bluemechaoxide

Back in 1994, when I was still in… the first or second grade, and when the local comic industry was just starting to really take off, a young Filipino comic book artist by the name of Gerry Alanguilan came up with Wasted. It told the story of this heartbroken and very angry dude called Eric. After being rejected by his love, he was basically looking for a way to die. It so happened people came across him on this path.

Suffice it to say, it was a very violent comic.

Fast forward fourteen years later, and good news. It still exists today, copies of the compilation still in the hands of some still lucky people - and I still hope to join their ranks one day. A hard copy is always a pleasure to have. What’s really amazing though is that it actually started being distributed, part by part, as photocopies. Can you say fledgling industry?

But I guess the best part of seeing a creation of yours grow, flourish and be thoroughly enjoyed over a long period of time by lots and lots of people is that after the initial need to gain renumeration from your work (living expenses do not pay themselves), you can afford to share it with other people who didn’t get to catch it, free of charge. I mean, you’ve gotten the most you possibly could out of it anyway, so why not share?

That’s exactly what Mr. Alanguilan did. He released the entire 8-part work online. It’s actually been there for a while now, so I daresay it’s become even more permanent than having it in a tangible form simply because it’s on the Internet. It’ll be there for future generations to have, even if no reruns are done any more. Just look at me as an example.

The tale told in black and white is still a powerful read, even today.

Oh and before I forget, Wasted’s subject matter was also revolutionary. It was three years ahead of Grand Theft Auto in terms of going postal and freaking the fuck out. Take that, Rockstar.