PHILIPPINE comics in the past decade has this punk vibe to it: you?ll find creators peddling their wares in venues like the Komikon at UP or making appearances in independently-owned comics? shops. Black-and-white is the medium of choice, not because it evokes the sensibilities of manga, but because of fiscal limitations that challenge comics creators to compensate in creative ways.

?Elmer? # 4 by veteran comics creator Gerry Alanguilan is easily the most polished comic book released last year. While the high-concept premise ? talking chickens ?
seems like a comedic proposal, Gerry sets out to tell a very dramatic story reinforced by his artwork with its realistic tone.

The characters are drawn with such detail that each person and chicken is unique. Though there?s a lot of narrative squeezed into this comics, the space doesn?t feel cramped as the author knows when to devote an entire page to a single panel and when to insert a series of talking heads.

What stands out is Gerry?s focus on his characters as there?s a lot of conflict present, some readily apparent, others only turning up as the narrative unfolds. It also works on multiple layers, such as a commentary on racism.

There are elements that sound quite ridiculous but Gerry tackles them in such a way that there?s no mistaking the seriousness of the subject matter. His work is a fine example of the strengths of speculative fiction.

Less successful is ?Bayan Knights? #1 released by Sacred Mountain. ?Bayan Knights? as a title is the result of a group effort, although the name that stands out is Gilbert Monsanto.

It has a simple premise: Bayan Knights is the Philippine equivalent of the Justice League or Avengers, a rip-roaring superhero romp set in this country.

While the artwork is pretty and evokes the Iron Age of comics with its gritty characters, the layout feels cramped and overloaded with text. It?s like telling an epic story in a finite number of pages, an attempt at decompression that ruins the experience.

I can?t blame the crew for attempting something ambitious, but you can only cram so much in 32 pages while featuring half a dozen new characters. Towards the end, the reader develops little attachment to these individuals and the plot.

?Bayan Knights? is written in Filipino but the story occasionally comes up with Taglish dialogues that are not particularly outstanding, although there are some competent one-liners.

?Trese: Unreported Murders? is the second volume of the ?Trese? series written by Budjette Tan and drawn by Kajo Baldisimo. What readers have to understand is that ?Trese? is a set of four episodic stories featuring a ?monster-of-the-week? plot, albeit one infused with local flavor and mythology.

Tan?s protagonist is a heroine who investigates supernatural events. The writer doesn?t explain much in terms of character but dives immediately into the action. What stands out is Kajo?s artwork.

At its best, ?Trese? is unparalleled when it comes to the interplay of black and white. Kajo has a unique style that easily compensates for his lack in other areas, such as backgrounds. There?s a certain tension and terror in the artist?s technique that makes this a perfect title for the medium.

Last year?s elephant in the room is ?Martial Law Babies? by Arnold Arre. This is THE Philippine graphic novel because of its size and thickness. As an aside, Arnold (together with Jamie Bautista) worked with Pioneer Insurance in the previous year to come out with a children?s comic book titled ?Private Iris.?

I bring up ?Private Iris? in contrast to ?Martial Law Babies? because both titles feature a similar art style but couldn?t be more different. What?s deceptive about ?Martial Law Babies? is that Arnold uses caricature artwork although he?s tackling a serious subject matter and manages to make this contradiction work. There?s even a juxtaposition that comes into play early on. Arnold straddles the line between style and weakness. This is easily a tour-de-force even before one gets past the title page.

The first thing that catches your eye is Arnold?s use of panels to produce a dramatic effect that hits you early on. The creator puts a strong emphasis on character as he fleshes out this barkada, complete with foibles and virtues. In fact, every element Arnold includes has a purpose.

?Martial Law? is such a loaded term and it?s easy to fall into the temptation of using it as an excuse for didacticism. But thankfully, Arnold goes in the opposite direction. ?Martial Law Babies? isn?t about martial law per se, but that particular point in local history serves as a backdrop for the stories of these characters. The protagonists aren?t concerned about the EDSA Revolution, but are simply caught up in their own personal lives. ?

Titles available at leading bookstores and comics shops.