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More about Manix on
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with Manix Abrera
in THE
PARK...
His comic strips make people
laugh and think, or at the very
least admit that they can relate
to the situations he captures in
pen and ink. And Manix Abrera
is happy to hear it.
The 33-year-old musician,
comic book author and artist
is the man behind the popular
“Kikomachine” in the
Philippine
Daily Inquirer,
which has been
compiled and turned into
bestselling comic books, and
“News Hardcore” on the GMA
News website. Those who fly
Cebu Pacific will be familiar
with his strip “Travel Hardcore”,
which tackles the world of
travel, passenger behavior and
life in the skies. It appears on
the last page of every issue of
Smile.
Manix also released
14
,
a wordless graphic novel, last
year and launched
Kikomachine
#11: Mga Kirot ng Kapalaran!
two months ago.
In “Kikomachine”, Manix
highlights local quirks and
puts a comedic, Pinoy twist
on everyday situations and
conversations. In “News
Hardcore”, he takes a
humorous look at life as
it’s experienced by media
professionals — in the office
and in the field.
If you think Manix is funny,
earnest and truthful in his
comics, you’ll be glad to know
Comics
connection
Sure, “Kikomachine”
artist and author
Manix Abrera wants
to get you laughing
but he also wants to
make you think
he’s the same in real life.
For proof, look no further
than these highlights from
our recent joke- and laugh-
filled interview with him.
Given that your dad is
cartoonist Jess Abrera,
comics and art are in
your blood. Was it an
easy or obvious choice
for you to go into the
same line of work?
I had wanted to be a
cartoonist ever since I
was a child because Papa
was my idol (laughs). I
knew I wanted to make
comics like him so it was
an easy choice for me.
I still remember sitting
beside him while he drew
and copying his style. But
he’d always tell me that I
shouldn’t copy him; that I
should create my own style.
Once you decided to
pursue comics, what were
the challenges you faced?
The fact that my father is
Jess Abrera is challenging.
When I entered the College
of Fine Arts at the University
of the Philippines, everyone
— including my professors
— knew me as “Jess’s son” so
the pressure was intense. But
when I joined the
Philippine
Collegian
[the university
paper], I found my voice. It
was also through the paper
that I was able to make
comics for a large audience.
Then when I started doing
“Kikomachine” for the
Inquirer,
I had a hard time
coming up with daily comic
strips. I learned how to
create and work regardless
of whether I was in the
mood or not because I had
deadlines to meet.
Has your creative process
changed over the years?
My creative process hasn’t
changed, except that now
I can make comics faster.
Mas sanay na ako
(I’m used
to it). Before I create my
strips, I go out, talk to other
people, observe and listen in
on strangers’ conversations
(laughs). Once I get an
idea, I add my own twist to
it before I actually sit down
and draw. I usually work
outdoors. It’s more inspiring.
What else inspires you in
your work?
I’m inspired by Pinoy culture
and beliefs. I also love
creating comics based on
