QUITE recently, two comic book related news items grabbed people?s attention.

The first was an assessment of the local comic book scene that declared that the Filipino komiks industry is struggling, if not dying.

The other was Sen. Lito Lapid wanting to establish a National Graphic Novel Archive. In one website, people left comments saying the senator?s idea was a waste of tax payer?s money. Goes to show how some people don?t see the cultural and historical importance of Filipino comic books these days.

Maybe it?s just because they don?t know there?s a new and exciting generation of Pinoy comic books that have been emerging for the last ten years.

So, here?s a list of Pinoy comic books that have won the hearts of comic book fans, non-comic book readers, and some have even won the recognition of the Manila Critic?s Circle and garnered a National Book Award.

Darna by Boboy Yonzon, Ryan Orosco, Gilbert Monsanto

Lastikman by Gerry Alanguilan, Arnold Arre, Edgar Tadeo

Published by Mango Comics in 2003 and 2005, these stories feature the updated, modernize versions of these classical and beloved Pinoy super heroes.

Ang Kagilagilalalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah by Carlo Vergara

Gay beautician swallows a magical stone the size of a keso de bola and transforms into an honest-to-goodness, anatomically correct, superwoman! This award-winning comic book has already been adapted into an award-winning musical and an award-winning movie, starring ? wait for it? Zsazsa Padilla and Rustom Padilla!

Mythology Class by Arnold Arre

After Eden by Arnold Arre

Andong Agimat by Arnold Arre

Martial Law Babies by Arnold Arre

Pick up any Arnold Arre graphic novel and it will take you on a journey into fantastic worlds. He takes on quest into Filipino myth and lore. He brings you along on a mission with an agimat-wielding hero. He also makes you part of a barkada, makes you witness their growing-up, growing apart, and their finding true love.

Lola: A Ghost Story by J.Torres, Elbert Or, and Jonas Diego.

Jesse is a balikbayan who returns home to attend his grandmother?s funeral, where he learns not just about his lola?s childhood but encounters all sorts of supernatural creatures. (And yes, there?s a ghost in this story.)

Lexy, Nance, and Argus: Sex, Gods, Rock & Roll by Oliver Pulumbarit

Reading this comic book will remind of ?Friends? or ?How I Met Your Mother,? expect there?s just three of them, and one of them is gay and the other one is bi and the third one is ? discovering a lot of things about himself and his friends.

?12? by Manix Abrera

Despite the fact that these twelve stories have no words, their silent tales will draw you in. The stories range from meeting and losing one?s love in the MRT, the tragedy of receiving super powers, and the heartache of losing your twin mutant brother.

Culture Crash

Mangaholix

These comics anthologies are examples of how Pinoy comics artists were able to blend their love for Japanese manga and anime and create comic book stories that are very Pinoy. Check out the post-apocalyptic story ?Pasig? from Culture Crash and romantic-action-comedy ?Ninja Girl Ko? from Mangaholix

Love is in the Bag by Ace Vitangcol and Jed Siroy

Kate Mennella is a girl who turns into a bag every time she gets stressed out, most especially when she sees her crush. Chaos and comedy ensues.

Trese by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo

This crime procedural comic book takes a different spin from the usual CSI methods of investigating, since Alexandra Trese, uses magic spells and her connections with the supernatural underworld to solve the most unusual of crimes. This comic book recently won the National Book Award for Best Graphic Literature.

Kubori Kikiam by Michael David

This must be the funniest, most obscene Pinoy comic book out right now (as opposed to just being ?the most obscene? Pinoy comic book). The mutant kikiams (yes, it?s about walking, talking kikiams) are the court jesters in today?s comic book scene and they get to say the stuff that we?ve always wanted to say but was afraid we?d get slapped for it.

Callwork: A Call Center Life by Hazel Manzano

Beerkada by Lyndon Gregorio

Kikomachine by Manix Abrera

Pugad Baboy by Pol Medina Jr.

I?ve lumped all these books together since they are compilations of daily newspaper comic strips, which maybe the most popular form of comic art that the Pinoy is familiar with. Add to the fact that, for years, these comic strips have made Pinoys laugh and given them a peek into the lives of today?s college kids, barkada, call center workers, and Pinoy families.

Wasted by Gerry Alanguilan

British comic book writer Warren Ellis read ?Wasted? said, ?[It is a] marvelous little black book of lost love, unhinged hatred for everything everywhere, and making things right using only guns. Early work by a potentially brilliant creator.? Believe it!

Elmer by Gerry Alanguilan

What if, one day, chickens became as intelligent as humans, started to take on human jobs, live like humans, and have all the usual human problems. What if someone made a comic book about this strange alternate reality? That?s exactly what Gerry Alanguilan did. Neil Gaiman said,? I find Gerry Alanguilan?s Elmer one of my favorite comics. It?s just heart-breaking and funny and so beautifully drawn.? Elmer was recently published by an American and French comic book company.

Renaissance : Ang Muling Pagsilang, edited by Ernest Leo Hernandez

Not exactly a comic book, but should be considered a milestone in Philippine comic book history. Renaissance is an art book that compiles works from Filipino artists from around the world. It is a great showcase of Pinoy talent, featuring new Pinoy super heroes, as well as Mars Ravelo?s greatest characters drawn by today?s top artists. This was published for the benefit of the flood victims of 2009.

Suylap, published by Komikon, Inc

This comic book anthology compiles eight stories from up and coming Pinoy comic book creators. It is a wonderful sampler that shows how much new talent we?ve got out there, just waiting for their stories to be read.

Siglo: Passion, edited by Dean Francis Alfar and Vincent Simbulan

Siglo: Freedom, edited by Dean Francis Alfar and Vincent Simbulan

These two comic book anthologies puts together some of the country?s best comic book creators. Each story is set in a different place in the Philippines, set in a different decade in our country?s past (and future). Again, a great example of the variety of talent and amazing stories that Pinoy comic creators are capable of producing.

This list was supposed to be originally called ?25 Pinoy Comic Books You Should Read BEFORE YOU DIE!?, but I thought a better title would be ?25 Pinoy Comics You Should Read BEFORE YOU SAY, PINOY COMICS IS DYING AND USELESS? (Yes, it?s a bit longer and clunky, but you get the point.)