Kalayaan 4: GioP's bold, unprecedented move

I'm almost 100% sure of this -- no one has ventured even close to the territory the latest issue of 's Kalayaan* now explores.

Without giving out any spoilers, I think it's safe to say that the dilemma the hero now faces hasn't even been touched on in Western comics. And it's brilliant that way, apart from being an incredible though gutsy gamble.

Many stories today would open up discussions about women's identity and conceptions of self-worth. What gioparedes has done with his narrative  provides an opportunity to examine the male concept of self, moreso that of the Asian male.

There is a value system that the story brings to light that makes one look hard at what it takes to diminish a person, to diminish his own view of himself, or to disregard everything that he is entirely.

I don't know how other readers will react to this development, but I do know this. It was immensely brave of Gio to take the story in this direction, and I'm talking of the kind of courage that would make a lesser individual turn tail and run to the hills.

As a comics creator, he's also shown the determination to continue improving his craft; raising the bar, so to speak, with every issue. For that alone, I'll always have complete faith in him and his work.

He also said in this issue that he hopes to create 100 issues of Kalayaan. To that, I say simply --  Lead on, Gio, lead on

*Kalayaan is the Filipino word for "freedom"

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Support Pinoy comics! At the Toycon from June 14-15 in SM Megamall, be sure to grab the works of these awesome creators:

's Sanduguan: Himagsikan, featuring the cover art of
's Kalayaan
's Tropa and Rambol

I'm not sure if he'll be there, but if he will be, absolutely do NOT miss out on
's Trese



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