'Elmer' of DC and Marvel comics inker Alanguilan tells the story of an alternate universe where chickens have the same intelligence and consciousness as humans

MANILA, Philippines – Award-winning Filipino comic book artist Gerry Alanguilan doesn't believe the local comic book industry is dead.

“Ang totoo po nito, nung nawala ang mga dati nating comics sa mga bangketa, sa mga palengke, sa mga sari-sari store, ang henerasyon ko ay gumawa ng sarili naming comics,” said he in an interview with “Umagang Kay Ganda (UKG)” aired on July 19.

Alanguilan actually sees a bright future ahead for the komiks industry.

“Laging maganda ang kinabukasan ng comics sa Pilipinas,” he quipped.

Citations abroad

Alanguilan was recently cited at the 23rd annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Award, where his most recent creation, “Elmer” was nominated under the Best Graphic Album category.

Established in 1987, the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award is dubbed as the “Oscars” of the comic industry.

The much-anticipated affair is part of Comic-Con International, the United States’ biggest and oldest annual comics’ convention.

“Elmer” tells the story of an alternate universe where chickens have the same intelligence and consciousness as humans.

In an interview with GMANews.TV last April 9, Alanguilan related his thoughts on being nominated in the prestigious award-giving body.

“I’m very happy to be nominated [for the Eisner Award], but I’m happier knowing other Filipinos were also nominated in other categories. Filipinos have gotten nominations and even won Eisner awards numerous times in the past. I’m very honored to be included among them,” Alanguilan said.

According to Alanguilan's website, “Elmer” was originally released in four issues from June 2006 to November 2008, and was published as a trade paperback by Komikero Publishing in October 2009.

It was released in North America and other English speaking countries abroad by SLG Publishing in November 2010. Publishing company, Editions çà et là,  on the other hand, released a French edition of "Elmer" in French speaking territories end of last year.

Other nominees in the best graphic album category are “Finding Frank and His Friend: Previously Unpublished Work by Clarence ‘Otis’ Dooley” by Melvin Goodge; “Market Day” by James Sturm;  “Return of the Dapper Men” by Jim McCann and Janet Lee; and “Wilson” by Daniel Clowes.

The first Filipino to win an Eisner Award was Ronnie del Carmen in 1995 for the DC creation, “Batman Adventures Holiday Special.” He won the award for Best Single Issue.

Winners of the 23rd annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Award will be announced via an awarding ceremony to be held in San Diego, California on July 22.

In a related news,  “Elmer” bested four other Japanese comic creations as it bagged this year’s Prix Asie-ACBD, an award given to the Best Asian Comic Book published in France, as bestowed by the Association des Critiques et Journalistes de Bande Dessinée.

Under the microscope

Alanguilan is a licensed architect who discovered his penchant for drawing and writing comic books in 1992. His creations included “Johnny Balbona,” “Humanis Rex!” “Timawa,” "Wasted," and “Where Bold Stars Go To Die.”

He also contributes to international comic book giants Marvel, DC and Image as an inker (one of the two line artists who uses black ink to produce refined outlines over the pencil lines), frequently in collaboration with comic book artists Whilce Portacio and Leinil Francis Yu.

Since 1995, he has inked such popular titles as “Wetworks,” “Grifter,” “Hazard,” “IronMan,” “Loner,” “Darkness,” “Stone,” “X-Force,” “Wolverine,” “X-Men,” “New X-men Annual 2001, High Roads,” “Superman: Birthright,” “Silent Dragon,” “Incredible Hulk,” and most recently, “Ultimate Comics Avengers.”