along the lines of Sex Criminals, Vol. 1: One Weird Trick. But, nope, it was just about a guy masturbating to his favorite porn star, and then dreaming of a heaven for porn stars of bygone eras where his favorite porn star thanks him for keeping her memory alive with his wonderful penis.
I know that the author was pretty young when he wrote this, and it was not intended to be a finished product, and it shows. I'm not impressed with the idea that women are sustained by men's sexual desire for them; and reading someone posit that, even in a goofy fantasy comic, felt gross.
August 19, 2016
#cizgiajans Bu kısacık kitapta harika bir "Bold Komiks" hikayesi (-spoiler-), çizer müteveffa Arlanzandro C. Esmena hakkında yazar Gerry Alanguilan'dan yürek burkan bir son-söz ve kitabın sonundaki pin-up galeri aracılığıyla uhrevi kadın vücudunun şeklini çizimleriyle kutsayarak yeteneklerini konuşturan Filipinli ÇR'cilere bir saygı duruşu bir araya geliyor. Kitapta yer alan Filipinli ÇR'ci listesine ve çizdikleri mecraları görünce ne kadar önemli yerlerde olduklarını ve bu Pasifik ülkesinin 9. Sanat'a azımsanmayacak katkılarının göz ardı edilemeyeceğini diliyor, birgün kendi ülkemizden yeteneklerin de böylesi bir üründe bir araya geleceklerini ümit ediyoruz. #cizgimektep
March 31, 2012
This work is not recommended for the conservatives, perhaps the overtly-religious, and the squeaky-clean ones as it ventures into the mind of an adolescent boy who explores his sexuality with the help of obscure and fading bomba stars of the 1960s all the way to the 1980s. The title alone elicits certain inquiries, and in truth, is there a place where bold stars go to die? And in what ways?
April 30, 2013
After years of looking for this, I finally got mine last Saturday. They've re-publish. Brought me back to my younger years, Anna is Anna Marie Gutierrez,I hope. Not for minors, grab a copy now, this is a collector's item.
August 19, 2012
One of those graphic novels that's not recommend for minors and immature readers.It centers on the nature of desire and obsession--one man's poison can be another man 's redemption.
January 1, 2016
It was short and sweet. I picked it up purely based on the cover and I was not disappointed. Not very time intensive but it definitely captures the fantastical idea that it was going for.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews