Award-winning Filipino comic, and now hit Netflix anime series! Foul play. Magic spells. Supernatural criminals. When the case takes a turn for the weird, the police call Alexandra Trese. The TRESE 2022 FCBD comic features a preview of the forthcoming TRESE Vol 4: Last Seen After Midnight TP, along with bonus material on the comic, including some of Alexandra’s journal entries chronicling her creature encounters and more. It also includes a sneak peek at THE ART OF TRESE ANIME, featuring art, sketches, photos, interviews and more on the making of the hit Netflix anime series, HC book coming out 2nd half of 2022 from ABLAZE

This comic book offers an intriguing introduction to the supernatural world of Trese. At the same time this comic book provides a glimpse into the dark, urban fantasy setting that fans of the series have come to love, while also serving as an accessible entry point for new readers.

This comic book is set in Manila, the story follows Alexandra Trese, a detective who specializes in crimes of supernatural origin. The writing in this comic book effectively blends Filipino mythology with modern crime noir, creating a rich tapestry of cultural and supernatural elements. The premise is compelling, offering a fresh take on the detective genre by infusing it with local folklore and mysticism.

The narrative in this comic book is compact, focusing on a single case that showcases Trese’s skills and the unique nature of her world. The creators of this comic book manages to convey a lot of information in a limited space, introducing key characters and setting up the atmosphere without overwhelming the reader. However, the brevity of the story limits character development, leaving some interactions feeling a bit superficial.

The artwork is a highlight in this comic book because it is capturing the gritty, shadowy atmosphere of Manila’s supernatural underworld. The black-and-white illustrations enhance the noir aesthetic, using contrasts and shading to create depth and intensity. The artwork in this comic book has dynamic panel layouts add to the sense of motion and urgency, particularly in action sequences, which are both clear and engaging.

The character design is another strength, with Alexandra Trese portrayed as both formidable and enigmatic. Her interactions with the supernatural beings that populate her world are visually striking, highlighting her role as a bridge between the human and mystical realms. The supporting characters, while intriguing, could benefit from more exploration to enhance their roles within the story.

While this comic book is successful in setting the tone and introducing the world of Trese, it does have some limitations. The plot, while engaging, feels somewhat rushed due to the constraints of the format. This can make the resolution feel abrupt, which has left me wishing for more depth and complexity in the storyline.

The dialogues in this comic book are efficient and often sharp, reflecting Trese’s no-nonsense attitude. The exchanges between characters are effective in conveying necessary information, but they occasionally lack the emotional depth that could elevate the narrative. More nuanced dialogue could enrich character interactions and provide greater insight into their relationships and motivations.

I Give This Book 3 / 5