Several years ago in Cebu City, I was in a book store when I came across a thin red book, with tiny drawings of humans on the front cover, and on the back, angels and demons along with Baybayin, the old Filipino alphabet.
I was intrigued by the edgy art, and I bought it. It turned out to be a comic book, Kikomachine Komix, by Manuel Luis “Manix” Abrera, and it was hilarious and weird. I have been a big fan since.
Manix studied Fine Arts at U.P. Diliman, and it was at the college paper, The Philippine Collegian, where Manix first started drawing comics. Initially it was with other artists and then a solo one which was the birth of Kikomachine Komix.
“Kikomachine” is derived from “Kiko Matsing,” a character from Batibot, of which Manix and his friends were fans (they also formed a rock band called Kiko Machine; they still play currently).
Manix’s father, Jess Abrera, who himself was a comic strip artist on The Philippine Daily Inquirer for decades, suggested Manix submit his work. The Inquirer published Kikomachine Komix in 2001 and still does, six days a week.
Manix’s mother is Bernadette Abrera, historian and former dean of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy at U.P. Diliman, who taught Manix to look at different points of view or perspective.
Jess Abrera is Manix’s role model, not only for drawing and comics. He encouraged Manix to develop his own unique drawing style, to persevere when things seem tough, and advised him to be confident, but not arrogant when he found success.
Manix and his family live in Baguio, where he creates his comics daily, with few exceptions. He enjoys observing people in daily life, and always has a sketchpad handy. His comics portray everyday life in the Philippines, for example, in a college classroom (“Terror Prof,” my personal favorite character, is deliciously wicked to her students), waiting for a jeepney, eating street food, or Christmas shopping. Other times, his characters are humorously philosophical on an alternate plane of existence called “Parallel Earth,” or they’re specks of dust discussing philosophy. He might also venture into the supernatural, with characters like the Mahiwagang Dwende. His imagination and creativity are boundless.
Among Manix’s idols in comics are, number one, his father. Then there’s Pugad Baboy creator Pol Medina Jr., Calvin and Hobbes’ Bill Watterson, The Simpsons’ Matt Groening, and The Far Side’s Gary Larson. He enjoys Sci-Fi books, such as The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, Watchmen by Alan Moore, and master of the macabre, Tim Burton. He’s currently reading Timeline by Michael Crichton.
Manix was always an avid reader, growing up in Antipolo, where his house was full of books. “Parang Booksale,” Manix says, referring to the bookstore in the Philippines crammed with used books. His parents encouraged their children to read and rewarded them with books they wanted when they did well in school.
The practice continues: Manix and his partner read to their daughter, seven-year-old Ulan, every night. Ulan is now starting to appreciate Manix’s work, especially his silent comics which are her favorites.
Aside from his own comic strip, Manix also made a weekly webcomic on GMA network called News Hardcore!, and makes cover art for publishers like DC Comics—his first DC cover came out in 2021: Batman The Knight.
Manix is part of a group of artists called Next Comic Art, who take commissions from comic book publishers such as DC Comics. Manix puts his personal twist and style on well-known characters like Grogu and Wolverine.
He has published a total of 29 books so far, and has won three National Book Awards, including for his wordless graphic novel, “14.”
This September, he is set to release his 20th Kikomachine Komix book. Manix was one of The Outstanding Young Men of 2022 for his contributions to literature, culture and the arts, organized by the Junior Chamber International Philippines and TOYM Foundation.
Manix believes life is full of wonder. He believes in the richness of the Filipino culture, draws inspiration from it, and is a strong advocate of it.
He said there’s a possibility he and his fellow artists might come to Hawaii for a ComicCon. We should be so proud to welcome a fellow Pinoy who has made a vast amount of people happy with his work, and who has remained down to earth and humble while doing it.
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