Tropa #1 Review

In this title, Monsanto has truly managed to come up with a very unique team of young superheroes that have interesting mix of personalities and nationalities. Furthermore, the team also has a great variety of powers and their only common grounds would most probably be their friendship and them being social outcasts at school. And, oh yes, their enemies would amaze readers too since they’ve got villains from the future (Robots) and ones with Pinoy mythology origins (Manananggals).

As with Rambol komiks, Monsanto writes the story but didn’t do all the work alone. He invited some friends to join the ride so this issue features not one or two artists but five - each one handling each of the falshback parts for all of the five heroes.

In his blog review, Jtmtzrwj mentioned that “This comic is drawn by different artists… Though I was first bothered when I learned about this,.. I was quite satisfied with the implementation and the results.” I admit I was really skeptical about it when I read that and thought “is that really possible?”

However, reading the title myself made me change my tune and nod in agreement. His observations were indeed correct. Yes, you’d feel it and you’d know it whenever there was a transition from one artist to another but no - it wouldn’t disturb you at all. Each of the artists did their work very well that the transitions would make you feel comfortable. talk about brilliance and consistency, man!

First off, there’s new comer Marvin Maglaque who handled the Sugar Shock flashback. His artworks didn’t seem like it was done by a new comer at all, if you ask me. His style seems to blend well with the other top caliber artists plus it also supplies the needed “feel” for the story.

Then there’s also Lui Antonio who did a really awesome job with regards to the Liksi part. For me, he was really the perfect artist for this since he succesfully captured the drama of Liksi’s life. Staring at his pages could really make anyone feel that even the funniest guys has a sad story behind the smiles. Compliments should also be given to the colors ’cause it adds more drama to the scene (particularly pages 12 and 15).

We’ve also got Jim Jimenez in this issue and man, how I missed his artworks. I was an avid follower of his and his brother’s early works many years ago for GASI, Sonic and Infinity. Jim’s a really flexible artist who can do mecha, manga, western, horror and everything in between. He did some extraordinary artwork for the Maligna flashbacks. The robots were really tough looking but i guess some pages just looked too sexy considering that the title’s target market are younger readers. Then again, maybe its just me

Kriss Sison did the Divina Diuata pages. In Rambol #2 credits, Monsanto referred to him as “Manga Master Supreme” and I think that’s just appropriate. While I am not so much into the manga genre, here goes a guy who never fails to amaze me with his work. Nuff said.

Finally, Gilbert Monsanto himself did the Formula Juan parts and everything else - from coloring the entire comic book to writing the whole story, as well. I must say that he’s a real comic book jack-of-all-trade. I admire how he managed to make the story and the characters really interesting and most especially about how the way he did the action build up for the last three pages. Plus hey!.. I thought Juan’s dad looked strangely familiar. (I was like “Hhmm.. isn’t this Robie’s father way back the Gasi times?”)

Now, I’m really looking forward for the future issues. Somehow, i feel that there’s more to their origins than what we have here. I’m sure a lot more about their powers will be revealed as the series progresses.

Another thing that makes me excited is when Monsanto himself told me once that the Demigods characters on page 35 aren’t merely there for plugging purposes but… Heheheh! I better keep my mouth sealed here. Stay tuned for Tropa # 2 review, guys!

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