Manuel “Manix” Abrera graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines–Diliman. He is the author of the daily comic strip Kikomachine Komix in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and the weekly webcomic News Hardcore in GMA News Online. He has currently authored twenty books and has won the National Book Awards for his wordless graphic novel 14, comics compilation News Hardcore, and comics compilation Kikomachine Komix 14: Alaala ng Kinabukasan. More of his works can be found at https://www.manixabrera.com.
It is quite impressive for Kikomachine Komix to be still this consistenly good while still not veering away from its humor that thrives in the academic life of both students and the faculty.
Fans and first-time readers alike will quickly feel at home with Manix Abrera's wit that naturally embeds with ordinary day to day life, like commuting, overhearing other people's conversations, or doing academic requirements. Asteeg talaga.
The material also does not shy away from current social situations, but instead of going through the preachy and political route (like what happened to Pugad Baboy in its later installments), Kikomachine Komix finds its way to sprinkle social commentary in its jokes, as what are exemplified by Bertong Badtrip and the Parallel Earth strips.
Aklat Sekreto may not be my personal best in the series, but volume #13 shows that Kikomachine Komix is still alive and here to stay. Rak en Rol!
Ganda ng cover. Ano inspiration mo dito, Manix? Yung scene na mga tao sa hardin sa Last year at Marienbad, o cover design sa The Fifty year sword ni Danielewski?
Anyway, medyo di ko na nae-enjoy masyado mga latest tomo mo, men. Nagiging vice ganda jokes na yung ilan ta's puro patweetums-syota-syota na lagi mga nagbabatuhan ng linya, kakaumay eh. Miss ko yung mga oneshots mo ng mga conceptual na weird tales gaya ng venn-man, yung janitor na nakadisubre ng pinto na portal sa kung saan, kiera-salamangkera, time-travels at choose YOA ek ek, yung mga may pagka-mystery at artsy-artsy. 'La lang. Ambaduy na ng ibang strips sa mga latest eh, puro tungkol sa relasyon at magsyota sa damuhan ampotek. Ta's yung matandang babaeng prof, naging parang Hard Gay/SadoMasochist na, ang off-putting lang na medyo kadiri na. Yung prof na bading naman, parang puro kabastusan na lang topic, stereotyping ba ito sa mga bakla? Ewan.