Flashback: LNA

It was early July in 2001 when I proposed my Lexy, Nance & Argus comic strip to Pulp’s Vernon Go and then-managing editor Annie Alejo. I consider landing that space and staying there for nine high-profile months a very good thing for me, as it opened some important career doors, eventually. I got to contribute to the sister publication, MTV Ink, shortly after my first few published installments. I used a different writing style for the comic book reviews section, naturally; I think that when I started Lexy, I also began to consider writing seriously.

Even before I drew a page of LNA, I kinda knew what I wanted to do, but I actually hesitated. My old friend John offered wise advice, as he’s wont to dispense from time to time. He didn’t know what I had in mind and I didn’t share it, but he just reminded me that above all else, “Story is King.” I knew that, I’ve always known that, but I needed to hear those three words. He told me to seize that opportunity to tell a story. I did some pretty forgettable comics back in college (a superhero project that, eek, starred the old barkada, and a painted fantasy comic book thesis). But John knew I could do it, that I’ve learned much between college and that specific point.

And so I did 18 pages for Pulp all those years ago, the first act of a bigger story. There were more things that I wanted to say through it, but I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. I just hoped that I’d be able to finish it someday.

Four years ago, a new friend, Benedict, asked if it would continue. I did promise that it would be compiled with new material when act one finished back in September 2002. Continuing it had always been at the back of my mind; Benedict pushing me to finish it actually made me pull out my old scrawly notes, stuff I’d written soon after the initial publication. They had very specific, sprawling semantics on how the story details connected, and I was glad that I was finally able to do new pages between writing jobs.

Work, of course, consisted of writing entertainment and lifestyle reviews and reports for a broadsheet. In 2002, I only had my Pulp and MTV Ink work as existing writing credits, but my old editor (the late Louie Camino) kept me around as a regular contributor. My work there led to writing for a PR agency, where I’d mostly do copy for property developer press releases. I am thankful that all these years later, I still continue to contribute and learn from doing work for the paper and the agencies. As a freelancer, I learned how to adapt to the needs of the job, and I keep discovering things that I like about writing.

I started blogging in 2005, partly to plug the Lexy, Nance & Argus: Sex, Gods, Rock & Roll comic book. I also did an ashcan of spot cartoons, LNA: Family Album, to promote it (here’s a page).

The following are things about it that I blogged about years ago, for the curious:

LNA, genesis:

When I was given the chance to try out for Pulp’s comics section, I knew that whatever I’d be creating must have its own edge and voice. I have a number of stories in my head, some of which involve a big, epic superhero setting, but space constraints didn’t exactly allow for what I had in mind originally. So I tapped into something universal, something that I hoped would make people notice and pay attention. And this was “Lexy, Nance and Argus,” about the joys and pains of people who didn’t conform with society or tradition. From there, I understood how I wanted to present it.

I’ve hundreds of characters, but when I knew what I wanted to create and what kind of story I should tell, those three protagonists surfaced. It was easy to write them at that point. They had to be distinct from each other and relatable.

Autobiographical?

Not necessarily. There are certain scenes, thoughts and ideas that might be considered things I believe in or have experienced, but I’d rather not talk about the specifics for the sake of keeping the story’s mystique intact. That way, my readers can still separate me from my work, and can keep guessing if what they’re reading is taken from reality or just creative fabrication. It’s part of the whole writing deal.

Reader response:

A few letters I have received, presumably from young people, tell me that they have been empowered by it. They have been moved or touched by what they have read, and identify with the difficulties that the characters have had to go through. Mostly, the intention of the comic book is to provoke thought, to challenge people’s old notions about inclusion, family, and sexuality. If they feel positively affected by it, then I feel that I’ve done my job of getting my messages across.

But some adults were freaked out by it. Some have even called it porn. Anyway…

It’s very encouraging that there were people who believed in it, who waited patiently for the actual comic book to come out all those years later. Many of the reactions were very particular about their favorite parts or characters (even psychic Jim--in the drawing above--has some fans, yay!), while others listed it in their Friendster, Blogger, or MySpace profiles (sometimes alongside Bob Ong books and stuff by local comics luminaries). Also, three different people compared it to Box Office Poison, which I hope to read soon.

I’m glad that it’s gotten mostly favorable reviews and reactions from different readers--students, authors and teachers--in blogs and in publications such as PDI, Inquirer Libre, Manila Bulletin, Cosmopolitan, Icon, and FHM. Margie Holmes, Danton Remoto, ProGay’s Oscar Atadero, and the book’s fans had great, heartwarming things to say about it too (check out the LNA Reviews link!).

Thanks to everyone who bought a copy or reviewed it!