IN comic books, the greatest adventures begin with the fateful gathering of gifted individuals, each with a part to play in the greater destiny of all. Such too is the tale surrounding the birth of Sputnik Comics and its current caretakers, friends Chris Costello, Chez Fidelino, Quark Henares, and Lyle Sacris.

In the eclectic parabola that is the Cubao Expo ? affectionately known as Cubao X among its denizens ? one might find all that feeds the geek fancy: old hardbacks, used paperbacks, rare vinyl records, vintage cameras, collectible toys, and the odd reasonably priced handmade leather shoe. It is Diagon Alley and the Mos Espa Spaceport at the same time. But standing out even among these standout stores is Sputnik Comics. For two reasons: all the stuff it sells is new (comic books and action figures), and its storefront looks like Godzilla barfed on it. Seriously.

That only highlights how unique Sputnik is, even here in eccentric Cubao X, reflecting the multifarious interests and talents of its owners. Chris Costello, 29, is art director at advertising agency TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno, and dabbles in several fields of art. Quark Henares, 28, is a filmmaker (?Keka?), entrepreneur (Mag:Net High Street) and educational rabble rouser (the personalized college One School). Lyle Sacris, 34, is a director (?Akala Mo?), cinematographer, editor and bar owner (the neighboring Mogwai), among other things. Chris and Quark were college classmates, while Lyle wound up editing one of Quark?s music videos.

That extends to Sputnik?s devoted and cheerful 27-year-old manager, Chez (pronounced like the French, ?shay?) Fidelino, the freelance multi-media artist out of the College of St. Benilde. She found her way here when a common friend told her, ?I have the perfect job for you.?

Why? Aside from being a comic book fan, Fidelino recalls, ?When I was in college, all my films had action figures instead of actors, because I didn?t like the hassle.? With actors, she explains, ?if they didn?t show up, my film wouldn?t get done.?

Sputnik had a previous life, originally founded in late 2007 by Lyle and writer Ramon De Veyra. ?I?d always wanted to have a comic book store,? Lyle says. ?I put up Mogwai and then there was an available unit nearby.? That unit became Sputnik Comics, a name Ramon had suggested because of its memorable sonic quality as well as the design possibilities. Aside from being the name of the Russian satellite, Lyle explains, the word actually means ?traveling companion,? which, for them, meant comics. When Ramon got busy with other interests, Quark and Chris came on board while Chez began managing the shop. Each of them tells a different yet equally affecting tale of how they learned to love comic books.

Quark recalls that he was so beguiled by the 1989 movie ?Batman? (the Tim Burton-directed flick starring Michael Keaton) that he picked up one Batman comic book after another. Lyle picked up the habit from an older brother.

?My dad found out I really liked to draw so he bought comics for me,? Chris recalls. Chez says that the first titles that wowed her were Gerry Alanguilan?s ?Wasted? and Chris Claremont?s ?The Uncanny X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga,? powerful reads for a beginner.

This love for comic books is something they would like to share with as many people as possible, and that is what has brought them together in Sputnik. ?It?s an advocacy,? Lyle says. As kids growing up, they had read comics, Chez adds. ?But kids now just play video games.? So Sputnik exists as their beacon for comic love.

It is a fascinating work in progress. Chez says kids would come in and ask, ?Ate, bakit Sputnik ? gang ba ?to?? referring to the much-feared Pinoy gang. ?At least once a month,? she continues, shaking her head.

Now the friends are strategizing on a rebirth of sorts for Sputnik. In the works are a re-launch complete with exhibits, merchandise and even sponsoring comic trivia night at Mogwai. In the meantime, they have been attending the local comic conventions religiously and are contemplating holding their own convention in Cubao X. The people who discover them at the conventions have found their way here. ?We don?t bring all our stuff to the cons, so they come here,? Chez says. ?What we do is, if you come in and you have no idea what to read, you tell us what movies you like and we can design paths for you,? Lyle adds.

Beyond just promoting comics in general, Sputnik tries to emphasize the diversity of comic books. Quark points out that Sputnik is stocked heavily with independent and small press titles from the likes of Oni Press and Top Shelf rather than the DC and Marvel titles one usually finds in most comic book shops. ?There are lots of books here which I haven?t seen anywhere else,? Lyle says. Here, autobiographical tales and experimental narratives crowd out the superheroes, though one finds those here as well.

And Sputnik?s stock is composed almost exclusively of graphic novels and trade paperback collections. ?It?s hard because what usually sells in comic stores are single issues, which we don?t carry,? Quark says. ?We want you to read a complete story.?

Reflecting the owners? quirky tastes are action figures and designer toys scattered all over the place, some for sale, others not. Yet there is something that you will find only in Sputnik: the largest selection of locally produced comic books, from photocopied mini-comics to trade paperbacks. ?One of the reasons we put up this place is to provide a venue for people to sell whatever,? Lyle says. ?Consignment deals are difficult with bigger stores, so we make it easy. We don?t even screen the material. Let the audience decide.?

A veritable marketplace of the weird, Sputnik boasts of no conventional business model, but this fab four is determined to keep Sputnik running. ?It would be easier for us to just close down,? Lyle admits. ?I think of the effort we?ve put in, the two years we?ve been here, yet we?re not really making a lot of money.? But they?re committed to keeping it going because it?s all about bringing the realm of comics to readers both suspecting and unsuspecting.

So the friends do all that they can to help Sputnik keep going. They practice what they preach. ?We?re the biggest customers,? Quark says. They put in the time. ?They?re here every weekend,? Chez says of the three owners. ?They hang out here.? In this expo in Cubao where old items sell, something new and bright is rising, the sparkling colors unseen before, the creators drawing outside the established lines, as Chris, Chez, Quark and Lyle open their shop to the universe like the first precious pages of the first comic book you ever read.

?I have several businesses with friends,? Lyle says of this Sputnik gang. ?For me, it?s the only way to do it.? ?

Sputnik Comics is located at Shop 60, Cubao Expo, Gen. Romulo Ave., Cubao, Quezon City and is open Monday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday to Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information, visit www.sputnikcomics.com or call 709-1867.

Required Reading:

The Sputnik gang?s favorites:

Quark Henares: ?Batman: The Dark Knight Returns? by Frank Miller

Chez Fidelino: ?Batman: The Long Halloween? by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale

Chris Costello:

?Y The Last Man? by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra

Lyle Sacris: ?Watchmen? by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons