Science Fiction

Genre

Universe

Studio Salimbal FCBD 2014

Uncommon Ground and Devoirers of Light are two separate stories in the Mythspace universe, but for Free Comic Book Day 2014, we've woven previews of each into a single tale, to give you an idea of the interconnectedness of our stories, Also included are excerpts from our Design Works sections on both stories, and finally a few images that tease what Studio Salimbal has in store for you in the coming year.

Cover by Borg Sinaban!
 

Marco's Delivery Service

This is a throwback comic, created by Koi Carreon and edited by Paolo Chikiamco.

=UPDATES EVERY THURSDAY=
 

The year is 2446. Humanity has spread across the stars. However, central authority in the Milky Way Galaxy is hard-pressed to maintain its hold on far-flung colonies. Anarchy and feudalism reign in business and governance, with only the strong surviving—at least until the crafty can stab them in the back. And at the heart of trade activities – legit or shady—is Marco’s Delivery Service and its 100% success rate. But will that success rate still hold with this latest commission?

 

Mythspace: Unfurling of Wings

Genre: Young Adult / Heist / Science Fiction / Coming of Age / Detachable Limbs

What if the creatures from Philippine folklore — the tikbalangs, nuno, kapre — were inspired by sightings of actual alien races? That’s the question that fuels the Mythspace stories.

In "Unfurling of Wings" part 1  (of 2),  Ri-En, Books, and Zu are orphans who eke out a living in the slums of an aging space station, under the protection of their mentor, Ka-Ang. But Ka-Ang’s health is deteriorating, and the three friends hatch a desperate plan to save him — one which places them on a collision course with the station’s worst criminal gang, as well as one of the dreaded, immortal, Sixths.

Art by Borg Sinaban and Story by Paolo Chikiamco

Reading Notes: A stand-alone story, which spotlights the Tan'gal race (to which Val-is-ya, from the Lift Off stories, belongs) and their unique biology. The target of the heist in the story also ties in with a plot point from Lift Off.

Folklore Notes: The Tan'gal are based on the Manananggal, or Viscera-suckers, of Philippine folklore, known for their ability to self-segment. 

Mythspace: Devourers of Light

What if the creatures from Philippine folklore — the tikbalangs, nuno, kapre — were inspired by sightings of actual alien races? That’s the question that fuels the Mythspace stories.

In “Devourers of Light”, we learn why the Kapres and the Laho (the reptilian race that inspired the Bakunawa legends) loathe each other. The Laho lead an inter-species alliance to punish the Kapre for violating a galaxy-wide taboo… but when Supreme Apex Barkarilkarilmon loses his patience with the other races, the Laho take independent action — with disastrous consequences for the Kapre race.

Reading Notes: A stand-alone story, this explains why the Laho are the most powerful race (aside from the Lewen’ri) in the Mythspace universe, and also shows why the Kapre are the most unfortunate race. It also gives the reason why no two races hate each other like the Laho and the Kapre, which is important for a future Mythspace story — Mythspace: Common Ground.

Folklore Notes: The Laho are based on the moon-swallowing monsters from folklore, such as the Bakunawa.

Mythspace: Black Mark

What if the creatures from Philippine folklore — the tikbalangs, nuno, kapre — were inspired by sightings of actual alien races? That’s the question that fuels the Mythspace stories.

In “Black Mark”, readers gain insight into the fractious society of the crafty Nuno, where political zealots (who tint their skins to signify their party loyalties) have the government in a persistent state of gridlock. Yet, legend has it that there is a faction that transcends politics: the legendary Black, a task force that is authorized to go to extreme measures to safeguard Nuno society. Helmless Mang, a pariah on his home planet, is about to find out that the Black are very real — and both more powerful and more terrible than that the stories would have you believe…

Story by Paolo Chikiamco, art by Paul Quiroga.

Reading Notes: Stand-alone story, but provides insight into the Nuno, the race of Qu in Lift-off. Nunos also play roles in Humanity and Devourers of Light.

Folklore Notes: We combined the Nuno and Dwende from folklore to form the Nuno race — the idea of different Nuno types being distinguished by skin color comes from stories about the dwende. The Bungis were one-eyed giants in our folklore.

Mythspace: Humanity

What if the creatures from Philippine folklore — the tikbalangs, nuno, kapre — were inspired by sightings of actual alien races? That’s the question that fuels the Mythspace stories.

In “Humanity”, the descendants of humans abductees (taken from Earth centuries ago) labor as slave-miners in the asteroid fields of the materialistic Kataw. Danny and Marta are two young miners, thrust into dire straits when a stroke of good fortune leads to a calculating betrayal. When salvation comes in the form of the legendary Dalakitnon — Free Humans — both of them must decide for themselves what they would give up, to be free.

Story by Paolo Chikiamco, artwork by C.R. Chua.

Reading Notes: A stand-alone story, this expands on the plight of humanity in the galaxy, which is touched upon in Lift-off. Also gives you a glimpse of the culture of the Kataw, and why they have the reputation that they do (as seen a bit in Devourers of Light and Black Mark).

Folklore Notes: The Dalakitnon are one of the “elves” mentioned in Philippine folklore. Kataw is another name for Sirena/Mermaid.

Sentience

This is a Throwback comic, with art by Paul Quiroga and Koi Carreon, republished with permission:

"Sentience" is a short, ten page comic about a post-apocalyptic future. Story by A.J. Hecali, pencils by Paul Quiroga, inking and coloring by Koi Carreon. The original version was edited slightly for this release.

UPDATES EVERY TUESDAY.

Come With Me

This title is a Throwback Comic, featuring Salimbal member Butch Mapa, and reposted with permission: 

Frustrated by the narrow minded thinking of the military he works for, scientist Dr Shima takes a chance on a mysterious strangers invite. Finding himself in a strange and exotic subterranean world he’s offered the chance to help those in need, but is unaware of how his skills are being exploited once more. Come With Me is a loose adaptation of the Urashima Taro folk tale.

Come With Me, originally appeared on Challenger Comics and is written by Dan Hill, with art from Butch Mapa, Tim Switalski, and E.T Dollman.

UPDATES EVERY THURSDAY.

Mythspace

Kapre. Nuno. Manananggal. They are monsters of the past, remnants of primitive fantasies.

UFOs. Aliens. Extraterrestrials. They are hallucinations, creations of modern science fiction.

Or are they? Evidence unearth is debunked…or disappears. Witnesses who speak are ridiculed…or silenced.

We are alone, say our leaders. There are no Manananggal that consume our children. There are no Kapres who watch in the night. There are no aliens that abduct our neighbors. There are no UFOs with dazzling lights.

We were never alone. These are not your Lola’s monsters. These are not your children’s aliens.

They are one and the same. They are here. Mythspace features a young Filipino searching for his family, in a galaxy populated by the aliens that inspired his culture's legendary monsters; a galaxy where Earth is a quarantined backwater, and any humans found off-planet are considered to be slaves or terrorists. 

UPDATES EVERY MONDAY.