Trying on the SMP shirts :)

The T-shirts have arived, Just 76 pcs. all in all. So I hope people will grab one quickly, come this 31st at the Mangaholix Manga Mania event.

Available sizes, xs, s, m, and L
White shirts for 200 pesos
and Black shirts for 225 pesos only.

Apologies for the all the XL people. But you can still place an order at the booth for the next printing. :)

Our booth is D-16, near the entrance. See you there guys!

The painted version

Tropa and Rambol komiks available in Marikina!

If you are living in or near marikina and you are looking for Tropa and Rambol Komiks. Visit this place :)

LIMITADO dressed to kill & other things 57 N.Roxaz st. brgy Kalumpang Marikina....
malapit kme sa Sanroque Elem Skul, or china trust bak kalumpang... from marcos h-way goin staLU.. lampasan mu ang sta.lu mall tas U turn pabalik cubao.... after
caltex my kalsada ryt ka dun...konting dre tsoooo lang... dyarrraaannnn...left
side Limitado... katabe ng freestyle barber shop.... tapat ng queen annie
store. open kme 3pm onwards.

It's Arvin "TADO" Jimenez's shop.
Listen to their Radio show mon-thursday 9pm-12mn- The BrewRATS 99.5 campus fm


BrewRats logo by Renie Palo

Something new...

A joint venture with Arnel Abeleda.

Note: Just a mock up cover, changes will be made.

TROPA

Rolkol:

Formula Juan
Liksi
Divina Diuata
Sugar Shock
Maligna

New style practice 2

Practice practice!

BACK END DEALS--- anyone?

I have had it. I have to announce that I do not accept back end deals. I have always been willing to help people especially young creators but they do not seem to get the word investment. Artists are people too, we work and we need to get paid. Not AFTER the release of a book, but DURING even BEFORE.

I received an email with this kind of setup, I'll post here what it read but won't expose the writer's name so so he does not need to react. Generally I usually get this kind of deal that I am now sick of seeing.

============================================
the terms read:
Here's my terms. 1. You must work with me for at least one year, you MAY work with others too, but you have to remain working with me as well. 2. As long as we are working together, I MAY post any work that you've done for my book on the web, this is strictly for publicity, nothing else, I'M NOT TRYING TO CHEAT YOU!! I'm only trying to boost our success. 3. I WILL pay you a price of anywhere between 60-70$ USD per page for my book, "xxxxx." 4. You will not recieve any payment for the book until TWO WEEKS after the book is released, after two weeks, you will receive anywhere between 60-70$ USD for every page that you did. 5. You must meet all deadlines. 6. If you do not meet the expectations I have for you, or if any part of this agreement is not followed, this contract is null and void. If you have any questions or disagreements, let me know. Oh, and if you need me to, I will buy supplies for you. Hope this goes well.
============================================
Two years? and if you don't or took a break, you won't get nothing, even if you produced a thousand pages for the book.

The words saying that he is not trying to cheat me, seems to me that MAYBE he is or he might.

the release of a book is very very flexible, what if he won't or can't? What all the work for free?

Meet your expectations? well, you have not met my expectation for you to pay up front also.

Please creators! If you can't afford to do a book, don't go looking for cheap or naive artists to work on your book that may cause grief to these poor souls. Go to family members perhaps?

I hope this is clear, NO MORE BACK END DEALS.

Learn comics through comics.

How do we really learn making comics? Is it by learning how to do portraits? paint a tree? Learning to draw, you DO need to draw the real world. But creating comics is quite different for me. There are no straight rules. There are some modifications and even exxagerations to make an interesting comics. Even if I can draw really good, I may not be a great storyteller. Like I said before, You'll learn by living the life. As a kid growing up, I've seen and tried to copy all sorts of style while I was reading comics. I know the names of the artists I admire and can identify which one is who's work just by looking at the strokes of their art. In fact, the changes in style from Jack Kirby to John Byrne to Jim Lee is one of the evidence that style evolves in comics, Each style give out an era in comics. Even the tools being used is an outstanding giveaway.

Comics has its own special quality that only and only comics can give. Some people may think that it may be limiting and they'd rather do animation or doing a movie to tell a story. But that is where the real challenge is, telling a complete story with just so much space. That is why we call our idols, comics geniuses. I learned from them, not by talking to them personally but through their works.

If you could ask anyone from the professional community if they have ever copied from comics before? The aswer will be YES! I don't see why we should change that tradition. That is where evolution unfolds right before our very eyes. It is something beautiful when I can see one artist developed a new style by merging not 2 but sometimes 4 different styles or even more and will end up with something that is really unique.

Now, developing a style is very tricky process and sometime soon, you will have to stop looking at other people's work, if you feel that you are truly ready to do so. This way, real time influences will be avoided. By doing this, you will be able to draw without references. In time you'll see, a new style will be born.

We do need references almost always, but mostly for backgrounds items and all the props.

Jon Zamar's Digmaang Salinlahi now ONLINE!

click here
Check it out!

SMP Tshirts

For more info you can email us at smp_letters@yahoo.com if you want to order.

Trying out a new approach to my art

Trying out a new style. This is done within 3 hours, not yet perfected, ink washing needs patience :) Colored using photoshop but with a different approach.

Hope you guys like it.

TOYCON 2008

June 14-15, 2008

click the link for more about the event :)


click here

Learning Comics is not like KUNG FU

The last time I was with Gerry, he asked if I'd like to teach again. Got me thinking and remembering about the good 'ol LEARN days. Teaching for Whilce Portacio's comics creation course is one experience so dear to me. At first, when he pushed me almost literally to teach for his class. I was reluctant and nervous to face the students who have so many expectations coming there. Some were surprised to find that I was the one to continue the class. It was funny that when I finally started drawing, someone from the class asked if I was Gilbert Monsanto. I said yes, and like a sigh of relief some cheered that I was BIOTROG! Actually that meant I created Biotrog. Instantly some of them placed their trust that this going to be a great session. After six years working on the local komiks scene, that was the first time that people actually acknowledged that they knew my work personally. I have received fan mails during the early 90's in the publications where I worked but this is different. I was there in person as they were, and they are now giving their trust in me. Luckily, I was teaching in behalf of Whilce's teachings. It was easier that way. The first few sessions was tough and well, I felt just teaching by the book was enough. I am not sure they can follow all the techniques presented to them.

I then realized something. It is not like KUNG FU. If I teach them the snake style, they won’t come out using snake style. There are too many factors in comics that if we try to enumerate all they needed to learn it almost impossible. I then changed the focus of the class. Instead of teaching what they cannot possible do. I tried to explore what they are capable of now, and try to point them towards that direction. In one classroom I would ask them if there was a position in comics they wanted to be, what would that be? Guess, what is the popular answer? Almost all wanted to be a penciller. Every class it was the same. It was clear that most of them are into this because of two things, fame and money.

So, I would run some tests secretly to find out what they can do, how far are they with those skill. Some are so reluctant when I try to convince them to ink or write or try to change their precious style. In fact, some would just walk out. Luckily a few returned to finish the class. Some are rich kids who just can't seem figure out why the hell they have to work for the class; they have parties to go to. Some are poor but managed to save enough just to try his luck thinking he might find something along the way. Slowly, even if they are not so happy not being the penciller. I was able to find out who they should be at the moment. I told them, “Did you know that Whilce Portacio started as an inker? " Some still thought I was joking just trying to convince them to try something they don't want to do. The truth is I knew that after the class, most of them will turn their backs and will be working on different fields of work. Not for me to say, they'll just have to learn that for themselves.

For those I think deserves to be checked out? I usually scatter all their works on my table hoping that Whilce will see something there, who knows he might discover a few of them and could get a job doing comics. It did work; the lucky few are now successful doing comics. The best thing about LEARN located inside Megamall is that everyone is welcome. People from different schools, age, gender or even nationalities are welcome to learn there.

Actually, I found my beautiful wife there, it is always so funny when we get asked where we met and our reply would be in megamall. Maybe you are wondering, no. I did not court her when she was still my student, all the romance happened after, when she was studying aikido lessons, she was no longer my student so it was ok. She even ignores me during classes because according to her I seemed to be very cocky at times and even uncaring. I do that actually on purpose. I have this policy when I was teaching, ignore this class and you will be ignored by it. I will only remember your names if your work with your signature shows some promise. Because that is how comics work, we remember talents when their work interests us enough for us to look up their names on the credits.

In the end, a few made it big and some did not. I wish I could have done more for them. In truth, some of them might think that the school did not meet their expectations. But it was never about the Kung Fu, it was all about them, all unique individuals. Learning comics is not by knowing all the terminologies and all the tricks, it is by living it. Comics making needs only one thing... your heart.

I just hope that whatever they took from those classes have helped them in some small ways with the choices they make today.

As for teaching again? Want to learn? just ask me.

M3 2008

We'll be at the Mangaholix Manga Mania '08 which will be held on a saturday, May 31st at SMX, mall of ASIA.

Sacred Mountain Publications will be with Gio Paredes and Gener Pedrina. So, I guess you can call us the G3 since Gilbert starts also with G hehe.

Will be selling comics there including Tropa#2, our latest installment.

Sketches anyone?

If you want to request sketches please email me at smp_letters@yahoo.com 300 pesos each. I think this is for the best since I won't be rushing artwork during the actual event.

T-shirt?
We are working this one out. If anyone want to pre order please do email us as well. I'll update you more on this.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY (late entry)

As always, I'm late with this entry hehe. Last saturday, I went to Comic Oddyssey Galleria for the Free Comic Book day 2008. I never imagined how long the line will be during a day like this, it was a looooong blockbuster like line. I decided just to hang around and talk to my buddies. I did manage to purchase Budjette Tan's Trese. It is a lovely book, the look and all. Also, got Graphic Classics from Gerry Alanguilan. It is always fun to go to an event like this, meeting with friends in a single place all at the same time seemed like a big party. Sandy and Co./family are always so warm with people.

It is evident that the free comic book day was a smashing success!

Congrats Comic Oddyssey!

IRON AGE Productions

I just did the logo for them :)

Check out their sites:

IRON AGE

and a video:

VIDEO

the LINK between MAN and GOD

Got this from nefar007's deviantart journal :)


An Atheist Professor of Philosophy speaks to his Class on the Problem Science has with GOD, The ALMIGHTY.
He asks one of his New Christian Students to stand and . . ....
Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So you Believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD Good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD to Heal him.
Most of us would attempt to Help Others who are ill.
But GOD didn't.
How is this GOD Good then ? Hmm ?
( Student is silent )

Professor : You can't answer, can you ?
Let's start again, Young Fella.
Is GOD Good ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from ?
Student : From .. . . GOD . .. .
Professor : That's right.
Tell me son, is there evil in this World ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it ?
And GOD did make Everything. Correct ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil ?
( Student does not answer )
Professor : Is there Sickness ? Immorality ? Hatred ? Ugliness ?
All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who Created them ?

( Student has no answer )

Professor : Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you.
Tell me, son . . . Have you ever Seen GOD ?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever Heard your GOD ?
Student : No , sir.
Professor : Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD ?
Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter ?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still Believe in HIM ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist.
What do you say to that, son ?
Student : Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor : Yes. Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as Heat ?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as Cold ?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No sir. There isn't.
( The Lecture Theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events )

Student : Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat,
a Little Heat or No Heat.
But we don't have anything called Cold.
We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that.
There is no such thing as Cold.
Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat.
We cannot Measure Cold.
Heat is Energy.
Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.
( There is Pin - Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre )

Student : What about Darkness, Professor ? Is there such a thing as Darkness ?
Professor : Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness ?
Student : You're wrong again, sir.
Darkness is the Absence of Something.
You can have Low Light, Normal Light , Bright Light, Flashing Light . . .
But if you have No Light Constantly, you have Nothing and it's called Darkness, isn't it ?
In reality, there is no Darkness.
If there is, you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you ?
Professor : So what is the point you are making, Young Man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is Flawed.
Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how ?
Student : Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality.
You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD.
You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure.
Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought.
It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.
To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that
Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing.
Death is Not the Opposite of Life : just the Absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor, do you Teach your Students that they Evolved from a Monkey ?
Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir ?

( The Professor shakes his head with a Smile, beginning to realize where the Argument is going )

Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and
cannot even prove that this Process is an On - Going Endeavor,
are you not Teaching your Opinion, sir ?
Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher ?
( The Class is in Uproar )

Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever Seen the Professor's Brain ?
( The Class breaks out into Laughter )
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever Heard the Professor's Brain, Felt it, Touched or Smelt it ? . ... ..
No one appears to have done so.
So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that
you have No Brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust your Lectures, sir ?
( The Room is Silent. The Professor stares at the Student, his face unfathomable )
Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it sir . . .
the Link between Man & GOD is FAITH.
That is all that Keeps Things Moving & Alive.

It turned out later that the student is Albert Einstein...


“Only in obedience can we discover the great joy of the will of God.”

WORST COMMENT I GOT ABOUT MY WORK.

Well, this was a long time ago. A guy who was kinda courting my first GF told her. "Wala yang si Gilbert. Komiks? Putsa, walang pera yan. Drawing lang ng drawing, nabubulok naman ang papel, tatapon ko lang yan eh." So, I told her it is okay he felt that way about my work but understand, if he think that low about drawings, why does he keep his money? "May drawing din naman ang pera ah, sige nga itapon niya?"

Hehehe.

Availability update

Tropa #2 and Rambol #2 copies are now available at the Market Market NBS branch.

Available soon(within the week)at these NBS branches:
CAGAYAN
DAGUPAN-CITY MALL
GAPAN- WALTERMART CENTER
LEGASPI-NE PACIFIC MALL
BATANGAS-BAY CITY MALL
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY-LIMKETKAI CENTER
BACOLOD-GAISANO CITY
SM ILOILO
SM CITY CAGAYAN DE ORO
SM CITY DAVAO
SM LIPA CITY
SM BATANGAS
DAVAO-GAISANO MALL
ROBINSONS ILOILO
CABANATUAN- NE PACIFIC SHOPPING MALL
ROBINSONS-LIPA

I do hope people there will pick up a copy. Although, it really is surprising that we've sold more copies outside Metro Manila. There are more komiks readers there then?

HELLSWORD colored page again

ilang pages na lang tapos na ang Hellsword :)

WHO DO I WORK FOR?

Been meaning to write something here and for such a long time now, I've just used this blog to showcase some of my works. I guess I am not really someone who can instantly write anything and everything on a public blog. In fact, I find it very hard to read through other people's blog especially if they seemed like a novel long. I just wish they can just get to the point. So, here it goes then, me trying to write something more than just simple short messages from time to time.

Self-publishing two titles recently, and even though I've never felt so proud with my decision to do it. Reality is still something that hasn't escaped me. The amount of effort, creativity and yes, money to produce these books is nothing short of Titanic. Being a family man, I am trying to be careful not to be too careless for the sake of my kids. I am blessed to have a wonderful wife who although not without a limit, supports and believe in what I am trying and still doing today. I am surviving, constantly trying to balance work well... with more work in order for me to afford taking these risks. Imagine, writing, pencilling, coloring books for a living, now double that just to finish these books (Tropa and Rambol) on the side. In fact, I felt that in a sad way, I've lost some opportunities locally figuring that other publishers tend to shy away knowing that I am also publishing comics on my own. Luckily, I have a more stable job that was entrusted to me for several years now. Without that, well... let us just say, all this gets a bit scarier than it is now.



So, Here I am still hammering away with the pages, giving my services to komiks for free. Let's face it, at this point with my rates. Even I can't afford my services. Now, imagine that and all the costs producing Tropa and Rambol just to prove a point? Who am I truly working for? That is the question I suddenly asked myself. Well, I am working for the readers, no matter how hard it is to reach them, no matter how hard it will be to finally attract their attention just to try this little piece of literature, or art. I am here still working for you. It was never about the money, I've entered this profession because I have faith. Faith that just like me, there will be kids who will benefit by reading comics, like it had benefitted me growing up.

As a kid, I have always been an outcast, not evidently but looking back knowing I only had a handful of friends. I guess that makes me one. Most of the time, I've always felt that I was alone. Coming from a broken family, living from relatives to relatives is not really an ideal life to be in. Comics have provided me with things that may seem strange but true. It had provided me hope, learning that even superheroes bled just to stand tall and mighty in the end, because they have faith. It also gave me an identity, drawing since I was a toddler was a thing that could have simply been a phase to any individual, knowing comics gave me a connection to what I really am, an artist, a reader and a storyteller. It also gave me one of the important things in my life, it gave me a dream. That dream is a flame to me, a flame that guided me to places and opportunities that felt almost preordained. I felt destined, for although it was never always easy, time and time again, comic has provided me just enough to live by and to go on.
And go on I will, A geek on a mission. Not for anything else, Instead for the simple things, the stories to be shared and the friendships to be made through comics. The way I see it, I have several bosses, my passion, my family and you, every comic reader who is willing to take a risk and grab a comic book. Just like me, there are a few brave souls who treks this uncertain task. They are all like brothers to me, connected with a love for this medium.
All I can ask is for you to let me. For those who have read any of my works? Thank you.

Kyle Jacob's work at age 4

Here is what my son can draw and guess what he loves? :)

HELLSWORD preview once again :)

RAMBOL COVER 4 colored by Romulo Fajardo Jr.

I'll be working with more talented artists this year. Here is one, this fantastic colors is done by Romulo Fajardo Jr.!


check out more of his art at:

http://evergreenfajardo.deviantart.com/

Tropa issue 2 availability update!

Finally able to bring some copies over at DRUID'S KEEP. Thanks Felix!

Copies will soon be available in NBS Bohol, SM Cebu, Ayala Cebu and Mango Plaza.

Also now available at the NBS branch of Robinson's Forum Pioneer.

-Gilbert

Got featured on the Phil. Daily Inquirer!

I know this interview was coming out but I don't know just when. It did come out yesterday, April 6, 2008 inside the pages of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
We got excited to find out that it was almost a whole page feature. But what I really loved the most about it is that Ms. Marlet Salazar's writing was beautiful and the message I was trying to send out? Perfectly executed and I am proud to have read it. You can find sincerity in the way she writes it. During the interview, my mind was everywhere, talking my heart out and was actually worried that she'd have a hard time collecting all the data and putting all the pieces back together. Thank you Marlet for sending out my message is all I can say.

My Mom texted me that she was in a resort attending a friend's Birthday when her friend brought the newspaper, she saw... me. :)

Update ulit

Just delivered Tropa issue 2 copies to Filbars, NBS superbranch and Farmaers in Cubao. Please check it out!

Tropa issue 2 update

Tropa issue 2 now available at Comic Odyssey, NBS and Best Sellers Robinson's Galleria :)

PantyCat image 2 done :)

Commissions done, now back to the now 52 pages I am finishing. Due on the 4th of April. I'm on top of it, nothing to worry about folks :)

Panty Cat image 1 commission done

Here is the colored image of Panty Cat :)

Tropa 2 now available at Comic Quest Megamall!

Tropa issue 2 now available at Comic Quest Megamall! Will soon deliver to other shops within the week.

TROPA #2 cover

Will deliver to book shops soon :)
This cover is by me and beautifully pencil-rendered by Leonard Banaag (Taleweaver writer/creator) and color finished by (me) Gilbert Monsanto

Many thanks sa lahat ng special guest artists and inkers para mabuo ang issue 2 :)
Mabuhay kayo!

TROPA 2 copies!

We'll deliver them to shop soon. You can also purchase them direct if we are going to meet at mall soon. :) I'll give you guys a discount :)

Commission WIP

We are still thinking for the right color combination for her costume. :)

update :)

I am now waiting for Tropa 2, I am expecting the copies to arrive soon, hopefully within the week.

I just read the script and what do you know. It is actually 52 pages all in all. No prob, I can still make it, I hope hehe.

Aside from that deadline, I still need to finish some commissions.

Here is a preview of one of them:


This is 1 out of 2 Panty Cat image for Amely Grace Vidal. I'll ink and color this soon :)

The other one is a coloring commission over DADICUS, that one, I still can't you guys yet :)

-Gilbert

Mar.20 to April 4 (must finish 48 pages)

Another crazy deadline. I need to finish 48 pages within 2 weeks. Pen/Inked and lettered. Let us see then, shall we? Wish me luck. All the proceed shall go to the publications of my other titles hehe. Drawing comics to make more comics. Crazy? I know... :)

I just can't seem back down to challenges like these :)

RAMBOL 4 flat colors :)

RAMBOL 4 cover mock up

news flash! Tropa 2 is now being run by the printer. Yeah! Sa wakas!

RAMBOL 4 cover WIP

ANGEL sketch

Attack mode Angel!

Yan colored na :)

HELLSWORD preview uncolored page

RAMBOL 5 the Villain alt cover

Presenting the CENTIN QUEEN!
completing the chick sets of covers :)
which one do you like best?

A possible variant cover for issue 5

RAMBOL #5 advance cover Preview!

Although matagal pa, heto ang cover ng Rambol#5 Like I said, I am doing advance materials as early as today :)

Hope you like this one.

RAMBOL cover 4 stage two

This time rough on the actual board :)

RAMBOL #4 cover rough thumbnail

I've decided to work on more pages, and less talk. Working on all these books alone and try to earn money for my family and producing these books is quite tiring. Having no yaya or nanny for my eldest son, takes a lot of time from my working table. Forcing me to loose more and more sleep. But if you check my Deviantart account, you'll see, I am not really slacking but actually preparing all the pages ready.

http://gammaknight.deviantart.com/

Anyway here is the rough thumbnail for issue 4 of Rambol, don't worry, there will be a Alagad Inc. cover, also sa wrap-around(mali yata ang term ko hehe) like this,

SANDIGAN AD

DIGMAAN page 69

stitches off after a week

3 stitches was needed to close my son Kyle's wound under the chin. Now after a week we came back to the Medical City to get rid of them. I used the camera to distract Kyle and it worked, after every shot he'd say, "can I see?"

The Nanny is no longer with us but not because we've let her go. We know, partly it was her fault and also Kyle's fault for being so Hyper sometimes so it was an Accident. I pray this kind of nasty wound will be prevented in the future.

An angel was watching over my kid. Thank God!

Metropolitan 3 page preview

Well, here is another image for Rambol ish 3. I actually colored this when I was in Hong Kong inside Starbucks and finished it within 2 hours,until the battery ran out of juice. I was waiting for my wife, same day we left going back home to Manila.