A Time for Graphic Novels

It’s a time for graphic novels. That might come off as an odd thing to say in the midst of awards season, and yet, I can’t help see it everywhere I go.

Anyone who is in tune with comics and graphic novels already know how structurally, they are page-turning storyboards to film and shows waiting to happen. While we’ve seen that a lot akin the superhero franchises, it’s the one-offs, the standalone graphic novels, the visual stories tapped into communities, and worlds even, apart from what we’re already familiar with that are starting to manifest into something more than what their bookworm audiences already know them for.

Advertisement

What Did I Miss?: December 2022

Published Works

New ‘Bad Batch’ Trailer Teases Action Packed, High Stakes Second Season – For The Nerds of Color, I give a glimpse at what’s to come from the upcoming season of the latest “Star Wars” animated series.

Bad Axe Director David Siev on the Making of His American Dream – For Mixed Asian Media, I speak with the director of this potential Oscar contender about how this series of home videos eventually morphed into the highly talked about documentary.

Thoughts and Reactions to Watching ‘John Wick’ For the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I layout what was going through my head as I watched this Keanu Reeves-led flick for the first time.

Looking Back on A Decade of Writing (Part 2)

Note: The following is a continuation from last week’s post. To read the first part, check it out here.

What Did I Miss?: August 2022

Published Works

New Looks and Release Date for ‘Andor’ – For The Nerds of Color, I share the new glimpses and news of the postponed release date for the upcoming “Star Wars” live-action series.

Samantha Futerman’s ‘From Here’ Explores Anti-Asian Hate From Korean Adoptee’s Lens – For The Nerds of Color, I spotlight this thoughtful and important short film from this Korean American actor and filmmaker.

Review of The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee – For Goodreads, I give a brief rundown on my thoughts about the latest novel set in the world of “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”

Dino-Ray Ramos Looks at Favorite Shows Through Fresh Eyes in New ‘Problematic Fave’ Podcast – For the Center for Asian American Media, I speak with the host of this new podcast about how it came to be, the discussion held in each episode, and long-term goals for it.

Livestreams

“Dasig” IG Live with Kristian Kabuay – Due to technical difficulties from last month, Kristian and I redo our conversation about our graphic novel-in-progress, this time for Instagram.

“Dasig” IG Live with Mixed Asian Media – I talk about the making of “Dasig” and the significance it holds for me with my friend and MAM chief editor, Alex Chester.

What Did I Miss?: May 2022

Published Works

More AAPI Supernatural Recommendations for Fans of Disney’s ‘So Weird’ – For The Nerds of Color, I bring a second iteration of supernatural (and some sci-fi) content, creating by and about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, for those who grew up on the ’90s Disney Channel original series.

The Pinays on the Rise Artists Delve into Their Origin Stories and Music – For the Center for Asian American Media, I get to know the three up-and-coming artists who make up the roster for this CAAMFest 40 music showcase.

The Cast and Crew of ‘The Bad Batch’ Reflect on Season 1 and Tease Season 2 – For The Nerds of Color, I bring coverage of what was talked about and revealed at the panel for the latest “Star Wars” animated series at Star Wars Celebration.

A Look Back at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, From a Certain Point of View – For The Nerds of Color, I reflect on my first experience attending this highly anticipated yet long delayed fan convention.

Appearances

Mifits Ep. 10 | Being Filipino and Proud, Contemplating the Complexities of Asian Identities, and Writing Science Fiction with Lauren Lola – Host Annie Prafcke and I chat about my experience growing up as a multiracial Filipino American in the San Francisco Bay Area, coming to terms with my Filipino identity, my life as a writer, and “The Matrix.”

Videography Work

The Stars Come Out for ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ on the Star Wars Celebration Red Carpet – These are press line interviews conducted following the Lucasfilm Showcase at Star Wars Celebration for The Nerds of Color. Interviews conducted by Laura Sirikul, filmed by me, and edited by Keith Chow.

On the Red Carpet with the Stars of Mando+: ‘Ahsoka,’ ‘The Mandalorian,’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ – Here is another crop of press line interviews done for The Nerds of Color at Star Wars Celebration, this time for the Mandalorian+ panel. Interviews conducted by Laura Sirikul, filmed by me, and edited by Keith Chow.

Thoughts About Directing

So this is a subject matter I’ve been meaning to address for a while now, in a manner of clearing things up and to express my thoughts about this.

What Did I Miss?: November 2021

Published Works

Changes Are Coming for the Underworld in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ Trailer – For The Nerds of Color, I hype up our first official look at the second-ever “Star Wars” live-action series.

Thoughts (and Just Thoughts) from Watching ‘The Animatrix’ for the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I give a mini review for each of the shorts that make up this anthology film from the world of “The Matrix.”

TV Spots and Poster Art Galore for ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ – For The Nerds of Color, I highlight the hype that’s starting to build up for the second-ever “Star Wars” live-action series.

What Did I Miss?: August 2021

Published Works

‘Reservation Dogs’ Brings Humor and Realness from Indigenous Perspectives – For The Nerds of Color, I give my take on the first two episodes on this new comedy series from FX on Hulu.

Bay Area Native Avantika on Becoming the First South Asian Lead of a Disney Channel Original Movie, “Spin” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I speak with the star on the making of this groundbreaking Disney Channel Original Movie.

Review of Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay – For Goodreads, I explore the tender subject matter that this YA author did such a good job of exploring in this very important novel.

Author Katrina Olan Discusses the Making of Mecha-Centric Sci-Fi Novel, ‘Tablay’ – For The Nerds of Color, I conduct the first international coverage on this bestselling sci-fi novel from the Philippines.

Appearances

Strong Asian Lead: Clubhouse – Mixed Asians in Media – I was one of the people featured in this panel discussion about where mixed Asians fit into the ongoing discourse about representation in the media landscape.

The So Weird Podcast Ep. 84 – Family Reunion – Book 1 Review – I make a guest appearance on the latest episode of this “So Weird” fan-run podcast, as we dive into the novelization of the show’s pilot episode.

Coming in September: Mixed Asian Media Fest

So something I’ve been working on throughout the year is now a few short weeks away from happening, and in this announcement, there are multiple components to it. Allow me to walk you through them:

Examining an Evolution: Recommended Reading

For this round of Recommended Analyzing, I wanted to recommend an essay written by someone I know.