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ABLAZE proudly presents "14", the second silent graphic novel created by Filipino comic artist, Manix Abrera.
This graphic novel is also his first work to achieve a National Book Award (Category: Wordless Graphic Literature) in 2015, awarded by the National Book Development Board and Manila Critics Circle.
14 tells the story of a human who mysteriously discovers a 13th floor on his building and finds himself in the middle of a storytelling session among different mythological creatures of Philippine folklore. Together with a partying crowd of supernatural beings, he listens to stories narrated by creatures such as the Manananggal, Diwata, Tikbalang, Kapre, Tiyanak, and even by a White Lady and a Doppelganger.
With each creature taking the stage, describing wild stories spurred by their unique, terrifying traits and abilities, 14 is a grand narrative of weird yet wonderful tales, humorous albeit dark and spooky, surreal but unarguably true to the emotions of the heart. Stories like finding love then losing it, searching for happiness, getting lost, staying trapped, wanting to belong, dying to be born again – may all sound too human, but are also being experienced by these mythological creatures.
Using absolutely no words in this graphic novel, Manix successfully tells the stories through careful planning of each scene and sequence. Frame by frame, panel by panel, Manix effectively renders each scene in detail and maximizes the power of images to completely convey the stories and emotions he wants to evoke in his readers. It is now up to you, the reader, to notice these details, to savor each frame, page by page until the big picture and meaning unfold sans the usual text balloons. Sounds mind-blowing!
Reading without words is like talking without a voice, almost supernatural but not impossible. Let Manix Abrera’s 14 talk to you visually and take you into a truly exciting and totally unforgettable literary experience.
This graphic novel is also his first work to achieve a National Book Award (Category: Wordless Graphic Literature) in 2015, awarded by the National Book Development Board and Manila Critics Circle.
14 tells the story of a human who mysteriously discovers a 13th floor on his building and finds himself in the middle of a storytelling session among different mythological creatures of Philippine folklore. Together with a partying crowd of supernatural beings, he listens to stories narrated by creatures such as the Manananggal, Diwata, Tikbalang, Kapre, Tiyanak, and even by a White Lady and a Doppelganger.
With each creature taking the stage, describing wild stories spurred by their unique, terrifying traits and abilities, 14 is a grand narrative of weird yet wonderful tales, humorous albeit dark and spooky, surreal but unarguably true to the emotions of the heart. Stories like finding love then losing it, searching for happiness, getting lost, staying trapped, wanting to belong, dying to be born again – may all sound too human, but are also being experienced by these mythological creatures.
Using absolutely no words in this graphic novel, Manix successfully tells the stories through careful planning of each scene and sequence. Frame by frame, panel by panel, Manix effectively renders each scene in detail and maximizes the power of images to completely convey the stories and emotions he wants to evoke in his readers. It is now up to you, the reader, to notice these details, to savor each frame, page by page until the big picture and meaning unfold sans the usual text balloons. Sounds mind-blowing!
Reading without words is like talking without a voice, almost supernatural but not impossible. Let Manix Abrera’s 14 talk to you visually and take you into a truly exciting and totally unforgettable literary experience.
197 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2014
8 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Manix Abrera
59 books391 followersManuel “Manix” Abrera graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines–Diliman. He is the author of the daily comic strip Kikomachine Komix in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and the weekly webcomic News Hardcore in GMA News Online. He has currently authored twenty books and has won the National Book Awards for his wordless graphic novel 14, comics compilation News Hardcore, and comics compilation Kikomachine Komix 14: Alaala ng Kinabukasan. More of his works can be found at https://www.manixabrera.com.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 33 reviews
October 23, 2024
I am pretty familiar with Manix Abrera's daily strip in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and I'm pretty much aware of his collegian humor and local pop culture references. However, in his wordless graphic novel "14", the follow-up to his first and well-received "12", I was blown away by his natural talent in graphic storytelling.
To say that it blew away my expectations is an understatement. Abrera has already made a name for himself as a storyteller and is a potential National Artist. I am just late to the party.
14 is a collection of short stories with an overarching theme. It is a story of stories, which pretty much Neil Gaiman's milieu. A collaboration between Abrera and Gaiman; now that is something to dream about.
To say that it blew away my expectations is an understatement. Abrera has already made a name for himself as a storyteller and is a potential National Artist. I am just late to the party.
14 is a collection of short stories with an overarching theme. It is a story of stories, which pretty much Neil Gaiman's milieu. A collaboration between Abrera and Gaiman; now that is something to dream about.
November 19, 2014
I enjoyed "reading" this silent comics book. This is Manix Abrera's follow up to his breakthrough sad silent wordless comics book, 12 (3 stars). I enjoyed this better because of one thing: the stories are complex and multi-layered compared to the straightforward telling of the stories in that first book.
Again, what makes this book very innovative is that the stories, there are seven of them in this book, are told through pictures just like reading a storyboard. There are absolutely no words. There are stories the are easy to interpret and those that, for somebody like me who is not really into graphic novels, are just a bit mundane or shallow. But the illustrations are well-executed, the emotions of the characters are captured effectively. They are simply drawn but these Casper-like characters with just two oblong eyes staring blankly can convey emotions like no other. It's a magical experience and with the theme of rain (dedication on front page: "para sa iyo, kasama kong naliligaw sa ulan"), it is very timely in this season of the year when people are expecting typhoons to arrive anytime in the country.
The seven stories have no titles so, for the fun of it, I tried giving them my own titles and then put my comments. I hope you will do the same and let's compare notes. As I said, I think I did not get the message or plot of some of them so I would appreciate if you help me:
1. 13th Floor. (2 stars) - a man is riding in a taxi and is soaking wet when he arrives at his condominium. His room is on the 14/F so he presses his number but as the elevator stops from one floor to the other, creatures of the netherworld enter and join him but when the elevator stops on the 13/F, everyone goes out and the man joins them. I did not get the reason why each of the creatures climbs up the hill. Does this mean there is a changing of leadership from one type of creature to the other? What does the story want to convey?
2. Mananagggal. (5 stars) - this is downright sad for me but it is cute. See the frame where the manananggal is sad so she plays football with herself while her body is split into two!
3. Diwata. (4 stars) - I saw this being presented and explained by Manix Abrera at Uno Morato one evening last week. We just thought of going there to see the place and it was so happened that Manix was there and he invited us to watch his presentation. I really liked the story and it is one of the three stories that are multi-layered: this is just not a story of a married man that is tempted by a beautiful diwata but also a story of how married men can lost their mind by the allure of other women that make them abandoning their own families and regretting it when the "magic" of love or lust is over.
4. Hospital Bed. (3 stars) - a man is bedridden and terminally-ill. He imagines going to different beautiful places maybe in his effort to forget the pain or sorrow of dying. It is not really complex until in the last four frames when he meets the nurse and his image starts to fade. Open for interpretation really but we know what becomes of him in the end.
5. Lost in the Rain. (5 stars) - the best and the scariest story for me. I thought I understood everything and I have nothing to comment except that this is like reading the "lobo" or balloon story in the first book. You simply can't forget stories like these. They are exceptionally good.
6. Waiting Shed. (2 stars) - I don't get this! An old man and the white lady sitting under the waiting shed. Please help. What is this all about?
7. Earthquake. (2 stars) - the fireflies in the end. I interpret this as that the man living in an earthquake devastated place finally gets the relief by watching the fireflies? The fireflies symbolizing hope?
8. Suicide. (4 stars) - not easy to understand but I think it tells me that we should not think of suicide by think of ourselves as bigger than our problems. That if when we think that everything is hopeless, we should remember that our problems will be gone someday and there are no problems that we cannot handle or solve.
9. The Poop. (3 stars) - the funniest story for me. It is a story of a poop living in the toilet bowl. Ha! Ha! It is funny but not really memorable except the scene when everything is upside down because the poop comes out from the chandelier or something.
10. The Cemetery. (3 stars) - very timely for the All Souls' Day last November 2nd when people in the Philippines troop to the cemeteries to spend a day with their loved ones. It is nicely illustrated; something that I have not seen done by any other cartoonists.
Overall, I really enjoyed this quick reading experience. Not really quick. The book is expensive (P500) because the illustrations are in full color, the paper is thick, white and smooth. This is something that is worth collecting and you can browse the pictures again and again. Who knows, it will be good enough to be read by your children or even grandchildren. What I am trying to say is that you better read this book. It is a timeless book and is designed to last for generations.
Again, what makes this book very innovative is that the stories, there are seven of them in this book, are told through pictures just like reading a storyboard. There are absolutely no words. There are stories the are easy to interpret and those that, for somebody like me who is not really into graphic novels, are just a bit mundane or shallow. But the illustrations are well-executed, the emotions of the characters are captured effectively. They are simply drawn but these Casper-like characters with just two oblong eyes staring blankly can convey emotions like no other. It's a magical experience and with the theme of rain (dedication on front page: "para sa iyo, kasama kong naliligaw sa ulan"), it is very timely in this season of the year when people are expecting typhoons to arrive anytime in the country.
The seven stories have no titles so, for the fun of it, I tried giving them my own titles and then put my comments. I hope you will do the same and let's compare notes. As I said, I think I did not get the message or plot of some of them so I would appreciate if you help me:
1. 13th Floor. (2 stars) - a man is riding in a taxi and is soaking wet when he arrives at his condominium. His room is on the 14/F so he presses his number but as the elevator stops from one floor to the other, creatures of the netherworld enter and join him but when the elevator stops on the 13/F, everyone goes out and the man joins them. I did not get the reason why each of the creatures climbs up the hill. Does this mean there is a changing of leadership from one type of creature to the other? What does the story want to convey?
2. Mananagggal. (5 stars) - this is downright sad for me but it is cute. See the frame where the manananggal is sad so she plays football with herself while her body is split into two!
3. Diwata. (4 stars) - I saw this being presented and explained by Manix Abrera at Uno Morato one evening last week. We just thought of going there to see the place and it was so happened that Manix was there and he invited us to watch his presentation. I really liked the story and it is one of the three stories that are multi-layered: this is just not a story of a married man that is tempted by a beautiful diwata but also a story of how married men can lost their mind by the allure of other women that make them abandoning their own families and regretting it when the "magic" of love or lust is over.
4. Hospital Bed. (3 stars) - a man is bedridden and terminally-ill. He imagines going to different beautiful places maybe in his effort to forget the pain or sorrow of dying. It is not really complex until in the last four frames when he meets the nurse and his image starts to fade. Open for interpretation really but we know what becomes of him in the end.
5. Lost in the Rain. (5 stars) - the best and the scariest story for me. I thought I understood everything and I have nothing to comment except that this is like reading the "lobo" or balloon story in the first book. You simply can't forget stories like these. They are exceptionally good.
6. Waiting Shed. (2 stars) - I don't get this! An old man and the white lady sitting under the waiting shed. Please help. What is this all about?
7. Earthquake. (2 stars) - the fireflies in the end. I interpret this as that the man living in an earthquake devastated place finally gets the relief by watching the fireflies? The fireflies symbolizing hope?
8. Suicide. (4 stars) - not easy to understand but I think it tells me that we should not think of suicide by think of ourselves as bigger than our problems. That if when we think that everything is hopeless, we should remember that our problems will be gone someday and there are no problems that we cannot handle or solve.
9. The Poop. (3 stars) - the funniest story for me. It is a story of a poop living in the toilet bowl. Ha! Ha! It is funny but not really memorable except the scene when everything is upside down because the poop comes out from the chandelier or something.
10. The Cemetery. (3 stars) - very timely for the All Souls' Day last November 2nd when people in the Philippines troop to the cemeteries to spend a day with their loved ones. It is nicely illustrated; something that I have not seen done by any other cartoonists.
Overall, I really enjoyed this quick reading experience. Not really quick. The book is expensive (P500) because the illustrations are in full color, the paper is thick, white and smooth. This is something that is worth collecting and you can browse the pictures again and again. Who knows, it will be good enough to be read by your children or even grandchildren. What I am trying to say is that you better read this book. It is a timeless book and is designed to last for generations.
December 8, 2016
The second book in Manix Abrera's silent comics, 14 delivers a sronger narrative and a more cohesive story than its predecessor 12.
14 is a collection of stories narrated by beings of Philippine folklore (tyanak, white lady, tikbalang, doppelganger, manananggal, kapre, dwende and diwata) plus a normal person who accidentally attended this story-telling cocktail night of these supernatural creatures.
The whole book, though wordless manages to tell stories which you do care to read until the end. This is a great improvement from Abrera's 12, which is more of a collection of meandering thoughts than effective stories. Kikomachine readers would get a tad more entertainment here, being accustomed to Manix' brand of magic realism and gore humor.
Engaging as they are, 14 still does not justify the 500 Pesos tag price. It is a very, very fast read. Though Abrera completists must have this one in their shelf of course.
14 is a collection of stories narrated by beings of Philippine folklore (tyanak, white lady, tikbalang, doppelganger, manananggal, kapre, dwende and diwata) plus a normal person who accidentally attended this story-telling cocktail night of these supernatural creatures.
The whole book, though wordless manages to tell stories which you do care to read until the end. This is a great improvement from Abrera's 12, which is more of a collection of meandering thoughts than effective stories. Kikomachine readers would get a tad more entertainment here, being accustomed to Manix' brand of magic realism and gore humor.
Engaging as they are, 14 still does not justify the 500 Pesos tag price. It is a very, very fast read. Though Abrera completists must have this one in their shelf of course.
May 6, 2024
This is very different from "12" the other volume of silent stories with no words, by the same author. This volume is centered on Philippine horror folklore, and it's really a trip. I dig this author's vivid imagination.
September 26, 2015
this is more of a 2.5 since it doesn't deserve 2 stars but it doesn't deserve 3 either. so i listened to my math teacher and got the number in between them.
this book could have been the bombdotcom. it is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that-wait for it-has no words! no little boxes of narration or even dialogue. the author successfully delivered his message without words and idk about you but that's difficult.
it is about philippine mythology in which particular creatures each tell a story. i love my philippine culture and its originality, so this book was going to be the bombdotcom UNTIL i started reading and felt nothing whatsoever.
i couldn't be empathetic with these characters or understand what's happening in their lives. i spend so little time with the characters, so how could i possibly feel something towards them, whether it be hatred, annoyance or what? i couldn't grasp the story's essence. this book had potential, the idea was great and nationalistic in a sense. but it was executed poorly and it became boring.
srry 14. you're cool and all but no.
this book could have been the bombdotcom. it is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that-wait for it-has no words! no little boxes of narration or even dialogue. the author successfully delivered his message without words and idk about you but that's difficult.
it is about philippine mythology in which particular creatures each tell a story. i love my philippine culture and its originality, so this book was going to be the bombdotcom UNTIL i started reading and felt nothing whatsoever.
i couldn't be empathetic with these characters or understand what's happening in their lives. i spend so little time with the characters, so how could i possibly feel something towards them, whether it be hatred, annoyance or what? i couldn't grasp the story's essence. this book had potential, the idea was great and nationalistic in a sense. but it was executed poorly and it became boring.
srry 14. you're cool and all but no.
September 3, 2019
“14” has nine stories, each featuring a creature from Philippine folklore. The overarching story that ties these nine together is that a human being, on his way home, gets lost and wanders into the 13th floor of a building, which is a portal leading to a mysterious land of various mythical creatures and beings. There is a storytelling session going on, each creature taking turns narrating their life stories—stories of loss, being lost, longing, and the need to belong.
My absolute favorite story is the one told by the diwata, about the love story between two humans and how a third, magical party throws it into disarray. While trying not to spoil it, I would say that tied at Most Disturbing are the ones told by the duwende and the tikbalang—the former for its concept and the latter for its increasingly surreal backgrounds.
Toward the end, they notice the human being that have wandered into their midst, and compel him to tell his. The human being’s story effortlessly wraps up all the other stories and leaves a sobering thought to ponder on. It is not the usual Manix Abrera comics where he takes the mundane and finds the hilarity in it, topping it with witty punch lines. This book elicits introspection and reflection.
Something that remains mysterious to me as of this writing is the graphic novel's title. At first I thought it was something simplistic (and maybe it really is)—“12” was released in 2012, while “14” was released in 2014.
My absolute favorite story is the one told by the diwata, about the love story between two humans and how a third, magical party throws it into disarray. While trying not to spoil it, I would say that tied at Most Disturbing are the ones told by the duwende and the tikbalang—the former for its concept and the latter for its increasingly surreal backgrounds.
Toward the end, they notice the human being that have wandered into their midst, and compel him to tell his. The human being’s story effortlessly wraps up all the other stories and leaves a sobering thought to ponder on. It is not the usual Manix Abrera comics where he takes the mundane and finds the hilarity in it, topping it with witty punch lines. This book elicits introspection and reflection.
Something that remains mysterious to me as of this writing is the graphic novel's title. At first I thought it was something simplistic (and maybe it really is)—“12” was released in 2012, while “14” was released in 2014.
December 19, 2018
I’ve always thought Manix Abrera is such an underrated surrealist. He’s mostly known for his komiks work that turns to the absurd. His exhibit at Gallerie Stephanie is one my favorite shows this year. He conjures wondrous worlds here in “14,” an Arabian Nights/Canterbury Tales-style of small stories that mine on folklore, mythology, and urbanoia. He captures what it’s like to live a country where creatures like kapres, aswangs, and tiyanaks coexist with the forces of neoliberalism and capitalism (NAKS). But in “14” he lets his imaginarium run wild. It’s a little tender, a lot spooky, and mostly a fun climb up to the 14th floor.
March 5, 2019
4 stars!
Some stories are better than others, but overall I really enjoyed browsing through this silent comic.
Some stories are better than others, but overall I really enjoyed browsing through this silent comic.
December 29, 2015
Ang tagal ko nang minamata ng librong ito sa Powerbooks hanggang sa dumating ang #tamangpanahon—Christmas Party. Agad-agad, ito ang nilista ko sa wishlist (kasama ng iba pang tig-500 na comics ni Manix). Masaya kong ito ang natanggap ko, nadismaya lang ako na 'yong nakuha kong libro ay 'yong mismong minamata ko sa Powerbooks—'yong kopyang nawawala ang pages 1-7 at wala na ngang cover, gusot-gusot pa. Basta ang dumi ng libro, malamang na-private read na ito ng sangkatutak na taong kagaya ko, minamata ito. Well, sabi nga ng nakabunot sa'kin, wishes do come true. Then, thank you.
Anyway, nanghula na lang ako kung ano 'yong nasa pages 1-7. Naintindihan ko naman ang takbo ng istorya. Ang deep. Tatak Manix talaga. Silent comics 'to pero ang ingay 'pag binasa mo. Mapapaisip ka sa complexity ng simple things o sa simplicity ng complex things. Nakiliti na naman ni Manix 'yong utak ko sa mga padeep niyang shiz. Duda ko kung higit sa pagiging henyong komikero ay baka philosopher o psychologist rin 'tong si Manix e. Dapat magkaro'n na ng Manix Abrera School of Thought para mas matalakay pa ang awesomeness niya e. Anyway, ang nagpasilent talaga sa silent comics na ito ay 'yong kawalan ng pages 1-7.
Anyway, nanghula na lang ako kung ano 'yong nasa pages 1-7. Naintindihan ko naman ang takbo ng istorya. Ang deep. Tatak Manix talaga. Silent comics 'to pero ang ingay 'pag binasa mo. Mapapaisip ka sa complexity ng simple things o sa simplicity ng complex things. Nakiliti na naman ni Manix 'yong utak ko sa mga padeep niyang shiz. Duda ko kung higit sa pagiging henyong komikero ay baka philosopher o psychologist rin 'tong si Manix e. Dapat magkaro'n na ng Manix Abrera School of Thought para mas matalakay pa ang awesomeness niya e. Anyway, ang nagpasilent talaga sa silent comics na ito ay 'yong kawalan ng pages 1-7.
November 17, 2015
This 14 silent comics made by Manix gives a representation of the type of stories that we tend to talk during a rainy weather. Stories about our local mythology, mystery and love are just some of those.
When one expects Manix to have done all that he could in his 12 silent comics, he comes back showing to us that he can still raise the bar even though he has already raised it up so high.
Manix never disappoints his fans, all those crazy guys (including myself) who suddenly appears out of nowhere and begin the absurd line formation in order to get the ink (of whatever he is holding) be splattered out unto our most cared and regarded as sacred Kikomachine Komik books. His fans will often be comforted knowing that almost always they are going to have a great time reading his works.
14 lands nicely on a sweet spot on my bookshelf that holds the best works that could be read, even after the rain has stopped falling.
More of my review at:
http://onemantra.blogspot.com/2015/08...
When one expects Manix to have done all that he could in his 12 silent comics, he comes back showing to us that he can still raise the bar even though he has already raised it up so high.
Manix never disappoints his fans, all those crazy guys (including myself) who suddenly appears out of nowhere and begin the absurd line formation in order to get the ink (of whatever he is holding) be splattered out unto our most cared and regarded as sacred Kikomachine Komik books. His fans will often be comforted knowing that almost always they are going to have a great time reading his works.
14 lands nicely on a sweet spot on my bookshelf that holds the best works that could be read, even after the rain has stopped falling.
More of my review at:
http://onemantra.blogspot.com/2015/08...
February 26, 2024
Walang bias, pero ang ganda.
Kung anong laugh trip ng Instagram posts ni Manix, ang seryoso at heavy nitong 14 Ablaze. Pero maganda.
Fan ako, bat ba. Haha!
I also appreciated the author's note at the end. I don't remember MA having something like this in his previous works, pero it gives a bit more context to the volume. I also feel that it makes it all the more accessible to non-Filipino readers.
Kung anong laugh trip ng Instagram posts ni Manix, ang seryoso at heavy nitong 14 Ablaze. Pero maganda.
Fan ako, bat ba. Haha!
I also appreciated the author's note at the end. I don't remember MA having something like this in his previous works, pero it gives a bit more context to the volume. I also feel that it makes it all the more accessible to non-Filipino readers.
November 30, 2014
Astig ng Silent Komiks! HARDCORE!!!!!!!
January 30, 2017
Bilib ako sa mga komiks na walang dayalogo katulad nitong "14". Wala kang babasahing salita at susundan mo lang yung pagkaka-sunod sunod ng mga larawan. Nakakaaliw yung konsepto ng istorya kaya mare-recommend ko sa mga naghahanap ng kakaiba (kahit sa hindi). Medyo may kamahalan yung book pero sulit bawat pahina :)
November 11, 2025
14 is a wordless yet powerful graphic novel where a man stumbles upon a mysterious 13th floor filled with mythological Filipino creatures sharing stories that are eerie, funny, and deeply human. It’s a beautifully illustrated, award-winning work that proves silence can be just as expressive, and haunting, as words.
July 30, 2020
This is my first time experiencing a silent comix. I tried to read 1 story per day and as slowly as possible so I could feel the emotions. It turns out good. At the end of each story, either i'll feel sad or wondering. It is indeed a deep book.
November 23, 2023
14, by Manix
Ok, so how do I break the news to you. Uggh, presenting a modernise version of Filipino mythology in wordless format… it just looks like a fever -dream of the underworld. Nothing redemptive here. **
Ok, so how do I break the news to you. Uggh, presenting a modernise version of Filipino mythology in wordless format… it just looks like a fever -dream of the underworld. Nothing redemptive here. **
May 11, 2024
These silent stories are more coherent and interesting than Abrera's first collection of silent stories, 12. Each of the stories is about a creature from Filipino mythology. Still these silent stories still had a difficult time holding my interest.
August 4, 2024
The silent part was both a hindrance and a benefit to the stories. It took me a minute to understand what was going on, and I wish I read the authors not before I started this because it gives more context since the volume I had didn't have a synopsis.
September 5, 2025
Talking stories with the characters I've only met in the dream time and with no words. Beautiful art. A fast favorite graphic novel. Loved it. There really are no words..... Find a copy and experience it.
September 13, 2018
Finished it in one sitting. It was an incredible and unique way of storytelling. I loved it. ♥
December 28, 2022
Quick thought-provoking silent read
September 13, 2023
Napaka-simple at engaging basahin! It’s moving. Disturbing. But never boring! Enjoyed this loads better than 12. Napaka-asteeg talaga ng utak ni Manix!!
December 28, 2020
A silent graphic novel with otherworldy storytellers narrating their captivating tales. Full of creativity, humor, and of course, some of our favorite Philippine mythological creatures. A wondrous read.
October 6, 2023
[14 - Manix Abrera → ☆☆☆.75]
Secondo volume di Manix Abrera che leggo, sulla stessa scia del precedente. Si tratta di una raccolta di storie brevi interamente grafiche e senza alcun dialogo.
Se la raccolta precedente non aveva strisce che spiccassero particolarmente pur rimanendo godibile nel complesso, in questo albo la ripresa di una storia comune all'interno di alcune strisce del volume porta la lettura ad un livello superiore. In più il contrasto tra gli sfondi saturi di colore, più dettagliati rispetto al volume precedente, e i personaggi stilizzati senza particolari caratteristiche distintive rendono più facile l'immedesimazione in situazioni non sempre realistiche.
Secondo volume di Manix Abrera che leggo, sulla stessa scia del precedente. Si tratta di una raccolta di storie brevi interamente grafiche e senza alcun dialogo.
Se la raccolta precedente non aveva strisce che spiccassero particolarmente pur rimanendo godibile nel complesso, in questo albo la ripresa di una storia comune all'interno di alcune strisce del volume porta la lettura ad un livello superiore. In più il contrasto tra gli sfondi saturi di colore, più dettagliati rispetto al volume precedente, e i personaggi stilizzati senza particolari caratteristiche distintive rendono più facile l'immedesimazione in situazioni non sempre realistiche.
February 5, 2023
I'm definitely a fan of the wordless comic, but this one seemed a little too incoherent for my tastes. It's about what happens when a character (a characterful and emotion-showing white blob, but a white blob all the same) asks his lift for the fourteenth floor, there being no unlucky Floor 13. Until, that is, no end of strange beasties and other things turn up and suddenly they can – and do – press for 13. Getting out with them he finds himself in some kind of hell, where, bizarrely, and eventually, we seem able to work out that it's, well, it's story-telling time.
So we then get an apparent comedy about a super-hero who tries to resurrect someone, a tale of a failed marriage, someone in a hospital bed relying on a travel photo for escapism, and so on. Now none of this is dreadful, but not knowing this is a bizarre anthology book really threw me until the rhythm of story, response, story, response was obvious. An absurd march or queue or whatever it may be exemplifies the dreamlike non sequiturs, when we see both the landscapes it passes through and the cause. Meanwhile, a blind man in a bus shelter shows the ability to pace the 'reading', to bring detail and change to each and every small frame, but also to what little effect.
A postscript tells us briefly about all the different demonic narrators of these tales, which does justify some of the contents, such as the wacky piece of people walking through mahoosive collapsed skyscrapers, underneath even more mahoosive trees, who witness giants climbing said trees for a tobacco form of a nightcap. But not even that makes for a proper narrative out of such circumstances. It is just, unfortunately, inconsequential.
So we then get an apparent comedy about a super-hero who tries to resurrect someone, a tale of a failed marriage, someone in a hospital bed relying on a travel photo for escapism, and so on. Now none of this is dreadful, but not knowing this is a bizarre anthology book really threw me until the rhythm of story, response, story, response was obvious. An absurd march or queue or whatever it may be exemplifies the dreamlike non sequiturs, when we see both the landscapes it passes through and the cause. Meanwhile, a blind man in a bus shelter shows the ability to pace the 'reading', to bring detail and change to each and every small frame, but also to what little effect.
A postscript tells us briefly about all the different demonic narrators of these tales, which does justify some of the contents, such as the wacky piece of people walking through mahoosive collapsed skyscrapers, underneath even more mahoosive trees, who witness giants climbing said trees for a tobacco form of a nightcap. But not even that makes for a proper narrative out of such circumstances. It is just, unfortunately, inconsequential.
February 25, 2015
Another great book from Manix Abrera. I really liked the theme of this one and how surreal it was. The art is very simple but also really effective and great. Like in 12, I am amazed at how he can tell such stories without words and how the plainly drawn characters can express so much emotions. Also like 12, there was a mix of weird, funny, sad, and just downright creepy stories. There was a bit more disturbing stuff in this one though, which is of course a plus! Even though I felt that some of them didn't really have any deeper meaning, I still liked all of the stories and I really enjoyed "reading" them. I just love going into these strange worlds from Manix Abrera's mind; and for such a short book, this is something that I'll definitely remember. I think I actually liked this better than 12.
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January 9, 2015Sino ang nagsabing ang may karapatan lang na magbahagi ng kanilang kuwento sa iba ay ang mga ordinaryong tao?
Ang buhay-mumu ay kasingkulay kung hind man kasingtindi ng sa tao. Hardkor lang ang teknik ni Manix kung paano niya tinahi ang buong kuwento at tahimik na isinalaysay ang isang pantasyang bagamat walang salita ay makabagbag-damdamin. Sumisigaw ang ilang panel, bumubulong, at kahit katahimikan ay sumasabog.
Ang buhay-mumu ay kasingkulay kung hind man kasingtindi ng sa tao. Hardkor lang ang teknik ni Manix kung paano niya tinahi ang buong kuwento at tahimik na isinalaysay ang isang pantasyang bagamat walang salita ay makabagbag-damdamin. Sumisigaw ang ilang panel, bumubulong, at kahit katahimikan ay sumasabog.
January 8, 2023
I wanted to like this, and I definitely appreciate it, as well as the visual storytelling skills required to make a wordless comic. However, I didn't enjoy it, and craved something more, maybe more connection, or more horror, than the cringing feeling of discomfort that I had while reading. Your mileage may vary, and you may or may not want to read the author's note at that is at the end of the volume *before* you start for more context.
September 17, 2016
It's nice. Reminded me of Neil Gaiman's Endless Night (Sandman).
Most of all, I truly enjoyed the stories. Some are touching. Some are funny but I really like the part that it incorporate Filipino folklore monsters.
Most of all, I truly enjoyed the stories. Some are touching. Some are funny but I really like the part that it incorporate Filipino folklore monsters.
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