Thanks to the readers who have written about Lexy, Nance & Argus: Sex, Gods, Rock & Roll these past few months. Word of mouth has been very, very helpful. It's still available at Pride Exchange in Malate, Druid’s Keep in Magallanes, and Comic Quest Festival Mall, Megamall and SM North. Thanks to the people who bought, shared and blogged about it, and to Pulp Magazine for using my announcement in their Jan.-Feb. 2005 issue. Here’s another set of reviews, comments and excerpts from recent feedback.
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“A sexy yet intellectual comic book that pulls no punches...”
--Icon Magazine, April 2005
“…Winning comic book lines…”
--FHM, May 2005
"Oliver just released his labor of love, Lexy, Nance & Argus: SEX GODS, ROCK & ROLL, an insightful, sexy, and well-written oversized comic book about love, life and gender identity. His flair and honesty in pushing the gay agenda is evident in one of the strongest Filipino comic books of the past few years. And yes, he wrote and illustrated it all, the bastard."
--Dean Alfar, Siglo: Freedom, The Lost (deanalfar.blogspot.com, Jan. 3, 2005)
“Its racy visuals serve to complement Oliver’s in-your-face writing, deliciously revealing his takes on the complex realm of alternative sexuality and lifestyles.”
--Carlo Vergara, One Night in Purgatory, Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni ZsaZsa Zaturnnah (carverhouse.blogspot.com, Jan. 6, 2005)
“I really enjoyed Lexy. It's one of the best comics I've read from the local scene.”
--David Hontiveros, Avatar, Pantheon, via email
"I loved your comic book and have, in fact, started a letter to you telling you about it. Hindi ko mahanap right now, but I want you to know that I think your work is brilliant! And the characters are people you start to care about."
--Dr. Margie Holmes, via email
"Hey, just finished reading your comics... it could be a good material for a sitcom or a film. Very Western. May hidden anger yung mga characters. I hope the Filipino readers would appreciate such a progressive endeavor... Very real! I like it! :)"
—Andoy Ranay, via SMS
"Unlike anything else out there, Lexy, Nance & Argus, which first ran in Pulp Magazine, features the very graphic (read: nudity and very sexual situations) adventure of three friends: the gay Lexy, lesbian Nance and the seemingly straight Argus. This book is not for the unadventurous. A visually elaborate chronicle of Generation X's alternative tribe, the compiled black and white strip is gimmicky and sentimental in parts but is certainly unambiguous in its storytelling. An acquired taste that brims with catchy dialogue, Lexy, Nance & Argus is also strictly for adult readers only -- a distinction that should be taken seriously."
--Ruel S. De Vera, Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 20, 2005
“The comic book is much more frank than the serials in Pulp, since the added material presents more risque images and expands the trio’s discussions on relationships, religion, sexuality and pop culture with a wry sense of humor. Hindi pambata ang ganitong babasahin bagama’t nakadaragdag ito sa pagpapalawak ng pag-unawa sa iba pang kasapi ng ating lipunan na may ibang pananaw sa buhay… Who knows, with characters this interesting and fun, we may soon see Lexy, Nance and Argus in the big screen. ”
--Vives Anunciacion, Inquirer Libre, January 17, 2005
"Naririyan ang bagong Lexy, Nance and Argus: Sex, Gods and Rock and Roll ni Oliver Pulumbarit at ang One Night in Purgatory (2001) ni Carlo Vergara, na hindi lamang mga dilinyasyon ng karanasan ng Bakla sa nagbabagong lipunan kundi patuloy na paggigiit ng pagtutol sa mga pagkakahon o isteryotipo… May ilang pagtukoy ang mga ito sa kulturang popular at kosmopolitang pamumuhay (lifestyle) na kinikilala natin na atin sa kasalukuyan. Sa pangkabuohan, maituturing na ang mga ito bilang matagumpay na bahagi ng pagsusulong ng kamalayang Bakla sa lipunang Filipino na nagsimula sa Unang Sigaw ni Tony Perez.
--Louie Jon Sanchez (sarikulay.blogspot.com, Feb. 7, 2005)
"Also on stands is Oliver Pulumbarit's Lexy, Nance, and Argus, which is selling really well, and rightfully so. It means people are recognizing the book for the good read that it is. And if you are one of those who've yet to check it out, well, go now, quickly, because there's only a limited number of copies left of this important piece of pop culture that you're sorely missing out on. "
---Elbert Or (mars4.blogspot.com, Feb. 1, 2005)
"Boi_bitch suggests… reading Oliver Pulumbarit’s amazing comic book, Lexy, Nance & Argus: Sex, Gods, Rock & Roll. "
--Chris Eugenio (chrisvstheuniverse.blogspot.com, Feb. 16)
"Finished reading your comic… you’ve got talent, dude. The characters were real and not stereotypical. Nice message you’re sending out. Would be a nice indie movie, I think…”
--Mon Serrano, Club Government, via SMS
"Ang galing talaga... Not your usual comic book na after mong basahin itatago mo na lang ulit or babasahin na lang pag napagtripan. Kahit walang budget, binili ko pa rin ang comic book... at hindi naman talaga ako nagsisi, kasi bukod sa kaaliw ang mga story, makaka-relate ka sa mga character. Very interesting ang mga topic every strip… Sana magkaroon pa ito ng kasunod na edition. Two thumbs up ka talaga sir Oliver Pulumbarit..."
--Jaime Q., via email
“Just got a copy. Astig ka po. Congrats at salamat din... P.S.: Ingat ka baka ipa-ban ka ng Catholic Church. Hehe.”
--Martha Casantosan, via email
"I enjoyed your book a lot - sexy, funny, smart, very contemporary, even polemical, with lots of courage and heart."
--Eric Julian Manalastas, via email
