In the multiverse of comic book greatness, Marvel Comics assumes the forefront with its iconic characters, gripping storylines, and breathtaking artwork — with Filipino illustrators among those leading this charge.
According to CB Cebulski, Marvel's editor-in-chief and a key figure in the dynamic world of superhero storytelling, Filipino illustrators are among the top-tier artists contributing to Marvel’s creative landscape.
“The level of talent here is higher at a younger age than any other country in the world, maybe outside of Italy and the United States. The Philippines is in the top 3 in terms of the number of artists working at Marvel,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN during SuperManila 2024, a three-day comic convention held over the weekend in Makati City.
Among the Filipino artists who breathe life into the world of Marvel are Leinil Yu and Whilce Portacio — whom enthusiasts were lucky enough to meet at the event.
Yu is known for penciling iconic characters like Wolverine and creating superheroine Pearl Pangan, aka Wave. Meanwhile, Portacio, a pioneer in the comic book industry, is lauded for his work on various Marvel Comics titles, including "The Uncanny X-Men" and "X-Factor."
Cebulski explained that their Pinoy talents have seamlessly integrated their “unique perspective and artistic flair” into the Marvel Universe.
The fusion of Western superhero traditions and Filipino creativity has given birth to “visually stunning and emotionally resonant narratives.”
"So the Filipino artistic community has been part of the Marvel Culture, the Marvel Creative community longer than most any country in the world,” he said.
The crossover of East and West was apparent in the two wacky special edition postcards featuring Marvel Characters, showcasing popular Pinoy street food, which were given out at SuperManila 2023.
One of the quirky pieces was designed by Manix Abrera, one of the industry’s most prolific artists. Apart from Marvel, he has also lent his talents to DC and is the man behind Kikomachine Komix, a comic strip published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
"Lagi na-overwhelm kami sa reception ng mga tao na binibigay sa mga comic artists sa mga writers. Tsaka 'yung kitang kita mo na buhay na buhay yung community. Lalo na nakikita maraming mga Pinoy artists and creatives na nagbu-bloom," Abrera said.
Comic enthusiasts also had the opportunity to meet local legends like Pol Medina.
"Lahat ng Pinoy artist dito ngayon pang international. Ako lang hindi,” he said before belting out a laugh.
Another crowd-drawer in the event were “Trese” creators Kajo Baldisimo and Budjette Tan. The pair shared they were overwhelmed with the reception the comic-book-turned-animated-series has received.
"It's always a surprise to see how many people turn up for an event like this, especially in December during the Christmas rush,” Tan said.
Ivan Guerrero, chief creative officer of Filbar's, said the event is a testament to the Filipino’s enduring power for storytelling, which has captivated audiences across the globe.
"It's not very easy to put this kind of event together kasi we're flying in artists from different places, all across Asia and other countries," he said.