In 2007, controversial "komiks king" Carlo J. Caparas attempted to revive the flagging mainstream komiks industry by launching a new line of comic magazines published under Sterling Publishing. One of them was Klasik Komiks, which debuted on September 14, 2007. Among the anthology title's featured serials was Kroko: Takas sa Zoo ("Kroko: Escapee from the Zoo"), about a giant crocodile on a deadly rampage. Caparas himself wrote the series, which boasted of some incredible artwork from the rightfully-proclaimed Philippines' Greatest Illustrator, Hal Santiago.
Klasik Komiks lasted for only 9 issues, while the rest of Caparas' komiks line likewise failed to catch on. As he is wont to do, "CJC" again leaves the local comics industry for the film industry, taking his creations with him. Last year, he produced and directed a TV adaptation of Kroko, which was broadcast on IBC 13. Unfortunately, Hal Santiago's magnificent monstrosity in the original comics was reduced to a laughably obvious fake rubber crocodile in the TV version.
But it seems as though CJC just has an affinity for crocs (political acquaintances aside). Just last week, TV5 premiered a new television series, Bangis ("Fierceness/Ferocity"), which is supposed to be an adaptation of an earlier Caparas croc-comic, Pangil ("Fang" or even "Jaws"), itself filmed in 1986 as Matatalim na Pangil sa Gubat ("Sharp Fangs in the Forest/Wilderness"). The difference, however, is that Pangil was a straight-up thriller, while the fantasy-oriented Bangis is about the friendship between a young boy and a giant, friendly, TALKING crocodile. I watched a few episodes, and it's basically, meh. Gotta admit, though, the giant CGI crocodile looks kind of interesting.
Not to be confused with a certain robot toy line (though no doubt inspired by it), Battle of the Zoids ran from 1987 to 1988 in Bata Batuta Komiks, published by Graphic Arts Service, Inc (GASI). One of the earliest manga/anime-influenced komiks serials, it was written and illustrated by Hector R. Samaniego.
The series was set in the world of Zoidra, where human-piloted mecha known as Zoids battle each other for supremacy and the right to be called King of the Zoids.
In the serial's first several chapters, it was basically every Zoid for himself. Eventually, the main "good" Zoids realize that their ongoing conflict is only causing the destruction of the environment, and they decide to join forces to restore their world's ecology.
 |
| Gore Mark 1 |
An ape-like Zoid, piloted by Rex.
 |
| Gore Mark 2 |
KRAKEN
 |
| Kraken Mark 1 |
An octopus-based Zoid, piloted by Jimboy.
 |
| Kraken Mark 2 |
GORGON
 |
| Gorgon Mark 1 |
Formerly a bad guy, a serpent/dragon Zoid, piloted by Kim.
 |
| Gorgon Mark 2 |
DRAGONFLIGHT
A dragonfly Zoid, piloted by Minda.
YOBIX
The comic-sidekick Zoid, piloted by Medix.
Leader of the evil Zoids, piloted by Tarsus.
KUMKAN & TRAKUM
The bumbling hench-Zoids, piloted by identical twins Mioc and Bimo.
INSECTRA
An insect-based Zoid sent from Mars, piloted by the android Jefia.
BRACKY
Another Martian Zoid, piloted by the android Kio.
TAIRAX
 |
| Tairax Phase 1 |
A second Zoid piloted by Tarsus.
 |
| Tairax Phase 2 |
A scheming bat-like Zoid who conspired with Gorgon in the first few episodes.
WORMOIDS
Led by Ascarizoid, a group of worm-like Zoids working for Kraken.
NAMELESS FLYING ZOIDS
An unnamed squad of airborne Zoids that served Gore.
GAFIX
A little hologram-projecting robot.
