Dubbed iKwento, the mobile app offers several wonderful features, including easy-to-read comic book panels specially designed for mobile readers.
It will also give independent and mainstream Filipino comic book creators a way to bring their content to a wider audience by partnering with iKwento, created by Synergy 88 Digital.
“We hope the app will revive the comic book industry, specially with the current generation. We also want to immortalize comic books before that were not published,” said Marc Cua, iKwento project manager.
Cua added: “Lastly, we want to give Filipino comic artists a platform to earn and at the same time have a platform to become known in the industry.”
iKwento’s extensive library has many vintage Filipino komiks, which were digitally and painstakingly restored.
“Upon downloading the app, users will be to peruse works by some of the local comic book industry’s greats – works that have been deemed a vital part of Philippine history as far as art and literature are concerned. Some of those works include stories that appeared in Espesyal Komiks, Kenkoy Komiks, and Pilipino Komiks,” said Cua.
Neophypte comic book creators were also given a chance to shine. The app features titles by up-and-comers like Dan Borgonos (“Lakaw”), Jun Dayo (“Mr. Pol”), Randy Torres (“Super Tsimay and the Magic Sandok”) and Romulo Miclat (“Berto Balani”).
The new app will also allow users to scan and download their own personal comic book collections to the app’s own library.
iKwento became available for download during the Free Comic Book Day event held at Filbar’s at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City recently, Cua said.
“Hundreds ang pumipila sa Filbar’s para sa event na ito. Umaga pa lang, bago pa man magbukas ang mall ng 10 a.m., nakapila na sila sa entrance. After they get their freebies, they can meet some comic book artists and authors for autograph signing and picture-taking sessions. Buong araw ‘yun,” he added.
Cua said the app will be formally launched in two to three months. He invited all the millennials to download the new app “to fully understand and appreciate where the comic book heroes really came from.” (Robert R. Requintina)