Insomnoir | Prelude to Manila Man: Defender of Whatever
Fresh from last Saturday’s Summer Komikon is this indie comicbook from RH Quilantang called Insomnoir. Prelude to Manila Man: Defender of Whatever.
Quite a catchy title there, if you ask me. And here we read a tale about Apog, a blind guy who, like New York City, never sleeps and about John Leysi, Apog’s apprentice who is Manila Man himself.
Insomnoir starts out with Apog walking down a typically dark Manila alleyway which eventually leads him to a save-the-damsel-in-distress situation. Of course, that’s the part where action takes place and it all happens in an unexpected way.
From there, writer/artist RH Quilantang effectively shifts the mood from gloomy to hilarious, giving this title its own unique flavor. Insomnoir, in other words, is a noir story with a twist.
Storywise, the captions are undeniably witty. Artwise, I’d say it RH really spent quality time drawing each panel for this book. Nothing looks rushed. The shadings and hatchings are plainly eye-catching (page 7-panel 1, for example) plus the perspectives are very impressive.
And oh, I just realized that the last sentence rhymed. I think I’m starting to sound like Apog now! Hahaha!
Kudos to RH for a good prelude. I’m all excited for the actual Manila Man comicbook.
Super ganda nito. Galing talaga ni Rhiver. IMBA! Hahahaha.
Taympers, Edz. Taympers! Heheh.. I liked Manila man but I’m also eager to read more about Apog. He’s such an interesting character!
I’m somehow reminded of the concept of Lawrence Block’s Evan Tanner novels. It was about a guy who couldn’t sleep, too. And he’s a spy who solves mysteries.
But it’ll be great to see what happens in this story’s universe.
Markus, I will give you a hint about Apog. He is very very old.
Yun lang muna, kapag binigyan pa kita eh baka gulpihin na ako ni Rhiver.
@ Ida, ako rin I’m totally looking forward for the actual book. Abangan nating lahat next Komikon!
@ Gio, hhmm. Si Tandang Padamdam! Heheheh!