Ang Astiging Boy Ipis!

For all the super heroes and villains we discuss here, I think what Comicology has always lacked was a focus on the local stuff. There are a lot of good comic books that come out locally, and some of them I can say are pretty goddamn good. Today at Comicology, we’ll be featuring the brain behind a Filipino super hero that I particularly like mainly because he’s unique among a slew of characters wearing variations of the Philippine flag. Let me introduce you to Paul Michael Ignacio and ang Astiging Boy Ipis!

Comicology: Hello Paul. Thanks for taking time out to answer out questions. I guess we should start with an origin question. What got you into comics and comic book creation?
 
Paul: Hey, no problem! I started like any other person who pursued his “comics dream”.. as a FAN. I loved comics ever since I was 6 years old when my father introduced this reading material to me by bringing home copies of FILIPINO FUNNY KOMIKS from work. I was a big SUPERDOG fan. I would draw him everyday.

Later on I got introduced to Spider-man, Batman and other foreign comics. I tried to collect the good ones I could find. Never really outgrew it. They say first love never dies and for me, that was comics. My undying love for comics eventually led me into creating my very own superhero character. And that’s Boy Ipis. When I learned about Sir Gilbert Monsanto’s BAYAN KNIGHTS INITIATIVE, it only took me .08 milliseconds before I decided to join. That was the start for me. Later on, I asked him about the possibility of releasing a solo Boy Ipis series under his publishing company, SACRED MOUNTAIN, and luckily, he obliged. He even did the art chores. With the support of family, friends and colleagues, we were able to release the very first issue of ANG ASTIGING BOY IPIS last August 8, 2009 at the Metro Comic-Con 2009. And you’re interviewing me now! Yey!

Comicology: You know, I’ve also been a fan for the longest time, but it just sucks that I have no fucking talent. Anyway, who were your influences, man? I mean, who from the comic book industry, both foreign and local, do you look up to and from whom you get inspiration?
 
Paul: There’s so many! In the local scene, there’s Carlo Vergara, Gerry Alanguilan, and of course, Gilbert Monsanto! These guys aren’t just talented; you can actually see and feel in them the dedication and the love for the craft. They have my utmost respect. I’m also a very big fan of Brian Michael Bendis, when I was in college and was kind of in a “comics hiatus”, It’s his work (together with Mark Bagley) on “Ultimate Spider-man” that brought me back. Never left again. Needless to say, their work ethics and commitment to comics are something to be inspired from.

Besides from people in the comics industry, I also get inspiration from my very own life experiences, my family, my Bayan Knights friends and my girlfriend.  
 
Comicology: In college, after stopping collecting for a couple years, the first book I picked up when I got back into it was an Ultimate Spider-Man comic, too.

Paul: I got lost on the current main Spidey-continuity stories those days. It was a bummer. I tried Ultimate Spider-man and found it as something really “fresh”. Fell in love with Bendis. Made me remember why I loved comics in the first place.

Comicology: When it comes to characters, who are your favorites? What made them endearing to you?
 
Paul: Spider-man! And The Flash! I love the funny guys! I love those characters who struggle. Characters that resemble the “everyday” man. They feel what we feel and they react the way we would react. The moral lessons they learn from their adventures, are sometimes the moral lessons that we should also be applying in real life. I honestly believe that relatability is the key in creating “appeal” in characters. I remember when I broke up with my ex-girlfriend two years ago, Spider-man’s ONE MORE DAY arc helped me recover. I was thinking, maybe in order to save the life of someone very dear to me, I made a desperate deal with Mephisto, in exchange of my relationship with my ex-girlfriend. And somehow, I can’t remember…. So yeah.
 
Comicology: I didn’t even realize One More Day was already two years ago. Did you know that One More Day almost made me want to die for everything I believed in was fucking shattered? I also wanted to consume discarded fetus samples, just so I could wash out the taste of OMD from my mouth.

Paul: Same thoughts, man! Well, except about the fetus samples.. OMD was like a slap in the face to us old fans, but like an old friend who understands no matter what, I still gave it a try. At least OMD gave Peter his secret identity back.

Comicology: Now, let’s talk about Boy Ipis. How’d you come up with this guy? I can honestly say that I do like the character and his design. I, however, notice a lot of similarities with Marvel’s Spider-man, from the insect powers, the ipis sense, fighting styles and agility. But you know, I always found Spidey to be someone I could relate to, but  someone whose life and personality are so similar and deeply Filipino, I found it even easier to relate to Boy Ipis, Michael Ignacio. Is it fair to say that Ipis Boy is the Philippines’ Spider-Man?

Paul: Yes. Boy Ipis and Spider-man are a lot alike because Boy Ipis was “inspired” by Spider-man. Just like the iconic Pinoy superheroes; Captain Barbell is to Superman/Captain Marvel, Darna is to Wonder Woman, Lastikman is to Plasticman and so on. It was a conscious effort to add “bits” of Spider-man qualities because I’m such a fan of the character, and the thought of giving him a Pinoy approach is interesting. Designing the look was the hardest part. I felt that I didn’t need to put a lot of details in his costume. All he needed was simply, an iconic look, and a dashing smile.

I chose the “cockroach” to be my character’s concept, not just because of its household commonness (character recall), but also because of its “survivor” aspect. We all know that cockroaches have survived thousands of years because of their unique structure, survival instincts, and their ability to adapt to their environment, just like us Filipinos who are also survivors in our own right. We Filipinos are hardened by time. And even if we find ourselves hindered by our own personal trials and tragedies, we still find ways to fight, get back up and basically, survive from our problems. That’s actually the spirit and message of Boy Ipis: To never give up. There’s a cockroach in all of us. There’s a Boy Ipis in all of us.

Comicology: I know a few people who’d like to have Boy Ipis inside of them. BOW CHICKA BOW WOW!

Paul: Wow. One way or another, I knew you were going to say something like that. hehe

Comicology: Don’t get me wrong, though, I would honestly love for Boy Ipis to reach the same level of fame as Spider-Man. That said, what’s next for Boy Ipis? What are your plans for him?

Paul: More issues! I want to concentrate first on producing the actual comics. The MAIN product. I actually have this 5 part story arc waiting to see the light of day. I’m also planning on featuring one-by-one the other Bayan Knights heroes ala Marvel Team-Up in the book. Gosh! So many ideas running in my head! I know it would take some time (and money!) before any of those materializes, but by hook or by crook, and God willing, it will happen! After that, who knows? Boy Ipis merchandise sounds nice!
 
Comicology: I’d pay good money for a 6″ ML-style Boy Ipis. In fact, if they were manufactured well, I would pay good money for majority of the Bayan Knights.

Paul: The Bayan Knights team is a very talented bunch. The possibilities are limitless. We just need your support guys. We are taking huge…HUGE steps. I admire the sacrifice the whole Bayan Knights crew is taking just to make this work.

Comicology: Speaking of the team, I like how he’s the comic relief in Bayan Knights. I think he’s definitely one of the more unique characters in the series. Well, him and Phantom Cat. What is his role in the team besides being the funny guy?
 
Paul: Thanks! Glad you think so! I would love to say that Boy Ipis is the “heart and soul” of the team, but the other Knights would kill me if I did, so I’ll just say that he’s just the funny guy.

Seriously, I would like to look at Boy Ipis (in the Bayan Knights Series) as the reader’s POINT OF VIEW. The character they would be able to relate to. The guy they would root for when things get out of hand. I hope that readers were able to see that.

I also considerably believe that Amely Vidal’s Phantom Cat’s role was to attract the seemingly growing female audience. Adding her to the Boy Ipis book is a privilege because I’m also such a huge fan of her.

Comicology: I dunno, man, Phantom Cat is one sexy feline. She definitely attracted me, as a horny male reader.

Paul: Really? I did not get that impression…. Well, Ok. It did. But the truth is, I haven’t met a reader who didn’t like her. Everybody likes her. Even the female fans.  My girlfriend even likes her and she doesn’t even read comics. She’s actually the most popular character in Bayan Knights.

Comicology: I noticed in the Ang Astiging Boy Ipis solo book, his villains seem to be named after bathroom jokes. I mean, it was funny for a bit, but will this be a recurring theme in his books? Aren’t you afraid that your book will be looked down upon and not be taken seriously as a character and a mainstream comic?
 
Paul: I’m not planning to make it a recurring theme. But I would say in a very honest way, I’d like Boy Ipis’ villains to be really different from other Filipino komiks super villains. The reason you asked me the question is because, it somehow made an “impact” on you, and you actually remembered them. I have read so many Filipino super hero comics and for the life of me, cannot remember the antagonists’ names.. Anybody can easily come up with a “super villain named after a bathroom joke” concept, but can you say the same about conceptualizing a “super villain named after a bathroom joke” that actually makes sense? The “bathroom joke names” doesn’t really matter. It was just there for name recall. (and recalling it did!) Like Boy Ipis, who got his powers from the useless and “yucky” cockroach, it is my unconscious attempt, to show the readers that we should not look at everyone or everything at its face value.. or in this case, “name value” alone. Sometimes, even the well-thought-of-greatest ideas fall short from their expectations, and the stupidest concepts can be the greatest “why didn’t I think of that?” ideas. It all boils down to the execution of the concept. Yeah, the execution. I also love to challenge myself on how I am going to be able to “transform” a ridiculous concept into something brilliant. I believe, I’m an optimist, and I love turning negative things into positive. As an avid comic book reader and an aspiring comic book writer, I don’t rely pretty much on the safe norms because I feel they are plain and boring.

You know what I’m afraid of? Boy Ipis achieving mainstream status and have its concept and story elements ridiculously altered. That would really REALLY suck.

Comicology: You know, it did make an impact on me, but it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Plus, I think I’m afraid that some parents might catch their kids, playing pretend, calling himself Mr. Baiter and Jack Cool, you know? But you know what I would love to see? Colored Bayan Knights and Boy Ipis books.

Paul: Well, they are super-VILLAINS, and villains shouldn’t really rub us the right way. And I’m really flattered that you’d actually think that someone’s kid would actually try and emulate Boy Ipis’ villains rather than the more popular Bayan Knights characters but here’s the thing; I know that Filipino comic fans are smart enough to know what is socially acceptable and what is downright absurd. Would you sacrifice your artistic style and creativity for what others view as “norms”? Young girls wearing skimpy clothes and dance everyday on noontime television (not that I’m complaining) is already a social norm. I don’t see or hear anybody doing something about that. I don’t want to give any spoilers but I’m pretty sure that the younger generation can get a lot more from my comics than just idolizing super villains.

You can say that again. Hopefully, in the future when we get proper funding. (Calling out sponsors! Hehe!) Who knows? There might be a compilation of the Bayan Knights series IN FULL COLOR! Let us keep our fingers crossed!
 
Comicology: Where can your soon-to-be avid readers buy copies of Astiging Boy Ipis? Maybe you can leave the website and contact details here, too, should the new readers have questions or anything for you. Will you be at any convention any time soon?
 
Paul: You can find ANG ASTIGING BOY IPIS#1 at COMIC QUEST branches in SM-North Edsa and SM-Megamall, as well as COMIC ODYSSEY branches in Robinson’s Galleria and Robinson’s Place Manila. We are already working on its nationwide distribution. And just like the rest of the Bayan Knights, I’ll be at every major Komiks convention this side of the planet! If you have comments or suggestions or anything you like me to know about, just drop me a mail at astigingboyipis@yahoo.com. Also, please visit astigingboyipis.deviantart.com which also serves as my temporary website for more news and updates!

Comicology: Thank you very much, Sir Paul, for patiently asking my increasingly retarded questions. We hope you get more readers and I hope Boy Ipis becomes as recognizable as Panday or Lastik Man in the near future in all forms of media. I mean, you’ve got the costume and everything already, don’t you? More power, man.

Paul: Thanks, man! But I feel like that is still a long way to go. But we won’t stop. We assure you that. More power to COMICOLOGY, too!
 
If you wanna know more about the Astiging Boy Ipis, and his arch nemeses Mr. Baiter, Jack Cool and Turbo-Rat, pick up a copy. It’s an enjoyable read.