Gerry Alanguilan
Encyclopedia
Doroteo Gerardo N. "Gerry" Alanguilan, Jr. (born January 20, 1968), is a Filipino
comic book artist
and writer
from San Pablo City, Laguna
.
titles. His first self-written comic was Wasted. Alanguilan at first intended the comic to be for himself and his friends to read, and was embarrassed by the large amounts of violence and profanity in the title. Eventually Alanguilan allowed Wasted to be published in the Philippines, and from there its popularity spread to the United States and put Alanguilan on the independent comics map.
After Wasted, Alanguilan created several other titles which were published in several Filipino publications, such as Johnny Balbona, Humanis Rex!, ELMER, Timawa and Where Bold Stars go to Die. He also contributed to anthologies like Siglo: Freedom, Siglo: Passion and Filipino Komiks, all published in the Philippines
. His self-created titles have also attracted a fanbase all over the world, including comic creators Neil Gaiman
and Warren Ellis
.
In the United States
, he is known as an inker for such titles like Wetworks
, X-Men
, Superman: Birthright
, Wolverine
, High Roads
, Fantastic Four
, and Silent Dragon
. He has also worked alongside with Leinil Francis Yu
and Whilce Portacio
.
Alanguilan cites Alan Moore
as a creative influence, in particular Moore's reinterpretation of Marvelman
. Many of Alanguilan's titles take place in his native Philippines, or feature Filipino characters, such as Johnny Balbona, Humanis Rex!, and Timawa. Many of Alanguilan's graphic novels incorporate elements of social commentary, especially Elmer, which satirizes racism.
In 2007, Alanguilan created an autobiographical slice-of-life webcomic
called Crest Hut Butt Shop, based on an earlier minicomic of the same name. However, the webcomic has not been updated since September 12, 2007. Alanguilan played the antagonist, a human trafficker, in Tin-Tin 15, a short film created to increase awareness of child trafficking in the Philippines.
, and was featured on the January 25th, 2011 episode of American television show Tosh.0
. In October 2010, Gerry was voted The Greatest Man On The Internet by Ray William Johnson
.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
comic book artist
Comic Book Artist
Comic Book Artist was an American magazine founded by Jon B. Cooke devoted to anecdotal histories of American comic books, with emphasis on comics published since the 1960s...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
from San Pablo City, Laguna
San Pablo City
The City of San Pablo , a first class city in the province of Laguna, Philippines, is one of the country's oldest cities. The City of San Pablo lies in the southern portion of Laguna province...
.
Career
As a young man, Alanguilan studied to become an architect, but decided to turn his hobby of comic book illustration into a career in order to be with his then-girlfriend. At first, much of Alanguilan's work in comic was on conventional American superheroSuperhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
titles. His first self-written comic was Wasted. Alanguilan at first intended the comic to be for himself and his friends to read, and was embarrassed by the large amounts of violence and profanity in the title. Eventually Alanguilan allowed Wasted to be published in the Philippines, and from there its popularity spread to the United States and put Alanguilan on the independent comics map.
After Wasted, Alanguilan created several other titles which were published in several Filipino publications, such as Johnny Balbona, Humanis Rex!, ELMER, Timawa and Where Bold Stars go to Die. He also contributed to anthologies like Siglo: Freedom, Siglo: Passion and Filipino Komiks, all published in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. His self-created titles have also attracted a fanbase all over the world, including comic creators Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
and Warren Ellis
Warren Ellis
Warren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...
.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he is known as an inker for such titles like Wetworks
Wetworks
Wetworks is an American comic book series created by comic book artist Whilce Portacio and writer Brandon Choi. It ran for four years before ending in 1998...
, X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
, Superman: Birthright
Superman: Birthright
Superman: Birthright is a twelve-issue comic book limited series published by DC Comics in 2003 and 2004, written by Mark Waid and drawn by Leinil Francis Yu....
, Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
, High Roads
High Roads (comic book)
High Roads is a six-issue limited series created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Leinil Francis Yu. It was published in April 2002 by Cliffhanger, an imprint of DC Comics' Wildstorm Productions....
, Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
, and Silent Dragon
Silent Dragon
Silent Dragon is a creator-owned Wildstorm comic book limited series written by Andy Diggle with pencils by Leinil Francis Yu and inks by Gerry Alanguilan.-Plot:...
. He has also worked alongside with Leinil Francis Yu
Leinil Francis Yu
Leinil Francis Yu is a Filipino comic book artist, who began working for the American market through Wildstorm Productions. In an interview published in Marvel's Daily Bugle newsletter, he described his style as "Dynamic Pseudo-Realism."-Career:Leinil Francis Yu was first recognized after winning...
and Whilce Portacio
Whilce Portacio
William "Whilce" Portacio is a Filipino-American comic book writer and artist. Noted for his work on such titles as The Punisher, X-Factor, and the Uncanny X-Men. Portacio was also one of the seven co-founders of Image Comics, though he did not become a partner in the company.-Early life:Portacio...
.
Alanguilan cites Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
as a creative influence, in particular Moore's reinterpretation of Marvelman
Marvelman
Marvelman, also known as Miracleman for trademark reasons in his American reprints and story continuation, is a fictional comic book superhero created in 1954 by writer-artist Mick Anglo for publisher L. Miller & Son. Originally intended as a United Kingdom home-grown substitute for the American...
. Many of Alanguilan's titles take place in his native Philippines, or feature Filipino characters, such as Johnny Balbona, Humanis Rex!, and Timawa. Many of Alanguilan's graphic novels incorporate elements of social commentary, especially Elmer, which satirizes racism.
In 2007, Alanguilan created an autobiographical slice-of-life webcomic
Webcomic
Webcomics, online comics, or Internet comics are comics published on a website. While many are published exclusively on the web, others are also published in magazines, newspapers or often in self-published books....
called Crest Hut Butt Shop, based on an earlier minicomic of the same name. However, the webcomic has not been updated since September 12, 2007. Alanguilan played the antagonist, a human trafficker, in Tin-Tin 15, a short film created to increase awareness of child trafficking in the Philippines.
Viral Video Fame
His comedic short film Hey Baby, which consists mainly of him making lecherous facial expressions at his webcam, has given him a sizable following on YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, and was featured on the January 25th, 2011 episode of American television show Tosh.0
Tosh.0
Tosh.0 is an American television series hosted by comedian Daniel Tosh, who provides sarcastic commentary on online video clips, society, celebrities, and other parts of popular culture.-History:...
. In October 2010, Gerry was voted The Greatest Man On The Internet by Ray William Johnson
Ray William Johnson
Ray William Johnson is an American comedian best known for his YouTube series Equals Three, in which he provides commentary on viral videos. Many of the videos featured on Equals Three are noted to have received an additional boost of popularity...
.
External links
- Komikero - Official website
- Taga San Pablo - deviantART
- http://www.youtube.com/komikero - YouTube channel
- Futureal Studio - Interview with Futureal Studio
- The Comics Reporter Interview with Tom Spurgeon at the Comics Reporter blog