Mythspace – Filipino Folklore Meets Space Adventure!
The rest of the stories are series of one-shots, centering on different aspects of the Mythspace universe. Black Mark, illustrated by Paul Quiroga, delves into the inner workings of the Nuno civilization, the extra-terrestrial equivalent of the Nuno sa Punso. They are a subterranean race, building their civilizations between the scorching sun-baked surfaces and the molten cores of the planet. They are technological people that prize their creations. They are also very hierarchical, with poorer helm cities nearer the uninhabitable zones. This class system built in with their bureaucracy makes it hard for some people seek justice. That is when the Black come in – a clandestine organization that rights wrongs… for a price. The story follows Helmless Mang who struggles to do what he must to avenge his loss. Paul’s work here is stylistically similar Koi’s in the previous story. Paul’s action scenes are rougher but his line work is cleaner. The one exception is where it seems he purposely left some grey guidelines that distract from the overall scenes. His art captures the desperation of a person who is down and out with nothing left to lose.
Jules Gregorio’s Devourers of Light shifts to a story of galactic consequence. The Laho, a militaristic race of bipedal lizards, take center stage. For the most part, it is a political drama, pitting the Barkarilkarilmon, Supreme Apex of the Laho, against other interstellar leaders in a battle of influence. This is all the backdrop to a very brutal campaign against the Kapres. This story probably sets the major conflict that Bros and crew may have to face in the future. Jules utilizes digital art to help paint the scenes. His art matches the ferocity of war in space on an Endor-like planet while drawing aliens with the intensity of high-stakes diplomacy.
Jumping off from Devourers of Light, Mico Dimagiba’s Uncommon Ground pairs up an unlikely duo of characters. Laho commander Raganekrikrimon is forced to call upon Haskra Suun43035, Kapre Inquest, or space investigator. The detailed pencils of Mico lend a fantastic noir atmosphere to the story. It’s a whodunnit where the crime in question is the theft of a Thyo artifact. The story touches upon the place of the Laho and the Kapre in a post-war climate. It also elaborates on the tribalistic nature of the shapeshifting Thyo. It peppers in a lot small character moments while fleshing out other story aspects.
Humanity explores the plight of humans stolen from Earth. The current slave class of these technologically advanced civilizations is comprised of the descendants of humans abducted eons ago. Marta and Danny are two souls among many who are tasked to mine for alien overlords. Though they joke about their plight, they and other slaves reminisce about the stories of the Dalakitnon, emancipated humans living free aboard a flying fortress, the Nalandangan. When political connivance threatens their crew, Marta and Danny cry out to these mysterious, liberated humans. What they get might make them question their own humanity. Cristina Chua’s art is a refreshing change of pace from the previous stories. Her rounded, softer style adds some much-needed levity. The expressiveness of her faces and the body language helps bring more character to Marta and company.
Unfurling of Wings explores probably one the most interesting change to traditional folklore. The young Tan’Gal Ri-En is the heroine of this story, which uncovers more about the unusual biology and society of the aliens that inspired the Mananaggal. She lives in an orphanage with her compatriots Book, a freed slave, and Zu, a very large Nuno. When Tan’Gal mentor falls ill, Ri-en and her crew risk running against vicious crime lords and a mysterious Tan’Gal immortal in order to save him. Borg Sinaban’s art utilizes negative white space more than the previous artists. This helps make action scenes and blocking very clear.
Mythspace closes out the book with a short but helpful glossary, connecting the Mythspace terminology with the real world counterparts. Whereas I appreciate the black and white format, I can’t help but imagine how awesome this series could be in color. There is still much room to grow for Ambrosio and his companions and it would be awesome to see them run into Inquest Haskra, Marta, or even Ri-En. I’m a sucker for intergalactic politics ala Star Trek so seeing the fallout of Laho militarization or the political alliances between the species would be fantastic. More depth into unexplored species like the slug-like Kataw or the mysterious Lewenri would be appreciated. Perhaps even a short story about how Ambrosio’s Lola first encountered the aliens like the Kapre. There is still so much lore to mine and so many questions left unanswered! With such a collection of interesting takes on tried-and-true story formats, I look forward to reading Mythspace Vol. 2.
Mythspace Vol. 1 is available at National Bookstore branches.
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