Award-winning comic and soon to be Netflix anime series! When dusk arrives in the city of Manila, that’s when you become the most likely prey of the underworld. Kidnappers and thieves will be the least of your worries. Beware the criminals that can’t be bound with handcuffs nor harmed with bullets. Beware the ones that crave for your blood, those who hold your heart ransom, and the ones that come to steal your soul. When crime takes a turn for the weird, the police call Alexandra Trese. The TRESE FCBD book features a preview from TRESE Vol 2: Unreported Murders, a section on the forthcoming Netflix TRESE anime series launching this summer (including an interview with Director Jay Oliva), bonus pages with w/ background about the monsters of Philippine myth, as told by TRESE creators Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, and a teaser on TRESE Vol 3: Mass Murders, coming this Sept from ABLAZE!

This comic book introduces us as readers to a world where Filipino folklore and urban fantasy collide. Despite its intriguing premise, this comic book falls short of delivering a captivating experience. While this comic book had potential for a rich narrative is present, the execution lacks the depth and clarity needed to engage me personally.

The narrative we get in this comic book centers around the protagonist, Alexandra Trese, a detective who deals with supernatural cases in Manila. The concept of blending local mythology with modern detective work is fresh and promising. However, this comic book struggles with pacing and structure, presenting a disjointed storyline that can be difficult to follow. Key plot points are introduced abruptly, which has left me personally with little context or understanding of the world and its rules.

The character development in this comic book is another area where this comic book falters in my opinion. Alexandra Trese, while initially intriguing, lacks depth and relatability. Her motivations and backstory are only superficially addressed, making it challenging for me personally to connect with her journey. Supporting characters are similarly underdeveloped, serving more as plot devices than fully realized individuals.

The artwork itself in this comic book, while stylistically distinct, does not fully compensate for the narrative shortcomings. The black-and-white illustrations aim to capture the gritty atmosphere of Manila’s supernatural underworld. Although the artwork is detailed and occasionally striking, the overall visual storytelling lacks consistency. Some panels are cluttered, which can obscure the action and make it difficult to discern what is happening.

Despite these issues, the core idea behind this comic book significant potential. The integration of Filipino folklore into a modern urban setting is a unique approach that could offer rich storytelling opportunities. With better pacing, more detailed world-building, and deeper character exploration, future comic book could potentially deliver on this promise.

One of the key challenges with this comic book is its role as an introductory issue. As a Free Comic Book Day edition, it aims to entice new readers but unfortunately falls short in providing a clear and engaging entry point into the series. The lack of context and coherent narrative flow has left me personally as a new reader to this series confused rather than intrigued.

I Give This Book 1 / 5