Komik Rebyu: Sixty Six (Russell Molina & Ian Sta. Maria)

In a nutshell: Sixty-six is an action-packed graphic novel about Celestino Cabal, a 66-year old loving husband and father who one day discovers that he has super-strength, bullet-resistant skin (taking the expression "makunat na ang balat" to a whole new level), and basically the ability to singlehandedly fight crime. In two words: Wrinkly Superman. 

The makers of the book, both aesthetically and linguistically, have more than successfully made Sixty Six feel like a movie you can tangibly carry. Most importantly, it genuinely caught the essence of the Filipino culture in its art, dialogues, and plot itself. It's a perfect mix of action, drama, humor, and pure, unadulterated awesomeness.

Anyway my point is: do yourself a favor and JUST READ THIS ALREADY.

Recommend this to: EVERYONE. Seriously, this is not a drill. Go save some money, buy the book, thank me later. 

However... *light spoilers ahead* readers on the lookout for satisfying endings and perfectly-tied plots, do NOT torture yourself with this. This first installment left nothing but so much questions that you'd wish Russell Molina would just whisper to you what would happen in the next book. 

I dare you to finish Sixty Six without having any similar reactions.

The only thing I can really complain about the book is that it felt too short. But then again, most incredible pieces of literature are.

Now to the fun part.

I'm nowhere near a comics expert nor a seasoned art critic, but let me just say that the artist, Ian Sta. Maria, did an amazing job with the illustrations and layout. I found myself in awe even more when I knew that this was a first both for Russell (with writing for comics) and Ian (with illustrating for this type of genre), probably because every aspect has worked so well together.

Every character was lovable, especially the protagonist. Aside from the fact that he looks like my tatay (one of the many reasons why I'm so carried away with the book), perhaps it was because there's not a single flaw on his personality (yet) and you get this certain satisfaction from seeing the underdog kick some ass. Sometimes literally.

There's also Tino's wife, Aura, who I daresay to be the major trigger of the "feels" in the book. And there's Donat, who might probably be the boldest barangay tanod ever. It was also amazing how with simple letters alone, the authors have managed to make the readers feel attached to Ella, Tino's daughter, even though she was barely shown in the book.

Overall: 5 out of 5 pancit noodles.